Dear Lord, in the dusk of Your most worthy servant’s day,
Comfort him as he has comforted us in times of pain and trajedy,
Guide him as he has guided us through a most difficult era,
Journey with him as he has journeyed with us for so many years,
Lead him as he has led Your Church so humbly and wisely,
Inspire him as he has inspired us to live in the light of Your love,
In his illness he has shown us Your healing love,
In his broken-ness he has shown us Your perfection,
In his suffering he has shown us Your grace and comfort,
We, Your people of many faiths and nations join,
All together as brothers and sisters,
Above our differences, we thank You,
For every hour that You willed that he remain with us,
And for the gift of Yourself
Which you have shared with us
As sacrament to us through him,
Our Pope, Our Holy Father, Our "Papa".

Andy Cirmo 02205