playing a part

12 March 2013

The conclave began today.  At 7:20am we all lined up along the road for the ultimate "clap out".  The tradition here at the NAC is that when your class arrives as New Men, everyone who is hear "claps you in" as you walk up the stairs into the chapel for the first time.  Then, about 5 years later when you have finished and are leaving the college for the last time the bells go off and everyone lines up along the steps to "clap you out".  Its a chance to say good bye, a time to remember that this guy, my friend, is now a priest and he is being sent out to labor in the Lord's vineyard.  Its a whole new phase of life.

Today we did the same for the American Cardinals.  They got into the van that would take them to the Vatican.  All of us were there, we were all clapping.  As the Cardinals passed and thanked us with waves and smiles we really felt that we all had a stake in this.  Our prayers our support mattered as these men go to elect the next Pope.  They are going into conclave for a major labor, it was a time to be in solidarity with them.  There is a strong sense of optimism, Hope, fraternity.

Our whole college schedule is changed.  Every day all of us who wish (which is nearly everybody) will go down to the square at noon and 7pm to watch for smoke.  Tonight we prayed evening prayer then waited in the square.  There were so many people, mostly younger.  The atmosphere was vibrant.  No one expected there to be a Pope tonight, but we were all there and it was great in the cool, dark, and at times sprinkling weather.  After an hour of waiting black smoke poured from the chimney.

Day one is over.  The Cardinals will rest and pray, and we will pray too - we all have a stake in this.

ps- for more information during this time I recommend 2 websites to check that are trustworthy.  They are usually fast and accurate:
www.news.va
www.newadvent.org