Category Archives: Pope Benedict XVI

Making Room

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Thomas

From Pope Benedict XVI’s 2012 Christmas homily: I am also repeatedly struck by the Gospel writer’s almost casual remark that there was no room for them at the inn. Inevitably the question arises, what would happen if Mary and Joseph … Continue reading →

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A Love Supreme

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Thomas

As Dr Esolen remarks, Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives is a short volume but for that very reason may be the ideal introduction to Pope Benedict XVI’s writings. In this Monday’s Wall Street Journal, Esolen writes:  Imagine touring the … Continue reading →

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On Marriage Equality

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Thomas

Speaking of equality in marriage, the Church holds that marriage is a sacrament and hence indissoluble both by men and by women, indissoluble both by commoners and by kings. In this regard, an article from 1972 by Joseph Ratzinger on … Continue reading →

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On Erik Peterson

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Thomas

In 2011, Stanford University Press published Michael J. Hollerich’s English translation: Theological Tractates, by Erik Peterson. I think the best short introduction to the work of Erik Peterson is via the translation of an introduction which Pope Benedict XVI gave, … Continue reading →

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Christmas Homily

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Thomas

Nothing miraculous, nothing extraordinary, nothing magnificent is given to the shepherds as a sign. All they will see is a child wrapped in swaddling clothes, one who, like all children, needs a mother’s care; a child born in a stable, … Continue reading →

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Silence

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Thomas

“Dear Brothers and Sisters! In every age, men and women who have consecrated their lives to God in prayer – like monks and nuns – have established their communities in particularly beautiful places: in the countryside, on hilltops, in valleys, … Continue reading →

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Prayer for the unborn

Posted on December 1, 2010 by Thomas

Pope Benedict XVI’s prayer, at the Papal Vigil for all Nascent Life on Nov 27th, translated into English by Vatican Radio: Lord Jesus, You who faithfully visit and fulfill with your Presence the Church and the history of men; You … Continue reading →

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Verbum Domini

Posted on November 12, 2010 by Thomas

Pope Benedict XVI’s apostolic exhortation, VERBUM DOMINI Verbum Domini: Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church (September 30, 2010)[English, French, Italian, Latin, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish,German] (Given in Rome, at Saint Peter’s, on 30 September, the Memorial of … Continue reading →

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The Papal Mass at Westminster

Posted on September 24, 2010 by Thomas

Over at ChantCafe, Jeffrey Tucker posts about the The Papal Mass at Westminster: If you haven’t watched the Papal Mass in Westminster Cathedral, I strongly urge you to do so some evening when you have time. This is the archived … Continue reading →

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A Lutheran Look at Ratzinger

Posted on April 2, 2010 by Thomas

John Stephenson has an interesting article about Pope Benedict XVI in Logia, A journal of Lutheran Theology. That’s not too surprising since, as Mr Stephenson points out: Orthodox Lutherans would have to be churlish in the extreme if they could … Continue reading →

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Repent, and believe the Gospel

Posted on February 18, 2010 by Thomas

With conversion, instead, we aim for the high standard of Christian life, we entrust ourselves to the living and personal Gospel, which is Jesus. He is the path we all are called to follow in life, allowing ourselves to be … Continue reading →

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On Being Awake

Posted on December 28, 2009 by Thomas

From Pope Benedict XVI’s Christmas homily: The first thing we are told about the shepherds is that they were on the watch — they could hear the message precisely because they were awake. We must be awake, so that we … Continue reading →

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A Question of Trust

Posted on November 23, 2009 by Thomas

As Fr Scott Whitmore points out, it comes down to a question of trust: I was already on board with the TAC in our request to the Holy See to carry on Anglican-Roman Catholic ecumenical relations (knowing that these could … Continue reading →

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ANGLICANORUM COETIBUS

Posted on November 19, 2009 by Thomas

The Vatican now has the Apostolic Constitution providing for personal ordinariates for anglicans entering into full communion with the Catholic Church online. From the introductory press release: The Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum coetibus which is published today introduces a canonical structure … Continue reading →

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Benedict XVI, Pope of Christian Unity

Posted on October 22, 2009 by Thomas

Fr Zuhlsdorf has a post on Pope Benedict XVI being the Pope of Christian unity. . . . Pope Benedict has been struggling against forces within his own fold to achieve Christian unity. His is decidedly not the unity that … Continue reading →

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Special Provision for Anglicans

Posted on October 20, 2009 by Thomas

[see end of posting for updates] From Damian Thompson’s blog: The Vatican has announced that Pope Benedict is setting up special provision for Anglicans, including married clergy, who want to convert to Rome together, preserving aspects of Anglican liturgy. They … Continue reading →

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Time for Rescue?

Posted on August 6, 2009 by Thomas

An excerpt from an article by Damain Thompson: The main thing is not to miss a heaven-sent opportunity. It’s widely believed, among conservative Catholics and Anglicans, that the Church in England and Wales did not do enough to welcome refugees … Continue reading →

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Pope Pic

Posted on July 27, 2009 by Thomas

[AP photo; hat tip: American Papist]

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Charity in Truth

Posted on July 7, 2009 by Thomas

A brief excerpt from the just released encyclical Caritas in veritate (Charity in Truth): . . . In order to protect nature, it is not enough to intervene with economic incentives or deterrents; not even an apposite education is sufficient. … Continue reading →

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Pastor’s sermons

Posted on March 31, 2009 by Thomas

I appreciate my pastor’s sermons which always challenge and encourage me. And I really, really appreciate the sermons of my pastor’s pastor’s pastor since while there are many pastors, there are less bishops and few leaders of ecclesial bodies so … Continue reading →

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