Posted on 05/07/2005 11:49:40 AM PDT by MisterRepublican
Did you watch EWTN's coverage of the Mass at St. John Lateran, followed by the veneration of an icon to Mary, Mother of God at St. Mary Major? There were throngs of people lining the streets between the two cathedrals and each church was packed to overflowing. It's been so many years since I've seen bishops wearing traditional berettas ... but there they were! And cassocks now seem to be 'de rigueur' amongst the young priests.
Pope Benedict was radiant! The Mass was beautiful and reverent. A long line of Roman priests, fully vested, processed before the pontiff into St. John Lateran. During communion, these same priests came up in groups of 4 and all bowed before taking a consecrated host and dipping it into the Precious Blood. Why don't they follow communion by intinction at the local parish level?
I can't get enough of this new pope ... and the Romans have embraced him with all their hearts. Cameras flashing, people reaching out to touch him and he responds in kind. The commentator noted that these people are drawn to his simplicity and humility. Best of all, his homilies are orthodox in nature, delivered in a simple language - not 'Vaticanese'.
I can't recall when I have felt so utterly filled with hope for our Church. He is just awesome!
>> I can't recall when I have felt so utterly filled with hope for our Church. He is just awesome!<<
You know my dear FRiend, what problems I had at my old parish. On Catholic Answers Forums, many are like me (and you in your day).
I do so agree with the hope you have. I see the sunlight through the trees.
"Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed. . . ."
You can certainly look at it that way. But that's employing rights language, which is a relatively modern development.
Even older is the commandment of the decalogue: Thou shalt not kill.
The baby has a right to life. And we have a duty not to kill the innocent.
Given the recent Joint Declaration by the Lutheran World Federation and the Church, plus the other reforms...a great deal less than he protested during Leo X's pontificate.
But it depends on which Luther you're talking about. The Luther of 1517-18 would rejoin Mother Church.
The one of later years, when his positions hardened and radicalized, would probably still want married clergy, and a restricted understanding fo the petrine supremacy. And still quibble over the sacraments, their nature and number.
But he would certainly think things had improved over on the other side of the Tiber.
Then again perhaps he and Ratzinger/Benedict would sit down over a good beer...and a have a long, enjoyable talk.
It's been in the works for a while, but Ratzinger had to approve it.
I like the way you think!
In fairness, Luther did recant his brief flirtation with polygamy.
BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!
THAT would be interesting.
Fessio once drew up a plan for the reform of the entire order at Ratzinger's request in the late 80's. The Pope approved it. But the Superior General, Kolvenbach, rejected it.
Fessio said: "Who's the Pope around here?"
That plan is still sitting in Ratzinger's drawer.
I never heard that before! Fr Fessio is too much! I wonder what those plans contain?!
He didn't say precisely. But I study under him right now, and I'll ask if the chance presents itself again.
Flash: Pope remains Catholic.
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