Posted on 02/11/2013 6:13:58 PM PST by Brian Kopp DPM
I’m NOT a Catholic, but even I can see that you must have a dirty mind: the thumb of the boy on the left’s right hand is visible on the top of the edge of the vestment.
Each boy is using his inside hand to hold the robe, and his outside hand is down at his side. You can follow the upper line of the thumb all the way down to where his wrist disappears into his black sleeve.
I am trying to understand what happened yesterday.
“I am trying to understand what happened yesterday.”
He’s old. He’s very old at this point. The Church is very large and facing very great problems with Islam in the ME and elsewhere along with fights in the secular realm.
I think he realized the demands of the Easter Vigil were beyond his strength at this point.
IMO the next few years will be telling, i.e. will his health rapidly decline (retired due to medical condition), or will his health hold out (retired due to Vatican politics)?
Now someone at the Vatican is checking out the DHS visitor log:
These are strange days indeed.
Then the Madonna appeared to me. She was dressed in black, with seven swords piercing Her Immaculate Heart. Coming closer, with an expression of profound sorrow, and with tears on her cheeks, she spoke to me, saying: Listen attentively, and reveal to all: http://www.summorumpontificum.net/search?q=reveal+to+allCan you only imagine Our Lady appearing thusly? How excruciatingly painful... In tears, however, I continued on reading... I knew nothing of Blessed Elena, nor about St. Hildegard's visions either. I did know of Our Lady of Good Help and was praying to her continuously when Santorum was in the running; as you may well know, he (and his daughter) even visited Her there, and we were sent pictures of same. He did not, however, go publicly to the "Hail Mary" in his run, and Tom wrote about that at the time. Anyway, I did not know of the fire around the Shrine's site being at the same time of the Chicago Fire. Interesting! And I have read (and have repeated and never forgotten) the message at Akita, Japan.
One of my friends thinks he is close to death. I wonder if he has a condition that would rob him of his massive intellect rendering the church, had he remained Pontiff, effectively without a leader?
I'm thinking something recent and incapacitating or deemed inoperable must have happened to him, such as a stroke or blood clot.
FWIW, check out this editorial by Reformed author Gary North. It tells the story of Barzillai declining King David's offer to retire in Jerusalem, and be cared for as the guest of the king (II Samuel 19) It concludes this way:
Barzillai knew he was too old to carry on. He refused the great honor of accompanying King David back to Jerusalem. He knew he would be a burden. He knew his advice might be poor, because of his infirmities. So, he wished the King well, but stayed behind.Pope Benedict XVI has decided to imitate Barzillai. He will retire to a monastery, where he will be cared for. Someone else will replace him. Someone else will bear the burdens.
His decision is unique in modern papal history. It may set a trend. Or it may be regarded as a unique decision like no other: a Pope who admitted he was human, and therefore no longer fit for duty in old age.
I hope I depart with equal grace when I have a terminal case of Barzillai syndrome.
The pope resigning is huge - not surprised they’re digging to find out more...
You have a great blog - will be visiting. And thank you for this interesting post.
Pope cites waning strength as reason for resignation
Report: Brother Says Pope Was Considering Resignation for Months
Some Notes About the Upcoming Conclave
An Evangelical Looks at Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedicts Resignation in Historical Context
Virtually unprecedented: papal resignation throughout history
Pope Benedict XVI:a papal timeline
"I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome" [Full Text]
Pope Benedict's Address on Resignation of the See of Rome
POPE BENEDICT XVI WILL RESIGN AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, VATICAN PRESS OFFICE TELLS FOX NEWS
Oh, really? We get hits from Arlington... I’ll have to check the IP.
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