In each moment of our lives, God
plants something new, the seeds that are planted in my liberty at every
moment by God’s will are the seeds of my own identity, my own reality,
my own happiness, my own sanctity. To discover these seeds and make them
grow in me is the mystery of life. - 'New seeds of contemplation', Thomas Merton.
Was fortunate enough to be in St.Peter's square today (27/02/2013) for the last audience of the Pope Benedict XVI. The square was filled thousands !And moreover, the Pope, his graceful face, the serenity and peace he had was clearly visible! And his words -Incredible !
ith thousands from
different parts of the world. The crowd seemed to be very calm than
usual that day and most of them were overjoyed in seeing the Pope. The
Wednesday audience being the final public appearance in vatican, His
Holiness did give many 'rounds' with his 'Papal vehicle 'across the
square greeting almost all the faithful present there. We were blessed
to see His Holiness very near to us and His Holiness stopped near to us
to bless a new born and to our surprise, he did come for the second time
on the same way !
His face seemed to be more radiant and graceful and a
special joy and peace was clearly seen on his face. I was just
mentioning to the friends with me about the 'serenity' visible on him
compared to his other general appearances. And for the first time, I
felt like he was speaking directly from his heart, and the continuous
applause made by the crowd for each and every sentence of His Holiness
is a great sign that how much his words have touched each of us
personally. His words was reflecting his profound internal liberty,
certainty on the Word of God and his great humility ! Especially the
imagery His Holiness used to compare his papacy with St.Peter on the
boat :
"And eight years later, I can say that the Lord has guided me, I was close, I could feel his presence every day.It was a part of the journey of the Church that has had moments of joy and light, but also difficult moments, I felt like St. Peter and the Apostles in the boat on the Sea of Galilee, the Lord has given us many days of sunshine and a light breeze, the days when the fishing is plentiful, and there were also times when the water was rough and the wind was storng, as in the whole history of the Church, and the Lord seemed to sleep. But I always knew that the boat is in the Lord and I always knew that the boat of the Church is not mine, not ours, but His."
The great support His Holiness received from people these days was a clear sign for us to see and experience that the Church is a 'living reality'. His Holiness himself confirmed this. "Yes, the Pope is never alone, now I experience it again in a way so great that touches the heart. The Pope belongs to everyone and a lot of people feel very close to him...Experience the Church in this way and you can almost touch it with your hands the power of his truth and his love is a source of joy, a time when many speak of its decline. Let's see how the Church is alive today!"
The response from the crowd for these words of Him was tremendous. And His Holiness was very clear about the renunciation of His Papacy :
" The "always" is also a "forever" - there will not be a return to the private sector... I will not return to the private life, to a life of travel, meetings, receptions, conferences and so on. It does not mean that I abandon the cross, but will remain with the Crucified Lord in a 'new way' "
And was a strong proclamation made by His Holiness of of his Internal Liberty : "In recent months, I felt that my strength had decreased, and I asked God earnestly in prayer to enlighten me with his light to make me take the right decision not for my sake, but for the good of the Church . I have taken this step in full awareness of its severity but also with a deep serenity of my mind. Loving the Church also means having the courage to make tough choices, having sufferings, always for the good of the Church." An interesting concept which I studied in Anthropology - about the liberty of man, and this liberty which he exercises with continuous conscience with the Absolute Divinity. I was doubtful, on this liberty of man, whether its only a theoretical concept or not but here I have the best example in front of me ! The Pope in his Declaratio says : "After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry." A person of great Internal liberty !
We were also fortunate to see His Holiness for the last time in Castel Gandolfo. And the beautiful thing was, when HIs Holiness started from Vatican , all the Church bells started ringing bidding farewell to the dear Pope, till he reached Castel gandolfo . And in castel Gandolfo, in the 'square of Liberty' (Piazza della Liberta- The name which surprisingly coincidences with His Holiness for his great Internal Liberty) we were all waiting in a prayerful silence for the last words of this great man! Almost 2 hrs of waiting didn't give us any relishing words from Pope Emeritus, but a few sentences : "I will not be no longer the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church until eight in the evening. I am simply a pilgrim who begins the last stage of his pilgrimage on this earth.But I would still, with my heart, my love, my prayer, my reflection, with all my inner strength, to work for the common good and the good of the Church and of humanity...Let us go forward together with the Lord for the good of the Church and the world." BUONA NOTTE ( Good night)
Many were not satisfied with the few words of His Holiness, but being fortunate to see His Holiness for the last time was more than anything for us. But remained a mistery for all of us 'the greeting good night' at 5.45 in the eve of the day by the Pope Emeritus ! Today our prof explained, that was a sign to bid farewell to the public appearances of His Holiness !Right now His Holiness is here in Castel Gandolfo , very near to us - just 10 mts of walk from our house- a man of great Internal Liberty and we all feel so happy to be near to Him! What touched me the most was a banner which was addressed to His Holiness during His last audience saying, : Santo Padre, non ci sentiamo abbondonati, ma piu' fortificatificati. buona Missione Santo Padre !- (Holy Father, we do not feel being abandoned, but being more strengthened . Wish you a 'Good Mission' Holy Father!)
Its the same we all wanted to say to His Holiness Pope Emiretus Benedcit XVI ! And I still miss you Papa !
"And eight years later, I can say that the Lord has guided me, I was close, I could feel his presence every day.It was a part of the journey of the Church that has had moments of joy and light, but also difficult moments, I felt like St. Peter and the Apostles in the boat on the Sea of Galilee, the Lord has given us many days of sunshine and a light breeze, the days when the fishing is plentiful, and there were also times when the water was rough and the wind was storng, as in the whole history of the Church, and the Lord seemed to sleep. But I always knew that the boat is in the Lord and I always knew that the boat of the Church is not mine, not ours, but His."
The great support His Holiness received from people these days was a clear sign for us to see and experience that the Church is a 'living reality'. His Holiness himself confirmed this. "Yes, the Pope is never alone, now I experience it again in a way so great that touches the heart. The Pope belongs to everyone and a lot of people feel very close to him...Experience the Church in this way and you can almost touch it with your hands the power of his truth and his love is a source of joy, a time when many speak of its decline. Let's see how the Church is alive today!"
The response from the crowd for these words of Him was tremendous. And His Holiness was very clear about the renunciation of His Papacy :
" The "always" is also a "forever" - there will not be a return to the private sector... I will not return to the private life, to a life of travel, meetings, receptions, conferences and so on. It does not mean that I abandon the cross, but will remain with the Crucified Lord in a 'new way' "
And was a strong proclamation made by His Holiness of of his Internal Liberty : "In recent months, I felt that my strength had decreased, and I asked God earnestly in prayer to enlighten me with his light to make me take the right decision not for my sake, but for the good of the Church . I have taken this step in full awareness of its severity but also with a deep serenity of my mind. Loving the Church also means having the courage to make tough choices, having sufferings, always for the good of the Church." An interesting concept which I studied in Anthropology - about the liberty of man, and this liberty which he exercises with continuous conscience with the Absolute Divinity. I was doubtful, on this liberty of man, whether its only a theoretical concept or not but here I have the best example in front of me ! The Pope in his Declaratio says : "After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry." A person of great Internal liberty !
We were also fortunate to see His Holiness for the last time in Castel Gandolfo. And the beautiful thing was, when HIs Holiness started from Vatican , all the Church bells started ringing bidding farewell to the dear Pope, till he reached Castel gandolfo . And in castel Gandolfo, in the 'square of Liberty' (Piazza della Liberta- The name which surprisingly coincidences with His Holiness for his great Internal Liberty) we were all waiting in a prayerful silence for the last words of this great man! Almost 2 hrs of waiting didn't give us any relishing words from Pope Emeritus, but a few sentences : "I will not be no longer the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church until eight in the evening. I am simply a pilgrim who begins the last stage of his pilgrimage on this earth.But I would still, with my heart, my love, my prayer, my reflection, with all my inner strength, to work for the common good and the good of the Church and of humanity...Let us go forward together with the Lord for the good of the Church and the world." BUONA NOTTE ( Good night)
Many were not satisfied with the few words of His Holiness, but being fortunate to see His Holiness for the last time was more than anything for us. But remained a mistery for all of us 'the greeting good night' at 5.45 in the eve of the day by the Pope Emeritus ! Today our prof explained, that was a sign to bid farewell to the public appearances of His Holiness !Right now His Holiness is here in Castel Gandolfo , very near to us - just 10 mts of walk from our house- a man of great Internal Liberty and we all feel so happy to be near to Him! What touched me the most was a banner which was addressed to His Holiness during His last audience saying, : Santo Padre, non ci sentiamo abbondonati, ma piu' fortificatificati. buona Missione Santo Padre !- (Holy Father, we do not feel being abandoned, but being more strengthened . Wish you a 'Good Mission' Holy Father!)
Its the same we all wanted to say to His Holiness Pope Emiretus Benedcit XVI ! And I still miss you Papa !
