We Remember...

Here's the prayer written by Pope-emeritus Benedict from when he visited Ground Zero in 2008.

In a world torn by violence and hatred, let us continue to pray for peace and love in our hearts and the hearts of others.

Sede Vacante Events

With the news of the date set for the beginning of the Conclave, St. James Cathedral will hold Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after Monday's 5:30pm Mass. The Vigil will conclude at midnight, which would be 9:00am Tuesday Rome Time and when the Conclave will begin with Mass. More information on this event on the Cathedral website.

Seattle University is also hosting a lecture with Fr. Patrick Howell, SJ on the resignation of Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI titled "Surprising resignation of the Pope throws the door open" next Thursday the 14th from 12:30pm - 1:30pm. Dr. Catherine Punsalan-Manlimos, a fellow Filipina, was a former professor of mine at SU and is now a good friend. Anyway, she is coordinating this lecture and currently serves as the director of the Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture at SU.

Whether or not you are able to attend this Mass and Exposition or Lecture, please join in prayer during this momentus and exciting time of the Church! Come, Holy Spirit!

Oración para la Elección del Papa

In case you have not seen them already, the USCCB Secretariat of Divine Worship has added resources in Spanish for the papal transition.

Catholic dioceses, parishes, and schools have permission to download and reproduce any of these graphics, prayers, and bulletin inserts for distribution. Nice print copies are also available for order, through the USCCB.

Let us continue to pray for the Cardinal Electors, Pope Emeritus, our future Pope (just throwing this out there for fun), and for the Church and the world!

Emeritus Pope

Yesterday afternoon, as the See of Rome became vacant, Archbishop Sartain celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving for Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI at St. James Cathedral. Here is a video of his homily from the Mass.

Courtesy of St. James Cathedral's newly remodeled and revamped website:
   Prayer During the Conclave
   Prayer for Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI

Lastly, a picture from the USCCB of the Vatican insignia representing the sede vacante.

Mass of Thanksgiving

Archbishop J. Peter Sartain invites you to an Archdiocesan Mass of Thanksgiving for Pope Benedict XVI this Thursday, Feb. 28, the final day of Pope Benedict XVI’s pontificate, at 12:10pm at St. James Cathedral, 804 Ninth Ave, Seattle.

Please let other lay, religious, and clergy of our local Church know of this Mass, honoring Pope Benedict and his leadership of our Church!

Papal resignation resources from the BCDW

As mentioned on last Monday's post, the Secretariat of Divine Worship has published a more official document titled Liturgical Notes and Resource Materials for Use Upon the Resignation of the Pope, which I hope many find helpful during this time of transition. We are grateful to Msgr. Hilgartner and the Secretariat Staff for providing these resources.

On that note, I wish you a blessed Lenten pilgrimage in these days ahead. May we all continue to follow Christ more closely and love Him more fully as he does each of us.

Pope Benedict XVI resigns

And here I thought the search for a new director of the Liturgy Office for the Archdiocese of Seattle was the big news of this year. (It's all about perspective.) This morning's news of Pope Benedict's resignation, effective February 28th, definitely put our office's own time of transition into a whole new perspective for me.

At this point, the Secretariat of Divine Worship for the USCCB is working on several resources and official documents regarding the Pope's resignation. They hope to have something soon. Until the official day of the Pope's resignation (28 Feb) there will be no change in the Eucharistic Prayers. However, after 8:00pm Rome time on 28 Feb there will be a state called "sede vacante" or "the see being empty" so priests will no longer say the Pope's name in the Eucharistic Prayer after that.

In the meantime, priests are welcome to use the formulary, "For the Pope" from the Masses for Various Needs found in the Roman Missal during an appropriate time. Below are also some sample Prayers of the Faithful from Faith Catholic. Feel free to compose your own as well for your own parish or institution.

The Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions also posted a prayer for Pope Benedict available in English and Spanish.

Let us keep Pope Benedict, the Cardinals who will soon elect a new pope, and the entire universal Church in our prayers and offer thanksgiving for the ministry of Pope Benedict these past eight years.

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That the Holy Father finds peace in his decision to resign, and that his courage and strength
of character be a model for the universal Church to be steadfast in following the teachings of
Christ, let us pray to the Lord.

That his Holiness Pope Benedict may know the blessing and love of God during the remaining
years of his life on earth, let us pray to the Lord.

For the Holy Father, that his time of retirement may be restful for both body and spirit, let us
pray to the Lord.

For the Church, that all members unite their prayers in support of the Cardinals as they select
our new Vicar of Christ, let us pray to the Lord.

That all members of the Body of Christ will find hope in the workings of the Holy Spirit as He
guides the Church through this transition of leadership, let us pray to the Lord

That God’s Spirit may guide and inspire our Church during this time of discernment for a
smooth and grace-filled papal transition, let us pray to the Lord.

That the message of Jesus' love for the poor and help for those suffering from injustice will
guide the Church as she moves forward during this papal transition, let us pray to the Lord.

That the Church's College of Cardinals will be true to the promptings of the Holy Spirit as they
prayerfully consider who will next lead our Church, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, you alone know what the Church needs in a new Pope, fill our new Shepherd with your
Holy Spirit of grace, humility, strength and truth, let us pray to the Lord.