Sunday, March 31, 2013

He is Risen! Alleluia!

He is risen! Alleluia!

Friday, March 15, 2013

Favorite St. Patrick's Day Books for Children



St. Paddy's is around the corner. If you'd be looking for a bit of great Irish fare--meaning a good book or two-or maybe a few more, you'd be finding it here!

More interesting St Patrick themed food at Catholic Cuisine and on the sidebar you can find a list of St. Patrick books at Shower of Roses.


Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Prayers for the Conclave

                                          Christ the Redeemer statue looking over Brazil




In response to Pope Benedict XVI's call for prayers for the conclave, Brazilian youth offered these prayers and sacrifices--and counting!


39010 Masses
126926 Our Fathers
685736 Hail Marys
42304 Angelus
43834 Rosaries
14389 Stations of the Cross
20863 Holy Hours
18566 Fasts (days)
30610 Sacrifices

http://www.1conclave.com/conclaveapp

What prayers, sacrifices, rosaries have you done?

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Fr. Z's Blog: Catholic School Children Hold Conclave

Is this "cool" or what? A Catholic school in St. Louis holding its own conclave. Hats off to the organizers and seamstresses, and . . .  Now that is education!  I found the article on Catholic Vote. And he gives credit to Fr. Z's Blog.

There are more pictures on Fr. Z's Blog.

Monday, March 4, 2013

Election of Pope Trivia Quiz


Can you pass this quiz?

1) When is the last time a Pope stepped down?
2) Who chooses the next Pope?
3) How many Cardinals are there?
4) How many Cardinals are eligible to vote?
5) How many Cardinals will be voting?
6) What is the meeting of the Cardinals called?
7) How many Cardinals live in Rome?
8) Who is praying for the election of the next Pope?
9) Where are they voting?
10) What is the maximum number of electors?
11) What does conclave mean?
12) What do we call the period when we have no official Pope?
13) How many votes are needed?
14) What does the white and black smoke mean?
15) How often do the Cardinals vote?
16) What is Pope Benedict XVI's new name?
17) What happened to Pope Benedict XVI's ring?
18) Who's in charge until we have a new Pope?
19) What does Habemus Papum mean?
20) How can I be a part of the process?

                                          AP photo Pope Benedict XVI flying to Castel Gandolfo


ANSWERS
1) 600 years ago. Okay, so you heard it in the news. Pope Gregory XII stepped down in 1415 to end the Great Western Schism when there were 2 and even 3 rival claims to the papacy. Technically, the Pope does not resign, he abdicates the Chair of Peter.

2) The College of Cardinals. One easy point!

3) There are currently 203 Cardinals from 69 countries. (There are actually 195 countries in the world; 196 countries including Taiwan.) 

4) Since Cardinals over 80 may not vote, there are 117 Cardinals eligible to vote. Yep, that's right. Quite a few are over 80.

5) Besides those Cardinals over 80, the Cardinals from Jakarta and Edinburgh will not be voting. Therefore, 115 Cardinals will be voting. Ha! Fooled you. The answer to 5 is not the same answer as 4.

6) Conclave. Gosh! I want you to feel good about yourself. You know something.

7) 75 Cardinals live in Rome (But they are from all over the world).

8) Besides many faithful Catholics, (especially at the beginning of each mass), a group of contemplative religious sisters from Mexico is praying in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at St. Peter's Basilica, where adoration is every day from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm.

9) The conclave takes place in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.

10) Although over 140 Cardinals have come to Rome, the maximum number of electors is 120 Cardinals. Cardinals over 80 can attend the general congregations and discuss issues but once the conclave begins they are not able to partake in it. 

11) The word conclave is derived from the Latin com clavis meaning "with a key"--they are under lock and key--although for living accommodations, they will actually be staying at Casa Santa Marta--a Vatican residence with hotel conveniences. During this time, the Cardinals may not have radios, TVs, newspapers, internet connection, or cell phones. All contact with the outside world is prohibited. If they meet anyone outside of the conclave, they are forbidden to talk to them.

12) sede vacante " empty seat. You were wondering if you were ever going to use your Latin.

13) Pope John Paul II changed the rule to a simple majority, but Pope Benedict XVI changed the rule back to two-thirds majority or two-thirds plus one.

14) The black smoke means they have voted, but they do not have the required votes for a new Pope. White smoke means we have a new Pope! The white smoke is confirmed by the ringing of bells.

15) They have the option to vote on the first day of the conclave. From the second day 2 ballots are held in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. If after 3 days a decision is not made, they may pause for one day of prayer and discussion. Ballots are burned twice a day with the smoke rising at those times.

16) Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

17) The papal ring was destroyed, the papal apartment locked and sealed, the Pope's twitter account closed and the Swiss Guards went off-duty.

18) Until the new Pope is elected, the Cardinal Chamberlain, Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone, is the man in charge of operating the Church. He will be assisted by three Cardinals, who are randomly chosen and replaced every three days.

19) We have a Pope! After the Pope is elected, the Dean of Cardinals steps onto the balcony of the Vatican and announces "We have a Pope!"


20) You can join others in praying for the voting Cardinals that they be open to the Holy Spirit in choosing our next Holy Father. adoptacardinal.org
 

                                                   Prayer for the Election of a New Pope

O God, eternal shepherd, who govern your flock with unfailing care, grant in your boundless fatherly love a pastor for your Church who will please you by his holiness and to us show watchful care. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

                                         AP photo Cardinals coming together before the conclave.




For more info.


catholic-pages.com

bbc.co.uk/news/world-21412589

ncregister.com

worldnews.nbcnews.com

Vatican Radio


Thanks Catholic Exchange for publishing today! 3/5/2013

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