Posted on 11/16/2007 4:37:55 PM PST by NYer
November Meeting usually takes on a feeling akin to the Fall Classic. This year, however, something on the horizon gave it more of an air of anticipation.
That "something," of course, is next week's consistory -- the first year-end creation of new cardinals since the class of 1994, whose elevations likewise took place over Thanksgiving Weekend.
The traditional cycle of festivities in Rome begins on Turkey Day, when the red hats-to-be join the rest of the college for two days of meetings with Pope Benedict... and CNS has a preview:
The ceremony to create the cardinals takes only an hour or so, but the celebratory and consultative events that surround it last four days.Once the new intake is formally created, the college will return to its maximum quota of 120 electors. While Benedict XVI was prepared to increase the traditional voting number by one to accommodate his new appointees, the death last week of Japanese Cardinal Stephen Fumio Hamao, the former president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants, moots the intended derogation from Paul VI's now-traditional limit, set in 1975.
The working part comes first, when the pope meets Nov. 23 with the College of Cardinals -- including the cardinals-to-be -- in a closed-door assembly. The main topic for the morning session is ecumenism, while the afternoon is open to "free interventions" on other matters.
On Nov. 24 the pope holds the consistory proper, a Liturgy of the Word, during which he pronounces a formula that officially creates the new cardinals.
Then, as each cardinal kneels before him, the pope hands him a scarlet biretta -- the "red hat" -- whose color signifies a cardinal's willingness to shed his blood for the faith. It's a moment that always prompts applause from pilgrim cheering sections.
In the afternoon, the Vatican hosts receptions for the new cardinals in an "open house" event that attracts thousands of well-wishers. For some, it's a rare chance not only to greet the cardinals but also to see rooms of the Apostolic Palace that are normally off-limits.
On Nov. 25, the pope concelebrates a morning Mass with the new cardinals, presenting each of them with a gold ring, a sign of their special bond with the church of Rome.
The consistory and the ring Mass are scheduled for St. Peter's Square, mainly because of the huge crowds expected. Rain and cold could force the events inside, but that's a worst-case scenario that liturgical planners hope they don't have to face.
On Nov. 26, the pope holds an audience with the new cardinals, their relatives and the pilgrims who have accompanied them. It's a less-formal event and gives the visitors a real chance to voice support for their favorite sons....
Although most of the attention will focus on the public events, the consultative session with cardinals is an important part of the program. Pope Benedict, continuing a tradition of his predecessor, convened the cardinals at his first consistory in 2006 to get their input on issues that included dialogue with Islam and outreach to Catholic traditionalists.
This time, the focus is on ecumenism.
"I am very happy and I am very grateful that the Holy Father has chosen this theme," Cardinal Walter Kasper, the Vatican's chief ecumenist, told Vatican Radio.
The cardinal said the session would include a report on the state of ecumenism, followed by a general discussion among the cardinals. The results of a recent Catholic-Orthodox meeting will be taken up, but the discussion will be much wider, covering relations with Oriental churches, Protestant churches and Pentecostal movements, he said.
Cardinal Kasper said the opportunity to examine ecumenical themes with all the world's cardinals was particularly important because "ecumenism is a mandate from Our Lord. It is not an option, it is an obligation for the church."
The recognition of John Foley and his enormous contributions to the world of the Catholic media is a matter of special gratification to the editors of America. To have a knowledgeable former working editor in the College of Cardinals means that a man who fully understands the challenges of communications is now in an even more prominent position to share his wisdom and experience. The elevation of Daniel DiNardo is equally gratifying to his former teachers and to the people he served in Pennsylvania, Iowa and now Texas. All commentators have taken note of Texas as representative of the rich and vibrant Catholic tradition in the American southwest. Daniel DiNardo, with his Roman experience, brings a vision of the whole church to his people and will in turn speak of them to the universal church. We offer these men and their new colleagues all congratulations and our prayers.The Jesuit editorial, however, neglected to mention that the Society actually has one of its own among the new class: Spanish Cardinal-designate Urbano Navarrete.
EWTN is providing live coverage from Rome one week from tomorrow.
Heroic Red Hats, chaste for love of God, not UNIX.
Will this herald the re-dedication of the Jesuits?
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