Pope Benedict XVI
Adieu To Pope Benedict XVI.
I have lived under the pontificates of six popes--Popes Pius XII, Blessed John XXIII, Venerable Paul VI, John Paul I, Blessed John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Since the pontificate of Pope John Paul I lasted only 33 days, I never got to know much about him. The other five I grew to know, respect and love. The much unjustly maligned Pope Pius XII navigated the Catholic Church through the difficult WWII years and 1950s. The loving Pope John XXIII initiated the revitalizing Vatican II Ecumenical Council. Pope Paul VI, the Italian working man's pope completed the Ecumenical Council and kept the Catholic Church on target giving us one of the prophetic encyclicals--"Humanae Vitae". The athletic, charismatic philosopher Pope John Paul II who gave so much to the Church; one of his great contributions regarding human dignity, human sexuality, love and marriage being his book "Theology of the Body". And last but definitely not least, the shy professor with one of the greatest theological minds of the 20th-21st centuries, Pope Benedict XVI.
Though I grew to love and respect all the popes, the pope I have grown closest to and loved the most is Pope Benedict XVI. Why? I guess it's because I know him the best, even though I have never seen him in person. I have read the book "My Brother The Pope" and some of his writings. Among these are: "Breakfast With Benedict" (a collection of one page meditations), chapters from his two books collection of reflections on the Church Fathers titled simply "The Fathers" and lastly I'm in the process of reading his trilogy titled "Jesus of Nazareth".
Another reason I'm very close to Pope Benedict XVI could be our Bavarian connection. Pope Benedict, as you probably know, is from Bavaria. On my Father's side I am 2nd generation American--actually many of my uncles and aunts were born in Bavaria. On my Mother's side I believe I'm 3rd generation American and her grandparents were from the German state bordering Bavaria. In addition I lived eight years in Germany and have made several trips to the Bavarian region.
I really regret Pope Benedict's decision to relinquish his position as Pope, but I do understand his reasoning. I am thankful that the Holy Spirit chose him to be our Pope during the confused atmosphere following the Second Vatican Council and despite his timidity his sound, logical, clear direction allowed all who listened to him to come to better know Jesus and His Church.
Pope Benedict XVI, thank you for being a faithful, loving, gentile yet firm "prime minister" of Jesus' Church. I pray that God continues to bless you. You will remain in my prayers till I die or you're canonized. Once again--Thank You!
I have lived under the pontificates of six popes--Popes Pius XII, Blessed John XXIII, Venerable Paul VI, John Paul I, Blessed John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Since the pontificate of Pope John Paul I lasted only 33 days, I never got to know much about him. The other five I grew to know, respect and love. The much unjustly maligned Pope Pius XII navigated the Catholic Church through the difficult WWII years and 1950s. The loving Pope John XXIII initiated the revitalizing Vatican II Ecumenical Council. Pope Paul VI, the Italian working man's pope completed the Ecumenical Council and kept the Catholic Church on target giving us one of the prophetic encyclicals--"Humanae Vitae". The athletic, charismatic philosopher Pope John Paul II who gave so much to the Church; one of his great contributions regarding human dignity, human sexuality, love and marriage being his book "Theology of the Body". And last but definitely not least, the shy professor with one of the greatest theological minds of the 20th-21st centuries, Pope Benedict XVI.
Though I grew to love and respect all the popes, the pope I have grown closest to and loved the most is Pope Benedict XVI. Why? I guess it's because I know him the best, even though I have never seen him in person. I have read the book "My Brother The Pope" and some of his writings. Among these are: "Breakfast With Benedict" (a collection of one page meditations), chapters from his two books collection of reflections on the Church Fathers titled simply "The Fathers" and lastly I'm in the process of reading his trilogy titled "Jesus of Nazareth".
Another reason I'm very close to Pope Benedict XVI could be our Bavarian connection. Pope Benedict, as you probably know, is from Bavaria. On my Father's side I am 2nd generation American--actually many of my uncles and aunts were born in Bavaria. On my Mother's side I believe I'm 3rd generation American and her grandparents were from the German state bordering Bavaria. In addition I lived eight years in Germany and have made several trips to the Bavarian region.
I really regret Pope Benedict's decision to relinquish his position as Pope, but I do understand his reasoning. I am thankful that the Holy Spirit chose him to be our Pope during the confused atmosphere following the Second Vatican Council and despite his timidity his sound, logical, clear direction allowed all who listened to him to come to better know Jesus and His Church.
Pope Benedict XVI, thank you for being a faithful, loving, gentile yet firm "prime minister" of Jesus' Church. I pray that God continues to bless you. You will remain in my prayers till I die or you're canonized. Once again--Thank You!
Labels: The Pontificat
posted by Paul Amrhein | 6:19 AM
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