Pray the Holy Spirit guides cardinals

April 12, 2005

Dear People of the
Archdiocese of Edmonton:

In these days the cardinals are meeting, and soon will gather in the conclave to elect our next pope.

I ask that each person in our archdiocese pray daily for the cardinals, for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as they discern who shall be the successor of St. Peter, and Vicar of Christ on earth.

During the conclave itself, I ask that the Mass for the Election of a Pope (#505 in the Sacramentary) be celebrated throughout the archdiocese on weekdays.

I would ask that this intention be included in the Prayer of the Faithful at every Mass until the new pope is elected: "For the cardinals, that they be guided by the Holy Spirit as they elect our new pope."

I ask also that at the end of every Mass until the new pope is elected, the congregation join in praying an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory be to the Father, for the cardinals as they elect our new pope.

Yours in Our Lord,

Thomas Collins
Archbishop of Edmonton

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