9 March 2013
On Tuesday the conclave begins to elect a new Pope. For those who wish to read more about the details, here is a good source for information with a few articles. Maybe by next week we will have our new Pope?
Over the past few weeks I have just been trying to watch and take things in. I think a lot about His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and what he was trying to teach us in his last actions and speeches as Pope. Here in Rome you can't go anywhere without running into someone saying something about what the Church needs, who might be the next Pope and why, etc. And probably like many of you I have been reading different articles, trying to keep myself informed, and forming my own opinions on the whole thing. Its easy to get caught up in this event - its interesting to speculate about and it makes one feel insightful, even if some of the problems are all too human.
Everything I've read or heard makes sense in one way or another. Its easy to be convinced that somebody is right on Church reform or in naming the top candidates. It is less easy to know if they are right - we all have good ideas but we could also be missing more information than we know. Sometimes what we speak with such surety isn't right, it is just an opinion.
I was talking to a trusted priest friend the other day and it helped me put things in perspective. The Holy Spirit still guides the Church. We've got to trust that simple truth. For all our insights and predictions, what we really want most is to witness His power and providence providing for the Church. We all have our part to play, but when its out of our hands, that's our chance to trust. And then it hit me, that is exactly what Benedict XVI did in his last few acts - he followed the Holy Spirit's call to deeper prayer, he trusted that the Church would succeed without him, and he encouraged us to trust with his last words at Castel Gondolfo.
There is a lot of peace in believing that God can do much more than we ask or imagine. It is freeing to trust in the Holy Spirit.
St. Joseph, pray for us!
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Waiting for the Conclave
6 March 2013
Today the Holy See Press Office reported:
Today the Holy See Press Office reported:
“The College has a great spirit of preparation that is serious, profound, and unhurried. Perhaps that is why it still did not seem opportune to take a vote on the date of the Conclave, which a large part of the College could sense as something forced in the dynamic of reflection.”
Comments like this begin to express the attitude of many here - a little sad but decidedly optimistic. The Cardinals meet every day to prepare and organize for the conclave and that has afforded us a special opportunity - many have come to celebrate Mass with us these last few days. Here are some snipits from what I remember...
Cardinal Egan - Never forget Jesus Christ is priest and victim. Never forget we encounter Him at the Mass through the person of the priest.
Cardinal Wuerl - Confession is the Sacrament of the New Evangelization.
Cardinal Dolan - The press is constantly asking the Cardinals if the Church will change now, if the next Pope will be open to change. The answer is yes - the Church has always expressed a desire for a profound change. We want God to enter into our hearts and convert us. We want Him to change our wills to conform with His will, not try to conform His will to ours. Let us pray...
Monday, March 4, 2013
Silence
4 March 2013
"It is a time for silence, a time for prayer" - remembering the words of my university president on 11 February when the now, His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI announced the end of his pontificate.
On 28 Feb he flew over our college twice. We were all on the roof waving good bye. The last words of his pontificate came from Castel Gondolfo, and now we are sede vacante - "empty seat" - Popeless.
The Cardinals from the US are all here now. The press is out en masse. It is a time for silence, a time for prayer.
Please join us in praying for the Cardinals and the Church as they elect the next Pope. We are praying this prayer together every day, I'd be glad if you joined us with your holy prayers.
A Novena Prayer
for the Election of the Supreme Pontiff
Lord Jesus Christ,
you who have established your Church
on the solid foundation of the Apostle Peter
and have promised to remain with us
until the end of time,
grant we beseech you
that we may all be steadfast in faith
and filled with zeal for the glory of your Name.
We humbly ask that you grant
to the College of Cardinals
the Spirit of Truth that they may know your will,
and acting in courage and faith,
may elect as Supreme Pontiff
him whom you have chosen to be
Chief Shepherd of your flock
Successor of Peter, Bishop of Rome,
and Servant of the Servants of God.
Grant to us a Pope who will teach and guide
by word and example so that
together with the flock entrusted
to his care
he may arrive at eternal life in your Kingdom
where you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.
"It is a time for silence, a time for prayer" - remembering the words of my university president on 11 February when the now, His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI announced the end of his pontificate.
On 28 Feb he flew over our college twice. We were all on the roof waving good bye. The last words of his pontificate came from Castel Gondolfo, and now we are sede vacante - "empty seat" - Popeless.
The Cardinals from the US are all here now. The press is out en masse. It is a time for silence, a time for prayer.
Please join us in praying for the Cardinals and the Church as they elect the next Pope. We are praying this prayer together every day, I'd be glad if you joined us with your holy prayers.
A Novena Prayer
for the Election of the Supreme Pontiff
Lord Jesus Christ,
you who have established your Church
on the solid foundation of the Apostle Peter
and have promised to remain with us
until the end of time,
grant we beseech you
that we may all be steadfast in faith
and filled with zeal for the glory of your Name.
We humbly ask that you grant
to the College of Cardinals
the Spirit of Truth that they may know your will,
and acting in courage and faith,
may elect as Supreme Pontiff
him whom you have chosen to be
Chief Shepherd of your flock
Successor of Peter, Bishop of Rome,
and Servant of the Servants of God.
Grant to us a Pope who will teach and guide
by word and example so that
together with the flock entrusted
to his care
he may arrive at eternal life in your Kingdom
where you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Pope Benedict XVI's Last Wednesday Audience
27 February 2013
Here is Pope Benedict XVI's last public message, today's Wednesday Audience.
Most universities in town closed so that people could go to the Audience - but not the Pope's university. All of us at the Lateran University and the John Paul II institute continued classes as usual as Pope Benedict XVI specifically requested. He desires that everything continue as usual. There are no regrets in obedience; only inner peace and joy. I am grateful to my friends who did get to go, for sharing their experience with me.
Here is Pope Benedict XVI's last public message, today's Wednesday Audience.
Most universities in town closed so that people could go to the Audience - but not the Pope's university. All of us at the Lateran University and the John Paul II institute continued classes as usual as Pope Benedict XVI specifically requested. He desires that everything continue as usual. There are no regrets in obedience; only inner peace and joy. I am grateful to my friends who did get to go, for sharing their experience with me.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Bad News
26 February 2013
In the news as of late there has been lots of discouraging news. The resignation of Cardinal Keith O'Brien in Scotland and all the controversy surrounding that, reports about a ring of division and dissension within the curia, rumors of squabbling among Church prelates, attempts to insinuate that Pope Benedict XVI is "retiring" as a way of avoiding trouble or conversely, that he is being forced out. Some of this is information is skewed, some misleading, and to a large degree most of us don't know what this information means in its proper context.
There are likely vestiges of truth connected to all this information. I don't know, but usually people don't just make stuff up out of thin air. At the same time it is presented through someone's individual lens (like politics) and understood through another persons lens (namely each one of our personal experience and opinion of the Church). Some things get lost in translation and other things are magnified by adding our own baggage, our own spin to what we hear.
We need a good interpreter if we really want to understand correctly. I'm not sure we'll find one, but I am sure there will be plenty of more speculation. The result is we are left with disappointing news of varying degrees of truthfulness and it makes us sad, confused, or worse, suspicious. It threatens to take the focus off of the truth we really need to focus on.
Now is a good time to go back to Pope Benedict's last homily at Mass, Ash Wednesday. I really encourage you to read the whole thing, spend some time praying with it, reflect on it from your perspective. Here is one line to focus on, referring to the first reading at Mass from the prophet Joel:
Its a question worth asking ourselves today, I know I am.
In the news as of late there has been lots of discouraging news. The resignation of Cardinal Keith O'Brien in Scotland and all the controversy surrounding that, reports about a ring of division and dissension within the curia, rumors of squabbling among Church prelates, attempts to insinuate that Pope Benedict XVI is "retiring" as a way of avoiding trouble or conversely, that he is being forced out. Some of this is information is skewed, some misleading, and to a large degree most of us don't know what this information means in its proper context.
There are likely vestiges of truth connected to all this information. I don't know, but usually people don't just make stuff up out of thin air. At the same time it is presented through someone's individual lens (like politics) and understood through another persons lens (namely each one of our personal experience and opinion of the Church). Some things get lost in translation and other things are magnified by adding our own baggage, our own spin to what we hear.
We need a good interpreter if we really want to understand correctly. I'm not sure we'll find one, but I am sure there will be plenty of more speculation. The result is we are left with disappointing news of varying degrees of truthfulness and it makes us sad, confused, or worse, suspicious. It threatens to take the focus off of the truth we really need to focus on.
Now is a good time to go back to Pope Benedict's last homily at Mass, Ash Wednesday. I really encourage you to read the whole thing, spend some time praying with it, reflect on it from your perspective. Here is one line to focus on, referring to the first reading at Mass from the prophet Joel:
"Again, the prophet has God proclaim these words: "Rend your hearts and not your clothing" (v. 13). In our own day, lots of people are ready to "rend their clothing" in the face of scandals and acts of injustice – the fault naturally of others – but few seem prepared to do something about their own "hearts", their own consciences and their own intentions, allowing the Lord to transform, renew and convert them."We are in the middle of Lent in the year of Faith. We are "at the same time holy and always in need of being purified, always follow[ing] the way of penance and renewal" (Lumen Gentium 12). Are we willing to rend our hearts and not just our garments?
Its a question worth asking ourselves today, I know I am.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Benedict XVI's Last Angelus
24 February 2013
video and full text of Pope Benedict XVI's last Angelus
Note particularly what he says about prayer and the Lord's call to him at this time.
In prayer we are always close. He believes it and he means it.
video and full text of Pope Benedict XVI's last Angelus
Note particularly what he says about prayer and the Lord's call to him at this time.
In prayer we are always close. He believes it and he means it.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Frequently asked questions
23 February 2013
This came out a couple of days ago from the Vatican Press Office; many of you might have similar questions and maybe this will help you. Remember the last paragraph of Pope Benedict XVI's talk with the Roman clergy on 14 February 2013 about the "virtual Council" vs. the "real Council". Look closely again. Reflect again. Avoid the hype; it is often misleading. Make an act of trust, an Act of Faith in this Year of Faith.
Some FAQ's on the Pope's Resignation
Act of Faith
O my God, I firmly believe
that you are one God in three divine Persons,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
I believe that your divine Son became man
and died for our sins and that he will come
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe these and all the truths
which the Holy Catholic Church teaches
because you have revealed them
who are eternal truth and wisdom,
who can neither deceive nor be deceived.
In this faith I intend to live and die.
Amen.
-From the Compendium to the Catechism of the Catholic Church
This came out a couple of days ago from the Vatican Press Office; many of you might have similar questions and maybe this will help you. Remember the last paragraph of Pope Benedict XVI's talk with the Roman clergy on 14 February 2013 about the "virtual Council" vs. the "real Council". Look closely again. Reflect again. Avoid the hype; it is often misleading. Make an act of trust, an Act of Faith in this Year of Faith.
Some FAQ's on the Pope's Resignation
Act of Faith
O my God, I firmly believe
that you are one God in three divine Persons,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
I believe that your divine Son became man
and died for our sins and that he will come
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe these and all the truths
which the Holy Catholic Church teaches
because you have revealed them
who are eternal truth and wisdom,
who can neither deceive nor be deceived.
In this faith I intend to live and die.
Amen.
-From the Compendium to the Catechism of the Catholic Church
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