Christ in the Storm: An Extraordinary Blessing for a Suffering World

By Pope Francis, John L. Allen Jr. and Timothy P. O'Malley

Winner of a third-place award in Pope Francis books from the Catholic Media Association.

“Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?”—Mark 4:40

As 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 God’s forgiveness and healing during the Extraordinary Urbi et Orbi Blessing from an empty St. Peter’s Square. Even more than a year later, the Holy Father’s words offer hope to a world that continues to fight its way back from the COVID-19 darkness.

Christ in the Storm is the first book on the Pope’s powerful and hopeful message during what we now know was just the beginning of the worldwide pandemic. This beautifully designed hardcover book gathers color photos, readings, the pope’s 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 God’s love never fails. It is not only a stunning keepsake of the Holy Father’s important blessing, but more importantly a prayer resource you will return to again and again.

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. Peter’s 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 God’s 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 elements of the unique and deeply moving service, including

• the icon of Mary, Health of the Roman People
• the Miraculous Crucifix
• plenary indulgence
• prayers such as the Litany of Supplication
• Eucharistic Adoration
• Chants such as the Tantum Ergo

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ave Maria Press
• Release date: Oct 2, 2020
• ISBN: 9781646800544

Pope Francis

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires on December 1936, has been the Bishop of Rome and 266th Pope of the Catholic Church since the 13th of March 2013. On the 13th of March 2015 he decided to give a decisive turn to his papacy by announcing the Holy Year of Mercy that began on December 8th 2015, which is celebrated in his first book as Pope, The Name of God is Mercy, written in conversation with Vatican expert and La Stampa journalist Andrea Tornielli.

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