Pope Benedict XVI Resigns

I haven't written for a while now, so this story is sort of old news as I am writing it. But oh well it's important news, so it doesn't hurt to hear it twice.

Yesterday (28th February) at 7pm English time or 8pm Rome time, Pope Benedict XVI officially resigned. His last words to the faithful crowds were simply "Thank You and Good Night". Simple words from a man that will now live, as he himself said, "I am no longer the pope but I am still in the church. I'm just a pilgrim who is starting the last part of his pilgrimage on this earth,". Wise words from a wise man. 

Pope Benedict XVI will now be the Pope Emeritus. He will be entitled to be called 'His Holiness' still but all the other 'gifts' that come with the papacy will no longer be his.

This may well be the last we here of Pope Benedict XVI.

May God Bless him in his future and may he live happily for the rest of his days.

Pope: Vocations are born from openness to the love of God

Our great leader (Pope Benedict XVI) has done it again. Very wise words (as always). He has released his papal message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. In his message he wrote:

"Love of God nurtures love of neighbor, especially in people with vocations to the priesthood or religious life. The profound truth of our existence is thus contained in this surprising mystery: Every creature, and in particular every human person, is the fruit of God's thought and an act of his love, a love that is boundless, faithful and everlasting, It is in this soil of self-offering and openness to the love of God, and as the fruit of that love, that all vocations are born and grow. By drawing from this wellspring through prayer, constant recourse to God's word and to the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, it becomes possible to live a life of love for our neighbors, in whom we come to perceive the face of Christ the Lord."

Read the full message for yourself at: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/vocations/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20111018_xlix-vocations_en.html

The Power of Prayer

Just discovered this great new video entited 'The Power of Prayer'. Well worth watching.

Pope Benedict XVI: Lent

Pope Benedict XVI recieving the ashes on Ash Wednesday

In his Lenten message, Pope Benedict XVI called on the faithful to be concerned for one another and "not to remain isolated and indifferent" to the fate of others. The Pope stated that:

"Materialism and a sense of self-sufficiency are obstacles to a Christian life of charity. Instead of looking first to God and then to the well-being of others, people often have an attitude of indifference and disinterest born of selfishness and masked as a respect for privacy.

God's commandment to love demands that we acknowledge our responsibility toward those who, like ourselves, are creatures and children of God."

Wise words from a very wise man. We (Catholics) are truly blessed to have a leader that is so wise and understanding.

And don't forget we start the season of Lent in just two weeks!


Read the popes message in full at: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/lent/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20111103_lent-2012_en.html.

Creating Cardinals

Cardinals holding their red birettas

I recently read on CNS(Catholic News Service) an article about the ceremony for creating cardinals. The title read:

"Something old, something new, something borrowed and something red will be part of the mix Feb. 18 when Pope Benedict XVI creates new cardinals."

 I read on and it literally meant what was said in the title. 'Something Old' was the prayers borrowed from ancient Roman liturgies (this was also the something borrowed).

The 'Something New' was that the new cardinal will address the College of Cardinals (in this case on the subject of new evangelization).

And of course the 'Something Red' is the colour of vestments etc. as the colour of cardinals is red.

Read the article yourself at: http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1200437.htm