Ruminations of an Amateur Monastic
Back in August, a buddy and I had what I called “an inadvertent Camino day”, where we sort of accidentally walked 25km. While there’s no such thing as a “typical” day on the Camino, 25km is a pretty fair shot at it. Well, today I intentionally walked 25km with full pack. Francine (who is a couple of weeks behind me […]
» Read moreBlessed John Paul II famously said “Europe has two lungs, it will never breathe easily until it uses both of them” (Euntes in mundum, 1988). He was referring to the division between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, split in about the year 1054 over matters more relating to politics and misunderstanding than to doctrine or dogma. Over a […]
» Read moreOfficial versions of the Papal coat of arms of Pope Francis have now been released. I note they’ve retained the weird “triple mitre” from the arms of Pope Benedict XVI. There’s been a minor kerfuffle about how to translate the motto, with the Vatican spokesman offering a version that was clearly not well thought out. When you need your Latin, […]
» Read moreHow does Joseph exercise his role as protector? Discreetly, humbly and silently, but with an unfailing presence and utter fidelity, even when he finds it hard to understand. From the time of his betrothal to Mary until the finding of the twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem, he is there at every moment with loving care. As the spouse […]
» Read moreThe Vatican has published the programme for the Mass of Coronation Installation Inauguration, and boy howdy does it have a lot of chant in it! I also note that the Gospel will be read in Greek, rather than in Greek and Latin, as was the custom. Mass for the inauguration of the Pontificate: Booklet for the Celebration (PDF) After assorted […]
» Read moreBlessing of the “Rucksacks” This past weekend was a crazy whirl of last minute errands and bon voyages. Although I’m not leaving until Easter Sunday, and Francine not until the 17th of April, we thought it best to avoid the rushing around the week before Easter. We topped up our equipment at the REI sale in Tacoma on Saturday. Some […]
» Read moreThe Vatican Press Office (VIS) has announced Pope Francis’ new papal coat of arms. They are identical to those he used as bishop. The image here is not official, but it’s based on the Pope’s old arms and the description given by the press office. Only the motto is missing. The shield has a bright blue background, at the centre […]
» Read morePilgrims on the Camino carry a Credencial, or pilgrim’s passport. They are issued by various Confraternities of Saint James, and you can also get one at Cathedrals and other places along the Way. The idea is that you get it stamped each day – ideally several times a day – to record where you’ve been and to prove that you’re […]
» Read moreThe photo here was taken by a pilgrim yesterday at Roncesvalles. The passes are choked with snow, and at this point people have to walk on the highway to get from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Roncesvalles. And it’s taking them two days. I won’t have that kind of time, and I’m leaving in just over two weeks. Even assuming the snow is […]
» Read moreSo yesterday amid the Papal hoopla and huzzahs, my old friend Rev. Bryan Dolejsi invited me to be a guest on his radio show. Father Dolejsi is the Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Seattle, and his show, called “Vocation Radio” is broadcast on Sacred Heart Radio several times a week. So we munched on the pizza ordered by […]
» Read moreIn the cold light of morning, Fr. Z. has a wonderful reflection on the election of Pope Francis. This morning, the new Pope apparently flummoxed his security detail by taking a single car to Santa Maria Maggiore, my favourite church in Rome, and praying and laying flowers at an altar of Our Lady. While at the church, Pope Francis also […]
» Read moreBrothers and sisters good evening. You all know that the duty of the Conclave was to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother Cardinals have gone almost to the ends of the earth to get him… but here we are. I thank you for the welcome that has come from the diocesan community of Rome. First of […]
» Read moreAnnuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam; Eminentissimum ac reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum Georgium Marium Sanctae Romanæ Ecclesiae Cardinalem Bergoglio, Qui sibi nomen imposuit Franciscus.
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