Close papal aide dies in road accident (consecrated lay woman lived in papal apartments)

Catholic Herald UK ^ | 11/24/2010 | Edward Pentin

[Notwithstanding]

Manuela Camagni, one of the four “memores domini” – consecrated laity who help to care for the Holy Father – was killed last night in a road accident, Italian news agencies are reporting.

Il Velino reports that Manuela was hit by a car yesterday at 11.40pm in a Rome suburb while returning from a dinner with friends. Rescued by the driver of the car, doctors operated on her head injuries but could not save her.

Manuela was part of a team of “guardian angels” who take care of the Pope. They include Loredana, Cristina and Carmela – the three other “memores domini” – and Msgrs. Georg Gaenswain and Alfred Xuereb.

Prior to working at the Apostolic Palace, she served the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Fouad Twal, when he was Bishop of Tunis.

The Pope refers to his close team of helpers in the book “Light of the World” as his “papal family”. As well as Mass and Evening Prayer, he says they also dine and watch movies together, as well as celebrate and exchange gifts at Christmas and on feast days.

Members of the association “memores domini”, part of the Communion and Liberation movement, follow a vocation of total dedication to God while living in the world.

[April Lexington]

I think an open minded venturing into the territory of others is desirable. Unfortunately, a small minority with closed minds often makes dialogue impossible. In all things charity.

Probably more important on this forum, we are all Patriots fighting for our country and its future. What we do here is very much a part of the non-violent revolution underway in this country. We are intent on eliminating socialism/communism from our system and protecting our constitutional rights. From time to time, religion pops into the equation (like this post). I'm not sure why it is relevant that the Pope's servant was killed and I don't know why it is posted in Breaking News which is usually reserved for political news. What I do know is that Patriots on this forum are Catholic, Protestant, Mormon, Jewish, other, and even Muslim. We are united in our efforts to win the political battle and cheap shots at eachother's religions only weakens our movement and our efforts.

[Salvation]

Prayers for her family. And for the Pope too, as he grieves the loss of one of his staffers.

[Vermont Lt]

Too bad the Pope cannot get married.

He is the only guy that can tell his wife, “I am infallible. I win.”

[I am joking, of course.]

[johniegrad]

Your #10 is a very charitable response to what was an uncharitable comment(s). Well done. I could learn some things from you.

[BlackElk]

Good for you! Excellent summary.

[Hieronymus]

To the extent that it is charitable, I would chalk it up to grace and working with undergraduates. Taking a tack that defuses a situation as much as possible while remaining clear generally is more effective than throwing bombs. As far as the comment to which I responded being uncharitable, you must not read many of the religion forum posts—it was mild. It is easier both to be uncharitable and to be charitable in the anonymity of the net. Too often one is reminded of Chesterton's comment that “the only thing wrong with Christianity is that it has not been tried,” something that flows naturally enough from another comment of his that goes something like “Christianity has not been tried and found wanting, but attempted and found hard.”

If you want to learn some things, my recommendation would not to be to learn from me but to study the gospels, and one of either The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis or Inroduction to the Devout life by St. Francis de Sales. The last two are full of gems on how to imitate Christ.

This is not to say that there are not other things that have value, but too often people flit over the foundational things that are rich and solid, and can be re-read many times with profit, and devote time to what is secondary or tertiary.

I hope that this is not too preachy, but to the extent that I have learned anything myself, it is not me, but simple and yet commonly neglected spiritual gems.

[A.A. Cunningham]

putz

[Verginius Rufus]

I was told by a Catholic priest that a pope could get married if he wanted to, despite the law of celibacy, because the pope is "above the law." I don't know if that is true or if the priest was joking.

Of course it might cause some dissatisfaction among the lower clergy who were still required to keep the rule.

[Hieronymus]

Good to see you back.

[BlackElk]

Thank you. Glad to be back. AND Imitation of Christ by Thomas a’ Kempis is an all too often neglected work that would improve anyone’s library and anyone’s life if followed faithfully. God bless you and yours.

[rabidralph]

How tragic and sad. Prayers to her family and friends.