A Revolution of Tenderness
Last July, Pope Francis asked us to join a “revolution of tenderness” to help soften so many hardened hearts in the world. He wanted this “revolution” celebrated on the last Sunday of July, the closest, if not on the same date, to the feast of the grandparents of Jesus, Saints Joachim, and Anne. He then said that the elderly are the best “teachers of tenderness,” because of their wisdom and experience—and these sainted grandparents, Saints Joachim and Anne, would be wonderful models.
Many of our grandparents and elderly relatives and friends have passed on in the LORD. It is during this time of November that we are invited to remember them and their lessons of tenderness. How would they have responded to COVID-19 or what is happening in the Ukraine? Not that they had not seen similar, but what could they tell us about God’s mercy and tenderness?
November could be renamed “the month of tenderness” when we remember our beloved dead, their wisdom, their recipes, their stories, and so much more. We have come to celebrate the lives of our deceased Viterbo friends in a special way during our Sunday Masses through song, prayer, and reflection. You are invited to join this tender revolution of holy remembrance during which the names of our departed family and friends will be honored and placed on our altar. All of us here at Viterbo will join you in prayer.
Fr. Conrad Targonski, O.F.M
Viterbo University Chaplain