The Conclave and Prayers

From the desk of the Tar Heel disciple:

May 7, 2025

The conclave has begun. For some it will evoke anxiety, and for others wonderment, amusement, or a host of other human reactions. Some media outlets find a recent Hollywood movie to be a helpful touchstone of interpretation. And social media is ablaze with memes, one of which, apparently, originated in Washington and has drawn both laughter and scorn. For many, today and over the centuries, it’s primarily understood as a political event. Even commentators on EWTN spoke as the conclave opened of cardinals from the peripheries named by Pope Francis as “representing” their countries for the first time. (It makes one wonder who the Apostles were “representing.”)

The indomitable Raymond Cardinal Burke did his best to set the tone for faithful Catholics during this period of interregnum by offering a well-crafted novena prayer in preparation for the opening of the conclave. This prayer reminded us that our contribution to the Mystical Body of Christ at this time is not to be found in fretting about the outcome of an election, nor in cheering on our favorite candidates. (And certainly not in deriding any of the contenders uncharitably!) Our part is to raise up our hearts, minds and souls to Jesus, and to pray. Thus, this novena prayer, which beautifully invokes the intercession of the Blessed Mother, can still be fruitfully used during the days of the conclave by those wishing to contribute something good:

“I kneel before you, O Virgin Mother of God, Our Lady of Guadalupe, the compassionate mother of all who love you, cry to you, seek you, and trust in you. I plead for the Church at a time of great trial and danger for her. As you came to the rescue of the Church at Tepeyac in 1531, please intercede for the Sacred College of Cardinals gathered in Rome to elect the Successor of Saint Peter, Vicar of Christ, Shepherd of the Universal Church.

At this tumultuous time for the Church and for the world, plead with your Divine Son that the Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, His Mystical Body, will humbly obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Through your intercession, may they choose the most worthy man to be Christ’s Vicar on earth. With you, I place all my trust in Him Who alone is our help and salvation. Amen.

Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in Thee, have mercy upon us!

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Virgin Mother of God and Mother of Divine Grace, pray for us!”

We can also pray for the cardinals, for ourselves, and for the whole Church using the 

Rosary and other favorite prayers and devotions. The liturgy provides us with two excellent, short prayers, one from the Mass for the election of a Pope:

“Oh God, eternal shepherd, who govern your flock with unfailing care, grant in your boundless fatherly love a pastor for your Church who will please you by his holiness and to us show watchful care. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.”

And another from the Mass for the Pope, after the new successor of Peter is announced:

“O God, who in your providential design willed that your Church be built upon blessed Peter, whom you set over the other Apostles, look with favor, we pray, on [insert name] our Pope and grant that he, whom you have made Peter's successor, may be for your people a visible source and foundation of unity in faith and of communion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.”

Devout prayer at this time and in the days ahead may help us become saints rather than pundits.