Cardinal Ouellet Interview

Cardinal Marc Ouellet, one of my favorites, from Canada.

Courtesy of Adam Brickley

Papal Conclave 2013 Version

Good Friday to all.

This March I will do my level best to update this blog, as frequently, as possible in regards to the upcoming Papal Conclave, 2013 version.

As of this morning, the College of Cardinals, as headed by His Eminence, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, has announced that they will meet on Monday, March 4th, 9:30 am, Rome time, to begin the process of setting the date for the actual conclave.

The Carmerlengo, Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, is now in charge, administratively, of the See of the Apostle St. Peter, which remains in a state of Sede Vacante.

In no particular order, the following 5 cardinals are amongst my personal favorites, which by no means indicates that I think they will be picked, other than, perhaps, Cardinal Angelo Scola, Archbishop of Milan:

1. Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York-Head of the USCCB
2. Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Quebec, Canada-Prefect of the Congregation of Bishops
3. Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez of Honduras-President of Caritas Internationalis
4. Cardinal Leandro Sandri of Argentina-Prefect of the Congregation of Oriental Churches
5. Aforementioned Cardinal Scola of Italy-Patriarch of Venice

MercoPress has a list, additionally, of some more alternative candidates with an emphasis on South America.

On a personal note, I would like to divulge and denote that Cardinal Rodriguez is the great uncle of my niece.

In terms of others that have greater insight than I into these matters, I would urge my readers to access, via the embedded links on their names, these individuals:

Adam Brickley, a master historian of Papal conclaves & prognosticator.
Raymond Arroyo, lead anchor at EWTN Catholic global network.
Dr. Robert Moynihan, Vaticanologist based in Rome.
John Allen, Jr., renowned journalist and Papal expert.

MercoPress has a list, additionally, of some more alternatived

Please remember that you can follow my updates on Twitter, as well.

Wishing everyone a happy and safe weekend...Vaya con Dios.

Papible Candidates For March Conclave

Business Insider's list of papible candidates is topped by Cardinal Peter Turkson from Ghana.

Italian Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco

Cardinal Marc Ouellet from Canada 

My preferred candidate is US Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York 

There are many others on the Business Insider list, which can be accessed here

Some Latin American candidates, not necessarily on the list, which one must seriously consider:

Cardinal Leandro Sandri from Argentina 

Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez Maradiaga from Honduras
(Personal note: This Cardinal is the great uncle of my niece)

B16 Pastoral Visit to Honor Pope Celestine V

Pope Benedict XVI (C) celebrates the Holy mass on Garibaldi square in Sulmona on July 4, 2010. (Daylife-Getty Images)



All images courtesy of Daylife

EWTN News/CNA:

The Holy Father dedicated his Sunday homily to reflections on the life of St. Celestine as he visited the Italian city where the relics of the 13th century saint and Pope are kept. In a message filled with lessons on life, the Pope especially highlighted the importance of silence to finding God, the fact that faith is a gift and the lasting power of holiness.

Pope Benedict XVI began his pastoral visit to Sulmona, Italy by flying over the grotto, now a hermitage, where Peter of Morrone spent years in contemplation and prayer as a monk. Peter later became Pope Celestine V and was canonized relatively shortly after his death. St. Celestine's life is being celebrated this year, declared by the Pope a "Jubilee Year" for the 800th anniversary since the saint's birth.

In his words during the Eucharistic Celebration in the open air of the city square, Pope Benedict XVI remembered the St. Celestine as a "seeker of God," a man who turned to interior and exterior silence in his life as a hermit to perceive His voice.

This example is important also for us today, said the Pope, as "we live in a society in which every space, every moment seems like it must be filled by initiatives, by activities, by sounds; often there isn't even time for listening and speaking.

"Dear brothers and sisters," he said, "if we wish to be able not only to perceive the voice of God, but also that of who is alongside of us, of others, let us not be afraid to create silence outside and inside of ourselves."

Benedict XVI added that the hermit's "discovery of the Lord" was not a product of his own efforts, "but it was made possible by the very Grace of God, that precedes it (...) everything essential in our existence has been given without our contribution."

And it is for this very reason, he explained, that "we must be aware, keeping our 'interior eyes,' those of our hearts, always open. And if we learn to know God in his infinite goodness, then we will be able also to see, with amazement, in our lives - as the saints (have) - signs of the God that is ever near to us, is always good to us, (and) who says to us: 'Have faith in me!'"

Remembering the lasting quality of St. Celestine's holy life, Pope Benedict said that "holiness, in fact, never loses its attractive force, it does not fall into oblivion, it never goes out of style, actually, with the passing of time, it shines with ever greater brightness..."

The Holy Father concluded his homily by making an exhortation that we remain firm in the faith we have received, "which gives sense to life and gives us the strength to love."

Related Links:

Before leading the Angelus prayer from the Italian city of Sulmona he visited on Sunday, the Holy Father proposed Mary as "the perfect model of obedience to the divine will."

Though we live in a time of "great comfort and possibility," we must keep our minds and hearts free, so as to find generosity to share with our neighbors, says Benedict XVI

Here are excerpts from a reflection written by Canadian Father Thomas Rosica in response to news that the archbishop of Quebec, Cardinal Marc Ouellet, was appointed the prefect of the Congregation for Bishops

For Benedict XVI, Church communion is the priority, even if that means taking steps that might surprise the public, says Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi

Here is a translation of the homily Benedict XVI gave during a Mass he celebrated today as part of his one-day trip to Italy's Abruzzi region

While Rome Is Under Siege, the Cardinals Quarrel

Holy Father's slated itinerary in the country, Cardinal O'Brien noted that the “Pope will arrive in Scotland on Thursday, September 16, the Feast of St. Ninian.”

Among the shadows that “obscure the horizon” of young people there are not only economic difficulties but also the threat of the “consumer culture” that creates “false values,” Benedict XVI is warning

Nel cuore del Papa giovani e detenuti. Festa grande in Cattedrale. L'urlo dei ragazzi: «Benedetto, Benedetto»

Video, Foto, Il Papa a Sulmona

Sì, la memoria storica è veramente una “marcia in più” nella vita, perché senza memoria non c’è futuro. Una volta si diceva che la storia è maestra di vita!

In the Vatican Gardens at 11.30 a.m. today Benedict XVI inaugurated a new fountain dedicated to St. Joseph. The fountain was commissioned by the Governorate of Vatican City State as a homage to the Pope's given name

Accepting the invitation of Her Majesty Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom, and of the Bishops' Conferences of England and Wales, and of Scotland, His Holiness Benedict XVI will make an apostolic trip to the United Kingdom from 16 to 19 September

Papal Wed. Audience, AB Wenski Receives Pallium

Georg Gaenswein, Pope Benedict XVI's personal secretary helps Pope Benedict XVI to wearing a red Saturn hat, as he arrives for his weekly general audience in St. Peter square at the Vatican, on June 30, 2010. (Daylife Images-Getty, AP, Reuters)



Wednesday General Audience:



Papal Orthodox meeting:



Early martyrs of Roman church:



Palliums handed out:



Archbishop Thomas Wenski:



Roman Marian statue:



Related Links:

Martyrs of the Roman Church

Red is the color for martyrs; red rose symbol of martyrdom; crown, symbolizing victory over death and sin; white horse with a white banner and cross and sword; fire or flames; palm, symbol of victory

There were Christians in Rome within a dozen or so years after the death of Jesus, though they were not the converts of the “Apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 15:20). Paul had not yet visited them at the time he wrote his great letter in a.d. 57-58

Placing a woolen band around the shoulders of 38 new archbishops, Pope Benedict XVI told them it was a Gospel "yoke" -- not a heavy burden, but a sign that by remaining united with the church in faith


"May the example of the Apostles Peter and Paul illuminate believer's minds and enflame their hearts with the holy desire to accomplish the will of God, that the pilgrim Church in the world may remain ever faithful to her Lord" B16

Benedict XVI dedicated his catechesis during this morning's general audience to the Italian St. Joseph Cafasso (1811-1860), the hundred and fiftieth anniversary of whose death fell last week

Cardinal Marc Ouellet, 66, until now Archbishop of Québec, becomes the new prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, replacing Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, 76

Ukraine plays referee between the Pope and the Patriarch of Moscow

Cardinal Marc Ouellet: God’s Gift to Canada

Cardinal Marc Ouellet has given his first press conference after the Pope nominated him today to become the next prefect of the Congregation for Bishops

Dr. Massimo Introvigne went to the EU Parliamentary Assembly to defend the RCC against pedophilia sexual abuse onslaught

Archbishop Wenski interview

Vatican necropolis website

Swiss Bishop of Basel, Kurt Koch to the presidency of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity

Vatican Lawyer Jeffrey Lena Discusses the Supreme Court’s Decline of Appeal in Abuse Case

Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for July is: "That in every nation of the world the election of officials may be carried out with justice, transparency and honesty, respecting the free decisions of citizens"

The U.K. bishops are preparing for Benedict XVI's historic Sept. 16-19 visit with the publication of resources designed to answer questions about the Pope and the Church

UK Papal Site

Pope Benedict XVI congratulated the Holy See's secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, on his 50th year of priesthood

The recently opened sections of the Vatican Secret Archives have revealed that Pope Pius XII not only helped save thousands of Jews, but also their patrimony, from the Nazis

Benedict and Bertone

B16 General Audience-Related Videos

A gust of wind blows Pope Benedict XVI's mantle as he leads the weekly general audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican June 16, 2010. (Daylife-Reuters)

Wednesday General Audience:



St. Thomas Aquinas:



More regarding St. Thomas Aquinas:



Diocese of Rome:



Vatican diplomatic corps:



Marian pilgrimages:



JP2 & the Sacred Heart of Jesus:



Related Links:

St. Emily de Vialar

German soccer team Papal luck cards

Archbishop Mamberti arrived in Cuba to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Cuban and the Holy See and to participate in the Catholic Social Week

Cuban dialogue with Church officials

Archbishop Dominique François Joseph Mamberti

Spirituality: The Lord's Prayer

Catholics blast 'hostile' C4 film about the Pope

German Catholic Bishop soccer site for World Cup

Pope Benedict XVI's last big Mass before a summer's rest revolves around a symbol of how his ministry as shepherd is shared with archbishops scattered across the globe

An Italian journalist who reported in May that Australian Cardinal George Pell would become the new prefect of the Congregation for Bishops is now saying that the post will go to Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Quebec

M. le Cardinal Marc Ouellet

Pope Pius IX mini biography