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Something for the Kids: "Joseph and Chico" - The Life of Pope Benedict XVI as Told By a Cat

Joseph and Chico: The Life of Pope Benedict XVI as Told By a Cat Ignatius Press (March 2008) In this beautifully illustrated book for children, Chico the cat describes the life of his "best friend", Pope Benedict, in this authorised biography of the Pope for young people approved by the Vatican. "Dear Children, here you will find a biography that is different than others because it is told by a cat and it is not every day a cat can consider the Holy Father his friend and sit down to write his life story," the Pope's personal secretary, Monsignor Georg Ganswein, says in the foreword. The Pope is known for his fondness of animals, especially cats, and Joseph and Chico is narrated by Chico, a real cat who took up with the Pope in his native Germany long before he became the Pope. Chico tells the story of the life of "my best friend" from his birth in Germany in 1927, through his days as a young man, priest, bishop and cardinal. With a colorful and sometimes amusing language, the author makes this funny cat tell us about the life of the young Joseph all the way up to his election as Pontiff on April 19, 2005. It recounts the Nazi era in Germany when the Pope was a teenager, calling the war years "one of the most dramatic and shameful times in the history of man". Later when he became Cardinal Ratzinger, Chico recounts how each time when the Cardinal returned to Germany from Rome for a vacation, the cat would run into his house and sit on his lap as he played the piano. Related Images from "Joseph and Chico" Sample Pages from "Joseph and Chico" Chico is one of the most famous cats in the world. He is 9 years old and famous for being one of Benedict XVI’s best friends… in fact the only friend to have slept on the papal piano. (ROMEreports TV 10/19/07). Cat Lovers Appreciate Soul Mate in Vatican, by Andy Newman New York Times April 21, 2008.

Adventus: "God is here"

Let us reflect briefly on the meaning of this word, which can be rendered with "presence", "arrival" or "coming". In the language of the ancient world it was a technical term used to indicate the arrival of an official or the visit of the king or emperor to a province. However, it could also mean the coming of the divinity that emerges from concealment to manifest himself forcefully or that was celebrated as being present in worship. Christians used the word "advent" to express their relationship with Jesus Christ: Jesus is the King who entered this poor "province" called "earth" to pay everyone a visit; he makes all those who believe in him participate in his Coming, all who believe in his presence in the liturgical assembly. The essential meaning of the word adventus was: God is here, he has not withdrawn from the world, he has not deserted us. Even if we cannot see and touch him as we can tangible realities, he is here and comes to visit us in many ways.

-- Pope Benedict XVI, Celebration of First Vespers of Advent

Related

• Pope Benedict: First Vespers of Advent Video (Catholic Online).

Pope Benedict Roundup!

• From the Catholic Herald, the news that Pope Benedict will waive his own rules so he can preside in person over the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman during a papal visit to Britain next year:

  Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster refused to either confirm or deny the report: "The details of the Pope's visit are far from clear," he said. "What is clear is that the Holy Father has a great and long-standing devotion to Cardinal Newman and the beatification of Cardinal Newman is due."

  Fr Ian Ker, author of the definitive biography of Cardinal Newman, said: "By breaking his own rules Pope Benedict clearly shows he regards Newman as a completely exceptional case, one of the great theologians of the Catholic Church. Many of the popes have been anxious to canonise Newman. They look to him as a man who welcomed modernisation but in fidelity to Church authority and in continuity with the traditions of the Church."

• The Homilies of Benedict XVI: A Model for a Confused Church, by Sandro Magister:

  On the eve of Advent, a book has been released in Italy that collects the homilies by Benedict XVI in the liturgical year that just ended. ...

  The homilies have become a distinguishing feature of the pontificate of Benedict XVI. They may be the least known and understood feature, but they are certainly the most revealing. He writes many of them himself, and improvises them at times; they are the most genuine manifestation of his mind. He is dedicating himself to them to a great and growing extent.

• The leader of a billion Roman Catholics meets the leader of 80 million Anglicans at a moment of historic crisis between the two Communions and they spend all of TWENTY MINUTES together. Muses Damien Thompson of the Telegraph: "They know it's over.":

  Pope Benedict has given up on the Church of England, in the nicest possible way. As even Dr Williams admits, he’s not interested in “poaching” Anglicans, but in making special arrangements for those who are quite determined to leave. And +Rowan, by rubbing the Vatican’s nose in the women priests issue earlier this week, showed that he has given up on the Catholics – again, in the nicest possible way.

  Last year, Cardinal Kasper warned the Lambeth Conference that it had to decide whether it was Catholic or Protestant. Now we know the answer. Though some of us always did.

• Speaking at the recent meeting of the Pontifical Council of Social Communication, Benedict XVI commended the work of Catholics on the Internet (Via Deal Hudson @ InsideCatholic):

  A genuine revolution is taking place in the realm of social communications of which the Church is ever more responsibly conscious. . . . . These technologies make speech and penetrating communications possible, with a capacity to share ideas and opinions; to facilitate acquiring information and news in a personal way that is accessible to all.

• Inside Catholic reveals the influence of Pope Benedict XVI on the Catholic conversion of Newt Gingerich:

  The moment came when Pope Benedict XVI visited the United States in April 2008. Gingrich was seated in the basilica, where his wife's choir was to sing vespers for the Holy Father, when he was suddenly able to see the pope up close. He recalled, "It was clear he [the pope] was having the time of his life, and the joy in his eyes belied his reputation as an austere German. As he walked past me, I knew I wanted to become a Catholic."

  "I knew that I belonged here," he went on. "No -- as a Catholic, I should put it: Here is where I belong." As Gingrich parsed his sentence, his eyes teared up, and he excused himself for getting emotional. He changed the subject, but the emotion remained in his voice as he talked about Benedict's visit to New York City.

  "It was extraordinary," he told me; "we were so blessed." As he and Callista tried to get close to the pope's entourage driving up Fifth Avenue, they ended up on the steps of St. Patrick's Cathedral and were invited to stand at the back for the Mass. Then they were told that the pope would pass by their spot near the rope and bless a young boy in the wheelchair sitting next to them. They were overwhelmed when "Benedict XVI blessed the boy directly in front of us!"

• "Diaz and the Pope" - Mollie Wilson O'Reilly (Commonweal) draws our attention to the official exchange between Miguel Diaz, the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, and Pope Benedict XVI, on such topics as the Pope's latest encyclical to "respect for the inalienable right to life from the moment of conception to natural death, as well as the protection of the right to conscientious objection on the part of health care workers." Reuters' Faithworld has more on the encounter between the "theologian envoy and the theologian pope" and John Allen, Jr. interviews ambassador Diaz on "being uprooted into a life of service".

Singing Pontiffs

Catholic News Agency reports that Pope Benedict XVI will release an album, featuring him singing chants and reciting prayers to the accompaniment of classical music:

The new album, titled, “Alma Mater, Music from the Vatican,” features eight pieces of modern sacred music with recordings of the Pope speaking and praying in Latin, Italian, Portuguese, French and German. The Pope’s voice is accompanied by the choir of the Philharmonic Academy of Rome, directed by Msgr. Pablo Colino.

The music was performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of London.

During the press conference presenting the new CD, Father Lombardi said the idea to make the CD came from Giulio Neroni, who brought the proposal to the Vatican Secretary of State. St. Paul Multimedia agreed to produce the album, with the assistance of Vatican Radio for the recordings of the Pope.

More from Rachel Donaldson @ The First Post:

Sadly, it seems the Pope's debut album, Alma Mater, is likely to disappoint both his ardent admirers, hoping to hear his singing voice, and less devout fans curious to witness the transformation from rock of the Roman Catholic Church to rock star.

In a 50-minute album of Gregorian chants and original pieces of music, the Pope can be heard for a mere 10 minutes. He recites prayers to the Virgin Mary in various languages but his singing voice is not heard until 40 minutes into the record, when he leads the choir in the Regina Coeli chant.

We shall see.

The author claims that with the release of Alma Mater, Benedict "becomes the first singing pontiff to appear on Geffen, or indeed any record label." Well, perhaps as a singing pontiff -- but I still remember the well-received release of his predecessor, Pope John Paul II's Abba Pater, which as I recall even made it to MTV.

Accompanied by a resplendently rhythmic score and including an intriguing blend of classical, world, and contemporary western music, Abba Pater is Pope John Paul II's uplifting message to the faithful everywhere. Released in timely celebration of Holy Week and Easter, and in anticipation of the millennial Great Jubilee pilgrimage, this sacred inner expedition of sound explores universal themes of spirituality such as praise, forgiveness, and brotherly love. Abba Pater is the first musical CD ever to feature the most famous man in the world, whose dramatic and moving words delivered on these tracks are culled from archival recordings from the first 20 years of his papacy. In five beautifully expressed languages, the Pope sings, chants, and prays for the healing of humankind, all of which is perhaps best summed up by the words in Psalm 26: "I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." -- Paige La Grone

Update - Dr. John Meyers remarks:

Actually, the first recording of a singing pontiff was that of Pope Leo XIII (!) in 1902 or 1903, chanting the 'Ave Maria" in plainsong, and may be found on the Opal CD - 9823, "The Last Castrato" featuring Alessandro Moreschi which may still be available. I purchased it about fifteen years ago.

Fall Books by (or on) Pope Benedict XVI

	Covenant and Communion: The Biblical Theology of Pope Benedict XVI By Scott Hahn. Baker Brazos Press (October 2009) Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger's election as Pope Benedict XVI brought a world-class biblical theologian to the papacy. There is an intensely biblical quality to his pastoral teaching and he has demonstrated a keen concern for the authentic interpretation of sacred Scripture. Here a foremost interpreter of Catholic thought and life offers a probing look at Benedict's biblical theology and provides a clear and concise introduction to his life and work. Bestselling author and theologian Scott Hahn argues that the heart of Benedict's theology is salvation history and the Bible and shows how Benedict accepts historical criticism but recognizes its limits. The author also explains how Benedict reads the overall narrative of Scripture and how he puts it to work in theology, liturgy, and Christian discipleship. Related "Covenant and Communion" [On Pope Benedict XVI], by Dr. Scott Hahn. September 29, 2009.
	Maria: Pope Benedict XVI on the Mother of God Ignatius Press (November 2009) This glorious volume is a lavishly illustrated coffee-table book with dozens of inspirational and famous color paintings, sculptures and artwork of the Blessed Virgin Mary from all over the world. The beautiful pictures are accompanied by the profound writings and homilies of Pope Benedict XVI on the person of Mary, and her unique role in human history and in the plan of God for salvation history. The gorgeous paintings and artwork are from many different centuries, some very famous and others less well-known. Many of these artworks are located at popular Marian shrines that Pope Benedict has visited and honored with special events, prayers and homilies, depicted throughout this volume. Some of the famous Marian images include Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Czestochowa (the ''Black Madonna''), Queen of the Holy Rosary, Our Lady of Loreto, Queen of Carmel, and many others. Pope Benedict offers in-depth, inspirational reflections on the unique spiritual role Mary as the Mother of the Savior, showing her to be the universal ''Woman'' that Jesus calls her in the Gospels, his mother that God made the spiritual mother of all mankind. Using Biblical references of Mary as ''full of grace'' and the ''woman clothed with the sun'', Pope Benedict emphasizes that Mary's main role is to lead us to union with Jesus, to help us know and love Him much better and to be his true followers.
	Meeting Saint Paul With the Pope: Wednesday Audiences During the Pauline Jubilee Year Paulist Press (November 2009)

Pope Benedict's visit to the Czech Republic

Apostolic Visit to the Czech Republic (September 26-28, 2009) -- Program and Spoken words of Pope Benedict XVI (from the Vatican website).

Complete coverage of papal visit to Czech Republic, courtesy of National Catholic Reporter's "Man in Rome", John Allen Jr.:

• A day to honor 'Good King Wenceslas' Monday, September 28, 2009
• UK trip, Newman beatification in 2010 a 'good hypothesis' Sunday, September 27, 2009
• Trip to UK, beatification of Newman in 2010 a 'good hypothesis' Sunday, September 27, 2009
• A professor pope wields some rhetorical jiu-jitsu Sunday, September 27, 2009
• Benedict XVI confronts the ghost of Jan Hus Sunday, September 27, 2009
• The Hapsburgs were smiling from Heaven today Sunday, September 27, 2009
• Interview with Benedict XVI aboard the papal plane Sunday, September 27, 2009
• Czechs object to authority, not religion, sociologist says Saturday, September 26, 2009
• In Prague, Benedict XVI offers Erasmus for the 21st Century Saturday, September 26, 2009
• Pope delivers upbeat message in ambivalent spot Saturday, September 26, 2009
• Religion key to a 'healthy society,' pope tells secular Czechs Saturday, September 26, 2009
• Czech believers find islands of hope in a secular sea Saturday, September 26, 2009
• Church history through the eyes of a catacombs priest Friday, September 25, 2009
• The German shepherd bids farewell to a 'wolf in winter' Friday, September 25, 2009

Pope Benedict Roundup!

The big news, of course, is the release of Pope Benedict XVI's new social encyclical, Caritas in Veritate.

• From the Vatican Information Service, a chapter-by-chapter summary of the encyclical
• Full text of Caritas in Veritate from the Vatican's website
• Caritas in Veritate in book form, from Ignatius Press -- available in August.
• And from the Holy Father himself -- a brief consideration of Caritas in Veritate from his 7/8/09 audience:

  Some forty years after Pope Paul VI’s Encyclical Populorum Progressio, it too addresses social themes vital to the well-being of humanity and reminds us that authentic renewal of both individuals and society requires living by Christ’s truth in love (cf. Eph 4:15) which stands at the heart of the Church’s social teaching. The Encyclical does not aim to provide technical solutions to today’s social problems but instead focuses on the principles indispensable for human development. Most important among these is human life itself, the centre of all true progress. Additionally, it speaks of the right to religious freedom as a part of human development, it warns against unbounded hope in technology alone, and it underlines the need for upright men and women – attentive to the common good – in both politics and the business world. In regard to matters of particular urgency affecting the word today, the Encyclical addresses a wide range of issues and calls for decisive action to promote food security and agricultural development, as well as respect for the environment and for the rule of law. Stressed is the need for politicians, economists, producers and consumers alike to ensure that ethics shape economics so that profit alone does not regulate the world of business. Dear friends: humanity is a single family where every development programme – if it is to be integral – must consider the spiritual growth of human persons and the driving force of charity in truth. Let us pray for all those who serve in politics and the management of economies, and in particular let us pray for the Heads of State gathering in Italy for the G8 summit. May their decisions promote true development especially for the world’s poor. Thank you.

• Also from the Pope: "On the Economic Crisis and Cultural Values" - a translation of the public address Benedict XVI gave today before praying the midday Angelus in Romano Canavese, close to Les Combes in the Aosta Valley of northern Italy (HT: Zenit).

• According to Vatican Radio, more than 1,800 articles have been written on the encyclical. At the request of Joseph Bottum, I have been asked to do an ongoing roundup of news, coverage and commentary to Caritas et Veritate, for the periodical First Things.

In other news ...

• The Vatican Press Office has released a review of Benedict XVI's activities from from January to March and April to July of this year.

• As reported earlier, the Pope broke his wrist in an accident earlier this month. His right hand immobilized with the cast, the Pope has found his plans to spend the vacation writing impeded -- but his spirits remain high. During one of his strolls, the Pope stopped to chat with five children about his injury. Also, The Italian mountain town of Introd, near the chalet where the Pope is residing, unanimously decided to make him an honorary citizen.

  A few days ago, the Pope reflected on the meaning of his injury:

  "Unfortunately, my own guardian angel did not prevent my injury, certainly following superior orders," Pope Benedict said, according to the Associated Press.

  “Perhaps the Lord wanted to teach me more patience and humility, give me more time for prayer and meditation."

Pope Benedict XVI (L) shaking hands with the medical team of Aosta's Umberto Parini hospital who took care of him on July 17, 2009. Credit: Getty Images

• The working document to foster U.N. dialogue on the "responsibility to protect" includes a paragraph dedicated to the discourse Benedict XVI gave there last year, during his momentous visit to New York and Washington D.C. in April 2008:

  For this debate on conflict victims and the states' responsibility to protect its citizens, the assembly took into account the Pope's thesis that the international community needs to protect rights.

  When the Holy Father addressed the United Nations, he affirmed: "Every state has the primary duty to protect its own population from grave and sustained violations of human rights, as well as from the consequences of humanitarian crises, whether natural or man-made. If states are unable to guarantee such protection, the international community must intervene with the juridical means provided in the United Nations Charter and in other international instruments."

• Rome Reports has released the first in-depth documentary on the life of Pope, titled "Pope Benedict XVI A Love Affair with the Truth":

  It includes unique film footage of his youthful days, his ordination to the priesthood, his consecration as Bishop, elevation to Cardinal, his work as head of the CDF (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith) and a close colleague of Pope John Paul II, his election as Pope, and what he has accomplished so far in his first three years of his papacy. This film reveals the real Joseph Ratzinger, a man who always sought and loved the truth, and has combined a brilliant mind with the pastoral heart of a shepherd in love with his flock.

  (Click here to view the trailer and purchasing info).

• From National Review's "The Corner", A brief review of Faith and the Future, by Mike Potemra.

• (Catholic News Service July 31, 2009).

• On July 24, the Pope made a brief reference to the late French Jesuit scientist and philosopher Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, praising his vision of the entire cosmos as a "living host" -- prompting National Catholic Reporter's John Allen Jr. in turn to reflect on Benedict XVI’s very own shade of green (really a very helpful evaluation of the Pope's "remarkable ecological sensitivity").

• From Edward T. Oakes, SJ: Reconciling Judas: Evangelizing the Theologians (InsideCatholic.com July 28, 2009):

  In 1968, a professor of theology at the University of Regensburg wrote a modestly sized treatise on the Apostles' Creed called Introduction to Christianity. Its impact, however, was anything but modest, for the book so captivated Pope Paul VI that he made its author archbishop of Munich (and later cardinal, one of his last appointments to the college); and just a few years later, the new pope, John Paul II, summoned the same man to Rome to head the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. His name, of course, was Joseph Ratzinger.

  Not many books have changed history, but this one certainly did, not just for the author personally but also for the wider Church. ... [More].

Pope fractures wrist, undergoes surgery; reported "in good condition."

Pope Benedict XVI fractured his right wrist in a fall Friday morning, but was released from the hospital after undergoing successful surgery. From the New York Times:

“It’s nothing serious,” the Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said in a telephone interview. He said doctors had ruled out that Benedict had been taken ill before falling.

Doctors operated on the pope’s wrist for about 20 minutes, Reuters reported. Father Lombardi called the operation “not difficult.” He said that doctors had inserted pins to help the pope’s wrist heal, using local anesthetic.

He added that the pope would have to wear a cast for about a month. News reports showed Benedict leaving the clinic smiling and waving with his left hand.

In a statement released by the Vatican, the pope’s private physician, Patrizio Polisca, said that Benedict was “in good condition.”

More details from Catholic News Service:

Father Lombardi told reporters that the pope simply slipped and fell in the bathroom, ruling out any illness or medical condition as the cause of the accident. ... And, he said, the pope walked to the car and into the hospital on his own two feet.

The spokesman said the procedure to repair the pope's wrist lasted about half an hour and was carried out by the head of the hospital's orthopedic section along with another orthopedic surgeon and two anesthesiologists, who also were trained in resuscitation.

Before the procedure began, Father Lombardi told reporters that, despite having already fallen and injured his wrist, "in the morning the Holy Father celebrated Mass and had breakfast, then was accompanied to the hospital in Aosta" for X-rays and a general checkup.

Update

• 7/18/09: "Pope doing well, will continue vacation -- from Cindy Wooden (Catholic News Service):

  The pope “slept well,” woke up, celebrated Mass this morning and had breakfast as normal, the papal spokesman said. The right-handed 82-year-old pope also is getting used to using his left hand and, of course, is disappointed that he can do no handwriting, Father Lombardi said. He did not, however, say how the pope is dealing with not playing the piano.

  He also said the pope would continue his vacation in the northern Italian Alps and would travel tomorrow to Romano Canavese, the hometown of Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, his secretary of state. The pope is scheduled to recite the Angelus at noon with people gathered in front of the parish church in the town about 50 miles from Les Combes.

• 7/20/09: Pope receives laptop to help him work after injuring his wrist (Catholic News Agency)
• 7/20/09: Pope Benedict trusts his doctors (Zenit)
• 7/22/09 - Despite Injury, Pope's Schedule Unchanged: Plans Vacation Days With Brother (Zenit)