Pope Benny Tidbits Request
posted by: lpioch
March 3, 2008
12:04 pm
I'm giving a talk on Thursday about the papacy in general and about Pope Benedict XVI in particular. One of the things I'd like to do is compile some more personal tidbits of information about the man.
I remember reading that he likes cats and that he was hoping to retire to write.
So if you know any personal "tidbits" of Ratzinger lore, please pass them along. I really want to focus on bringing home to these ladies that the vicar of Christ is a PERSON just as Christ was...and the he helps us visualize the FATHER in Heaven. It's not just a position. It's a person!
posted by: AlvinaL
March 4, 2008
9:00 am
lpioch,
I can’t add much information for your talk. We know that Pope Benedict XVI is a shy and humble gentleman.
A religious sister from our area celebrated the 50th anniversary of her perpetual vows. The Sister and another Sister from her religious community visited Rome. It was an anniversary gift from the family. While members of the family were touring another part of the city the two nuns preferred to stay close to the Vatican. They were walking along a sidewalk near the Vatican when they recognized Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger who was walking toward the Vatican. The Sisters called his name. The Cardinal made his way to them. The Sisters were delighted to visit with him. During the visit the Cardinal was very gracious and interested in their country and their work. All of this took place less than one year before the death of Pope John Paul II.
posted by: noelfitz
March 4, 2008
3:16 pm
Loretta
I am pleased to hear you will be giving a talk on the Pope on Thursday. I am sure it will go very well.
I have been looking at the www for some sites that you might find useful.
You might like to look at http://insightscoop.typepad.com/2004/2007/05/the_professor_p.html
God bless,
NoelFitz.
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In necessariis, unitas; in dubiis, libertas; in omnibus, caritas.
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posted by: lpioch
March 4, 2008
5:43 pm
Thanks very much, Noel! I'll take a look further tomorrow. His being shy and humble does make it a little more difficult to get to know him better!
posted by: gabriel.gardner
March 6, 2008
5:31 pm
Ipioch, Apparantly you are not aware, because a Priest acts continually in the person of Christ, according to the doctrine of the church, a Priest is required to minimize his personality in favor of Christ-like behavior. Pope Benedict XV1 has lived a life exemplifying the person of Christ through obedience to the apostolate he ascented to in his ordination. Personality traits are therefore expunged through conscience especially in frequent confession.
As Catholic's and one with the Royal Priesthood, we are all called to the same synergy of person with Christ.
There should be very little for you to tell your group insofar as personal quirks are concerned.
In the person of Christ the Head . . .
1548 In the ecclesial service of the ordained minister, it is Christ himself who is present to his Church as Head of his Body, Shepherd of his flock, high priest of the redemptive sacrifice, Teacher of Truth. This is what the Church means by saying that the priest, by virtue of the sacrament of Holy Orders, acts in persona Christi Capitis:23
Christ is the source of all priesthood: the priest of the old law was a figure of Christ, and the priest of the new law acts in the person of Christ.25
1549 Through the ordained ministry, especially that of bishops and priests, the presence of Christ as head of the Church is made visible in the midst of the community of believers.26 In the beautiful expression of St. Ignatius of Antioch, the bishop is typos tou Patros: he is like the living image of God the Father.27
1550 This presence of Christ in the minister is not to be understood as if the latter were preserved from all human weaknesses, the spirit of domination, error, even sin. The power of the Holy Spirit does not guarantee all acts of ministers in the same way. While this guarantee extends to the sacraments, so that even the minister's sin cannot impede the fruit of grace, in many other acts the minister leaves human traces that are not always signs of fidelity to the Gospel and consequently can harm the apostolic fruitfulness of the Church.
May the road rise to meet you, the wind be always at your back and the Lord hold you in the palm of his hand, until we meet again.
posted by: mkochan
March 6, 2008
9:37 pm
How obnoxious and how familiar...
Loretta, the Holy Father is a classical pianist with a great fondness for Mozart.
His brother is also a priest.
posted by: noelfitz
March 7, 2008
3:36 am
Mary
You mention the Pope's interest in Mozart.
Some time ago he was presented with an iPod. One wonders what he has on this, I would imagine he has Mozart, rather than Gregorian chant.
I consider that it is emcouraging to think of the human characteristics of those we admire.
One can imagine JP II, in his younger years, swimming and mountain climbing, but not playing Mozart on the piano. Similarly one can imagine B XVI palying the piano, but not mountaineering.Jesus soocialized with his friends, was a typical Jew in many ways.
It is encouraging to realize that it is a good thing to be fully human.
************************************************
But let's hear Pope Benedict himself on the subject. In the extended interview that was published ten years ago as Salt of the Earth we read: You are a great lover of Mozart.
Yes! Although we moved around a very great deal in my childhood, the family basically always remained in the area between the Inn and the Salzach. And the largest and most important and best parts of my youth I spent in Traunstein, which very much reflects the influence of Salzburg. You might say that there Mozart thoroughly penetrated our souls, and his music still touches me very deeply, because it is so luminous and yet at the same time so deep. His music is by no means just entertainment; it contains the whole tragedy of human existence. ****************************************
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/arts/al0275.htm.
God bless,
NoelFitz.
_________________________________________________
In necessariis, unitas; in dubiis, libertas; in omnibus, caritas.
_________________________________________________
posted by: fishman
March 21, 2008
8:39 pm
Pope Benidict also is a strong supporter of chant and composed some original chant as he hopes to bring about a revived appreciation for the form.
posted by: bhokuto
March 24, 2008
2:48 am
Our Holy Father the Pope's Heart is in the right place.
Think of his heart how he wants to have all of us "be saved" As Christ does, as the God-Father does. Transmission of the Most Holy through the holy Father - the Pope, his eminence the Bishop of the Church.
Read this snipet to understand him.
############################################################
Papal Address at the End of the Way of the Cross
"What Have We Done With This Gift?"
ROME, MARCH 21, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Here is a transcription and translation of the reflection Benedict XVI offered today at the end of the Way of the Cross in the Roman Colosseum.
* * *
Dear brothers and sisters,
This year too we have walked along the way of the cross, the Via Crucis, evoking again with faith the stages of the passion of Christ. Our eyes have turned to contemplate the sufferings and the anguish that our Redeemer had to bear in the hour of great sorrow, which entailed the highpoint of his earthly mission. Jesus dies on the cross and lies in the tomb. The day of Good Friday, so permeated by human sadness and religious silence, closes in the silence of meditation and prayer. In returning home, we too, like those who were present at the sacrifice of Jesus, beat our breasts, recalling what happened. Is it possible to remain indifferent before the death of the Lord, of the Son of God? For us, for our salvation he became man, so as to be able to suffer and die.
Brothers and sisters: Let us direct today our gaze toward Christ, a gaze frequently distracted by scattered and passing earthly interests. Let us pause to contemplate his cross. The cross, fount of life and school of justice and peace, is the universal patrimony of pardon and mercy. It is permanent proof of a self-emptying and infinite love that brought God to become man, vulnerable like us, unto dying crucified.
Peace
posted by: David T Garrison
March 27, 2008
1:53 pm
I realise the talk is over, but he was the inspiration for having my daughter baptized at the Easter Vigil. He was born on Holy Saturday and baptized the same day.
There, now you have a couple of little Abe Lincolns from me... Remember, the Sun is always shining!
posted by: sainthenry
March 27, 2008
2:14 pm
David, I have been deeply attracted to the Benedictines for many years as well so when we got a Pope with the name of Benedict, I was amazed!
King Henry 11 Holy Roman Emporer of Germany, Italy and Switzerland of the 10th Century: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ and May God Bless Us All!
posted by: AlvinaL
March 27, 2008
10:33 pm
David, congratulations on the birth of your daughter. Your baby born on Holy Saturday and baptized the same day...remarkable!
posted by: AlvinaL
March 27, 2008
10:37 pm
Our Sunday Visitor (March 30) features Pope Benedict XVI. If you’re not a subscriber to OSV, perhaps your church has an extra copy.
Pope Benedict XVI is known as “the Mozart of theology” because he dictates finished text much the way Mozart wrote music –virtually free of error. His former students, secretaries and co-workers all testify that he speaks in paragraphs, thinks in chapters and writes his books in a single draft.
He knows quotations verbatim in up to 10 languages, sometimes from sources he has not read for many years. Aside from his native German, Pope Benedict speaks Italian, French, English, Spanish, Dutch and Latin fluently. He also has some knowledge of Portuguese and can read Ancient Greek and biblical Hebrew.
The Pope is transparent. He gives talks without notes. In his Wednesday addresses he departs from the text and speaks extemporaneously. He gives homilies in that way. He is totally himself and so he is just like what he appears to be.
posted by: David T Garrison
March 28, 2008
5:20 am
Al,
Many thanks. However, it was the pope who was born on Holy Saturday and consequently baptised on the very same day. My daughter was born on Feb 29th, and I persuaded my wife to ask for baptism at the Easter Vigil.
There, now you have a couple of little Abe Lincolns from me... Remember, the Sun is always shining!
posted by: AlvinaL
March 28, 2008
2:09 pm
David, thanks for the clarification. I misread your post. It's awesome that you chose the Easter vigil for your infant daughter's baptism. God bless you and your family.