COMMENTS, REACTIONS, IDLE THOUGHTS, DISCUSSIONS-

maryjos, 17.10.2011 15:47:

---

So far I have ignored the fact that Papa glided into Saint Peter's on what appeared to be the contraption that Douglas Bader used when learning to walk on his tin legs. THAT THING was not the most important aspect of yesterday's Mass by any means. But I've read other blogs and forums and the almost hysterical reaction is ridiculous: crying uncontrollably, giving cyber hugs as consolation, speculating that Papa may have a hip problem and burbling on about modern "medicine" [it would be modern surgery in that case] are simply ridiculous. And some of this has come from people who criticised us for writing "Stunc!" after seeing particularly beautiful photos of Papa or for falling to the floor in ecstasy over his amazingly wavy white hair [we still do it!]. Someone even stated that Papa has used a walking stick in private for some time - how can she POSSIBLY know this? We saw one photo of him using a walking stick.

When we get older we all need a little help with walking. Why should he tire himself out BEFORE he starts Mass? Heaven knows, I am a mere 67 years old, but I now take a walking stick to Rome with me and USE it, as those cobbled streets are murder and I find the stone steps leading up to Saint Peter's ALMOST defeat me, but not quite.....not yet!!!!!!

---

First I was shocked when I heard the announcement of Pater Lombardi; but when I saw Papa during the Angelus on 16.10.2011 (unfortunately I missed the Holy Mass ) I was happy again: He looked good and relaxed and happy and fresh............

And yes his fluffy white hair is.....

BTW what is STUNC????

Stunc

Giselle, I'm not sure there is any meaning to the word. It is just an expression the girls used to express their profound admiration for Papa's looks. Somebody correct me if there is more to it than that.

Oh, o.k., I thought it is an abbreviation for something.

Assumption at Castel Gandolfo

Okay, I'm sure some of you were there for Papa's annual mass in the village. It sure would be nice to hear how it was and to see some photos.

It worked!!! Thank you so much for your assistance benefan! I was previously a member NanMN but for some reason or other I ran into problems logging onto the forum. So I have a few weeks of comments to make up for. Thanks again!

So nice to hear from you.
We need to stand together in these sad days of farewell.

I've been so very sad these days and know you all feel the same way. Although it's hard to think of someone else as the pope I'm glad papa Benedetto will finally have some peace and rest to do the things he enjoys. He had looked so worn out and tired that my heart has been aching for him.
I hope we will get to see some glimpses of him in the future after all the dust settles and things return to normal.
I would not be surprised to see him spending time with his brother in a German or Austrian monestary. I wonder what kind of security requirements there will be for him and how much of an impact they have on his future life.
I hope this forum will remain active and that we will be able to get a few crumbs about Benedict every so often.

Willow,

It is really nice to hear from you again. I think you are right. We all feel awful for a variety of reasons. When I saw Papa walking through the hall to the window at Castel Gandolfo today to say his quick farewell, I was struck by how frail he looked and how slowly he was walking. I hope he is not ill in some way besides dealing with old age.

Regarding the future of the forum, I think we should keep it going as long as Papa is alive. Hopefully there will be times when he is in the news and we can use the forum to keep up with those instances.

It has been a comfort to hear again from some members who have been quiet for a while. Misery loves company.

We need to support each other because the wolves are running wild now that the shepherd is gone.

Willow! Haven't heard from you since ages. So glad you are back.
It is like I mentioned before, we need to stand together in these sad days.
Benefan is right in everything she said, there is nothing left to be added. We should keep the forum alive as long as our Papa is alive.
I do hope that we can get some tiny infos of him at least now and then.
Hope dies last.

All the best to everybody on the forum on day one after Papa. Be strong.

Well, over here in Hawaii, we have had a Mass of Thanksgiving for Papa on the eve of his final day. It was very moving, especially since our Bishop Silva was one of the first appointed during Papa's pontificate and because the Cathedral contains the relics of the two saints Papa gave us, St. Damien de Veuster and St. Marianne Cope.

I myself have been busy keeping Papa's words and life alive where I can. I was invited to post each Wednesday on our Diocese's Facebook page - some interesting fact about his life and thought and a photo. So far so good and I'm going to keep going until they say to stop ... there's so much to know and love about his person, theology and so many wonderful homilies.

I'm hoping that we'll get a person to come to our annual Faith Formation conference to speak about Papa. I've been pushing for years and now that Fr. Schall has retired and will be living on the West Coast, I told our Rel Ed Director for the Diocese that we should try again. Plus, we have a young man who has been with the Jesuits as seminarian but now will be ordained in June ... hope he can help us convince Fr. Schall. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

I've been chained to my computer for the last two weeks, reading everything I could re Papa of course and the videos of these last public events have been both bittersweet and joyful. I'm so happy that Papa had the opportunity to see everyone's love, affection and support ... what a sea of people at the Angelus, Gen Audience and at Castel Gandolfo. When the bells started ringing in Rome as his helicopter took off, I just cried.

Well, now that I know I can post, perhaps I can post some of the better articles I've saved but haven't seen posted here yet. So glad to be with you all again ... the Forum really supported me in my respect and love for Papa ... such joyful times.

See you soon!

A group of Chinese Catholic clergy and faithful have sent a heartfelt letter to Pope Benedict XVI to thank him for his attempts to improve ties between the Catholic Church and China.

The text of the letter, dated February 22, was released by the Vatican on Thursday, the last day of Benedict's pontificate.

The Chinese Catholics – bishops, priest, religious men and women, and laypeople, according to the Vatican – say the February 11 announcement of Benedict's resignation came as “shocking and sad news,” in consideration of the “special affection” Chinese Catholics have for the now retired pope.

“Your Holiness has paid special attention to China and saved a special place for the Catholic Church in China in your heart,” the group's letter says. “You tried to promote dialogue and alleviate the cross we bear by showing concern and by blessing China and the Chinese people.”

In 2007, Benedict wrote a groundbreaking letter that attempted to bring a fresh start to relations between the Catholic Church and the Beijing government.

But his reconciliation efforts have been marred by renewed crises over bishop appointments and over the role of a government-backed Church association that is not recognized by the Vatican.

“We will never forget that, in the past eight years, there were only best wishes, friendly greetings and high hopes expressed in the messages you sent to China. No matter what conflicts and harm occurred, no matter how sad and disappointed we made you feel, you always embraced China and the Catholic Church in China with fatherly love,” the group's letter says.

Chinese Catholics also praise Benedict's “free and unconfined attitude... in front of power,” and his “strong, persevering, humane response to various challenges.”

Their letter concludes: “This not only moved the world, but also makes it difficult for us Chinese clergy and Catholics to say farewell to you."

Papabear, welcome back too! It is so nice that the "old gang" is almost complete again.

The article below tells how Papa has spent his first day as Papa emeritus.
At 7am Papa has celebrated Mass.
He has already some books brought in about theology, spirituality and history. One book is "„Die theologische Ästhetik“ of Hans Urs von Balthasar.
On Thursday night Papa has watched some reports on TV about his resignation.
Also he plans to play the piano again in the evenings.

That sounds so nice and peaceful to me, I only wish I would be a little mouse and would sit hidden in a corner, only being able to watch him and listen to him.



Der erste Tag als emeritierter Papst
Benedikt XVI. hat seinen ersten Tag als emeritierter Papst um 7 Uhr morgens mit einer eine Messe begonnen. Das teilte Vatikansprecher Federico Lombardi am Freitag bei einer Pressekonferenz mit. Er habe auch einige Bücher mit nach Castel Gandolfo gebracht. Es seien Bücher zu Theologie, Spiritualität und Geschichte, so Lombardi. Eines der Bücher sei auf jeden Fall „Die theologische Ästhetik“ von Hans Urs von Balthasar. Des Weiteren habe Benedikt am Donnerstagabend im Fernsehen Sendungen über seinen Rücktritt angeschaut und wolle in Zukunft abends wieder Klavier spielen, sagte Lombardi. (rv/kna)

Welcome back, PapaBear!

It's great to have you and others back again. It was getting very lonely on this forum.

Thanks benefan. Actually I went to the Forum every day when I got those email notifications that something new was posted. At some point when I left my parish office and ministry (not on my own ... new pastor wanted a new person)I left behind the only computer I had - the one that belonged to the parish. And then I was in hospital for two weeks with pneumonia (2010), had a week or so recovery and then had to go clean out my office and pack my books (amount to nine boxes worth!) Then, the Team I used to work with got together and chipped in to buy me a computer as a farewell gift ... wasn't that nice? The components didn't arrive until about two months later so it wasn't until summer that I was finally back online and with a new email address. By then, I guess administration on the Forum "didn't recognize" me and I couldn't post and neither could I remember my password.

Anyway, all is well now .. except what a time to come back ... amid sorrow and tears. But I hope the Forum does keep going ... you all gave me such joy and so much knowledge through so many articles, suggested websites and all those wonderful pictures!

I'll do my best to do more of my share of posting .... if I can only find an easier way to post pictures. I get Rome Reports too ... I can help out there.

Aloha from 'way over here.

I have all the EWTN DVD's of his US events. I'm watching right now the Mass in St Patrick's Cathedral and his homily calling us to unity and to be the ones who seek out and care for the poor and suffering.

It's so wonderful to see him again, mobile, and strong of voice in his lovely English.

When you told me you were back on the forum, Papabear, I knew I had to stay too. I can't abandon Papa!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll always, always love him. I now understand why he did this. I've been through all the emotions, including being angry with him, but now I can understand. He is still with us!!!! The sun WILL shine again!

BTW, at morning Mass today I was waiting to see if there was a hesitation at that part of the Eucharistic Prayer where the current Pontiff's name and the name of the local bishop is inserted and .... What do you know? Our assoc. pastor inserted "Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI" .... Can they do that? Much as I love hearing our Benedict's name pronounced in prayer, I wondered if that was consistent with a "sede vacante" tradition? Anyone else? What happened at your parishes?

I would also like to hear a Prayer of the Faithful added to prayer for Benedict XVI and one for the Cardinals preparing/and in Conclave.

PapaBear,

I didn't notice what was said at that part of our Mass yesterday but they did include praying for the cardinals in their job ahead. I read an article (by the Vatican Insider magazine, posted on the news thread yesterday) that said Benedict's name wouldn't be included where the pope is usually mentioned. I think it was very nice of your priest to include him anyway.

Our PP now leaves out Benedict in the Eucharistic Prayer and just starts with Declan, our bishop...

But he does pray for Benedict in the Bidding Prayers, which he more or less makes up himself during the week.

Thanks for your feedback. I would have loved to have seen a Novena prayer encouraged within our parish ... maybe there's one going on, but I haven't heard ... only mine that I emailed out to a small distribution list of friends.

Our Liturgy Committee is meeting tomorrow and I'm going to ask the pastors if we can have those two prayers be part of each Sunday's Prayers of the Faithful ... our pastor is one usually who says, "OK - you write it" ... Hey, I'd do it ... for Papa and for the Church. Over and over again in the interviews Cardinals have given to media they say our most important role during this time is to pray that the Holy Spirit descend in wisdom (and be heard!) for the life of the Church.

Blessings to all today and always ... abbraccio ... Linda