The ark still sails

"The waters rose and swelled greatly on the earth,
and the ark sailed on the waters."
 Genesis 7:18

"You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church.
And the gates of the underworld
can never hold out against it."
Matthew 16:18

X

"The Church has had moments of joy and light, but also moments that were not easy. There have been moments in which the waters were turbulent and the wind contrary, as throughout the history of the church, and the Lord seemed to be asleep. But I have always known that the Lord is in that boat and that the boat of the Church is not mine, it is not ours, but it is his and he does not let it sink."

-- Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, final general audience

 

“May you always experience the joy
that comes from putting Christ
at the center of your lives.”

Benedict's final Twitter post

 

X

Heavenly Father,

strengthen your Church
in unity and charity
and, as you have entrusted
your servant Benedict
with the office of shepherd,
grant him and his successor
salvation and protection,
together with the flock
entrusted to his care.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Adapted from closing prayer
from Mass for the Pope
Roman Missal, 3rd Ed.