I'm giving a talk on Thursday about the papacy in general and about Pope Benedict XVI in particular.  One of the things I'd like to do is compile some more personal tidbits of information about the man.

I remember reading that he likes cats and that he was hoping to retire to write.

So if you know any personal "tidbits" of Ratzinger lore, please pass them along.  I really want to focus on bringing home to these ladies that the vicar of Christ is a PERSON just as Christ was...and the he helps us visualize the FATHER in Heaven.  It's not just a position.  It's a person!

Loretta

I am pleased to hear you will be giving a talk on the Pope on Thursday.  I am sure it will go very well.

I have been looking at the www for some sites that you might find useful.

You might like to look at http://insightscoop.typepad.com/2004/2007/05/the_professor_p.html

God bless,


NoelFitz.
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In necessariis, unitas; in dubiis, libertas; in omnibus, caritas.
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Ipioch, Apparantly you are not aware, because a Priest acts continually in the person of Christ, according to the doctrine of the church, a Priest is required to minimize his personality in favor of Christ-like behavior. Pope Benedict XV1 has lived a life exemplifying the person of Christ through obedience to the apostolate he ascented to in his ordination. Personality traits are therefore expunged through conscience especially in frequent confession.

As Catholic's and one with the Royal Priesthood, we are all called to the same synergy of person with Christ.

There should be very little for you to tell your group insofar as personal quirks are concerned. 

In the person of Christ the Head . . .

1548 In the ecclesial service of the ordained minister, it is Christ himself who is present to his Church as Head of his Body, Shepherd of his flock, high priest of the redemptive sacrifice, Teacher of Truth. This is what the Church means by saying that the priest, by virtue of the sacrament of Holy Orders, acts in persona Christi Capitis:²³

It is the same priest, Christ Jesus, whose sacred person his minister truly represents. Now the minister, by reason of the sacerdotal consecration which he has received, is truly made like to the high priest and possesses the authority to act in the power and place of the person of Christ himself (virtute ac persona ipsius Christi).²⁴

Christ is the source of all priesthood: the priest of the old law was a figure of Christ, and the priest of the new law acts in the person of Christ.²⁵

1549 Through the ordained ministry, especially that of bishops and priests, the presence of Christ as head of the Church is made visible in the midst of the community of believers.²⁶ In the beautiful expression of St. Ignatius of Antioch, the bishop is typos tou Patros: he is like the living image of God the Father.²⁷

1550 This presence of Christ in the minister is not to be understood as if the latter were preserved from all human weaknesses, the spirit of domination, error, even sin. The power of the Holy Spirit does not guarantee all acts of ministers in the same way. While this guarantee extends to the sacraments, so that even the minister's sin cannot impede the fruit of grace, in many other acts the minister leaves human traces that are not always signs of fidelity to the Gospel and consequently can harm the apostolic fruitfulness of the Church.

May the road rise to meet you, the wind be always at your back and the Lord hold you in the palm of his hand, until we meet again.

Mary

You mention the Pope's interest in Mozart. 

Some time ago he was presented with an iPod. One wonders what he has on this, I would imagine he has Mozart, rather than Gregorian chant.

I consider that it is emcouraging to think of the human characteristics of those we admire.

One can imagine JP II, in his younger years, swimming and mountain climbing, but not playing Mozart on the piano.  Similarly one can imagine B XVI palying the piano, but not mountaineering.Jesus soocialized with his friends, was a typical  Jew in many ways. 

It is encouraging to realize that it is a good thing to be fully human.

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But let's hear Pope Benedict himself on the subject. In the extended interview that was published ten years ago as Salt of the Earth we read: You are a great lover of Mozart.

Yes! Although we moved around a very great deal in my childhood, the family basically always remained in the area between the Inn and the Salzach. And the largest and most important and best parts of my youth I spent in Traunstein, which very much reflects the influence of Salzburg. You might say that there Mozart thoroughly penetrated our souls, and his music still touches me very deeply, because it is so luminous and yet at the same time so deep. His music is by no means just entertainment; it contains the whole tragedy of human existence. **************************************** 

http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/arts/al0275.htm.

God bless,


NoelFitz.
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In necessariis, unitas; in dubiis, libertas; in omnibus, caritas.
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