During a Mass celebrated on November 5 for the bishops who have died in the past year, Pope Benedict XVI thanked God "for the gift He has given the Church through them and for all the good achieved with their help.While they differed in many ways, the Pope said, the deceased bishops were alike in one respect: "their friendship with the Lord Jesus."
He said that participation in the life of Christ, through grace, "tends to envelop one's entire existence, transfiguring it and preparing it for the glory of eternal life."
Commenting on the Responsory Psalm for the day's liturgy, which referred to the soul thirsting for God, Pope Benedict said that a confident Christian feels a constant longing for the full union with God, and for the truth that "even through the darkest night, illuminates that path toward the source of life."
"Thus death is not fearsome, and can be approached with hope, he said, noting that Jesus "has entered the sanctuary of heaven for us and wants to lead us there where he has prepared us a place."
The Holy Father concelebrated the memorial Mass-- an annual Vatican tradition for November-- with the members of the College of Cardinals who were present in Rome on Monday.
The Pontiff recognized the special role of cardinals at the start of his homily, listing the members of the Sacred College who have died in the past year:
Cardinals Salvatore Pappalardo,
Frédéric Etsou-Nzabi Bamungwabi,
Antonio María Javierre,
Angelo Felici,
Jean-Marie Lustiger,
Edouard Gagnon,
Adam Kozlowiecki, and
Rosalio José Castillo Lara. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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