Ready, Set, Learn!



Let's not keep silent and allow the mainstream media to feed us with what they think we should know about Pope Benedict XVI. Let us learn all we can about him by reading what he has written. We now have as our pope one of the most widely published theologians in recent history, a theological expert from the Second Vatican Council, and someone who, in spite of the image conveyed by his previous role as prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, is known for his graciousness, and his ability to listen, understand, and discuss.

Here are some good resources that I have picked up around St. Blog's:

Light in a New Dark Age, by George Weigel

Benedict XVI, a lover of cats, by Matthew Schofield

Pope Benedict XVI, from Ignatius Insight

Check out amazon.com for a sampling of his many published works

Of course, the Vatican website

And, of course, books, articles, essays, etc... from Chris Blosser's Cardinal Ratzinger Fan Club website.

UPDATE: Also here is a good biography by Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D. of The Crossroads Initiative.

Mass of Celebration for Pope Benedict XVI

Mass Announcement from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles:

ARCHDIOCESAN MASS
CELEBRATING THE ELECTION OF

HIS HOLINESS
POPE BENEDICT XVI

Principal Celebrant:

His Eminence
Cardinal Roger Mahony
Archbishop of Los Angeles

Tuesday, April 26, 2005

12:10 p.m.

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
555 West Temple Street
Los Angeles

All members of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles are encouraged to participate in this important Mass as we begin the Pontificate of the new Chief Shepherd of the Universal Church.

Great! I wonder if I can make it down to the cathedral on that day!

Statement of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Today with joy and gratitude to God, in thanksgiving with the Cardinal electors including our own Cardinal Roger Mahony, we are pleased to share with you the news that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, taking the name of Pope Benedict XVI, was brought to the Chair of Peter.

In the days and months ahead, the Pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI will unfold under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and for the service of the Universal Church.

As we begin this new chapter in our Church's history, we encourage all of you to pray this special prayer:

Lord,
source of eternal life and truth,
give to your shepherd Pope Benedict XVI
a spirit of courage and right judgment,
a spirit of knowledge and love.

By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care
may he, as successor to the apostle Peter and the vicar of Christ,
build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace
for all the world.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

From the Archdiocesan website.

HABEMUS PAPAM!



The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI!

The Good Shepherd

Surrexit pastor bonus, qui animam suam posuit pro ovibus suis, et pro grege suo mori dignatus est, alleluia.

Christ, the Good Shepherd, is an excellent image to keep in mind as we enter the period of the conclave in which the cardinals of the Church will, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, choose the papal successor to our Holy Father Pope John Paul II.

[Jesus said to them,] I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

-The Gospel of John 10:11-15 (RSV)