New Papal Encyclical!!

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to get word out (if you haven't already heard) that there's a new papal encyclical out. It's available on the Vatican's website here:

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20130629_enciclica-lumen-fidei_en.html

It'll take me a while to read through it so I don't have too much to say for now, except that it's exciting that it's an encyclical released by Pope Francis, but the first draft was written by Pope Benedict before he abdicated the throne. I'm not sure if that's ever happened before but it's pretty cool. The main subject of the encyclical is Faith, which is fitting given that it's the year of Faith. I was very inspired when Benedict called the year of faith and even went so far as to start up a podcast because of it, so I'm pretty excited to read this.  God Bless!

We have a Pope!!

I am very excited with the election of the new pope, Pope Francis! I've been reading whatever I can about him and the more I read the more I'm falling in love with him. His first words on the balcony were a joy to hear (even though I don't speak Italian). He speaks so gently and is so obviously a man of deep prayer. I love how he led the whole crowd in the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be. He gave up the archbishop's large residence to live in a humble apartment, takes public transportation, and cooks his own meals. This photo of him also speaks volumes:

God Bless you Pope Francis and your papacy.

Farewell my Pope

News today of Pope Benedict's stepping down just reached me and I am deeply saddened to be losing such an awesome Pope. He's the second pope to reign during my lifetime, but I've identified strongly with him since he has been the pope since my reversion to the faith (read more here). I also got to see him once while in Rome this past summer during one of his Wednesday sessions:


That's me with the pope in the background sitting on my left shoulder.

I totally understand his reasons for stepping down. He is much older than John Paul II when he passed away and the papal office is very demanding physically and spiritually. Although a pope stepping down is rare, it isn't without precedent. I also echo the thoughts of Fr. Dwight Longenecker.

I am very hopeful about the future of the Church and to whomever succeeds this pope. The list I was reading this morning looks pretty promising, especially if our very own Cardinal Tim Dolan of New York is somehow elected. I was also excited to see a Cardinal from Ghana, Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, so high on the list. No matter what, I know for sure that the Holy Spirit is guiding the Church into all truth. God Bless you Pope Benedict for your service to the church and may God grant you peace in your final years.

p.s. - Also a big shout out to my friend Gabriel Blanchard who has just started his own blog (mudbloodcatholic.blogspot.com). I have really enjoyed his first few posts. He posts a lot more often than I do and is a much much deeper thinker than I so I highly recommend it.