Remembering
Pope Benedict XVI celebrated his final public liturgy on Ash Wednesday at 5:00 pm, the traditional time for that liturgy at St. Peter's Basilica. Before the final blessing, Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone offered a brief, poignant gratitude to the pope. “There's a veil of sadness on our hearts this evening. Thank you for having given us the luminous example of the simple and humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord," the cardinal said, quoting Benedict’s words from his first appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Square as a newly elected pope eight years ago.
The entire assembly burst into spontaneous applause, standing in ovation to the clearly moved pontiff by the obvious emotion in the basilica. "Grazie. Now let us return to prayer." This historical moment may be viewed on the video here: http://player.vimeo.com/video/59604905
"The certainty that the church is Christ's and he will never cease guiding it and caring for it sustains me and enlightens me. I thank all of your for the love and prayers with which you have accompanied me." Benedict XVI
A personal memory of Benedict XVI
On one of our European singing tours, my college choir sang at several papal audiences for two different popes. On the first tour, we attended a papal audience and sang for Pope John Paul II, whom I saw when I was just about their age in 1979 in Boston Common. Because the pontificate of John Paul II lasted so many years, my students knew only this one pope, a very charismatic man who loved young people. Despite his advance illness, John Paul II could still charm a crowd. When I returned to Italy in 2008 with another group of college students to sing for Benedict XVI, I wondered how this pope's quieter, more reserved personality would impact the experience for my students. When I expressed this thought to one of the students before we sang, his answer made me chuckle and touched me at the same time.
"Singing for the pope is a big deal, no matter who he is. We're just really happy and honored to be here."
The choir of approximately 60 students sat in the third row of seats (thank you World Cultural Tours!) and we enjoyed a bird's eye view of the stage and Pope Benedict. When the archbishop master of ceremonies announced us, we stood and I conducted Bob Batastini's arrangement of Jacques Arcadelt's Ave Maria. When the piece ended, the students enjoyed a moment of robust applause from the international festival of thousands of people in the papal hall of Paul VI who came to the Wednesday audience. The students sat down after 'pope-waving' and cheering and I hurried back to to my seat. As the archbishop MC announced the next group of pilgrims from another country, I took a second to catch my breath and appreciate that my choir sang really, really well. "Well, that's that," I thought. But when I looked up, Pope Benedict had waited for me to look up at him from my seat. He smiled warmly and nodded and I think that I actually grinned that I was smiling and nodding back at Benedict. I got his silent message in that moment. "Thank you for your work, for leading these young people in faith and for bringing them to see me." Several students who sat on my right leaned over to whisper, "Wow! You just got props from the Pope!" They were so excited. I still smile when I remember that moment. Kindness and gratitude go a long way.
#waitingforsuperpope
Benedict's election and resignation lit the daily paparazzi spotlight on Benedict XVI. Speculation by the media on the why, the what-happens-now and the who-now fills the blogoshere everyday and quicker than spurs kick a horse into a gallop. Historical moments create media opportunities faster than the speed of sound. After Russia's asteroid event and the bolt of lightning on the Vatican the day that Benedict announced his resignation, I kidded with a colleague on Facebook that these 'signs' clearly means that the new pope will be from Krypton @ #waitingforsuperpope. The 'wish list' of the characteristics and qualities that people expect from the new pope describe that the world anticipates a superhero. There is no such person that can meet every need. God help whoever becomes the next pope; the next thing you know, we'll be asking him to walk on water.
112 cardinals will choose who leads the Catholic Church in the next month while billions of Catholics and everyone around the world waits for a waft a white smoke to snake up toward the sky -- Joseph Ratzinger included. While the college of cardinals deliberate, discuss, discern and hold their election, I suggest that the rest of us practice a bit of charity in our conversations, both virtual and with people (Siri doesn't count). I suggest that we pray that the Spirit of God guide the church in the way of truth, integrity, transparency and change for the common good. I suggest that we return to the practice of Lent in prayer, fasting and almsgiving to inspire us to be better disciples of Christ in everyday life. Real power does not rest with 112 men and one election, although this event certainly warrants our attention and prayer. Our power as the people of God rests in being what is good and doing what the Lord requires of us: to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God. (Micah 6:8)
Check out The Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI, a short and really insightful video by Fr. Robert Barron on his Word on Fire website. Fr. Barron is the author of the series Catholicism, produced by Hal Leonard.
http://www.wordonfire.org/WOF-TV/Commentaries-New/The-Legacy-of-Pope-Benedict-XVI.aspx
Reflecting
Ubi Caritas – where the rubber of Christian charity meets pastoral music on the road
This week, Richard Clark from St. Cecilia Church in Boston wrote A Proposed Lenten Fast for Musicians. Richard writes from his experience on the adversarial disparities that musical ‘style wars’ create. “The dualities of personal expression verses communal prayer don’t always overlap for every individual,” he writes. Nail on the proverbial head. You may see a few pastoral music legends that you recognize. Click on the link to read Richard’s honest and soul-searching piece. You can find him also on Facebook. Thanks Richard!
http://www.ccwatershed.org/blog/2013/feb/15/proposed-lenten-fast-for-musicians/
Lent's Liberation
Also, my friend Greg Carpinello, the Director of the Dorothy Day Center for Faith & Justice at Xaverian University wrote a wonderful piece called Lent's Liberation. His thoughtful and reflective article is worth your time and attention. You can access Greg's piece here or find him on Facebook. Thanks Greg! http://dorothydaycfj.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/lents-liberation/
Resources
Liturgical Notes and Resource Material for Use upon the Resignation of the Pope
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Secretariat of Divine Worship prepared. The guide includes suggestions for the three phases of transition: (a) Upon the Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI; (b)During the Time of Election of a New Pope; (c) Upon the Election of a New Pope. The guide also includes some music resources from GIA, OCP, and WLP.
To access this guide, go to http://www.usccb.org/about/leadership/holy-see/pope-benedict-xvi/upload/Pope-Resignation-Resources.pdf
Help your assembly prepare for the Rite of Election
Looking for a quick resource for this Sunday's Rite of Election and a bit of catechesis for your parish? Diana Macalintal, Director of the Office of Worship, Diocese of San Jose, Team RCIA) offered PDF bulletin insert that you can download, print, and copy for FREE for use in your parishes to help you catechize your assemblies. (Of COURSE you can get into the parish office on Saturday and print this out quickly for the weekend!)
Post this great resource to your parish website and hand your hot-off-the-press resource to your community this weekend. I would have sent this earlier but just found it yesterday. Tuck it away for next year if it's too late to post it or copy it for the weekend. Click on the link to get to Diana’s website and the FREE PDF. You can also find Diana and her husband Nick Wagner on their wonderful resource website Team RCIA. Thanks Diana!
http://www.teamrcia.com/2008/01/05/help-your-assembly-prepare-for-the-rite-of-election/
Another free resource from Team RCIA: Prayers for the Catechumens around the time of the Rite of Election. Post them on your parish website, pray with ministers of the liturgy and those who will transition from catechumens to our beloved Elect.
http://www.teamrcia.com/2013/02/14/prayers-for-catechumens-around-the-time-of-the-rite-of-election/