Novemdiales

The Mom Weekly Volume 90: April 29, 2025

You can read this, or any other previous Mom Weeklies, by going to the home page here.

I had already scheduled last week’s email to go out over the weekend, before Pope Francis died on Easter Monday. I thought about revising last week. But 1. I loved “Shakespeare and Family” so much! But 2. more importantly, there would be another Weekly in a few more days, and so I could wait until then.

By the time you read this, assuming you read it on Tuesday (as all TMW readers do! ha) is that we will be on the Fourth Day of the Novemdiales. The Novemdiales is the special nine-day period of mourning after a pope dies. This time starts on the day of the funeral, which for Pope Francis was this past Saturday.

This article explains the Novemdiales and lists the schedule of Masses.

Pray More Novenas (yes, it’s really a website and email service!) started a novena for Pope Francis called the Novemdiales novena. Here is the explanation: “After the death of a Pope, there is traditionally a 9-day mourning period called Novemdiales. During this period, Masses and prayers are offered for the Holy Father. “

We are all praying for the Holy Father, and also having prayers of gratitude for his life and devotion. We should also be praying for the church and for everyone who is interested in this process; the people covering it, the people watching, and more.

It’s definitely a time of grace and a time for conversion. I hope you will take advantage of it. I am going to try to!

I don’t think that speculating about “who will be the next pope” or similar is that good a use of our time. But this video presentation from Catholic University of America, which Dad & I listened to on a drive last week, is an excellent behind-the-scenes about how the process works. “What Happens After a Pope Dies?” It’s by a canon lawyer and just fascinating. (At least for me!)

Because YouTube suggests videos I might like alongside the above video , it is a more simplified explanation of some of the traditions around the conclave and the death of the Holy Father.

What Happens in a Papal Conclave? Everything You Need to Know

(I recognize this priest from seeing things from him on Instagram or Facebook, and he seems solid, but I have no details about him or his ministry).

Remember how much I love you,

Mom

Interesting/Notable:

Five Unusual Papal Burial Places: The Pillar

Americans are Tipping Less—Are You? WSJ

This was a fun interactive feature. It turns out I am average for a tipper.

An Action Item: Move Over Clothes from Winter to Spring/Summer

I am putting this item here mostly for me, but I know others will like this little nudge! The change of seasons is a great time to go through your clothes and pass along things that no longer “work” for your style or your life. I can usually get rid of, or sell, more than a few items, and it helps my closet & dresser seem less crowded, and more organized.

Here’s what I don’t have: a way to get rid of things that I keep for sentimental reasons. I have some old t-shirts and items that I keep in a bin labeled “not sure/sentimental”) and it’s pretty rare that I can get rid of things there. Any thoughts of how to work through those items would be welcome!