Pages

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Liturgical abuses during the Holy Week



The blog has been your constant exposer of liturgical abusers through our regular feature called God's Undercover Liturgical Police or GULP.

And we have GULPed a lot of liturgical abusers throughout the life of this blog.

I know that during the Easter Vigil, it gives the parish priest or the liturgist to use the opportunity to do the most horrible liturgical abuses we have ever known as a Filipino.  So if you have any photos of liturgical abuses committed in your very own parishes, please send them and we will expose the abusers.

Send them by email:  thepinoycatholic@gmail.com or through my Facebook account or the official TPC Facebook page.









Treat this with a grain of salt....

BUT PLEASE!!!

Pray for Benedict!




Fr-Carlos Martins

NEWS AROUND ROME: THERE WILL BE A PAPAL FUNERAL SOON.

Friends, Pope Benedict looks very, very bad. It has been reported far and wide that he has lost much weight in recent months. I have posted on my timeline about this before. Now Benedict looks dangerously thin.

You may have already seen this picture published by L'Osservatore Romano, but take another look. It was shot last Saturday when Benedict was visited by Pope Francis. Benedict is little more than skin and bones. It is disturbing how much his body has changed in recent months. This afternoon I asked his personal tailor—Mancinelli, located on the Borgo Pio in Rome—about his condition (Mancinelli is not to be confused with Gammarelli who is the official Papal tailor; Benedict always had Mancinelli as his tailor and retained him during his papacy, even while using Gammarelli after assuming it). Mancinelli expressed grave concerns for his longtime friend’s health. All of Benedict’s cassocks have had to be taken in because he keeps losing weight. I showed Mancinelli this picture which I had on my phone; he had not seen it before. He almost wept as he pointed out the physiological changes in the Pope Emeritus’ body.

My personal suspicion is that Benedict has cancer. Regardless of his health problem(s), pray for him. He has given us much and we owe him. It will be hard seeing his body without those piercing eyes staring back.


***

I got this from Facebook and I must admit that there is a great difference in how Benedict looks like now from how he looked like when he said his goodbye from the balcony of Castelgandolfo.

He looks very frail.

He needs our prayers, BADLY!

He is risen as he said Alleluia!!!




Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia
Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia.
Resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia.
Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.
V. Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, alleluia,
R. Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Liturgical Mystery of the Year


I have to admit it.

I did not go to Mass on Monday.  It was only today when I was checking on my Ordo that I found out that the Feast of the Annunciation was moved to April 8 since March 25 fell within Holy Week.

Why it is even on April 8, again, LORD KNOWS WHY?!

We celebrate the Annunciation on March 25 because it falls exactly 9 months to December 25, the birth of Christ.  Why?  Because it is at the moment of the Incarnation, at the moment that Mary said "Yes", Christ became Man in the Immaculate Womb of the Virgin.

This day also makes it the Feast of the Unborn, because life begins at conception.

This is also the reason why we bow or kneel at the mention of the Incarnation at the Creed:

For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.

And also during the praying of the Angelus:

And the Word was made flesh.
And dwelt among us.

As one of fave popes once said,

“This is why the Annunciation is a Christological feast as well, because it celebrates a central mystery of Christ: the Incarnation.”  
(Benedict XVI,  Angelus 25 March 2007)
The Incarnation is one of the greatest mysteries of our Faith and of the whole world in fact.  The Eternal God became one of His created beings, everything like man except sin!

Why have it on April 8, less than 9 months...Lord knows why?!

FYI:  Our Eastern brothers, both Sui juris Easterners and Orthodox still keep March 25 the day of the Annunciation.  Just so you know.

A reminder for all those calling for noble simplicity

And advocates that we sell all those beautiful vestments and church furniture...

Most of the time, those who demand we give EVERYTHING to the poor, are the very ones who do not give SQUAT to the poor.

Most of the time, those who demand we give EVERYTHING to the poor, are the very ones who live a life of HYPOCRISY.  How?  Remember the rich man and Lazarus?  Yeah, that kind of hypocrisy.

I personally know of a priest who demands that we be simple in our vestments and vessels and in our church furnishings...wear simple layman clothes than wearing his habit or cassock or tab...all in solidarity with the poor...but lives a double standard life...has several bank accounts, uses only signature clothes, and is very picky in what he eats, treats his staff in his ministry like filth, and does not even dine, or mingle with the POOR.

Yes, those are the kind of people even on Facebook who cry out to the Church to sell everything they have and give it to the poor, but hate to even sip a cup of coffee made from a 3-in-1 sachet, unless it was brewed from a pro-gay marriage coffee shop.

Yes, folks.  Judas was a hypocrite.  And he was also an apostle.

What makes you think that person of lesser stature than an apostle cannot do what he did?

30 pieces of silver.  That's all it takes to make the cookie crumble.

Before you bark your head off praising your favorite cardinal for his simplicity, remember what Judas had to say and how he was rebuked by Christ.

True humility is not sacrificing beauty and nobility! Christ is humble, and He did not criticize the high priests in the Temple when they offered the sacrifice wearing the beautiful vestments!

Offering the Host: Compare and Contrast



I have done the same blog post about the Blessing of Water and Salt.

Now, I am doing the one about the prayer of the priest in offering the host using the pre-Vatican II Missal aka TLM aka EF Mass and the Novus Ordo aka Paul VI Mass aka OF Mass.

Here is what we have right now in the Ordinary Form:


Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life.

And here is what was before, and what Bugnini and gang want to replace:

Accept, O holy Father, almighty and eternal God, this unspotted host, which I, Thy unworthy servant, offer unto Thee, my living and true God, for my innumerable sins, offenses, negligences, and for all here present: as also for all faithful Christians, both living and dead, that it may avail both me and them for salvation unto everlasting life. Amen.

Why it has to be changed........LORD ONLY KNOWS!

 What do you think?

Over "noble simplicity"?

GULP Alert: Lenten Class Picture

More Lenten Lunacy aka Liturgical Creativity for Palm Sunday



I know jack squat why they even had to do this.

Monday, March 25, 2013

GULP Alert: Holy Sprinkler


From Facebook.

Because the people think that it is the Holy Water that makes sacramentals, well, a sacramental, and these things blessed!  It is the words of the priest, dear people, the words!

Whoever the genius was behind this utter and epic dumbness should get a massive dressing down.

They should have told the popes that what they were doing is wrong since the holy water they sprinkle isn't even reaching the palms fronds.





Papal Mass: The Cardinal Deacons are back




And something else.......

The sight of that priest giving out Communion like he is handing out Oreos to kids is..............APPALLING!!

ANOTHER CALL TO STOP COMMUNION IN THE HAND!

Sign the petition now!

You can see the link and the petition in left sidebar.

GULP Alert: And when you thought the dancing had stopped...


Witnessed by the archbishop who came it a highly praised and expected POPE, who came out a cardinal, as I prayed and expected.

Seems nobody cares what the liturgy really IS.

Ironic to see these youth wear a shirt with THAT print on.

If you want to dance, DO IT OUTSIDE OF MASS!

Do it until you get tired.

Why bother the Mass, which the Church strictly forbids the use of any of these shenanigans?

I'd tell you why.

CAPTURED AUDIENCE.

Because nobody will watch these crappy "production numbers" outside of Mass even if it were held in classy auditoriums or hotel ballrooms, for FREE!

The meeting of the two popes...

I thought I'd never see this sight...

I'd thought it would only be good for a Hollywood script until I saw it on the news last night...


You can see in the video that the Pope Emeritus is wearing his cardinatial ring.

It would have been a lovely sight to see if Benedict kissed the ring of the current Holy Father.

The altar cross is also veiled as it should be, in the Castelgandolfo chapel.  Notice that there is no free-standing altar in the chapel, meaning Mass is celebrated in the altar ad Deum.

In the table where the two popes are meeting you can see a pile of paper on the table.

Could this be the dossier prepared by the commission of cardinals?

Benedict XVI is very weak as you can see.  He had a hard time walking and Papa Francesco had to help him.

Here is the same video from Rome Reports:

Friday, March 22, 2013

Western Media's reason for praising Francis

I had that nasty feeling on Day 1 I read and heard how the Western media kept on praising Pope Francis' "simplicity". I knew something was off and I kept reminding my friend about over praising the Pope's simplicity. I am glad Michael Voris and I had the same observation.

Is Pope Francis in the papal apartment now?


Apparently not!

This is Pope Francis' simple study in Domus Sanctae Marthae where he is still holding office and receiving guests.  Since March 13, he hasn't moved into the papal apartments where his predecessors have lived, worked and some died through the centuries.  Reports are ripe that he might just stay at the Domus.  There are some suggestions that he could also stay at the papal apartments in the Lateran Basilica where it is smaller and more apt to Francis' simplicity.

Read more about it here.

Pope Benedict showed the whole world that popes and other authorities do not stick to their chairs for as long as they want.

Now Pope Francis is showing that you can still bear the responsibilities of the office even if you choose to be in office simply.  Though I have a different opinion about his tendency to over simplify the liturgy.  But I might be wrong.

In the last few months, we have been a witness to so many firsts.

I know priests and bishops who think that their parish, ministry or diocese is their birth right or their  own personal property or playground.  Some bishops here in the Philippines are like that.

Hope other pastors learn from these two popes.

Or do they?

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Pope Francis Holy Card

Probably the first one out there with his autograph.



PS:  To TPC haters, I know you could not stand the chance to grab this photo and share it.  Even though you pretend to hate the blog, you still keep visiting it and viewing my posts, and grabbing the photos and videos, and sharing them...

Fine with me.  I did not blog to grab credit or be famous or see me and have your picture taken with me so you can use it for your profile photo or hang it on your wall or.....No I think I went overboard there.

Share and....PEACE!

Pope Francis brings together men of other faiths

From Zenit

The full text of the Pope's address can be read here.

***

Pope Francis received in audience today representatives of Churches, ecclesial communities, and international ecumenical and interreligious organizations. The delegations have come to Rome for the inauguration of Francis’ ministry as Bishop of Rome and Successor of the Apostle Peter.

On behalf of those present, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, greeted the Pope, recalling the “elevated, serious, and difficult task” that his ministry bears with it. He also reiterated the need for the Churches to shun worldly distractions and to work on the unity between Christians.  [The Ecumenical Patriarchate did not give this much weight on ecumenical dialogue but only during the pontificate of Benedict XVI.]

This was the first time that an ecumenical patriarch has attended a papal inauguration since the Schism of 1054.

Pope Francis, who was seated on an armchair rather than the throne that is customarily used in the Clementine Hall, thanked Bartholomew I, referring to him as “my brother Andrew”, a reference to the fact that the patriarchs of Constantinople are considered the successors of the Apostle Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter.

The Holy Father stated that with their presence at yesterday’s Mass, he experienced “in an even more urgent way the prayer for unity among believers in Christ and together to see somehow foreshadowed that full realization, which depends on the plan of God and on our loyal collaboration.”

I begin my Apostolic Ministry in this year which my venerable predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, with truly inspired insight, proclaimed the Year of Faith for the Catholic Church,” the Holy Father said.  [He called him "Pope", so those who worry too much with the title, there you have it.  The current pope, calls the retired pope, pope!  Three "popes" in one sentence! Ha!]

“With this initiative, which I want to continue and hope is a stimulus for the faith journey of all, he wished to mark the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Second Vatican Council, proposing a sort of pilgrimage towards that which is most essential for every Christian: the personal and transforming relationship with Jesus Christ, Son of God, who died and rose for our salvation.”  [Those who preach the wrong intrepretation of Vatican II claim that Christ did not bodily rise from the dead.  But he "rose" and is "alive" in our hearts.  I am not joking.  I heard this spoken in a parish seminar by a layman who attended a "seminar" at MST.]

Pope Francis stressed that the heart of Vatican II is in the desire to announce the “treasure of faith” to today’s man. The Holy Father assured those present of his determination to continue the path of ecumenical dialogue established by his predecessors.

Addressing the representatives of the Jewish people, Pope Francis thanked them for their presence while acknowledging that the two faiths are “joined in a very special spiritual bond.” Referring to the Nostra aetate declaration of the Second Vatican Council, the Holy Father reiterated that the Catholic Church recognizes that “the beginnings of her faith and her election are already, according to the divine mystery of salvation, in the Patriarchs, Moses, and the prophets.”

“Thank you for your presence and I am confident that, with the help of the Almighty, we will be able to continue profitably that fraternal dialogue that the Council advocated and that has actually been accomplished, bringing many fruits, especially in recent decades,” the Pope said.

The Pope addressed the other religious representatives present, in particular the Muslim delegation, who the Holy Father said “worship the one God, living and merciful, and call upon Him in prayer.”

“I really appreciate your presence,” the Pope said. “In it I see a tangible sign of the will to grow in mutual esteem and cooperation for the common good of humanity.”

Concluding his address, Pope Francis recognized the need for a peaceful coexistence between faiths that protects man’s inherent search for the truth. “We know how much violence has been produced in recent history by the attempt to eliminate God and the divine from the horizon of humanity, and we experience the value of witnessing in our societies to the original opening to transcendence that is inherent in the human heart,” the Holy Father said.

“In this, we feel close even to all those men and women who, whilst not recognising themselves belonging to any religious tradition, feel themselves nevertheless to be in search of truth, goodness and beauty, this truth, goodness and beauty of God, and who are our precious allies in efforts to defend the dignity of man, in building a peaceful coexistence among peoples and in guarding Creation carefully.”

Fr. Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, noted the significance of today’s audience, in particular with His Holiness Bartholomew I. Prior to the audience, Fr. Lombardi said the Holy Father and the Ecumenical Patriarch had a private meeting which lasted for roughly 20 minutes. The meeting, he said, was both “beautiful and intense”.

The Holy Father also received Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, who came representing the Patriarch of Moscow, Kirill. Fr. Lombardi stated that the Metropolitan delivered a personal message from the Patriarch to Pope Francis, as well as an icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The audience with all the delegations, Fr. Lombardi said, “is also significant to the continuing dialogue with all religions, particularly with the Jewish and Muslim people.”

“It is known that with the Jewish community in Argentina, the Holy Father had a wonderful relationship. There were many within the Jewish delegation who were very enthusiastic and happy, as well as within the Muslim [delegation].”

“We can see,” Fr. Lombardi continued, “that the Pope is a person that has the fame of being very open and has an experience of good relations with other religious communities.”




Wednesday, March 20, 2013

A subtle attack on Pope Emeritus Benedict

Here is an example.


This is the caption:

Pope Francis rides through the throngs of faithful in St. Peter's Square.  He circled the square in an open-top vehicle, bypassing the Popemobile with its bulletproof glass.

WHAT?!?!

Pope Benedict XVI used that too in his Inaugural Mass in 2005.


The pope NEVER uses the bullet proof popemobile in the Vatican!

It's is an obvious jab against the emeritus pope and the continuing "praise release" on the humility of our current Holy Father.

Gosh!  Western media...

UPDATE:  Here is a similar post but with a much extensive analysis.  Enough posting for me today.  I'm spent!  Poof!

PS:  Salakot tip to MM for the term "praise release".

Guarding a CINO

During the Inaugural Mass...


Looks like the Swiss Guard got a direct order from Pope Francis to watch the pro-gay marriage, pro-contraception president of Argentina who thinks herself as a "Catholic".

I still have to find a photo if this CINO received Holy Communion during the Mass.

The former Jorge Cardinal Bergoglio once wrote that pro-abortion, pro-contraception politicians must not be given Holy Communion.

PS:  CINO - Catholic In Name Only.   Get it?

Crappy Article about the Papal Installation from the Inquirer


The last papal coronation


From the Inquirer

It was a lengthy article but I'd get straight to the parts where I found glaring factual errors.


***


It was Paul VI (1963-1978) who instituted broad papal changes that continue to affect the Church today. It was also Paul who mandated that cardinals who have reached 80 years old will not be eligible to take part in a papal conclave.  [Ok, so far so good.]

Although there are 155 cardinals in the world today, only 115 took part in the recent conclave.  [Because of the prohibition against cardinals aged 80 above joining the conclave.]

Also upon receiving the tiara in 1963, Paul VI promptly sold his crown [uhmmm... promptly?  Paul VI was crowned in June 1963 and he kept using it until he placed the tiara on the altar of St. Peter's on November 1963.   5 months is PROMPTLY??? I think that time lapse is not PROMPTLY.] to the Americans [Uhhmm...not to the Americans.  He was about to sell it to those who wants it but the American Cardinal Francis Spellman bought it and the tiara is now in display in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC]. and abolished the practice of coronation, [uhmmm...Paul VI did not.  In fact, the Apostolic Constitution Romano Pontifici Eligendo, promulgated by Paul VI mentions the term coronation.  It was the Apostolic Constition, Universi Dominici Gregis of John Paul II that removed any mention of a coronation.  So, obviously, the writer did not do his homework.]  the better for the papacy to shed its absolutist monarchist traces.  [uhmmm... John Paul II said during his homily in his Papal Inaugural Mass: "The last Pope to be crowned was Paul VI in 1963, but after the solemn coronation ceremony he never used the tiara again and left his Successors free to decide in this regard. Pope John Paul I, whose memory is so vivid in our hearts, did not wish to have the tiara; nor does his Successor wish it today. This is not the time to return to a ceremony and an object considered, wrongly, to be a symbol of the temporal power of the Popes."  Notice that?  WRONGLY considered!  And Zulueta is one of those who again WRONGLY considered the meaning of the tiara.  Whether the Pope wears the tiara or not, Catholic Theology and Vatican City State Laws still give the Pope ABSOLUTE powers.  So whether he is wearing three crowns stacked as one, he still IS a monarch.]

In the installations of the next popes, the tiara would remain, [weh?  remain???  In the installation of John Paul I, John Paul II and Benedict XVI, the tiara was nowhere!] but it would be lodged on the head of the ebony statue of St. Peter, [only during the feast of St. Peter and Paul in June!] the first Pope, in the basilica named after him, which is the biggest church in the world.

The tiara that will now be lodged on the head of St. Peter will bear the Latin titles of the three ministries of Christ [now?  It has been tradition ever since to clothe that statue of St. Peter in papal vestments and with the papal tiara even before Vatican II.  NOW???] that his Vicar—the Pope—should perform: as Teacher, Prophet and Servant. [WAH?!  Where in the world did he get these things?  Is this another one of those Vicarius Filii Dei tiara hoax?]  John Paul II abolished the practice of the cardinals paying public fealty to the new Pope during the installation ceremonies. [WHAT?!  John Paul didn't!  In fact it was Benedict who did so only to put it back before his resignation on Feb.28 via a Motu Propio!]  During his installation in 2005, Benedict reaffirmed the innovation of his predecessor and received merely the homage of the representative cardinals of the various churches.  [WHAT?!?!  There were only three cardinals who did not give him "homage" but pledge obedience.the senior Cardinal bishop, the Cardinal protopriest, the Cardinal protodeacon, the bishop of Benedict's former suburbicarian diocese of Velletri-Segni, the priest serving as pastor of Benedict's former titular church when he was a Cardinal priest, a deacon, a religious brother, a Benedictine nun, a married couple from Korea, and a young woman from Sri Lanka and a young man from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, both being recently confirmed before the Mass.]

But before he stepped down on Feb. 28, Benedict issued a decree to restore the practice, so that all of the cardinal-electors will have to be present in his installation Tuesday to pay public homage to Francis.

It was also Benedict who widened the pallium, [widened!] the tie-like collar whose end extends down to the floor that the Pope traditionally wears in solemn liturgical events.  [Only during Mass not ALL solemn liturgical events.  Geewhiz!  The author is nauseating.]

As a result, Francis, noted for his simple fashion statements, will have to follow the example of Benedict and wear a wider and more fashion-elaborate pallium.  [See that obvious jab against Benedict?  Francis is simple but he was forced to wear the fashion - elaborate pallium of Benedict.  Boohoo!  You even got your facts wrongly!  The omophorion type of pallium that Benedict had in his Inaugural Mass was abandoned after he left in in the tomb of St. Celestine V.  What Benedict wore and Francis is wearing is a larger version of the pallium currently bestowed on metropolitan archbishops.  And to use the adjective "fashion-elaborate" is nothing more than an obvious jab against the pope emeritus!]

Wide or narrow, the pallium symbolizes the Christ-like qualities of the Pope and the need for him to follow the example of Jesus. It is brought together by three pins symbolizing the three nails that impaled Christ on the cross.  [Oh brother.  He doesn't even know what the pallium stands for.  Just read it here.  I am getting tired correcting this work.]

During the installation, Francis will receive the so-called fisherman’s ring (St. Peter was a fisherman). No design yet has emerged for the ring. [And he is not even updated with the latest press briefing from the Vatican which this lowly blogger hidden away in an office in Manila was able to blog about.  Blogger beats Journalist about Papal Inaugural Mass.  Now that is news for you.  Later...........Journalist bites Blogger.  Nah.  Man bites dog still is tacky.]  In the past, Popes received rings with the symbol of a fisherman’s boat.  [Weh???  Did he see what Pius IX wore?]

Also not yet known is the papal motto.

As Buenos Aires archbishop, Pope Francis’s motto was “Miserando atque eligendo” (Lowly, but chosen”). [Common mistake by the media.  The exact Latin translation is "By showing compassion and by choosing"  Read it here.] John Paul’s motto was “Totus tuus” (Truly yours), [TOTALLY Yours] while Benedict’s was “Cooperatores Veritatis,” which means “Coworkers of the Truth.”  [Cooperators of the Truth!  Aaarrggghhh!]


***

GOOD GRIEF!!!

Where in the world did he get his facts?!

Is the Inquirer desperately looking for a fact checker for articles about the Church?  Please I am willing to volunteer.

On second thought, this IS the Inquirer.

Facts about the Church are not their priority.


PS:  This looks like a bloody term paper.  Look at all the red marks!  LOL!

The Sisters on the news of the papal election

Imagine what the sight of the white smoke can bring.

Really fun watching this.

Enjoy!



Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Bad news for dissident Jesuits like "Frs." Bernas and Tabora



Keep on wishing!


I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!!

Makes me remember the two Jesuits all the time.  Ha!

The Philippine Fishwrap!

To animal rights activists.....

We meant no harm or insult to the dead fish...


What to expect at today's Mass of the Inauguration to the Petrine Ministry


Yup, that is the official name of that Mass.

This is a lengthy one.  Bear with me.


The video says "The Vatican is expecting at least 200 faithful to attend."

Wha?!

Just 200?

LOL!

***

Vatican City, 18 March 2013 (VIS) – In the press conference held today, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., director of the Press Office of the Holy See, focused on two themes: Pope Francis' first audiences and details of the Mass inaugurating the Petrine Ministry of the Bishop of Rome.

First, Fr. Lombardi relayed the information that the Holy Father was, at the moment, having lunch with the President of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, whom he received at the Domus Sanctae Marthae “in a private meeting that lasted around 20 minutes, afterwards greeting the other members of the Argentine delegation”. Also this morning, at 10:00am, Francis received in audience Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B. Yesterday afternoon he had two very cordial audiences, one with the Bishop of Albano, Italy, and the other with the Superior General of the Jesuits, Fr. Adolfo Nicolas Pachon.  [He is now doing what a head of state and the Bishop of Rome does.]

The main part of the press conference was dedicated to how the Mass inaugurating the Petrine Ministry of the Bishop of Rome will be celebrated. “The correct term for the ceremony,” Fr. Lombardi clarified, “is not enthronement but inauguration. As successor of Peter, the Pope is Bishop of Rome and the Church of Rome 'presides in love' over the others. Also, it is a celebration rich with symbols that recall the Pope's tie to St. Peter, beginning with the place where, according to tradition, Peter was martyred.”

The Press Office Director also explained where those participating in and attending the Mass will be located. “On the left-hand side of the 'Sagrato' (porch of the Basilica) will be seated bishops and archbishops (around 250 are expected), ecclesiastics, and delegations from other Churches and Christian confessions. On the right-hand side of the 'Sagrato' will be delegations from various countries lead by heads of state, ministers, etc. On the St. Peter’s statue side of the piazza will be seated Jews, Muslims, and members of other religions, then around 1200 priests and seminarians. On the St. Paul’s statue side of the piazza will be seated the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See and other civil authorities. The rest of the piazza will be standing-room for all those without tickets. A large number is expected to attend.”

Between 8:45 and 8:50am the Pope will depart the Domus Sanctae Marthae and start to move through the crowd in the various sections of the piazza—either in the Jeep or the Popemobile—and greet those gathered. He will return to the Sacristy, via the Pietà side, around 9:15am. Mass is planned to begin at 9:30am.  [about 4PM Manila time.]

Regarding the beginning of the ceremony, the Pope, once having entered the Basilica, will head to the Confession (St. Peter’s tomb under the high altar) while trumpets will announce the “Tu es Petrus”. The Pope will venerate the tomb of St. Peter, together with the Patriarchs and Major Archbishops of the Eastern Rite Catholic Churches (ten in number, four of whom are cardinals). He will then be presented with the Pallium, Ring, and Book of the Gospels that were placed at St. Peter’s tomb the night before.

The Holy Father will then come back up from the Confession to the main floor of the Basilica, from which the procession continues. The “Laudes Regiae” (Christ is King) will be chanted, with some invocations taken from the Vatican II document on the Church, “Lumen Gentium”. In the Litany of Saints are particularly to be noted, after the Apostles, the Holy Roman Pontiffs who have been canonized up to the most recent: St. Pius X. Fr. Lombardi clarified that these are only the pontiffs who have been named as saints, not those who have been beatified. The procession will then make its entrance into the square.

Fr. Lombardi listed who will be concelebrating the Mass with Francis: all the cardinals present in Rome, joined by the Patriarchs and Major Eastern Rite Archbishops (6); the Secretary of the College of Cardinals; and two Superior Generals (that of the Order of Friars Minor, Jose Rodriguez Carballo and that of the Jesuits, Adolfo Nicolas Pachon, respectively President and Vice-President of the Union of Superior Generals). In total about 180 are expected to concelebrate and they will be seated at the left (that is, in front of the ecclesiastics, not the national delegations).

Before the Mass begins there are the rites specific to the beginning of the Bishop of Rome's Petrine Ministry. These include:

The Imposition of the Pallium:
Made of lamb’s wool and sheep’s wool, the Pallium is placed on the Pope's shoulders recalling the Good Shepherd who carries the lost sheep on his shoulders. The Pope’s Pallium has five red crosses while the Metropolitans’ Palliums have five black crosses. The one used by Francis is the same one that Benedict XVI used. It is placed on the Pope’s shoulders by Cardinal proto-deacon Tauran and, after the imposition, there is a prayer recited by Cardinal proto-presbyter Daneels.

The Fisherman’s Ring:
Peter is the fisherman Apostle, called to be a “fisher of men”. The ring is presented to the Pope by Cardinal Deacon Sodano (first of the Order of Bishops). It bears the image of St. Peter with the keys. It was designed by Enrico Manfrini The ring was in the possession of Archbishop Macchi, Pope Paul VI's personal secretary, and then Msgr. Malnati, who proposed it to Pope Francis through Cardinal Re. It is made of silver and gold.

The Fisherman's Ring of Pope Francis showing St. Peter casting his net while holding the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Western Media calls it "simple".  Eh.....it ain't simple to me.  Almost looks the same as Benedict's.  Expect the media to keep spinning the word "simple" and "humble" for the duration of this pontificate, just to take a swipe at Benedict.

The “Obedience”:
Six cardinals, two from each order, among the first of those present approach the Pope to make an act of obedience. Note that all the Cardinal electors already made an act of obedience in the Sistine Chapel at the end of the Conclave and that all the cardinals were able to meet the Pope in the following day’s audience in the Clementine Hall. Also, at the moment of “taking possession” of the Cathedral of Rome—St. John Lateran—it is expected that the act of obedience will be made by representatives of the various members of the People of God.

The Mass will be that of the Solemnity of St. Joseph, [today!] which has its own readings (therefore they are not directly related to the rite of the Inauguration of the Pontificate). The Gospel will be proclaimed in Greek, as at the highest solemnities, to show that the universal Church is made up of the great traditions of the East and the West. “Latin,” Fr. Lombardi said, “is already abundantly present in the other prayers and Mass parts.”

The Pope will give his homily in Italian and, as is his style, it probably will not follow the written text strictly, but will contain improvisations.

Fr. Lombardi said that the Master of Celebrations [is it still Msgr. Guido Marini?] expects that the ceremony will not last much more than two hours and, always with the intention of simplification and not making the rite overly long, there will not be an Offertory procession. [Which I personally do not prefer and which, FYI, is NOT in the TLM.  Hmmmm...Simplicity gravitating towards the TLM?  Hehehe.  Wishful thinking.  But who knows!] The Eucharistic gifts will be brought to the altar by the ministers who prepare the altar. Also, the Pope will not distribute Communion, which will be done by the deacons on the “Sagrato” and, in the various areas of the piazza, by priests.  [Why............not?]

Regarding the music for the ceremony, several moments are notable. When the Pope enters the Basilica silver trumpets will ring out the “Tu es Petrus”. The Laudes Regiae will be chanted during the procession from St. Peter’s tomb to the “Sagrato”. A 14 piece brass ensemble will play at various moments of the celebration. During the Offertory the “Tu es pastor ovium” (You Are the Shepherd of the Sheep) motet composed by Pierluigi da Palestrina precisely for the Inauguration of the Pontificate will be sung. At the conclusion, the “Te Deum” will be sung with verses alternating between Gregorian chant and a melody by Tomas Luis de Victoria. As it will not be held on a Sunday, there will be no Angelus after the Mass.

At the end of the celebration, and after removing the Liturgical vestments, the Pope will go to the Basilica’s high altar, [In Benedict's case, he wore the mozzetta and state stole when he greeted the delegations.  I do not expect Pope Francis to wear these.] before which he will greet the heads of the official delegations from various countries who will pass before him. He will then go to the Domus Sanctae Marthae for lunch.

Other delegations staying in Rome can meet with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B., secretary of State of His Holiness, and Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States the following day, Wednesday (for example, the President of Brazil in light of the upcoming World Youth Day). As is known, the Pope will receive delegations of the Christian Churches and Ecclesial Communities and of other religions in audience on Wednesday.

At the present moment, the main delegations that are expected to attend are:
- 33 delegations representing Christian Churches and Ecclesial Communities (14 Oriental; 10 Western; 3 Christian organizations; others). Among these will be present: Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I; Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians Karekin II; Metropolitan Hilarion of the Patriarchate of Moscow; many metropolitans; Anglican Archbishop Sentamu; Secretary of the World Council of Churches Fykse Tveit; etc.

- 16 members of important Jewish delegations including: the Jewish community of Rome; international Jewish committees; the Chief Rabbinate of Israel; the World Jewish Congress; the Anti-Defamation League, etc.

- As well as delegations of Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jainists, etc.

To date, delegations of various sizes and levels from 132 countries have confirmed their attendance.

“The delegations,” Fr. Lombardi emphasized, “are coming to Rome following information of the event made public by the Secretary of State. There were no 'invitations' sent out. All who wish to come are warmly welcomed. It must be made clear that no one has privileged status or will be refused. The order will depend on protocol and the level of the delegation.”

Naturally, the most important delegations will be those from Argentina, led by President Cristina Kirchner and Italy, led by President Napolitano and Prime Minister Monti with presidents of the Italian Senate, House, and Constitutional Court.

Also expected are six reigning sovereigns (Belgium, Monaco…); 31 heads of state (Austria, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Canada, Poland, Portugal, European Union…); three crown princes (Spain, Holland, Bahrain); 11 heads of government (Germany, France, the Vice President of the United States, …); and delegations led by: first ladies, vice presidents, vice prime ministers, parliament presidents, ministers, ambassadors, and other dignitaries.

Papal Coat of Arms:
The last topic that Fr. Lombardi covered was the now pontiff's papal coat of arms and motto. These are the same that he used as bishop. The shield has a bright blue background, at the centre top of which is a yellow radiant sun with the IHS christogram on it representing Jesus (it is also the Jesuit logo). The IHS monogram, as well as a cross that pierces the H, are in red with three black nails directly under them. Under that, to the left, is a star representing Mary, Mother of Christ and the Church. To the right of the star is a nard flower representing Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church. With these symbols the Pope demonstrates his love for the Holy Family.

What distinguishes his coat of arms as pontiff is that, instead of the wide-brimmed, red cardinal's hat atop the shield, it is now crowned by the papal tiara and crossed keys.

[So it won't be this one after all!]
According to Fr. Lombardi, this is NOT the papal crest!

[Then...what is he holding here???]


[Geewhiz!  There is really something wrong with the Vatican Information Service, no?]


His motto—“miserando atque eligendo” (because he saw him through the eyes of mercy and chose him)—is taken from the Venerable Bede's homily on the Gospel account of the call of Matthew. It holds special meaning for the Pope because—when he was only 17-years-old, after going to confession on the Feast of St. Matthew in 1953—he perceived God's mercy in his life and felt the call to the priesthood, following the example of St. Ignatius of Loyola.


***

I'll be watching via EWTN Live streaming or via the Centro Televisivo Vaticano.


Monday, March 18, 2013

Where the Catholics are...


The latest statistics are out!

The largest number of Catholics are in the new Pope's continent, Latin America!

But the fastest growing number of Catholics is in Africa and Asia!  The number of priests and religious are also growing in these two continents.

Asia ordained 1695 priests in 2010 while Africa added 761. The Americas, meaning both North and South America, where the Pope came from, only added 40!  40!  Just 40 for the entire continent... while Europe was down 905, or it lost 905!

WOW!!!

Hmmm...Isn't it the same continents where the United Nations is vigorously campaigning for contraception and abortion?

And where is "Christian" Europe?


Pope Francis is simple...



Of course he doesn't need to ride the bus.  His office is a few steps away from his apartment, that is if he decides to stay in the papal apartments.

But he maybe too simple for comfort...


I think I agree with a friend.

He is a head of state.  He cannot do this all the time.

He has to remember what happened to John Paul II...


And to Benedict XVI...



The Vatican's Swiss Guards and Genadarmiere need to double up their work.

Pray for the Holy Father, Francis!

It means something...



If this were the Carnival?  Then what the heck is this?


A cheap production of the "Swan Lake"?

***

Why is the papal mozzetta colored red?  Why is the papal shoes colored red?  Why is the pope's stole in choir colored red?

All meaning that the pope must be ready to spill his blood for Christ.

It is not the color of the carnival!

I guess you know what I am talking about.

It is the alleged quip of His Holiness to the Papal Master of Ceremonies why he does not want to use the

The trappings of the papal office may be too much for the "simple and humble" pope but these must not be used as an occasion to describe or equate these vestments with worldly events like the Carnival!  (No, Jimmy.  It is not the Coney Island or Disneyland thing.  It is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday)

And surprisingly, there are gullible people, sadly one of them a priest, who jumps into the bandwagon of "hoorahing" the simplicity of the pope.  And what I find mind-boggling is how he was able to say that the Masses of Benedict and Francis were the same???

WHAT?!?!

Francis does not chant.  Benedict does!

Shall I add more???

Sistine Chapel.  Ad orientem altar.  New one placed instead of using the altar at the chapel?\

Still the same???

Ugh.

Don't get me wrong.  I am for simplicity.  But why use derogatory terms, like Carnival?

Carnival?  What now?  The mozzetta and the state stole are used by harlequins???

St. Francis of Assisi and St. John Marie Vianney lived simplicity.  In fact, they breathed simplicity! BUT!

They did not shun away sacred vestments that are "too triumphalistic" or something that will "turn off the poor"!

No, my dear people.  St. Francis and the Cure of Ars still wore splendid vestments when at Mass.

They in fact encouraged it!

Here is my post about St. John Mary Vianney.

And here is the post of Fr. Z about St. Francis of Assisi.  And here is another from the New Liturgical Movement.

So, is going too simple even in the liturgy with the wishes of the saints?

No, it doesn't.

I hope that report from the BBC is not true.  I am hoping it is not.  But judging from the looks of it...it might be.

Do we just throw things away because they are too beautiful that they are not meant for the poor?

I don't think so.  These precious things have meanings and these "things", these precious vestments and vessels and liturgical paraphernalia are meant not for the rich but for everyone!

Using ugly vestments and other liturgical items simply because you want to be in "solidarity with the poor" is in fact insulting to the poor.  You think because they are poor they do not have any right for beautiful things?  They do not have any right to enjoy worshiping in splendid churches and call it "OUR" church???

I guess the priest turned a blind eye on that one, too, eh.

Pope Francis may have abandoned some of the papal regalia, but let us see in the Installation Mass tomorrow if his simplicity goes towards "over simplifying" the Mass...

And let the tag "Secret SSPX" on The Pinoy Catholic begin!!!


PS:  Did anyone here brand the late Fr. Chupungco disobedient to the Holy Father for his public attacks against Benedict XVI???

With that out of the way, ok, go ahead.  COMMENT.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Quo vadis?

Don't ask.  I'm trying to make sense of what just happened.  Really I am.




Thursday, March 14, 2013

What the Jesuits must be saying with the election of Pope Francis

The FSSP and the SSPX and CBCP and heads of state have sent in their message in relation to the election of Pope Francis, the first Jesuit Pope... BUT! Can't see anything from his Jesuit brothers. They must be thinking this... (of course, except Fr. Mitch and Fr. Tim...)










The only reaction I got is from an American Jesuit who said that his confreres in the Society "don't like him one bit."

Well, after the no-wearing of the choir dress for the pope, at least that is some comforting thing for you traddies out there, no?

PS:  Where are these loud-mouths when you need them to make some noise, huh?



I think the pro-RH lobbyists don't cover the expenses for the press release for the new Pope, who happens to be a Jesuit.

Reporting the Sede Vacante and the Conclave



and we have Korina Sanchez reporting live from Rome.

And as usual, she is pathetic and did an awful job.

Any of my Facebook friends can substitute for her and still they'll do a wonderful job compared to this loud mouth!

She is pathetic. Period.

Why you might ask.

Because she said the resignation of Benedict XVI is the "first in history".

Yup!  She said it.  And twice!

Read about it here.

Really pathetic!

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

The myth of the papabili list


The Western media is always ready to put their dirty fingers into the affairs of the Church when it suits them right.

From issues against clerical sex abuse, to calls for equality in the role of women in the Church most specifically in issues of women ordination and altar girls...

The Western media will talk about the Catholic Church when it suits their taste.  You'll never see them whip up an article praising the encyclicals or apostolic constitutions.  They'll be quick to attach the Church and even quicker to say who is likely to be pope.

And some lay Catholics are not far from this attitude of the MSM.

Notice how a so-called list of papabile, cardinals who are likely to be elected pope always comes out before a conclave.  With only a matter of hours before the famous "extra omnes" is said by the papal Master of Ceremonies, Msgr. Guido Marini, most look at the list written by men who couldn't care less at the Church but cares that a cardinal which the MSM thinks thinks like them...

And so let us go back in 2005 when we had the conclave that elected Benedict XVI...

In this post at Rorate Coeli, we notice how a list that Vaticanista John Allen who writes for the National Schismatic Reporter missed out the cardinal who became pope.

 Ennio Antonelli, 68, Italy; Francis Arinze, 72, Nigeria; Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 68, Argentina; Dario Castrillón Hoyos, 75, Colombia; Godfried Danneels, 71, Belgium; Julius Darmaatmadja, 70, Indonesia; Ivan Dias, 69, India; Claudio Hummes, 70, Brazil; Lubomyr Husar, 72, Ukraine; Walter Kasper, 72, Germany; Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez, 68, Dominican Republic; Wilfrid Fox Napier, 64, South Africa; Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino, 68, Cuba; Marc Ouellet, 60, Canada; Giovanni Battista Re, 71, Italy; Norberto Rivera Carrera, 62, Mexico; Oscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga, 62, Honduras; Christoph Schönborn, 60, Austria; Angelo Scola, 63, Italy; Dionigi Tettamanzi, 71, Italy.

No Ratzinger, eh?  Honestly, I don't like Allen at all.

Now even famed Vaticanista Sandro Magister who always had a scoop about the Vatican, gave a list that included Joseph Ratzinger as a papabile, albeit with hesitation because as he wrote, "the indication of Ratzinger as the next pope is perhaps more symbolic than real."  Whatever that meant!

The Pope Blog, who monitored the 2005 Conclave and is monitoring this year's conclave, posted this list of papabili often mentioned by the MSM:

Cláudio Hummes, Archbishop of São Paulo (Age 70)
Miloslav Vlk, Archbishop of Prague (Age 72)
Ivan Dias, Archbishop of Mumbai (Age 69)
Francis Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacrament (Age 72)
Geraldo Majella Agnelo, Archbishop of Salvador, Brazil (Age 71)
Godfried Danneels, Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels (Age 72)
Giovanni Battista Re, Cardinal Bishop, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops (Age 71) -
Dionigi Tettamanzi, Archbishop of Milan (Age 71)
Oscar Andrés Rodríguez, Archbishop of Tegucigalpa, Honduras (Age 62)
Christoph Schönborn, Archbishop of Vienna (Age 60)
Angelo Scola, Patriarch of Venice (Age 63)
Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, Archbishop of Cape Coast (Age 56)
Angelo Sodano, Cardinal Bishop, Vice-Dean of the College of Cardinals (Age 77)
Alfonso López Trujillo, Cardinal Bishop, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family (Age 69)
Norberto Rivera Carrera, Archbishop of Mexico City (Age 62)
Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster (Age 72)
Lubomyr Husar, Ukrainian Rite Major-Archbishop of Lviv (Age 72)
Tarcisio Bertone, Archbishop of Genoa (Age 70)
Dario Castrillón Hoyos, Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy (Age 75)
Crescenzio Sepe, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (Age 61)
Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity (Age 72)
Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne, Archbishop of Lima (Age 61)
José da Cruz Policarpo, Patriarch of Lisbon (Age 69)
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires (Age 68)

Still, no mention of Ratzinger.

Catholic News Service also ran an article about the papabili in the 2005 Conclave.  He was described as "the dominant personality among the electors" but the article also adds that Ratzinger "may be perceived as too old for the rigors of the papacy. He has a history of heart problems which, while mild in themselves, are enough to heighten that concern.

More important, Cardinal Ratzinger has been a lightning-rod for controversy both within the Church (because of his disciplinary action against wayward theologians) and outside (because of his insistence that Christ is the sole means to salvation). His public image as the authoritarian Panzerkardinal, although it is completely at odds with his mild personality, would make him the target of vitriolic attacks by secular liberals.

Until recent weeks, those obvious drawbacks seemed to be enough to eliminate Cardinal Ratzinger from serious consideration as a candidate for the papacy. Yet as the cardinals gathered in Rome, their thoughts turned toward him. As they begin their deliberations, the cardinals will all face the same initial question: whether to vote for, or against, Cardinal Ratzinger. No other prelate commands nearly the same consideration. Even if he is not the 265th Pontiff, his support could be crucial to the conclave's eventual choice."

I wouldn't call that piece betting on the next pope, but look what happened in 2005!

Moral of the story?  A man who comes into conclave a Pope, comes out....

No, not that one.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD.. (Is. 55:8) For what person knows a man's thoughts except the spirit of the man which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. (1Cor 2:11)
Whoever thinks they know what the cardinals are thinking right now, are definitely out of their minds and think they are more cardinatial than those in the red robes themselves!

The list is nothing but pure conjecture.

So for the LOVE OF GOD!!!

JUST PRAY, WILL YOU?

And just like what Pope Benedict XVI said in his last Audience in Paul VI hall in February 14...

WE ARE NOT A CHURCH OF THE MEDIA!  WE ARE THE CHURCH OF GOD!

The remains of St. Vincent de Paul


When his remains were exhumed for the first time in 1712, his body was found intact.

This exhumation was done in 1960, only his skeleton was left, the decomposition blamed on an underground flooding.  The 1737 exhumation for his canonization already found his body in this state.

The photo above was during the removal of the bones for "re-arranging" in time for the saint's 300th death anniversary.

His bones are now encased in a wax figure.




His heart, though, remains incorrupt...the heart of the Great Apostle of Charity, in a side altar in the Apparition Chapel in Rue du Bac, where the Virgin Mother revealed the Miraculous Medal to St. Vincent's daughter, St. Catherine Laboure.



PS:  one of his sons was the architect of the liturgical revolution...

Monday, March 11, 2013

Fisherman's Ring was not completely destroyed!

Don't tell me I didn't tell you so!

From the Catholic News Service

***

It should be a museum item!



VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- When Pope Benedict XVI officially stepped down from office Feb. 28, his wardrobe changed -- right down to the ring on his finger.

He simply stopped wearing the familiar red shoes and the traditional white cassock with a white cape on his shoulder. He also stopped wearing the fisherman's ring, one of the main symbols of the papal office, and went back to wearing an episcopal ring he wore as a cardinal.

But it was not enough to simply leave the papal ring behind.

According to the rules governing the interregnum and election of a pope, the College of Cardinals must "arrange for the destruction of the fisherman's ring and of the lead seal with which apostolic letters are dispatched." [From the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominis Gregis]

On March 6, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, told reporters that this "destruction" had been completed, although he explained that the ring is not smashed or destroyed completely; rather, two deep cuts are made in its face so that it can no longer be used as a seal. [I told you so.]

Retired Pope Benedict received the ring at his inauguration Mass along with his pallium, the woolen stole symbolizing a bishop's authority. Both were based on ancient designs.

The gold ring, similar to the old rings that popes used also as seals, was designed by the Rome Association of Goldsmiths. [Uhmmm...The ring was designed and made by Roman master goldsmith Claudio Franchi and not that group. Dieter Phillipi who also gave the pope meritus his tiara as a gift, wrote an article about the Piscatorial Ring.] It had Pope Benedict's name etched on it and a scene of St. Peter casting out his net, symbolizing how popes are successors of the apostle Peter.

Many Catholics pay their respects to the pope by kneeling and kissing his ring. [Imagine an item revered by all Catholics other than the pope, gets smashed for no apparent practical reason other than tradition?]

The Catholic Encyclopedia notes that the earliest mention of the fisherman's ring worn by popes is in a letter to Pope Clement IV wrote in 1265 to his nephew, stating that popes were to seal their private letters with "the seal of the fisherman."

During the 15th century, the papal ring also was used to seal official papal documents known as briefs.  [As was the case in feudal system of communication.]

***

In a briefing of the Vatican Press Office...


Fr. Lombardi, SJ’s English-language consultant, Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB, elaborated. “Fr. [Lombardi, SJ] saw with his very own eyes this (Saturday) morning, five objects that were ruined – scratched [and] rendered useless, because the image was destroyed,” he said.
Fr. Rosica went on to say, “First of all, there’s the ring – the Fisherman’s Ring that was destroyed – the image was scratched – secondly, there was [also destroyed] a stamp of the Fisherman’s Ring, a seal, which was used to seal official documents.” There were, in addition, “[T]wo stamps that were used for official Papal documents with the image on it, were scratched, so they cannot be used, and finally, the master lead seal, which was used for major documents, and [for] creating other seals: that was scratched, as well.”


The only practical reason for making deep cuts on the face of the ring that Benedict XVI wore was to prevent any forgeries made by impressions on it.  But, on the other hand, who'll make the forgeries?  I discussed this in detail in a related post.

And like what I mentioned in the earlier post, the ring maker himself, insists that the ring is a decorative ring and not a signet ring.

BUT!

If you want to feel your own pope, and want to make you "own" piscatorial ring, we'll here are some choices for you.

Note: They did not pay any advertising fee to The Pinoy Catholic, ha!

https://www.familysealrings.com/Religious_Rings2.html

http://www.suarezandsons.com/

That is...if you want to feel popish....ha!

Learn from the little ones...

Unlike most adults who have Facebook and Twitter accounts, and most especially the Main Stream Media...

They....all of them...who kept on campaigning for a cardinal...

watch and learn!


Sudden activity on Twitter?

Why?......Hmmm....


As far as I could research, this IS the actual Twitter account of the Cardinal  and he only joined Twitter in February 28, 2013, on the day the Sede Vacante in 2013 took effect.

And then these posters spread in Rome?


I don't know with you guys, but he may not be behind the posters in Rome, but joining Twitter at this time, well, he may have the best intentions but the timing is sooo bad...even "Peter the Roman" would think twice of running for office.

What do you think?

As if the cardinals will consult social media and the MSM on who to vote for...

Ha!