CHATTER, THE ENGLISH VERSION OF KREATIVBEREICH

Dear Nan,

I still have the tears in my eyes, your story is so beautiful, thank you so much for posting in here on Easter 2006!!

Now I'm looking forward to seeing Papa at 12.00 today from Castelgandolfo!

That was a lovely story, Nan. Sometimes handwriting does appear on the wall to give us the directions for our life. And sometimes God speaks in a whisper, maybe even with a German accent. I am so glad you took that leap of faith home.

Well said, Benefan God speaks with a German accent, and even a distinct Bavarian accent, don’t you think?

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“Catholics 'worship' Mary and other saints………..”

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How well I know these kind of statements, - a heritage from our mutual Scandinavian post-reformation history. But Nan, you never gave up looking for values that correspond with your own conviction. And you found the Roman Catholic Church. To convert is no easy decision to make. I think you are brave!

, I loved your story and, being Protestant-raised, could identify with many of your anecdotes and anxieties - except, I never believed the Pope is Anti-Christ...not even my father, a Protestant pastor, would dare say that! But I grew up in an era where we heard a lot of "the Roman danger". What the "danger" was, I could never fathom. It was such a vague term, to say the least. I now know the "danger"-label was due to the many people who converted to Catholicism in the 1950's in my country.
I'm so deeply happy for you that you now are an "official" Roman Catholic! I've been an un-official part-Catholic since my first aquaintance with the music of the Mass and the Hours and my first attendance of a Mass (which had to take place in Europe!!) I am convinced that our DNA carries the imprint of the Catholic Christian faith of our ancestors. I have been studying the doctrines of the RCC for nearly a year now (I did know something about it before 19 April though). There is only one aspect of the RCC beliefs that I still find hard to truly understand (it is not the Real Presence!)Perhaps I can write to you about it, seeing that you have the same kind of religious background?
Once again: congratulations, Nan!

GIRLS...DID YOU SEE THE PLUG THIS FORUM GOT TODAY ON AMY WELBORN'S 'OPEN BOOK' BLOG?
amywelborn.typepad.com/openbook/
HERE'S THE INTRODUCTORY SENTENCE:
"The best place to go for links to articles about Pope Benedict is here, the "Papa Ratzinger Forum" where not only English-language articles are posted, but translations of other pieces, as well." She later quotes from our translation of the Italian Vanity Fair article.

[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 18/04/2006 0.44]

VERY NICE PLUG!

@Teresa: "She later quotes from our translation of the Italian Vanity Fair article."

Benefan: That would be YOUR translation, Teresa. That is one of the best things about our forum--your terrific language skills. We get access to information from a variety of countries because You can translate umpteen languages. You are a mini-Ratzinger. Nobody else's forum has that kind of variety and scope.

Just don't get sick! And, by the way, did you make that appointment with your eye doctor yet?

Nan,wonderful,touching story!im so happy for you

and yes! ive seen amy welborn blog entry!! Go Teresa!and Italain Forum!

Teresa, you have a precious gifts with the translation thing. Just take me as an example. I am able to understand, read, speak 5 languages....but when if comes to translation,.....I try to study translation, but I gave up, because of the grammar......
Congratulation and never minimazes your talent!

[Modificato da @Nessuna@ 18/04/2006 3.41]

Thank you for the warm welcomes Teresa, Wulfrune, Jil, benefan, Lutheranguest, Mag6 and gracelp! Wow, what a response.

Mag6... I would love to exchange emails with you... go to the RFC forum and log in, I'll send you my email address so we can write!

This whole last year has been incredible with new discoveries and the "death" of old - tightly held beliefs. The writing on the wall... I wasn't recognizing it... I can be very stubborn. No, God more or less had to give me a "whomp" to make me listen... let me see. On RFC last autumn I compared it to walking across a rope bridge. I am terrified of rope bridges. But I was walking up a hill… searching for something… where is it? Fog develops. I stop just at the edge of a cliff… deep… with jagged rocks… yikes! I walk along the edge till I come to the rope bridge shrouded in fog so I can’t see across. But there is no fog on the hill. I don’t want to go down the hill but… I really hate rope bridges! A voice… “Be not afraid”… I turn around. Jesus is on the bridge holding out his hands for me to take, “Be not afraid” He repeats. As I look forward the fog starts to clear. On the other side are Papa and so many Catholic friends waiting for me… I am waiting now to greet others who make the decision to come Home!

Thank you for the stunning photos from the Via Crucis at the Colosseum. Some of us [including myself] decided to watch it on Rai Uno at the convent [yes - we were staying in a convent!]. The close-ups of Papa and of all the Stations were wonderful and we wouldn't have seen nearly half as much if we had actually been there. I thought Papa looked young that night. Just my personal impression. He certainly did look serious [Mag6nideum - you said that and I agree], but it was because he was totally involved, heart and mind, in the Way of the Cross. By not going in person I had a bit of luck beforehand - I was returning from the restaurant with some of our group and the police were out in force, stopping people from moving anywhere. Then I realised why! We were standing in front of the Holy Office and near the "back entrance" to the Vatican. First two motorcycles with flashing blue lights........then a black car with security men...........then a white car! Guess who was in the white car? Yes - Papa - and we waved and he smiled and waved back , just for the few of us. That was one moment...but I had many others over Easter.
I'm still in shock and very tired.
Love and Peace to all!!!! Mary

Dearest Nan,
When we were in Saint Peter's at the Vigil, I did think of you. We were about seven hours ahead, so I knew you had not yet been received into the Church. The Offertory procession consisted of the people Papa baptised that evening. It was a colourful procession, as some were in national costume.
I told the people in our pilgrim group about you, Nan, and we all made special prayers. We were in a queue for the Vigil from 6 pm and the Mass started at 10 pm and lasted three hours. While in the queue we prayed the rosary - Joyful and Glorious Mysteries, for you and for everyone.
Welcome Home to Rome!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love always - Mary x

Oh, wow, Maryjos, you're back safe and sound! (perhaps not so sound in mind after receiving waves from Papa etc......!!)Great to have you back and we hope that you can share some moments and impressions after some rest and sleep. We all thought of you in Rome, believe me.

Dear Maryjos,

welcome back - I had to think of you a lot when I was watching the Easter ceremonies on TV. I hope you are well and I'm now looking forward to finding out everything about your time with Papa. :

All Saturday, I was with you spiritually in Rome. Thank you for the many prayers that day. I felt a wonderful warm peace. Now, I pray that physically you recover quickly... walking on the cobblestones can be murder on the legs!!! Love ~ Nan

ANOTHER SPECIAL MESSAGE FOR MARY

Mary, if you have rested up from your trip and things are calm at home, would you please tell us about what you did in Rome and if you have any photos, we would be absolutely thrilled to see them.


A SPECIAL MESSAGE FOR NAN

Nan, did you get any trip pics from Rome?

:-) Here are some of my photos from my visit in Rome (and not only :-)): www.sfinia.fora.pl/viewtopic.php?t=343&start=0
Hope you will recognize these places easily! It was done in 2002, during the canonization (?? Not sure whether this is the correct word) of Father Pio by our John Paul the Great.

Tomasso, thank you for sharing your photos with us, they are excellent. How wonderful that you were there for the canonisation of St Pio. It is an ambition of mine to visit San Giovanni Rotondo one day.

I am sure that John Paul the Great will be canonised one day.

Welcome to the forum!!!

Girls, I have a long night of translating ahead of me...the most interesting articles being 1) Part 1 of a 30 Giorni article about Ratzinger the professor, as recounted by former students and colleagues, much of it material we have never seen before, and in the spirit of the recent 30 Giorni article on Joseph the student. (If they go on like this, I expect their next offering will be on Joseph the Archbishop - and kudos to 30 Giorni for their remarkable initiative!); and 2) a lengthy and very personal interview done by Avvenire with Georg Ratzinger - God bless Big Brother, and how wonderful to listen to someone who refers to him only as Joseph!

Yesterday I received a wonderful news!!!!!

POPE IS LOOKING FOR CONTACT US!

Gloria, Eugenia, Gabriella, Rosa e Anna went Rome last wednesday and they put a message San Pietro Place...then, Pope noticed this message, and ask to his secretary what is PAPA RATZINGER FORUM...then ,we write a letter by hand that we'll send him to Apostolic Palace. If you want say something to Holy Father you can write here a brief message that I'll copy in the letter.
What Wonderful news!!!!

Oh WOW - this is wonderful. You so deserve it, Ratzigirl!!!! I hope that one day you will be able to present our greetings to the Holy Father in person.

Great to think it could be our turn to wish him Peez und choy!!

Wonderful news!!!!! COMPLIMENTIIIIII, Ratzigirl !!!!!!
Let Papa know that even protestants pray for him !!

Oh, Ratzigirl, how bellissimo!!!

So, finally, Papa knows that we exist ...... (does that mean we have to behave now......?) Can you imagine he'll be reading here.......

I will write something for him and pass it to you.

Grazie mille per tutto, Ratzigirl.

That's the best news we could hear. Soon we'll be as famous as Opus Dei

RATZIGIRL!!!!! im so happy
where do we write our messages? here? or can we send it to you via email? thanks...

just the thought of Papa knowing us is super cool!
and hehe,i dont think we'll ever behave

RATZIGIRL! - WHAT GREAT NEWS TO WAKE UP TO! CA'NT WAIT TO HEAR THE DETAILS....COMPLIMENTI!!!!

wouuuuuuuuuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa !
Ratzigirl ....... how do you know that ?
It's so wonderful !
you are the best ! and of course Gloria, Eugenia, Gabriella, Rosa, Anna

Please can you write him :
"France is not very warm, but Ratzinger Forum has a French section"

A person that girl italian knows well has a friend that work in Vatican State and he give the news. So, we are certainly about news!!
Yes! You can write here your message, but you must quickly because i'll send my letter on Monday or Thursaday....

Oh Ratzigirl, that is fantastic news!!! oh... what message to write :

"Dearest Papa, Grazie, mille grazie!"

This forum is for me probably the only way to contact with Benedictus...
BTW, I've tried to register but I cannot see the message with the activation code. Nevertheless, I will be writing as a guest.

I've sent two messages by mistake. Please delete one of them (and this one).