His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has
announced that he plans on resigning the papal office on February 28th.
“… After having repeatedly examined my conscience before
God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age,
are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry. I am well
aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be
carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and
suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and
shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern
the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body
are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to
the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the
ministry entrusted to me. For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of
this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of
Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April
2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of
Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new
Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is….. Let
us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus
Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal
Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With
regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the
future through a life dedicated to prayer.”
For more information, please visit:
http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-benedict-xvi-announces-his-resignation-at-endhttp://www.news.va/en/news/benedict-xvis-resignation-coherence-and-comprehens
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2013-02-12 L’Osservatore Romano
Everyone’s
eyes met, a light murmur swelled in the hall and astonishment faded into
sorrow. Yet, after the first few moments of confusion, the unanimous
recognition that the Pope’s act was a very lofty act of humility made headway
among those present – who included the papal masters of ceremony,
representatives of the postulations, choristers of the Sistine Chapel Choir,
papal chair bearers and technicians.
It
was a decision that took everyone by surprise. As did the fact that the Pope chose
to communicate it personally, when, at the end of the celebration of Midday
Prayer and after the announcement that the three canonizations on the agenda of
the Consistory would be held next 12 May, he read the Latin text of the Declaratio
written in his own hand. Speaking in a firm, calm voice, while those present
listened to him in an almost unreal silence, he explained the reasons for his
decision, made “with full freedom”, and “after having repeatedly examined my
conscience before God”.
The
prayerful, joyous atmosphere turned into sadness. The spokesman who rose to the
occasion was Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Dean of the College of Cardinals who
immediately took the floor on behalf of all the cardinals. “Your Holiness,
beloved and venerable Successor of Peter”, he said, “your moving message rang
out in this hall like a bolt from the blue. We heard it with a sense of
bewilderment, almost totally unbelieving. In your words we noted the great
affection which you have always had for God’s holy Church, for this Church
which you have so deeply loved”.
Now,
he added, “may I be permitted to tell you on behalf of the apostolic ‘upper
room’, the College of Cardinals, on behalf of your dear co-workers, that we are
closer to you than ever, as we have been especially close in these luminous
eight years of your pontificate….You said that you will always be close to us
with your witness and with your prayers. Of course, the stars of heaven always
continue to shine and thus the star of your pontificate will always shine among
us. We are close to you, Holy Father, and please bless us”.
For
more information, please visit:
http://www.news.va/en/news/the-unexpected-announcement-that-rang-out-in-the-c
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Let us unite in
prayer for our beloved Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI
and for all the
Church.
Our Lady of
Lourdes, pray for us.
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For reflections
on World Day of the Sick, please visit:
http://theapostoliclady.blogspot.com/2012/02/stand-up-and-go-your-faith-has-saved.html
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You are invited to join a Year of Faith
Pilgrimage with Msgr. Robert Lawrence to Marian Shrines in Portugal,
Spain and France which is scheduled for July 15-26, 2013. We
have especially set extra days in Fatima and Lourdes for private prayer
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Salamanca, Alba de Tormes, Avila, and Burgos. In Paris we will visit the Chapel
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