Almost simultaneously with the announcement that Catholic Vespers will be prayed at Hampton Court’s Chapel for the first time in 450 years, the Vatican has released the first of what will be monthly videos, in which Pope Francis invites the faithful to pray with him for his special intentions.
It is perhaps a happy coincidence that in his initial video, which is beautifully produced, the pope asks with “confidence in your prayers” that we join his intention for believers from all traditions to come together, prayerfully, to dialogue with each other for the good of the world. The Hampton Court Vespers celebration makes a good start.
In the video, Pope Francis says:
Many think differently, feel differently, seeking God or meeting God in different ways. In this crowd, in this range of religions, there is only one certainly we have for all: we are all children of God. (“I believe in love …” say believers of each faith.) I hope you will spread my prayer request this month: “That sincere dialogue between men and women of different faiths may produce the fruits of peace and justice.”
Was anyone else struck by the action of each tradition raising a symbol of its faith to the camera, as in offering, on this traditional day of Epiphany?
All of these things we bring to you, O God, who are all love. Amen.
And today we celebrate...