The Pope is Heading to Prison?

Sherry Weddell posted on Facebook, "Pope Francis will spend Holy Thursday in prison." She is quite right, and quite adept at getting your attention! The Holy Father will be celebrating the Mass with prisoners at a juvenile detention center. It is no longer business as usual at the Vatican, though I hardly think we can feign surprise at this point. Not a church of and for the poor, huh? I have a feeling much is about to change in the public image of the Church with the Holy Father getting his own hands and feet dirty for Jesus (and in example of Christ for us). [Insert the Catholic Lenten "A" Word here. Not the one that rhymes with Mass. The one that rhymes with BalletMooYa.]

Here's the article from Vatican News:

Pope Francis to celebrate Holy Thursday Mass at juvenile prison

(Vatican Radio) It was announced by the Holy See Press Office on Thursday that Pope Francis will celebrate the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the juvenile prison 'Casal del Marmo' in Rome, the same facility visited by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper, which commemorates the institution of the Eucharist, also features the rite of the washing of the feet. In his ministry as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Bergoglio used to celebrate the Mass in a prison, hospital or hospice for poor and marginalized people. The other Holy Week celebrations are expected to follow the schedule already released by the Office for Liturgical Celebrations.

Read more at The Deacon's Bench...

Habemus Papam!

The Vatican is prompt in their web updates at the very least! As of 3PM EDT the website has been updated as we await the announcement of who was elected and his chosen Papal name. Still we wait...

Black Smoke, White Smoke: Reflections on Opening Day

Clearly I'm talking about the Conclave at St. Peter's and not the Tigers. I don't even know when opening day for them is! Gasp, I know.

Today in the Catholic world it was a mix between the Oscar Red Carpet and Super Tuesday/Presidential election night. There was a lot of "oh, look! There's Cardinal [insert name here]!" and even more speculation about front runners and favorable candidates. Let's be honest. Many Catholics have their favorite hopeful, and for many US Catholics it veers between Cardinal Dolan (Archbishop of New York & President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) and Cardinal O'Malley (Archbishop of Boston). Catholics really in the know have their favorites from the larger Catholic world too (I've heard whispers of Cardinal Turkson of Ghana, Cardinal Tagle of the Philippines, Cardinal Scola from Milan, and the list goes on).

While it has been fascinating to learn about the history of the conclave and the different men most likely "in the running," I tend to find all the speculation (beyond simple hopeful conjecture) to be odd. It reeks a bit too much of every other election and award we are used to in the United States. We can certainly put our opinions and analysis out there, but there's only one who knows in the end, right? It's not any news anchor or reporter or church insider of the human variety - I'm putting my money on the Holy Spirit to do what's needed. After all, while we may be right in our assumptions, his ways are not our ways and his thoughts are not our thoughts (cf Isaiah 55:8). Even if we guess the person to be elected correctly, we don't know what his pontificate will bring, much like Pope John XXIII. You can read up on his papacy here - http://www.ewtn.com/piusix_johnxxiii/johnxxiii_history.htm (sorry I can't hyperlink on the app as far as I know).

The fact that I'm writing any of this at all betrays my own church nerdiness and addiction to needing to know the latest scoop. In 2005 during the Conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI, I hadn't yet started fully working in ministry. I was peripherally involved, so I had no idea of the conjecture or possible front runners. I'm not sure which way I prefer it, to be honest. I do kind of like knowing who the main players might be (there is also a part of me that hopes a little that we will be surprised). I just don't enjoy the nonstop analysis, I suppose.

We are most definitely on Popewatch here, though. Our prayers are united with the Cardinals. May the Holy Spirit grant them wisdom and knowledge to discern our new shepherd, and for this Mama who struggles with patience, may it be by the third vote!

Bring on the white smoke!!

Pray Give Us A New Pope!

As the Conclave of Cardinals begins at St. Peter's, let's take a minute to unite our prayers with theirs, that the Holy Spirit may guide their hearts and minds in granting us a new Holy Father and earthly shepherd. The prayer below is taken from EWTN.com.

Lord God, You are our Eternal Shepherd and Guide. In Your mercy grant Your Church a shepherd who will walk in Your ways and whose watchful care will bring us Your blessing. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen.