I believe

I write this as I sit with my 92 year old dad in his room at Sacred Heart Home, a veritable holy ground of active service to the sick and elderly population. All week long throughout the papal conclave, nurses and aides slipped into "Deacon Marcel's room" to munch a bit of chocolate that he leaves for them on a table in the entrance of his room and watch the various liturgies and proceedings from Rome that occurred during this remarkable and memorable week. 

When white smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel's chimney, Dad was playing Bingo with some of his friends in the activity room. One of the nurses ran downstairs and told him "The smoke is white! I'll take you back to your room so you can see the new pope walk out on the balcony!" This will probably be Dad's last papal election. No one wanted him to miss the excitement of that first moment.

"I won a full game of Bingo, " he grinned when I rushed over to the nursing home to watch television with him. "The nurse got me back to my room just in time for me to watch the new pope walk onto the balcony. "Perfect timing," he laughed. Simple things matter here.

When he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's, Jorge Mario Bergolio looked as though he was it by a stun gun. No smile, no wave, an overwhelmed man who looked as though a thunderbolt struck him. My insides fell. "Oh no! Don't be that guy! Put your hand up; smile; wave....do SOMETHING!" Dad commented, "He doesn't know what hit him."

And then the new pope began to speak. "Buena Serra," he said and smiled. My disappointment began to melt away as he lifted his hand in greeting. The new pope spoke as though he stood in someone's living room after dinner and seemed as surprised at the outcome of the conclave as everyone else. In an unprecedented  move, he asked for the prayers of the people and bowed his head. A silent gathering of over 100,000 people lifted this new leader up to God. And then he led us in familiar prayers that united us a Church. "He got his wind," Dad chuckled. "Poor guy," he added, shaking his head. "Big job."

A frenzy of media feeds began to pour in about the Jorge Mario Bergolia, S.J., now Pope Francis I, a Jesuit priest from Argentina. I think that he showed us a bit of who he is and how we may continue to be surprised in the days, months and, God wiling, years ahead. He chose a papal name based on a reminder from cardinal elector who reminded him "not to forget the poor," which tells me that Cardinal Bergolio did not anticipate sitting in the Chair of Peter. He chose the name Francis I based on that cardinal's comment.

Francis I preached a retreat the day before his election on discipleship of the Cross to the cardinal electors. Upon election, he discarded papal regalia except for a simple cassock and greeted his cardinal electors on the ground level, standing with them in solidarity and friendship. He dismissed the papal Mercedes and driver and rode a mini-van with the other cardinals to pick up his luggage and pay his hotel bill with only a few security guards at his side. He found an empty seat in the dining room to eat with the cardinal electors. He placed a direct call himself without the assistance of secretaries, met with the media with frankness and humor, and chose the little church of Santa Anna on the outside of Vatican City to celebrate Sunday Mass. He preached that the core message of the Gospel is "that of mercy," that God's love and capacity to forgive cannot be measured and that often times, we're harder on ourselves than God is on us. No truer words. 

Known for simple living, Cardinal Bergolio rode public transportation to work in Buenos Aires. He visited the sick and the dying and bent low to wash and kiss their feet. He assisted political detainees and prisoners to escape during the Argentinian regime. Because he is now a very public figure, Francis I will fall under scrutiny for some of his beliefs in his time ahead. Change does not exist without conflict and this pope will encounter struggle. A friend said, "I fear for him," and she meant that not only for his emotional person but his physical one as well. But I believe that because of his love for Christ, Francis I will continue to want to be with people, not matter what the cost. 

What the Church will encounter during his papacy during his tenure remains to be seen. But this much is clear: Pope Francis I will act more than he will speak. I believe that he will model a saying attributed to Francis of Assisi: "Preach the Gospel. Use words when necessary." I believe that we will encounter someone who loves God and people passionately and works to reduce the misery of the poor. I believe that Pope Francis I will urge the Church and the world to share material goods with the least of our sisters and brothers and set the example with his own lived example of poverty, simplicity and humility. Did you pray for change during this conclave, an aggiornmento in this time and place? Well, God heard you. This is a paradigm shift in the model of the papacy. 

St. Francis received the message to rebuild the Church directly from Christ on the Cross of San Damiano. I believe that Pope Francis will attempt to rebuild the interior structures of the Church within the Curia and create a new structure of governance among bishops and the local church. He will call on ecclesial leaders to continue to reconcile the Church within the sex abuse crisis, atoning for sins of the past in real ways for the victims of abuse. I believe that Francis I will show us how to reconstruct our own Church through his example of love of Jesus. This clearly shifts our attention from interior battles to ongoing coversion at the foot of the cross, where we evaluate our own lives and profess our discipleship to Jesus, the Christ. That's a challenge for deep change from the inside out of how we live individually and how we live as a community of faith. And it all begins with the Gospel's priority of agapic love with particular attention on the poor and the equal and just distribution of the goods that everyone needs to live a full life. 

A great emphasis circles around what people write, read, Tweet, Facebook and set in motion with the push of a button. The conclave drew the world's attention because social media placed the news at the world's disposal. But not everyone who became engaged in the events of the past week will build on that enthusiasm and be the change that we wish to see. I believe that we have an incredible opportunity in media resources to capture the world's attention and draw people into a life of faith. But nothing, and I mean nothing will capture hearts more than person to person action, heart to heart reconcilation and service to one another. We can write, Tweet and text about it all we want. If the unbelieving world does not see Christian witness in the flesh, it will not come to see the light of faith. Christ begs for his every need every minute of every day through us. We need to deliver the goods -- literally. 

I believe that Pope Francis I is a man of action. But I also believe that he cannot act alone. How willing the rest of us are to continue to create change for the common good? That is still the work of the people of God, the baptized disciples of Jesus Christ,k the duty of every Chritian. We'll see how many of us remain in the Vatican plaza when the honeymoon ends. The challenge of the Cross lies ahead of us as it does for Pope Francis I in how we live our lives as we preach the Gospel boldly, using words when necessary. I believe that together, we can rebuild the Church. How about you? 

 PRAYER OF SAINT FRANCIS

Make me a channel of Your peace
Where there is hatred let me bring Your love
Where there is injury, Your pardon, Lord
And where there's doubt, true faith in You

Make me a channel of Your peace

Where there's despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there's sadness, ever joy

Oh, Master, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul
Make me a channel of Your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving to all men that we receive
And in dying that we're born to eternal life

© 1967 Sebastian Temple/OCP Publications  

The end of an era -- Morgan Music and Liturgy closing its virtual doors

After 23 years, Morgan Music and Liturgy will officially close its virtual doors effective this evening, Sunday, March 10, 2013.

We began as a small not-for-profit business as an attempt to respond to the unjust practice of copyright abuse and offered the same resources sold by major publishers. Throughout these many years, we served customers throughout the United States and abroad, hoping to discourage illegal copy practices that deprives composers and authors from their just wages.

We offered our services at conferences, workshops and concert events so that ordering materials from one resource center may further encourage people to purchase justly rather than copy illegally. We provided an on-line resource ordering service, took phone orders and personally delivered music door to door for many people. We encouraged re-sale music and stored materials in what we affectionately call "Warehouse 13"- a closet that shared space with our kids' toys ("That CD/music/books is on the same shelf as Monopoly and the Batman game...."). As children and well into their teenage years and beyond, our three children assisted us at sales tables, answered phone messages and helped with the heavy lifting when we assisted at conferences. 

Operating entirely as a community service, Morgan Music and Liturgy began with a zero balance and ends with a zero balance in money but a wealth beyond gold in relationships that we built with you through phone calls, emails and up close and personal encounters. We've enjoyed our many conversations with you over a myriad of topics throughout the years and relished the relationships that we built with you. We hope we helped you to achieve your goals in serving your assemblies in some small way. We thank you for your faithful patronage; many of you have been with us on this journey since we began. We know that we leave you in good hands with the wonderful publishers who provide so many tremendous resources with terrific staffs that will assist you with all of your needs.

We thank in particular OCP (http://www.ocp.org), GIA (http://wwwgiamusic.com), World Library Publications (http://www.wlp.jspaluch.com/) and Liturgy Training Publications (http://www.ltp.org) and all of our vendors for their partnership on your behalf. 

Not long ago, a prominent composer asked, "Do you really think that people are still copying music and other resources illegally?" The answer is Yes. We see this practice all the time when we substitute for pastoral musicians. To this, we say that we've done our best in time, talent and stewardship to help you live justly as you sing, preach and pray gospel justice in your pastoral practices. The rest is up to you.

If you'd like to read If You Want to Sing Justice, Live Justly, Denise's article from the 2003 August/September edition of Pastoral Music, the journal of National Association of Pastoral Musicians, click here  

May Christ continue to bless your ministries as we continue to labor together to build the reign of God as the Body of Christ. It's been our blessing and privilege to serve you. 

With our continued prayers and warmest regards,

Denise Morency Gannon and Patrick Gannon

Founders and owners of Morgan Music and Liturgy  

Nothing = Nothing

E-Retreat - a new way to pray 

I tried a new and really terrific Lenten prayer resource released just this week by HarperOne Publications. Father James Martin SJ created the first-ever e-retreat, a downloadable tool for any smart phone, Kindle, IPad, Tablet, laptop or desktop. If you're reading this blog, you use at least one of these items and can access Father Jim's guided retreat, which is an encounter with Jesus through several Gospels. I spent some time everyday this week with this new prayer tool and look forward to keeping up the practice throughout the season of Lent and beyond. I hope you take the time to at least check out Together on Retreat. Read Fr. Jim's description on his blog from America magazine to find out more about the book. Click here to read: http://americamagazine.org/content/all-things/whats-e-retreat

Prayer: I'm working on it

This year, I want to spend a bit more time on the Lenten practice of prayer. I don't know about you but I tend to isolate one Lenten discipline over another. When rehearsed dilligently, the Lenten tryptich of prayer, fasting and almsgiving form a perfect trinity of Christian conversion. The imbalance of preferential treatment over another creates an imbalanced approach to Lent, kind of like isolating andn exercising only one muscle over and over again and ignoring all the other muscles that need exercise too. I've been a Catholic Christian all my life and I'm still working on achieving that counter cultural balance of Christian discipline within a self-indulgent society. If you're one of our beloved Elect or someone who has been away from the Catholic church for awhile and thinking about returning or consider yourself a Catholic Christian who needs to work on being a better one, take heart! Conversion is a lifetime practice of prayer, patience and persistence. One foot in front of the other, as the saying goes. Grace is always with us; ask and receive. 

Something old is something new again

While practicing Fr. Jim's new e-retreat, I marveled at the myriad of opportunities that we have at our disposal to really live Christian discipleship in this post-modern age of technology. The thought led me to read Paul VI's letter EVANGELII NUNTIANDI - On Evangelization In The Modern World, written in 1975 on the 10th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. What fascinated me was how the letter 'sings' of what the post-modern church calls the 'new evangelization.' Perhaps the tools of evangelization have increased and multiplied over several generations but the Christian message remains the same. 

Paul VI writes that "The split between the Gospel and culture is without a doubt the drama of our time, just as it was of other times. Therefore every effort must be made to ensure a full evangelization of culture, or more correctly of cultures. They have to be regenerated by an encounter with the Gospel."

Keep in mind that Paul VI wrote this 38 years ago; we're still trying to turn the proverbial ship around. The only way that the Gospel can be heard by everyone depends on the commitment of each Christian disciple to use every tool available to grow in relationship with the person we follow - Jesus Christ. I think that the more we grow in our own faith, in our families, in our communities will the fruit of the discipline of Christian prayer, fasting and almsgiving be visible through our daily work in government, health care, church, education, social life, law and order and labor for the common good. 

Read what Paul VI writes in this telling paragraph of EMW:

21. Above all the Gospel must be proclaimed by witness. Take a Christian or a handful of Christians who, in the midst of their own community, show their capacity for understanding and acceptance, their sharing of life and destiny with other people, their solidarity with the efforts of all for whatever is noble and good. Let us suppose that, in addition, they radiate in an altogether simple and unaffected way their faith in values that go beyond current values, and their hope in something that is not seen and that one would not dare to imagine. Through this wordless witness these Christians stir up irresistible questions in the hearts of those who see how they live:

Why are they like this?

Why do they live in this way?

What or who is it that inspires them?

Why are they in our midst?

Such a witness is already a silent proclamation of the Good News and a very powerful and effective one. Here we have an initial act of evangelization. The above questions will ask, whether they are people to whom Christ has never been proclaimed, or baptized people who do not practice, or people who live as nominal Christians but according to principles that are in no way Christian, or people who are seeking, and not without suffering, something or someone whom they sense but cannot name. Other questions will arise, deeper and more demanding ones, questions evoked by this witness which involves presence, sharing, solidarity, and which is an essential element, and generally the first one, in evangelization."[51]

I know that reading an apostolic letter is probably the last thing you want to do but really, I found the entire (and short) letter spot on and relative to our own cultural needs in the church and in the world. You can read Evangelization In The Modern World in its entirety here. http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_p-vi_exh_19751208_evangelii-nuntiandi_en.html

Nothing = Nothing 

Prayer, fasting, almsgiving -- a balanced approach. Take advantage of this time the church gives us to exercise some unused muscles and replace some of that old winter stale air (full of germs!) with some clean, fresh wind of the spirit of God. Replacing meat with fish on Friday? Good for you. Watching a little less television? Bravo. Filling a rice bowl with your extra change? That's great. Is it enough? 'Adequate' is never the right word in the Christian vocabulary. The stakes are too high for any of us who dare to call ourselves followers - disciples - to let this precious time of Lenten renewal slip between the cracks. Indifference and apathy in a relationship with the living God are not options for people who calls themselves Christians. If Fr. Martin's new book doesn't meet your needs, find another avenue; there are hundreds of options that you can try. But never do nothing. Nothing = nothing. 

I read a Twitter post this week that read that when asked what the church needed in the way of change, Mother Teresa answered, "You and me." Good answer. 

Lenten blessings. 

Remembering, Reflections and Resources - oh my!

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/

Sede Vacante – the vacant seat

http://monkallover.blogspot.comOn February 28, 2013, Pope Benedict XVI will cease to lead the Catholic Church as its Petrine vicar. What happens next?

Some facts      

The pope is the Bishop of Rome. Vatican City is its own government; the pope is the head of Vatican City. When he resigns, the pope’s ‘seat’ in his cathedral church becomes vacant. The cathedral church of the bishop of Rome is the Basilica of St. John Lateran and not St. Peter’s Basilica, as many people think. St. Peter Basilica acts as the mother ship for the entire Catholic Church and papal liturgies. St. John’s is the bishop of Rome’s local church. He just happens to be the same person – the pope.

Here are the links to both of these magnificent churches.

St. John Lateran http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_giovanni/vr_tour/index-en.html

St. Peter http://saintpetersbasilica.org/

Interregnum: the gap period

During the election of a new pope, most of the cardinals who serve as the Vatican’s administration known as the Roman Curia resign their offices. The Holy See – those associated with the pope in the governing of Vatican City and the Roman Catholic Church administer the affairs of church and state in a limited capacity until a new pope is elected.

Three key ordained priests who serve as administrators remain to manage property and money affairs (the carmerlengo), the pastoral needs of the citizens of Rome (the vicar of Rome) and the administrator who issues absolutions and dispensations (major penitentiary). The pope’s personal representatives in foreign nations (papal legates) continue to exercise their diplomatic roles overseas.

The coat of arms of the Holy See also changes during this period. Instead of the papal tiara over the keys, the tiara is replaced with the papal umbrella (umbraculum) to signify the lack of papal presence and governance by the Carmelengo over the church’s governance. Any extraordinary decisions that need papal approval during the conclave are brought to the cardinals within the conclave.

Conclave 

The cardinals are literally sealed in during a conclave, which means ‘with a key.’ The custom began with Pope Gregory X (Council of Lyons, 1274) to discourage long vacancies prompted by political interference. More than half of the church’s papal conclaves have been sealed with a key since then. While they wait to be locked within the Sistine Chapel during the conclave, the College of Cardinals gather every day in general assembly to pray, deliberate and discern who will best serve as the Vicar of Christ.

During pre-conclave and conclave sessions, the cardinals live in the Casa Santa Marta (House of St. Martha) inside Vatican walls. They meet to vote in the Sistine Chapel, adjoining St. Peter’s Basilica.

No cardinal may leave the conclave while in session other than illness or other grave reasons and with the approval of the other cardinals. The cardinals and anyone who attends them during the conclave (health care professionals, spiritual directors and confessors, liturgical assistants, housekeeping and food service staff) must take an oath to never reveal what they may learn about the election.

Veni, Creator Spiritus – Come, Holy Spirit

The morning of the conclave, the cardinals celebrate a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by an afternoon procession in full ecclesial regalia to the Sistine Chapel. As they walk in procession in order of seniority, the cardinals chant the ninth-century Latin hymn, Veni, Creator Spiritus, asking for the guidance and enlightenment of the Holy Spirit to guide the conclave and subsequent election.

Extra omnes - all out

The master of pontifical liturgical celebrations calls out “Extra omnes,” which literally orders all non-essential personal out of the Sistine Chapel. The doors are locked, sealed and the conclave begins.

I elect as Supreme Pontiff

Divided by rank, balloting begins by selecting three cardinals who will count the votes, three others who will collect the votes and three others who review the ballot count. To insure against deception, cardinals may print or disguise his handwriting. Each cardinal casts his vote on a two-inch-wide card with the Latin phrase “Eligo in Summum Pontificem” (I elect as Supreme Pontiff) on the top and folds the ballot in two to conceal the choice.

Under God’s eye

One by one, each cardinal walks to the main altar in the Sistine Chapel with his ballot and kneels to pray. When he rises, he prays aloud, “I call as my witness Christ the Lord, who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one whom, before God, I think should be elected.” The cardinal places his ballot on a paten, which covers a large chalice and drops his ballot into the vessel.  After all of the cardinals vote, the ballots are counted and matched to the number of electors. If the numbers do not align, the vote must be redone.

If the number of ballots is correct, the ballots are counted and the names of the nominees are called aloud while someone records the name. The cardinals may also keep their own ‘tally’ sheets. (Keeping track of nominees and numbers becomes difficult until the vote comes down to the wire.)

When all the ballots are counted, the total number of votes each nominee received is announced. This indicates to the cardinals how their assembly is thinking and discerning. If a candidate receives a majority of two-thirds of the votes, that person is elected pope. If not, a new vote begins

Holy smoke

 Since the early part of the 20^th century, the ballots are burned in a unique stove that signals to the world that the voting has been successful of not. If the voting is unsuccessful, the ballots are burned with wet straw that send up black smoke. If the voting is successful, the ballots are burned alone and send white smoke that indicates that the church has a new pope.

The only remaining record of the voting is a document that the camerlengo prepares at the end of the election giving the results of each session. The document is approved by the assisting cardinals, given to the new pope and then placed in a sealed envelope in the archives to be opened only with papal permission.

A new vicar of Christ

The newly elected pope is asked, “Do you accept your canonical election as supreme pontiff?” The nominee must accept election to become pope. Once he accepts, the new pope is asked what he wishes to be called. This custom began 1,000 years ago, and remains in effect. Names signify where the new pontiff will lead the Church; everything that the new pope does serves the Petrine ministry.

The cardinals greet their new leader, profess obedience and service and pray in gratitude and thanksgiving for the pope and the church.  

Habemus papam - we have a pope

We’ve seen it since the first televised papal election of John XXIII in 1959. A senior cardinal appears on the center balcony of St. Peter’s Square and calls out “Habemus papam – we have a pope.” He announces the name of the new pope, who then emerges to welcome the hundreds of thousands of people cheering in St. Peter’s Square and watching from every corner of the world. The new pope gives his first blessing, the “urbi et orbi” to the world.

 O God,

       you guide your people with kindness,

       you govern them with love.

       Grant the spirit of wisdom

       to those you have called as teachers and guides,

       that your people may be led

       to understand the truth more fully

       and to please you by their growth in holiness.

       We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

       who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

       God for ever and ever.

Roman Missal, Prayers for Particular Needs of the Church