Monday, February 11, 2013

Beloved Pope Benedict to Resign

This morning, I was so very disappointed to learn that our beloved Pope is going to resign due to failing health at the end of this month. No matter how irrational the thought, I have wanted him to live forever. He is such a holy man of God, and it is during his pontificate that we converted and I have grown to love him so much, for his leadership and his gift to speak and write with clarity. He is one of my best teachers, my Papa.

Last Christmas, I came upon his letter to the Baby Jesus when he was just seven years old.

Dear Baby Jesus,


Quickly come down to earth. You will bring joy to children. Also bring me joy. I would like a Volks-Schott, green clothing for Mass, and a heart of Jesus. I will always be good.

Greetings from Joseph Ratzinger

joseph_ratzinger-as-a-kid
This photo swiped from First Things

And so our Papa will retire, spending his days in prayer and contemplation. He will again be Joseph. May God bless him and continue to guide Holy Mother Church.

4 comments:

Faith E. Hough said...

Pope Benedict has always impressed me with his sanctity in the face of massive derision and criticism--and now he continues to inspire me with his humility. I'm saddened, too--I learned so much through his writing even before he became pope, and have always felt the love he has for all his church...each one of us. But, after all, you can expect a German pope to have a sensible nature. :) The German in me understands his logic and the introvert in me marvels that he has overcome his own natural weaknesses so well in order to serve us.
Will he be Joseph again? I don't know what the procedure is when a pope resigns--what will we call him?

Suman Khisty said...

I too am sad but also so proud of him that he has the humility to say he is not strong enough physically to lead the church in all aspects. I too came to love him after becoming Catholic and learning more about him. I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the cardinals and bishops to select our next Pope. I know Pope Benedict will always be loved as our Papa. I love the letter he wrote as a child. He had a heart of gold even then. God bless him.

Bish Denham said...

What a totally sweet letter. Already on his walk towards Rome.

Vijaya said...

Faith, you are soooo blessed to have been reading his books well before he became Pope. He'll always be a priest and bishop of course, so I assume he'll be called Father R.

Baby, I too am humbled by his humility and complete trust in God. The world is in a terrible state, but he knows not even the gates of hell will prevail against the church, so he is confident of the Holy Spirit guiding the church.

Bish, I love how he doesn't ask for the missal and the robes along with cars, trucks, and other toys.