is to be lived within the full communion of His Church.

Everything about that Liturgy, from its music, to its proper respect for Liturgical rubrics and its solemnity and grandeur, served to underscore the heart of Catholic Christian faith and worship to a world that was clearly being drawn to that altar. At that event, as at all others, the coverage of the secular Press was positive and clearly revealed a sense of respect and awe.

His visit to Saint Josephs Seminary where he met with beloved disabled youth and his dearly cherished seminarians was overflowing with hope and filled with the youthful exuberance of a Church which has clearly caught its second wind and is being positioned for a “new springtime” of world missions and a “New Evangelization.”

His Solemn and Sacred visit to America’s shrine, Ground Zero was, well, breathtaking. There, in his demeanor, manner and message, he showed reverence to those who suffered and lost their lives as well as his continuing solidarity with a Nation which still grieves.

His Closing Mass at Yankee Stadium celebrated the richness of the Catholic history in the American experience and the Catholic contribution and mission in the United States of America. He symbolically remembered the l200th anniversary of the Baltimore Archdiocese’s designation as an archdiocese, and the birth of the Dioceses of Boston, New York, Louisville and Philadelphia and used the past as a backdrop for issuing a call to a future missionary task for that same Church, made new in a New Pentecost.

He chose that final teaching moment, in his homily, to articulate the deep and profound themes one finds throughout his messages in America, including his presentation of the call to an authentic human freedom, in opposition to its various contemporary counterfeits.

He came, he saw and he conquered with care.

The English word “care” is derived from the Latin, Caritas. It really means love, in its myriad of manifestations. There are many faces of love.

Pope Benedict XVI showed forth genuine love in his face. It was the love of “Christ our Hope”, whose message he bore. He revealed it in his smile, radiated it from his eyes, and taught us about its deeper meaning in each of his messages and gestures.

We had his presence in our Nation for six days. We celebrated his birthday and his elevation to the Chair of Peter. We prayed, we laughed, we wept, we worshipped, we listened to his words and we witnessed his care. In all that we encountered the One whom he serves, the Lord Jesus Christ, Risen from the dead and continuing his redemptive mission through His Church.

Now, our work must begin.


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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

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