Pope Benedict XVI
For the Conclave: Sub tuum praesidium
It is no surprise that the Catholic and non-Catholic media are buzzing at a fevered pitch concerning the upcoming Conclave. The situation is truly unprecedented for the Church and I must admit to a certain unease about the whole thing. Not only about the abdication of Pope Benedict XVI, but also about the stories of…
Is the Barque of Peter Really Seaworthy?
During Pope Benedict XVI’s final general audience, he reflected on his pontificate in the context of the oft-used symbol of the Catholic Church as the Barque of Peter: I have felt like St. Peter with the Apostles in the boat on the Sea of Galilee: the Lord has given us many days of sunshine and…
From Under the Rubble…Saint Benedict XVI?
A Jesuit friend remarked recently that, while several modern popes have been canonized, the last cardinal to be so honored – Saint Robert Bellarmine, S.J. – died almost 400 years ago. That observation suggests a rule of thumb for the upcoming conclave: it’s quite probable that some of the cardinals voting in the Sistine Chapel…
Gratias tibi, Sanctissime Pater!
O Lord, we are the millions of believers, humbly kneeling at Thy feet and begging Thee to preserve, defend and save the Sovereign Pontiff for many years. He is the Father of the great fellowship of souls and our Father as well. On this day, as on every other day, he is praying for…
From Under the Rubble…Benedict’s Long View
“A lifetime is not enough” to see all of Rome, said Pope Gregory XIV. Similarly, the contributions of Pope Benedict XVI will last far beyond our lifetimes – yet their most lasting impact might be barely visible today. Take his “Regensburg Lecture,” delivered in 2006. The media huffed that the address offended Muslims, and wrote…
Prayers Requested for Pope Benedict XVI, Set to Resign by Month’s End
The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Benedict XVI is to resign by months end. Highly unusual. Please say prayers for His Holiness and the Church. UPDATE: Here is a link to the translated text of the Pope’s resignation, originally delivered in Latin.
From Under the Rubble…A Time for Truth–Beyond Politics
Before the election, American bishops were united more than ever before in defending the First Amendment rights of Catholics from the Obama Administration’s frontal attack. But barely a fortnight passed before the bishops conference lapsed back into its divisive left-wing mode, calling for higher taxes, massive government spending, and other Democrat Party priorities. Is this…
The State says in its heart, ‘There is no God’
I recently attended the third annual Canon Law Conference for Canonists and Civil Attorneys hosted by His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Truly, it was an excellent conference made all the more so by the opportunities for spiritual refreshment and prayer at arguably the…
Living A Catholic Life: What the Ratzinger Family Can Teach Us
March 1, 2012 saw the publication in English of Msgr. Georg Ratzinger’s new book My Brother, the Pope. Media outlets have widely reported this ultimate insider’s view of Pope Ratzinger and have published excerpts from the book. Of particular interest to this writer was Msgr. Ratzinger’s recollections of his childhood with his younger brother. The…
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A Continuing Program for the Next Pope? Fr. Mark Moriarty on the Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI
Ed. Note. In the midst of the Conclave, the Bellarmine Forum is pleased to offer this guest commentary by Fr. Mark Moriarty, Pastor and Superintendent of the Church and School of Saint Agnes in St. Paul, Minnesota. This commentary was adapted from Father’s bulletin article of March 10, 2013 and is offered as a tribute…