While the cardinals gather for the conclave, Sr Jane Livesey wrote down her memories of a meeting with Pope Francis during a special year for the Mary Ward Family:
“In 2015, the year in which we celebrated the fourth centenary of Mary Ward’s vision of the Just Soul, it was agreed that the Generalate would seek tickets to attend the daily morning Mass in the Santa Martha chapel celebrated by the Holy Father, with a congregation made up of members of Roman parishes and other invited guests.
The obvious week to ask for was Mary Ward Week and we were delighted to receive two tickets for Mass on 29 January 2015. Sister Elena and I had the privilege of attending the Mass on behalf of the whole Mary Ward family and of meeting the Holy Father after Mass, as he met and greeted every single member of the congregation – usually about 50 – every single day after the Mass.
As he had personal knowledge of both Mary Ward and of our sisters in Argentina it was a particular joy and privilege to share with him the publication to celebrate the Just Soul 400th anniversary, which was composed of “tweets” – brief phrases about what Mary Ward and the Just Soul meant to all those contributing to the publication from right across the Mary Ward family all over the world.
Like so many, again from all over the world, we thank God for the life and service of Pope Francis RIP, indeed a “good and faithful servant” of God and of His people and we pray for his successor, whoever he may be…
