The ring of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

I can't help my trained eye to notice what the pope emeritus was wearing during the Canonization Mass.

You have to click the image for a larger view.

 

As most of us knew now, the pope emeritus is not wearing the Piscatorial Ring anymore, of course, since he is not the reigning pope.

As you can see, he is wearing a different ring.

Here is a close-up of his ring.

And you can see his papal coat of arms on the cane.  No, he is not pope anymore so stop that conspiracy theory.

And here is another image of the pope emeritus and his ring.

And here is the close up of that ring.

It is called the Conciliar Ring or the Episcopal Ring of the Council Fathers or more famously known as Vatican II Ring.

Here is another view of the ring.  You can see that this is an open type so it is perfect for anyone with varying ring sizes considering that these rings were made without asking the Council Fathers their ring sizes.

This was given to all the Council Fathers after the closing session of the Council by Pope Paul VI.

(Sedevacantists:  Cue video clip of Sauron giving the rings of power to elves, dwarves and men!)

I personally saw this on one archbishop who was a Council Father.  I kissed it and he let me take a good look at it.

Considering the number of Council Father, I think the material is rather cheap and this is easily done.  The back of this ring open so it can fit any ring size.

But in some aspects, I like the design.

Father Ratzinger was a peritus (expert) for Joseph Cardinal Frings of Cologne.  He certainly was not a Council Father so he definitely did not receive this ring.

This might be from Cardinal Frings or from another bishop.

So, for the liberals, Benedict XVI was a traitor of the Council.  See the ring?

For the traditionalists, he is an apostle of the Council.  Summorum Pontificum?  SSPX reunification efforts?

As far as I can still remember the Pope emeritus is the pope of Christian Unity and of the hermeneutic of continuity.

And even if you produce 1 million Anscar Chupungco's or 1 billion Genaro Diwa, it would still not suffice for one Joseph Ratzinger in terms of sound theology and liturgy.

Continuity (Ratzinger)

Rupture and Innovation (Chupungco and Diwa)

If there is one humble man the whole world is missing with all the hoopla about the simplicity of Pope Francis, it is Benedict XVI.

Only a humble man can admit that he is done enough and it is time to step down.

Quiz Time! The Marian Pope

Who is called the  Marian Pope?

Post your answer in the comment box or in the Facebook page of TPC.

I hope you can give also your reasons why the pope of your choice deserves the title.  :)

St. Simeon the Just

A few weeks ago, we celebrated the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple which we also call the Purification of the Virgin Mary, (not that she is "impure", She was just following the Mosaic Law), and Candelmas.

One of the persons in the Gospel narrative of the event is the holy man, Simeon also known as Simeon the Just.  But did you know that his relic is kept and preserved?

Yup.  This Biblical saint has his relics enshrined in the Church of St. Simeon in Zadar.

You can read more about the story of the relic of this Biblical saint by reading all about it here.

I too thought that there were no relics of him that are kept.

Catholic Trivia: Praying before the Crucifix Indulgence during Lent

 Taken from a paper from the Supreme Council of the Order of the Knights of Columbus:

On any Friday during Lent a plenary indulgence is granted the Christian faithful who, after Communion, devoutly recite the above prayer before an image of Jesus Christ crucified. On other days of the year the indulgence is a partial one.

Handbook of Indulgences

One can obtain a plenary indulgences for himself. However, we can offer that plenary indulgence for a soul in purgatory. This is an act of charity and spiritual tithing to do during Lent.  A plenary indulgence is gained every Friday in Lent by saying the following prayer before a Crucifix after receiving Holy Communion. The usual requirements for a plenary indulgence also apply

PRAYER BEFORE A CRUCIFIX

Behold, O kind and most sweet Jesus,

I cast myself upon my knees in Your sight,

and with the most fervent desire of my soul I pray and beseech You

that You would impress upon my heart 
lively sentiments of Faith, Hope, and Charity,

with true repentance for my sins, 
and a firm purpose of amendment,

while with deep affection and grief of soul
 I ponder within myself and mentally contemplate

Your five most precious Wounds;

having before my eyes the words which David in prophecy

spoke concerning Yourself,

O good Jesus:

“They have pierced my hands and feet;

they have numbered all my bones.

Conditions to Obtain the Indulgence

Handbook of Indulgences, Norms

An indulgence is the remission in the eyes of God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose culpable element has already been taken away. The Christian faithful who are rightly disposed and observe the definite, prescribed conditions gain this remission through the effective assistance of the Church, which, as the minister of redemption, authoritatively distributes and applies the treasury of the expiatory works of Christ and the Saints.

1. Besides the exclusion of all attachment to sin, even venial sin, the requirements for gaining a Plenary Indulgence are the performance of the indulgenced work and fulfillment of three conditions: Sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the Pope’s intentions.

2. Several Plenary Indulgences may be gained on the basis of a single Sacramental Confession; only one may be gained, however, on the basis of a single Eucharistic Communion and prayer for the Pope’s intentions.

3. The three conditions may be carried out several days preceding or following performance of the prescribed work. But it is more fitting that the Communion and the prayer for the Pope’s intentions take place on the day the work is performed.

4. If a person is not fully disposed or if the prescribed work and the three mentioned conditions are not fulfilled, the Indulgence will only be partial ...”

5. The condition requiring prayer for the Pope’s intentions is satisfied by reciting once the Our Father and Hail Mary for his intentions (Pater Noster and Ave Maria); nevertheless all the faithful have the option of reciting any other prayer suited to their own piety and devotion.”

Blessed Pedro's canonization is announced

Yeah I have read about it over the weekend and even saw it on TV.

I got lots of reports about in on Facebook, and read the news on my phone, so just so I was able to report it:



HIMAYA SA DIYOS!!!

VIVA SAN PEDRO CALUNGSOD NG CEBU!!! 

 

PRAYER TO THE NEW SAINT

Blessed Pedro Calungsod,
Young migrant, student, catechist,
missionary, faithful friend, martyr,
you inspire us by your fidelity in times of adversity,
by your courage in teaching the faith in the midst of hostility,
and by your love in shedding your blood for the sake of the Gospel.
Make our troubles your own (here mention your request),
and intercede for us before the throne of Mercy and Grace
so that as we experience the help of heaven we may be encouraged
to proclaim and live the Gospel here on earth.

***

A little trivia for you folks:

Did you know that the model for the beatification icon of Blessed Pedro Calungsod was a not so well-known college athlete (back then, duh!) named RONALD TUBID?  Incidentally, Tubid is from Iloilo, a Visayan like our new saint.

Yup that' his face below folks.

And here are some comparison shots for you folks.

Here are articles in the Internet about this:  here and here and here:

Now there are a lot of dumb discussion about this choice for Tubid.  One anti-Catholic writer writes:  'So when Catholics bow down and kneel before the statue of Calungsod, who are Catholics worshipping, Calungsod or Tubid?"

Ugh!

First, we, Catholics, do not worship saints!  We ONLY WORSHIP God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Second, we, Catholics, pray to saints to ask them to pray for us much like what Bible totting Evangelicals ask their pastors to pray for them and lay hands on them during the altar call.

Thirdly, we, Catholics, will PRAY and TALK to Pedro Calungsod who is in Heaven, as attested by the miracles he brought to people who asked for his intercession, miracles HE PRAYED TO GOD for us who are here on earth still 'working out our salvation with fear and trembling."  When we look at the image, we see Pedro Calungsod, the young Visayan boy, catechist, martyr and SAINT.  We do not see Ronald Tubid the basketball player.  We will not talk to Ronald Tubid the basketball player.  We will NOT pray to Ronald Tubid the basketball player.  We will pray FOR Tubid instead.

Two Papal Rings

Did you know that Pope Benedict XVI chose two designs for his papal ring before the Inaguration Mass in 2005?

Here are the rings from the designer himself, Claudio Franchi

It's a no brainer why the Pope chose the present ring.  Look at the other one!  I know Piero Marini would like THAT one!

See the photo of the ring in the box during the Papal Inauguration.

Now here are close ups of the Papal Ring

To read more about the interesting trivia about the 2 rings, click here.

Who could answer this?

What event is considered the FIRST Eucharistic Procession and Adoration?

The answer...Later!  Guess first.

Catholic Trivia: American Thanksgiving Day

Probably, the most important holiday for Americans, Thanksgiving Day, has...CATHOLIC origins.

Yup!

Read the details from the well-written article of former Episcopalian priest and now respected Roman Catholic apologist, Taylor Marshall.