This morning when I walked into my PRE classroom, the first thing I noticed was the picture of Pope Benedict, and I realized that I would have to take it down before next week. This made me sad. Then during Mass, Father paused for a second after praying, "Therefore, Lord remember now all for whom we offer this sacrifice: especially your servant Benedict our Pope...." It was striking and it struck me to the heart and left me in tears.
On a brighter note, it gave me a good opportunity to explain to my class of 7-11 year-olds the role of the Holy Father and how a new pope is selected. One of my students was pretty excited to hear that the guys who would choose the new pope were named after his favorite baseball team, and he wondered if his father could be pope, but, no, he's married. It's consoling to for them and for all of us to know that we know what, if not who, comes next.
On a brighter note, it gave me a good opportunity to explain to my class of 7-11 year-olds the role of the Holy Father and how a new pope is selected. One of my students was pretty excited to hear that the guys who would choose the new pope were named after his favorite baseball team, and he wondered if his father could be pope, but, no, he's married. It's consoling to for them and for all of us to know that we know what, if not who, comes next.
My students also made their first Confessions today. I was a little astonished at how nicely they lined up behind me and walked quietly into the Church, and how quiet and still most of them were while they were waiting for their turns. It all seems to have gone well.
Now we are in the home stretch with only the Mass and the Eucharist left to study this year. Let's see, to do that right, I will only need about 50 years. But, I have something like seven classes, and will do the best I can. I'm really excited because I have this.
To give you an idea of the size, the paten is about 3" in diameter. I really wanted one of these when my kids were young, but couldn't afford it. My husband is making a little altar which doubles as a carrying case and I am making some altar cloths. The class was pretty excited about it, especially when they found out that if you look through the top of the cruets it makes everybody's head look really big.
AMDG
Actually, I am pretty sure his dad could be Pope. Let me check with Charles, as I don't remember quite how that works!
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful liturgical vessels. Love the response ("everybody's head look[s] really big").
ReplyDeleteLucky students.
You know, I haven't actually tried looking through the cruets myself, but I'm going to have to do that.
DeleteAMDG
I was thinking that, too, VA. Thought I remembered being told a long time ago that, legally (or legalistically) any male practicing Catholic could be elected. But maybe that's folklore.
ReplyDeleteActually, that is what I told the student, but then after Mass his grandfather said I was wrong. That's what I get for being swayed by popular opinion. (Heh heh, SL) But truly, I don't know for sure, although I'm sure that if Charles says so it must be right.
ReplyDeleteAMDG
The answer is that canon law states that the pope must be a baptized male and that he must become a bishop before taking office. That's it. Not that he has to be a priest or a bishop before being elected, just before taking the papal office. Since the 15th century, he's always been from the college of Cardinals. That said, we just had a pope resign which hasn't happened in 600 years. So I say it's anyone's ballgame.
ReplyDeleteOkay. That is what I thought, but it still doesn't exactly answer the question of my student's father, because it doesn't say whether it will ordain a married man who has never been a minister in this circumstance. Maybe they would. I don't know. That's why I mentioned Fr. Knick in my Facebook message, because he's married and already ordained.
DeleteAMDG
Canon law is silent on the matter, Janet. One could presume that yes, it could indeed happen as it is not prohibited. But then, we have the matter of liturgical practices that are not expressly prohibited being promoted as acceptable when in fact, it is the opposite. Only the actions proscribed are to be done, nothing added or taken away. Not sure where that leaves us with the matter of eligibility for papal ballot inclusion.
ReplyDelete