By their lives, Mary and the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI helped people to seek and to see the face of God, Washington Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory said Dec. 31.

The Jan. 5 funeral Mass for Pope Benedict XVI will be a papal funeral with a few changes to fit with the fact that he was not the reigning pope and has not left behind a “sede vacante.”

As angels revealed the birth of the Messiah to the shepherds, representing the nation of Israel; the star revealed Christ to the Gentiles, represented by these magi from another land.

The funeral Mass for Pope Benedict XVI, who died Dec. 31 at the age of 95, will be held Jan. 5 at St. Peter’s Square with Pope Francis as presider. The Mass is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. Rome time, which is 3:30 a.m. Eastern.

The Holy Family holds lessons for all of us about how to pray, how to trust in God and live in love.