JPII vs. Benedict XVI
A thoroughly interesting article listing some of the differences in style between JPII and Benedict XVI can be found here.
Among the fascinating tidbits:
The same masses of the faithful that applauded the gestures or striking phrases of pope Karol Wojtyla, while almost completely missing what it was that he was talking about, are doing the opposite with the new pope. They follow Ratzinger's homilies word for word, from beginning to end, with an attentiveness that astonishes the experts. Verifying this takes nothing more than mingling among the crowds in attendance at a Mass celebrated by the pope.Don't know that I'd agree that everybody was missing what JPII was talking about, but it's good to hear folks are paying close attention to Benedict.
And
He even spends his vacations in his own way. He doesn't go for the mountain peaks and the ski lodges like his athletic predecessor. On July 12, when he went to the mountains in Les Combes, in Valle d'Aosta, he brought a piano and three suitcases full of books.
Three suitcases full of books, huh? Now there's my kind of guy...
Another item: his secretaries are affiliated with the Shoenstatt movement, which is dear to me, since their summer camps in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota held a formative influence on my young life.
It's a great look at Benedict, his personality, his pontificate so far, and how his influence is playing out in the Vatican. Check it out!
posted by Mr. Dad @ 7/15/2005 11:09:00 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
Talking about Pope Benedict and vacation---on EWTN this morning Father Francis in his homily talked about vacations and quoted Pope Benedict---here are a few abbreviated phrases (as I was trying to take notes) : Vacation....we can dedicate to prayer.....serene environment of family....through contact with nature the interior is connected with infinity....we see in the surrounding world the light of truth
The full text of Pope Benedect's speech (courtesy Zenit):
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
I have been here for a few days, in the marvelous mountains of Val d'Aosta, where the memory is still alive of my beloved predecessor John Paul II, who for several years spent brief relaxing and invigorating stays here.
This summer pause is a truly providential gift of God, after the first months of the demanding pastoral service that Divine Providence has entrusted to me. My heartfelt gratitude goes to the bishop of Aosta, esteemed Monsignor Giuseppe Anfossi, and to all those who made it possible, as well as to those who with discretion and generous abnegation see to it that everything runs smoothly. Moreover, I am also grateful to the local population and to the tourists, for their cordial welcome.
In the world in which we live, it is almost a necessity to be able to regain one's strength of body and spirit, especially for those who live in the city, where the conditions of life, often feverish, leave little room for silence, reflection and relaxed contact with nature.
Holidays are, moreover, days in which more time can be dedicated to prayer, reading and meditation on the profound meaning of life, in the peaceful context of one's family and loved ones.
Vacation time offers the unique opportunity to pause before the thought-provoking spectacles of nature, a wonderful "book" within reach of everyone, adults and children. In contact with nature, a person rediscovers his correct dimension, rediscovers himself as a creature, small but at the same time unique, with a "capacity for God" because interiorly he is open to the Infinite. Driven by his heartfelt urgent search for meaning, he perceives in the surrounding world the mark of goodness and Divine Providence and opens almost naturally to praise and prayer.
Reciting the Angelus together in this pleasant Alpine locality, let us ask the Virgin Mary to teach us the secret of the silence that becomes praise, of recollection that disposes to meditation, of love of nature that blossoms in thanksgiving to God. We will thus be able to receive more easily in our hearts the light of Truth and practice it in freedom and love.
[After reciting the Angelus, the Holy Father greeted pilgrims in several languages. In English, he said:]
I greet the English-speaking visitors who join us for this Angelus. May the summer holidays be a time of rest and an opportunity to draw closer to the Lord in gratitude and prayer. Upon you and your families I cordially invoke God's blessings of joy and peace.
Thanks for the entire article. I guess my "snippets" are a bit disjointed. The complete speech is beautiful. This, I'm sure, is where Father Francis got his homily material. He did a great job expounding on these ideas.
Post a Comment
<< Home