Benedetto XVI - Beloved Blessed Holy Father

BELOVED BLESSED HOLY FATHER

Bien-aimé Saint-Père Heureux

Dilectus Benedictus Sanctus Pater

Amado Santo Bendito Padre

Beato Amato Santo Padre

 האב אהוב ברוך קודש

  طوبى المقدسة الأب الحبيب

Beloved Blessed Heiligen Vater

 प्यारी धन्य पवित्र पिता

Αγαπημένε Πατέρα Ευλογημένος Ιερά

POPE BENEDICT XVI

Pope Benedict XVI announces his resignation at end of month

I stared at the ticker tape news flash in disbelief.  The banner streamed across the screen, Pope Benedict XVI has resigned it said.  I shook my head at the stupidity of the secular news media, the Pope does not resign I said to myself. I thought it was either a joke that was in very poor taste or that it was a rumor that was spreading like wild fire.  I simply refused to believe it was true despite surfing other news websites and reading more of the same.  It is a ghastly joke I thought again.  This is simply not true someone has got it horribly wrong.  When I got home after work it had begun to sink it that this was not a joke and it was certainly no laughing matter.  I felt as if someone had punched me in my stomach.  I felt I had lost a beloved family member. I was grief stricken. Why? I thought to myself. Why on earth would he abandon his children. Did not his predecessor Blessed John Paul II give such an awe inspiring witness of Christ-like suffering while soldiering on ?

The more I thought about it the more I was convinced that our Pope Benedict would do nothing without deep reflection and much prayer before he made such a momentous decision knowing that it would have monumental repercussions on the Bride of Christ. No, he would not make such a decision lightly. It must  grieve him deeply knowing that many will be saddened, many will not comprehend but many more will trust that he knows what he was doing.  This I think will comfort him.

I have now read the entire text of his letter  http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-benedict-xvi-announces-his-resignation-at-end and I understand better, much, much better.  I will miss him, the Church will miss him but he is not going away from us. He will remain in our hearts, his legacy will live on for generations to come as we read and re-read all that he has written, as we reflect on his life and his character which is a reflection of all that is good, true, sweet, noble and beautiful. The charm of his smile, the gentleness of his words and the great humility of the servant of the servants of the Lord will continue to touch the lives of many.  

The Pope chose the most auspicious and sacred time to resign – the season of Lent. I believe he anderstands the gravity of the times we live in and he firmly believes that God's purpose in choosing him to head the Church has been fulfilled. It is now time for the Holy Spirit to choose another who can take firm control of the Barque of Peter.  We face dark days ahead and we need a Pope with zeal and vigor, a man in good physical health, a sound mind and a spirit tuned wholly to the Spirit of the Lord.

  In this Season of lent the entire Church will pray and fast with greater fervor for the times that are to come and for the new Pope that will soon be elected. May the anointing of the Holy Spirit come upon the college of Cardinals as they pray, reflect and listen to the promptings of the same Holy Spirit who lives and reigns with the Father and His Son and who proceeds eternally from the Father and the Son and makes His dwelling place in us and in His Church, the Bride of Christ.

WE LOVE YOU PAPA BENEDICT