Tom Thomas –
Walking through a cemetery can be quite educative. Reading the various inscriptions on the headstones, one can get an idea of the person. The age, inscriptions, and sometimes even photos give a lot of insights.
I happen to visit our Cemetery quite regularly as that is where our parents, my grandmom and cousin are. In the past years there were ornate designs and huge granite and marble structures, but the dwindling land space has meant strict regulations for graves that are temporary in nature for five years, unless the alternative of cremating the body and placing the remains thereafter in the small niches in the wall of the cemetery can be explored.
This cemetery being almost 200 years old, established at the time of the British, certainly a lot of history can be gleaned by looking at the tombstones. Some are grimy with dust, the lettering faded or completely gone, unvisited for years. Others are well kept by the regular visits of their family members.
The difference is stark, and the quiet environs of the well planned cemetery are an oasis in the midst of a traffic chocked city. The trees give ample shade, and the birds also add to the pleasant ambience.
From such a perspective, looking at the images of late Holy Father’s tomb, located away from St Peter’s Basilica, and away from the Church dedicated to St Ignatius of Loyola at Rome, presents quite a shock. Only a replica of the simple pectoral cross he wore on the headstone, and the name “FRANCISCUS” below, etched on the simple and warm stone, SLATE, from the home of his grandparents in Italy.
The Jesuit order to which the late Holy Father belonged, is famous for the simplicity of their headstones and cemeteries. I had a blessed opportunity to visit one during my recent Ignatian retreat at a Jesuit spirituality center. There, in a simple area that has the cross of Christ overlooking, only very simple tombstones marking the three aspects of a Jesuit’s life besides their name: Date of Birth , Date of Initiation into the Jesuit Order, Date of Death. Nothing else. I prayed by the tombstones of those great Jesuit Fathers I knew, marvelling at the simplicity and humility of design. The late Holy Father made his own final resting place even simpler than all this with just his name being mentioned.
Already, many faithful are making the trip to pay their respects to this great soul.
I wonder what I would do if I got such at opportunity? What would I say to Pope Franciscus when I am in front of his tomb? Can I even summarise the impact that he had on my life, and the way he brought the teachings of the Church alive through his excellent communications from the heart?
I think it would be really difficult.
All that is left of a person once they move on from here, and become a photo on a wall, are the memories and their words. It is great indeed that Pope Francis has left us a lot of words over the tenure of his papacy.
Including this very last video talk of Pope Francis, that has just emerged and was not published. “Listen – listen a lot,” Pope Francis urges us.Yes, I would take this opportunity to listen to Pope Francis’ words, especially in this mourning period we are in now and the run up to the Conclave and election of the next Pope. Listen and reflect as to what trajectory changes do I need to make, towards my Christian identity and Mission in life.
The meticulous preparation by Pope Francis in planning even in his end burial in such a simple, understated manner, prompts me to think too, about the kind of burial and ending I would like to have.
These words from Pope Francis autobiography, HOPE, released in January 2025, echo:
“ When it happens, I will not be buried in Saint Peter’s but at Santa Maria Maggiore: The Vatican is the home of my last service, not my eternal home.
I will go in the room where they now keep the candelabra, close to the Regina della Pace from whom I have always sought help, and whose embrace I have felt more than a hundred times during the course of my papacy. They have confirmed that all is ready.
The funeral service was excessive, so I have arranged with the master of ceremonies to lighten it: no catafalque, no ceremony for the closure of the casket, nor the deposition of the cypress casket into a second of lead and a third of oak.
With dignity, but like any Christian, because the bishop of Rome is a pastor and a disciple, not a powerful man of this world.”
Yes, dear Pope Francis, you have shown us by your example what the end of a Christian should be like, simple, humble and with the dignity of the CROSS as the main defining symbol of our life.
Thank you for being our Shepherd, and showing us the way even as to how we are to depart from here.
The words of the ROGITO, that encompass the Holy Father’s life and deeds and are buried with the Holy Father, resonate. I quote the ending:
“ Francis left to all a marvelous witness of humanity, of holy living, and of universal fatherhood.
CORPUS FRANCISCI P.M.
VIXIT ANNOS LXXXVIII, MENSES IV DIES IV.
ECCLESIAE UNIVERSAE PRAEFUIT
ANNOS XII MENSES I DIES VIII
Semper in Christo vivas, Pater Sancte!
BODY OF FRANCIS P.P.
HE LIVED 88 YEARS, 4 MONTHS, 4 DAYS
HE PRESIDED OVER THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH
FOR 12 YEARS, 1 MONTH, 8 DAYS.
“May you always live in Christ, Holy Father!”
