Try it and See

'Life with Christ is a wonderful adventure.'

St. Pope John Paul II

Painting: Hans Thoma Einsamer Ritt (1889)

The Bridge

'Human pride and egoism
always create divisions,
build walls of indifference,
hate and violence. 
The Holy Spirit,
on the other hand,
makes hearts capable
of understanding
the languages of all,
as He re-establishes
the bridge
of authentic
communication
between earth and Heaven.'

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI









 









Painting:  John Henry Hill

Holy Smoke

I know we are all praying for Pope Francis.  

May God be praised and exalted forever!


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A Family Says So Long

photo from Beautiful Whispers of Catholicism

It is a somber day for me:  I'll admit it.  As I write this, I realize that (if I have the time difference straight) Pope Benedict XVI no longer sits in the Chair of Peter.  

I've wanted to write something all day.  And when I finally was able to check out some of my favorite bloggers, I realized they have said what I cannot... each in a slightly different way.   I feel like I am gathering together with members of my family as I read their words.  Therefore, I put a few links here.  I have found comfort and encouragment in these today.  I hope you will as well.   

Beautiful Whispers of Catholicism  (and I hope you don't mind my "borrowing" the photo!)

Thoughts on Grace 

Praying For Grace

Truth Himself

Inadequate Disciple

Totus Tuus Family

Campfires and Cleats ...        

..... where our friend Chris seems to have had the same inspiration as my own today:  to share links to others saying so long to our papa.  I call your attention to hers in particular.  Especially as it includes an informative, original and entertaining video from Busted Halo... only 3 minutes long, but filled with information about how a new pope is chosen.  Perfect for young viewers!  (and we who are not so young can learn a few things about the process as well).

The posts listed above express much of the affection and sense of loss of a papa that I, myself, am feeling.   In addition to these, I include the following from "news" sites and blogs.

Rome Reports

Pope's Final Farewell (Zenit) 

Quidnunc 

May God bless the man who has led us so wisely for eight years, and draw him ever more deeply into the Sacred Heart of our Lord, Jesus Christ. 

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What An Opportunity!

What a beautiful opportunity during this pivotal time in the Church!

Did you know that, in addition to praying for the Conclave electing our next pope, we can each actually "adopt a cardinal" and pray very specifically that he will be guided by the Holy Spirit? 

I first learned about this through Tiffany at Family at the Foot of the Cross , and before long I had prayed, clicked, and suddenly I was given the privilege of praying for Cardinal Franc Rodé from Slovenia.  I've been "researching" him for several hours now, and already this makes the election process more personal than ever. 

If you would like to take this opportunity to pray particularly for one of the men who will be inspired by God to choose our next holy father,  click this line   http://adoptacardinal.org/  to read more about it.

'On this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.'  Matthew 16:18

Painting: Josef Wagner-Höhenberg, Ein Treffen der Kardinäle

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