Christ in the Storm

Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?Mark 4:40As he calmed the storm at sea, Jesus reproached the apostles for their lack of faith. On March 27, 2020, Pope Francis used the Gospel passage as a sign of Gods blessing, forgiveness, and healing in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Holy Father offered hope to the world with an Extraordinary Urbi et Orbi Blessing from an empty St. Peters Square.Christ in the Storm gathers color photos, readings, the popes homily and blessing, and also provides explanation of the symbolism and history throughout the event to create a powerful reminder that Jesus is always with us and that Gods love never fails.An Urbi et Orbi Blessing (Urbi et Orbi means to the city and to the world) is usually reserved for Christmas and Easter, but Pope Francis used his powerful and moving message to unite the world in prayer in the wake of the coronavirus. History will remember the dramatic images of the Holy Father walking alone in St. Peters Square at twilight in the rain and his profound words of hope.The Pope said,Faith begins when we realize we are in need of salvation. We are not self-sufficient; by ourselves we flounder: we need the Lord, like ancient navigators needed the stars. Let us invite Jesus into the boats of our lives. Let us hand over our fears to him so that he can conquer them. Like the disciples, we will experience that with him on board there will be no shipwreck. Because this is Gods strength: turning to the good everything that happens to us, even the bad things. He brings serenity into our storms, because with God life never dies.In addition to reading about the historical background of the event, you also will learn the significance of the following elements of the unique and deeply moving service:the icon of Mary, Health of the Roman Peoplethe Miraculous Crucifixplenary indulgenceprayers such as the Litany of SupplicationEucharistic AdorationChants such as the Tantum ErgoPope Francis