An address I gave to the Cincinnati Serra Club:
Yesterday was the 5th anniversary of Pope Benedict’s somewhat infamous ‘Regensburg Address.’ Shortly after he was elected Pontiff, he returned to the school where he first began his academic career to give a lecture to representatives of the Science Colleges on the nature of the interplay between faith and reason, launching from there into a discourse into our understanding of the very nature of God.
It is this aspect that I would like to focus on today, because I think it hits to the core of who we are as Catholics, how we pray, how we worship, how we interact with both one another and with the world, especially as we stand in the shadow of the remembrances of September 11, 2001 and the atrocities committed that day.
Early in his address, Pope Benedict cites a medieval dialogue between the Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Paleologus and educated Persian on the subject of Christianity and Islam, a dialogue which was likely written by the Christian Emperor shortly after this encounter. On a side note, it was the citation of this work that caused a bit of backlash in the Islamic world, but which has ultimately led to a greater and deeper dialogue between the two great cultures, which may be one of Pope Benedict’s lasting legacies, one which is only seen in hindsight.
As Pope Benedict launches from this discourse into the core of his lecture, he ponders the historical growth of Christianity and the intertwining of Christian thought with Hellenistic, Greek thought. For Pope Benedict, it was a marriage made in heaven, as the Revealed Word of God found new expression in the on-going logical reflection upon the mysteries of this world. In summary, the logical approach of the ancient Greek philosophers found their completion in the Revelation of Jesus Christ, the eternal Word of the Father, the Divine LOGOS, as revealed in both the initial versus of the Book of Genesis and the prologue of the Gospel according to St. John. For the Christian, God is knowable, because God acts in a logical, consistent way, unfolding His divine plan of salvation in way that draws the believe deeper into relationship with the One True God, while still in the context of the corporate Body of the Church.
However, the approach taken towards God in both Islam and, frightenly, in some Protestant circles, is much different. Instead of highlighting the nature of God as LOGOS, rationality and logic; the focus is on God’s omnipotence, His power, His Will: Voluntas. This changes the nature of discipleship in a dramatic way. No longer is one to be drawn deeper and deeper into an ever unfolding manifestation of the mystery of God; now all one has to do is follow, obey.
The result of this shift in focus from the rationality to the power of God results, actually, in a split between faith and reason. No longer should reason be used to explore the mysteries of the faith, for to do so is to cheapen the faith into something man-made, or so it is thought. As a result, theology dies a slow and painful death, while the sciences take precedence and priority.
Pope Benedict, however, does not conclude with a call to return to an age prior to the Enlightenment. Rather, we must seek out a new wedding of faith and reason, one that sees these two great approaches to modern understanding wedded back together. For the believer, faith must necessarily take a leading role in guiding reason to the one foundation of Truth: Jesus Christ.
We must also examine our prayer life, seeking out a deeper understanding of to whom it is that we pray. Do we pray to have our will taken away? Or do we pray to come to a deeper understanding of the mysteries of God so that we can then operate in this world as a more committed disciple of the Logos? It is this latter approach that we see the tide of a secular culture turned back and continued new flowering of Faith as the New Evangelization dawns as we still sit at the precipice of the Third Christian Millennium.
Showing posts with label Pope Benedict XVI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pope Benedict XVI. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Saturday, February 20, 2010
"Fuller we are of this joy"
The Holy Father made his annual visit to his seminarians, those of the Diocese of Rome, on Feb. 12. Zenit provides the full text of his address.
A snippet:
Let us also bear in mind that the Lord says: "I chose you and appointed you that you should go": This is the dynamism that dwells in Christ's love; to go, in other words not to remain alone for me, to see my perfection, to guarantee eternal beatification for me, but rather to forget myself, to go as Christ went, to go as God went from the immensity of his majesty to our poverty, to find fruit, to help us, to give us the possibility of bearing the true fruit of love. The fuller we are of this joy in having discovered God's Face, the more real will the enthusiasm of love in us be and it will bear fruit.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Can I get a witness?
The Holy Father has released his message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, on Good Shepherd Sunday, April 25th, this year.
A snippet:
A fundamental element, one which can be seen in every vocation to the priesthood and the consecrated life, is friendship with Christ. Jesus lived in constant union with the Father and this is what made the disciples eager to have the same experience; from him they learned to live in communion and unceasing dialogue with God. If the priest is a "man of God", one who belongs to God and helps others to know and love him, he cannot fail to cultivate a deep intimacy with God, abiding in his love and making space to hear his Word. Prayer is the first form of witness which awakens vocations. Like the Apostle Andrew, who tells his brother that he has come to know the Master, so too anyone who wants to be a disciple and witness of Christ must have "seen" him personally, come to know him, and learned to love him and to abide with him.
Another aspect of the consecration belonging to the priesthood and the religious life is the complete gift of oneself to God. The Apostle John writes: "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us; and therefore we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (1 Jn 3:16). With these words, he invites the disciples to enter into the very mind of Jesus who in his entire life did the will of the Father, even to the ultimate gift of himself on the Cross. Here, the mercy of God is shown in all its fullness; a merciful love that has overcome the darkness of evil, sin and death. The figure of Jesus who at the Last Supper, rises from the table, lays aside his garments, takes a towel, girds himself with it and stoops to wash the feet of the Apostles, expresses the sense of service and gift manifested in his entire existence, in obedience to the will of the Father (cf. Jn 13:3-15). In following Jesus, everyone called to a life of special consecration must do his utmost to testify that he has given himself completely to God. This is the source of his ability to give himself in turn to those whom Providence entrusts to him in his pastoral ministry with complete, constant and faithful devotion, and with the joy of becoming a companion on the journey to so many brothers and sisters, enabling them too to become open to meeting Christ, so that his Word may become a light to their footsteps. The story of every vocation is almost always intertwined with the testimony of a priest who joyfully lives the gift of himself to his brothers and sisters for the sake of the Kingdom of God. This is because the presence and words of a priest have the ability to raise questions and to lead even to definitive decisions (cf. John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Pastores Dabo Vobis, 39).
A snippet:
A fundamental element, one which can be seen in every vocation to the priesthood and the consecrated life, is friendship with Christ. Jesus lived in constant union with the Father and this is what made the disciples eager to have the same experience; from him they learned to live in communion and unceasing dialogue with God. If the priest is a "man of God", one who belongs to God and helps others to know and love him, he cannot fail to cultivate a deep intimacy with God, abiding in his love and making space to hear his Word. Prayer is the first form of witness which awakens vocations. Like the Apostle Andrew, who tells his brother that he has come to know the Master, so too anyone who wants to be a disciple and witness of Christ must have "seen" him personally, come to know him, and learned to love him and to abide with him.
Another aspect of the consecration belonging to the priesthood and the religious life is the complete gift of oneself to God. The Apostle John writes: "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us; and therefore we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (1 Jn 3:16). With these words, he invites the disciples to enter into the very mind of Jesus who in his entire life did the will of the Father, even to the ultimate gift of himself on the Cross. Here, the mercy of God is shown in all its fullness; a merciful love that has overcome the darkness of evil, sin and death. The figure of Jesus who at the Last Supper, rises from the table, lays aside his garments, takes a towel, girds himself with it and stoops to wash the feet of the Apostles, expresses the sense of service and gift manifested in his entire existence, in obedience to the will of the Father (cf. Jn 13:3-15). In following Jesus, everyone called to a life of special consecration must do his utmost to testify that he has given himself completely to God. This is the source of his ability to give himself in turn to those whom Providence entrusts to him in his pastoral ministry with complete, constant and faithful devotion, and with the joy of becoming a companion on the journey to so many brothers and sisters, enabling them too to become open to meeting Christ, so that his Word may become a light to their footsteps. The story of every vocation is almost always intertwined with the testimony of a priest who joyfully lives the gift of himself to his brothers and sisters for the sake of the Kingdom of God. This is because the presence and words of a priest have the ability to raise questions and to lead even to definitive decisions (cf. John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Pastores Dabo Vobis, 39).
Thursday, April 24, 2008
I feel like a proud papa!
Well, they've made it back and are now posting on the experience. Our seminarians, both college and theology, all had the opportunity to attend the seminarian and youth rally at Yonkers last weekend. Dan has finally gotten around to posting on the experience, and some really great pics to boot!
My guys made the big time! (Plus, don't they look great in their blacks!)
My guys made the big time! (Plus, don't they look great in their blacks!)
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Just what I've been looking for!
From Disputations blog, comes the texts of all the Holy Father's addresses in pdf format, i.e. easy to print off!
No one has stepped up to answer the papal trivia, yet...
No one has stepped up to answer the papal trivia, yet...
Thursday, April 17, 2008
The Questions
Last night, three bishops asked the Holy Father questions after his address to the Bishops.
The first was by the newest consecrated bishop, of Springfield-Cap Giraedu (sp?) on secularism.
The second was by Archbishop Pilarczyk (of Cincinnati!), chosen because he is the longest serving (non-retired) bishop currently in the conference and was on 'fallen-away Catholics.'
The third was by the chair of a committee of the Eastern Catholic Bishops in the US and was on vocations.
Rocco has the transcripts of the talk on his site.
The video link can be found at the USCCB website, click the top link "The Holy Father's exchange with the US Bishops."
When introduced by Cardinal George of Chicago, Pope Benedict gave a friendly wave to Archbishop Pilarczyk. But what has everyone here in the office talking is the banter and exchange after Archbishop addressed his question. The Holy Father responded, before his prepared response: "I remember well our meetings in past times, we had interesting discussions." (followed by a good chuckle by the other bishops.) The Holy Father and Archbishop shared a warm handshake as the Pope was leaving as well, from what we could tell the only bishop that he shook hands with.
The first was by the newest consecrated bishop, of Springfield-Cap Giraedu (sp?) on secularism.
The second was by Archbishop Pilarczyk (of Cincinnati!), chosen because he is the longest serving (non-retired) bishop currently in the conference and was on 'fallen-away Catholics.'
The third was by the chair of a committee of the Eastern Catholic Bishops in the US and was on vocations.
Rocco has the transcripts of the talk on his site.
The video link can be found at the USCCB website, click the top link "The Holy Father's exchange with the US Bishops."
When introduced by Cardinal George of Chicago, Pope Benedict gave a friendly wave to Archbishop Pilarczyk. But what has everyone here in the office talking is the banter and exchange after Archbishop addressed his question. The Holy Father responded, before his prepared response: "I remember well our meetings in past times, we had interesting discussions." (followed by a good chuckle by the other bishops.) The Holy Father and Archbishop shared a warm handshake as the Pope was leaving as well, from what we could tell the only bishop that he shook hands with.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
The Holy Father addresses the US Bishops
The texts, both the Holy Father's address and his responses to the questions are posted over at Rocco's site.
Of particular importance to me was the response to the last question (with all due apologies to Archbishop Pilarczyk, whose question was also good!):
3. [Losten] The Holy Father is asked to comment on the decline in vocations despite the growing numbers of the Catholic population, and on the reasons for hope offered by the personal qualities and the thirst for holiness which characterize the candidates who do come forward.
Let us be quite frank: the ability to cultivate vocations to the priesthood and the religious life is a sure sign of the health of a local Church. There is no room for complacency in this regard. God continues to call young people; it is up to all of us to to encourage a generous and free response to that call. On the other hand, none of us can take this grace for granted.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells us to pray that the Lord of the harvest will send workers. Only the Lord can give the workers, and we always have to pray that He gives us the workers. He even admits that the workers are few in comparison with the abundance of the harvest (cf. Mt 9:37-38). Strange to say, I often think that prayer - the unum necessarium - is the one aspect of vocations work which we tend to forget sometimes or to undervalue!
Nor am I speaking only of prayer for vocations. Prayer itself, born in Catholic families, nurtured by programs of Christian formation, strengthened by the grace of the sacraments -- prayer is the first means by which we come to know the Lord's will for our lives. To the extent that we teach young people to pray, and to pray well, we will be cooperating with God's call. So I think learning prayer, being prayerful people, is an essential point for the living church. Programs, plans, projects are necessary and have their place; but the discernment of a vocation is above all the fruit of an intimate dialogue between the Lord and his disciples. Young people, if they know how to pray, can be trusted to know what to do with God's call.
I think there is a growing thirst for holiness in many young people, and that those who come forward show great idealism and much promise. It is important to listen to them, to understand their experiences, and to encourage them to help their peers to see the need for committed priests and religious, as well as the beauty of a life of sacrificial service to the Lord and his Church -- this is beautiful, to have a sacrificial service for the Lord and the Church. To my mind, much is demanded of vocation directors and formators: candidates today, as much as ever, need to be given a sound intellectual and human formation which will enable them not only to respond to the real questions and needs of their contemporaries, but also to mature in their own conversion and to persevere in life-long commitment to their vocation. As Bishops, you are conscious of the sacrifice demanded when you are asked to release one of your finest priests for seminary work. But I urge you to respond with generosity, for the good of the whole Church.
And finally, I think you know from experience that most of your brother priests are happy in their vocation. What I said in my address about the importance of unity and cooperation within the presbyterate applies here too. There is a need for all of us to move beyond sterile divisions, disagreements and preconceptions, and to listen together to the voice of the Spirit who is guiding the Church into a future of hope. Each of us knows how important priestly fraternity has been in our lives. That fraternity is not only a precious possession, but also an immense resource for the renewal of the priesthood and the raising up of new vocations. I would close by encouraging you to foster opportunities for ever greater dialogue and fraternal encounter among your priests, and especially the younger priests. I am convinced that this will bear great fruit for their own enrichment, for the increase of their love for the priesthood and the Church, and for the effectiveness of their apostolate. Thank you very much!
Finally, of particular humor as the banter between Archbishop Pilarczyk and the Holy Father after Archbishop asked his question. The Holy Father said something along the lines of: "I remember our many frank discussions during your visits to Rome." I'd love to ask what that was all about. Does anyone have a YouTube clip?
Of particular importance to me was the response to the last question (with all due apologies to Archbishop Pilarczyk, whose question was also good!):
3. [Losten] The Holy Father is asked to comment on the decline in vocations despite the growing numbers of the Catholic population, and on the reasons for hope offered by the personal qualities and the thirst for holiness which characterize the candidates who do come forward.
Let us be quite frank: the ability to cultivate vocations to the priesthood and the religious life is a sure sign of the health of a local Church. There is no room for complacency in this regard. God continues to call young people; it is up to all of us to to encourage a generous and free response to that call. On the other hand, none of us can take this grace for granted.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells us to pray that the Lord of the harvest will send workers. Only the Lord can give the workers, and we always have to pray that He gives us the workers. He even admits that the workers are few in comparison with the abundance of the harvest (cf. Mt 9:37-38). Strange to say, I often think that prayer - the unum necessarium - is the one aspect of vocations work which we tend to forget sometimes or to undervalue!
Nor am I speaking only of prayer for vocations. Prayer itself, born in Catholic families, nurtured by programs of Christian formation, strengthened by the grace of the sacraments -- prayer is the first means by which we come to know the Lord's will for our lives. To the extent that we teach young people to pray, and to pray well, we will be cooperating with God's call. So I think learning prayer, being prayerful people, is an essential point for the living church. Programs, plans, projects are necessary and have their place; but the discernment of a vocation is above all the fruit of an intimate dialogue between the Lord and his disciples. Young people, if they know how to pray, can be trusted to know what to do with God's call.
I think there is a growing thirst for holiness in many young people, and that those who come forward show great idealism and much promise. It is important to listen to them, to understand their experiences, and to encourage them to help their peers to see the need for committed priests and religious, as well as the beauty of a life of sacrificial service to the Lord and his Church -- this is beautiful, to have a sacrificial service for the Lord and the Church. To my mind, much is demanded of vocation directors and formators: candidates today, as much as ever, need to be given a sound intellectual and human formation which will enable them not only to respond to the real questions and needs of their contemporaries, but also to mature in their own conversion and to persevere in life-long commitment to their vocation. As Bishops, you are conscious of the sacrifice demanded when you are asked to release one of your finest priests for seminary work. But I urge you to respond with generosity, for the good of the whole Church.
And finally, I think you know from experience that most of your brother priests are happy in their vocation. What I said in my address about the importance of unity and cooperation within the presbyterate applies here too. There is a need for all of us to move beyond sterile divisions, disagreements and preconceptions, and to listen together to the voice of the Spirit who is guiding the Church into a future of hope. Each of us knows how important priestly fraternity has been in our lives. That fraternity is not only a precious possession, but also an immense resource for the renewal of the priesthood and the raising up of new vocations. I would close by encouraging you to foster opportunities for ever greater dialogue and fraternal encounter among your priests, and especially the younger priests. I am convinced that this will bear great fruit for their own enrichment, for the increase of their love for the priesthood and the Church, and for the effectiveness of their apostolate. Thank you very much!
Finally, of particular humor as the banter between Archbishop Pilarczyk and the Holy Father after Archbishop asked his question. The Holy Father said something along the lines of: "I remember our many frank discussions during your visits to Rome." I'd love to ask what that was all about. Does anyone have a YouTube clip?
So, did you hear
that the Pope's in the US? If you hadn't, can I borrow the rock you've been living under?
Full text of his address at the White House is found here, thanks to CNS blog. (Does anyone else think his voice pitch is too high? I guess for an octagenarian, it's not too bad.)
The White House has posted President Bush's address and welcome here. (Good, except he butchered Saint Augustine's name [pronounced it like the city in Florida] and the Latin of Pax Tecum really came off with a Southern Draaawwwwl.)
The other big news is that three bishops of the US have been asked to pose a question to the Holy Father during the meeting this evening. One of whom is my very own Boss: Archbishop Pilarczyk! There is rampant speculation about what the Local Big Boss is going to ask the Universal Big Boss, but no one really seems to have a clue. Tune in at the 5:30 meeting tonight on EWTN to find out.
Finally, thirty seminarians (and two priests) from Mount St. Mary's Seminary of the West are journeying to Yonkers for the meeting with the Pope on Saturday, as well as the seminarians from the Josephinum; please keep them all in your prayers for safe travel. Humpf, they didn't invite their vocation director. :(
Full text of his address at the White House is found here, thanks to CNS blog. (Does anyone else think his voice pitch is too high? I guess for an octagenarian, it's not too bad.)
The White House has posted President Bush's address and welcome here. (Good, except he butchered Saint Augustine's name [pronounced it like the city in Florida] and the Latin of Pax Tecum really came off with a Southern Draaawwwwl.)
The other big news is that three bishops of the US have been asked to pose a question to the Holy Father during the meeting this evening. One of whom is my very own Boss: Archbishop Pilarczyk! There is rampant speculation about what the Local Big Boss is going to ask the Universal Big Boss, but no one really seems to have a clue. Tune in at the 5:30 meeting tonight on EWTN to find out.
Finally, thirty seminarians (and two priests) from Mount St. Mary's Seminary of the West are journeying to Yonkers for the meeting with the Pope on Saturday, as well as the seminarians from the Josephinum; please keep them all in your prayers for safe travel. Humpf, they didn't invite their vocation director. :(
Friday, April 11, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
The Pope Speaks to America
The video is finally released. You can view here, courtesy of CNN. (Beware the Beer Commercial.)
Friday, March 21, 2008
Chrism Mass Homily
No, not by me, by someone emminently more qualified, His Holiness:
The "temptation of humanity", since the time of Adam, "has always been that of wanting to be completely autonomous, to follow only our own will and to maintain that only in this way will we be free", but in this way "we pit ourselves against the truth". This is also true for priests: "we do not invent the Church as we would like it to be, but we proclaim the Word of Christ properly only in communion". Benedict XVI dedicated entirely to the figure and responsibilities of the priest the reflection that he presented today during the "Chrism" Mass: the rite that, in all the cathedrals of the Catholic world, precedes the celebration of the Triduum of Holy Week.
The "temptation of humanity", since the time of Adam, "has always been that of wanting to be completely autonomous, to follow only our own will and to maintain that only in this way will we be free", but in this way "we pit ourselves against the truth". This is also true for priests: "we do not invent the Church as we would like it to be, but we proclaim the Word of Christ properly only in communion". Benedict XVI dedicated entirely to the figure and responsibilities of the priest the reflection that he presented today during the "Chrism" Mass: the rite that, in all the cathedrals of the Catholic world, precedes the celebration of the Triduum of Holy Week.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
The Papal Effect?
Reports that followed World Youth Day celebrations throughout the world always included a rise in vocations to the priesthood for the host diocese and region.
Picked up in today's Enquirer was a report from New York hoping for the same: (This is Detroit's version:)
"It is a wake-up call," Walsh said. "We have to do something. I'm a believer that difficulties can be opportunities, not disasters. It depends on what you do with them."
The hope is that the visit by Pope Benedict will inspire young men to listen for God's call to the priesthood and rouse Catholic families to mention the priesthood around the dinner table.
"His mission is really to encourage us in the faith, to strengthen us in our belief and commitment to Jesus Christ, make us better disciples," said the Rev. Luke Sweeney, vocations director for the archdiocese. "If he does that and that alone, vocations will come from it."
But Sweeney hopes the pope will go a step farther when he's speaking directly to New Yorkers.
"I presume that the Holy Father will make an appeal to some of them, to say that God wants you to be priests," he said. "That, coming from the pope, will mean a world of difference to young people."
Nationally, the number of diocesan priests dropped from 36,000 in 1975 to 28,000 last year. But the number of seminarians, after falling sharply since the 1960s, rebounded in the last decade to 3,300.
Picked up in today's Enquirer was a report from New York hoping for the same: (This is Detroit's version:)
"It is a wake-up call," Walsh said. "We have to do something. I'm a believer that difficulties can be opportunities, not disasters. It depends on what you do with them."
The hope is that the visit by Pope Benedict will inspire young men to listen for God's call to the priesthood and rouse Catholic families to mention the priesthood around the dinner table.
"His mission is really to encourage us in the faith, to strengthen us in our belief and commitment to Jesus Christ, make us better disciples," said the Rev. Luke Sweeney, vocations director for the archdiocese. "If he does that and that alone, vocations will come from it."
But Sweeney hopes the pope will go a step farther when he's speaking directly to New Yorkers.
"I presume that the Holy Father will make an appeal to some of them, to say that God wants you to be priests," he said. "That, coming from the pope, will mean a world of difference to young people."
Nationally, the number of diocesan priests dropped from 36,000 in 1975 to 28,000 last year. But the number of seminarians, after falling sharply since the 1960s, rebounded in the last decade to 3,300.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Grateful for Gifts
Anonomous gifts. Never expected, sometimes dreaded, perhaps stunning (although that can be a rarity!)
I had an all school Mass at McNicholas High School this morning. Nothing extraordinary about that.
But, since Mass ended a little before noon, I headed next door to the seminary for lunch. (Membership has its priveledges.)
As I'm heading through the line, Jim stops me and says: "Hey, someone dropped off a painting for you last night while I was working in the library. It's up in my room, get it after lunch?"
(Cut to Father scratching his head...) Jim: "Oh, he thought you lived here and didn't seem to inclined to driving downtown." Right.... Father's getting nervous at this point.
Maybe I should explain. I've gotten art work in the past that reflected the giver's taste, but I wouldn't hang it in a closet in a spare bedroom! So, anytime something shows up, especially when unexpected, I always get a bit nervous.
Luckily, my nerves were unfounded. It was a good size, limited edition (#6 of 1,200!), print of Pope Benedict XVI. It was framed in a very nice frame, too! The card was signed: "You are such a blessing to spreading the faith and promoting vocations to the Church. God Bless and all your work." Unfortunately, I can't read the signature, but I greatly appreciate it.
Now my biggest concern is where to hang it, hmmm....
I had an all school Mass at McNicholas High School this morning. Nothing extraordinary about that.
But, since Mass ended a little before noon, I headed next door to the seminary for lunch. (Membership has its priveledges.)
As I'm heading through the line, Jim stops me and says: "Hey, someone dropped off a painting for you last night while I was working in the library. It's up in my room, get it after lunch?"
(Cut to Father scratching his head...) Jim: "Oh, he thought you lived here and didn't seem to inclined to driving downtown." Right.... Father's getting nervous at this point.
Maybe I should explain. I've gotten art work in the past that reflected the giver's taste, but I wouldn't hang it in a closet in a spare bedroom! So, anytime something shows up, especially when unexpected, I always get a bit nervous.
Luckily, my nerves were unfounded. It was a good size, limited edition (#6 of 1,200!), print of Pope Benedict XVI. It was framed in a very nice frame, too! The card was signed: "You are such a blessing to spreading the faith and promoting vocations to the Church. God Bless and all your work." Unfortunately, I can't read the signature, but I greatly appreciate it.
Now my biggest concern is where to hang it, hmmm....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
