Thursday, March 28, 2013

Pope washes feet of young Muslim woman prisoner in unprecedented twist on Maundy Thursday

Pope Francis continued his gleeful abandonment of tradition by washing the feet of a young Muslim woman prisoner in an unprecedented twist on the Holy Thursday tradition.

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Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 inmates aged 14 to 21, among them the two women, the second of whom was an Italian Catholic. Mr Greco said he hoped the ritual would be "a positive sign in their lives".

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Mass for the beginning of the Petrine ministry of the bishop of Rome

Click on the image of the Vatican Website to read the sermon of Pope Francis

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In the Gospel we heard that "Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took Mary as his wife" (Mt 1:24). These words already point to the mission which God entrusts to Joseph: he is to be the custos, the protector. The protector of whom?

Read the entire, brief sermon here at the Vatican website

Monday, March 18, 2013

Orthodox patriarch to Rome for pope's installation

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Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, headed Monday for the Vatican to attend Pope Francis' installation Mass — the first time a patriarch from the Istanbul-based church is attending a papal investiture since the two branches of Christianity split nearly 1,000 years ago

Audio-visual aids help in the board room

Monday, March 11, 2013

A week in Seoul

I just returned from a week in Seoul

Most of my time was tied up in pretty hard work

Still we managed to get out for a stroll now and then




















Here are some pictures


Friday, March 1, 2013

Help Wanted: Must Be Infallible

This article (reproduced here in its entirety) is from Foreign Policy 
I put it here for the sake of social promotion of the article.  
Please consider subscribing to  Foreign Policy when you get a chance  

Help Wanted: Must Be Infallible

A job description for the next pope.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | FEBRUARY 28, 2013

Position: Bishop of Rome (Pope)
Organization: Holy See
Posted: Feb. 11, 2013
Location: Vatican City, Vatican City
Salary: $0 (competitive benefits)
About the organization:Founded by Jesus Christ, the world's largest (and only legitimate) Christian Church has been bringing its flock the true word of God for 2,000 years. With 23 autonomous churches and nearly 3,000 dioceses, you're never far from one of our convenient locations. Located in the heart of Rome, with dozens of convenient dining options nearby, our headquarters is also the world's smallest sovereign nation.
Job profile: As the 266th pontiff and the successor to St. Peter, you'll be tasked with being God's emissary on Earth, supervising the church's nearly 1 million priests, nuns, and monks, as well as the Vatican's extensive real estate holdings in nearly every country in the world. While the position's temporal authority has been reduced in recent centuries, candidates must be comfortable in the halls of power and able to conduct discussions with world leaders. We're looking for someone adept at navigating a complex bureaucracy and -- in light of certain recent events -- experienced in damage control. Some public speaking required.
Candidate profile:
Requirements:
  • Catholicism
  • Celibacy (exceptions have been made in the past)
Experience:
  • Experience as cardinal or bishop strongly preferred but not required
  • Extensive knowledge of church doctrine and liturgy, as well as Latin and Italian (English a plus)
Personal attributes:
  • Self-starter
  • Infallible
Benefits:
While this position does not come with a salary, we will provide full living expenses, travel costs including use of the company car, and regalia including mitre, staff, ring, throne, and red Prada shoes. Summer residence provided at Castel Gandolfo. Full-time butler available, though not necessarily trustworthy.
Competitive retirement benefits include title of "Emeritus Pope" and strong possibility of sainthood.
Qualified candidates should send resume, cover letter, and references to the Papal Conclave, 00120 Viadel Pellegrino, Citta del Vaticano. You will be notified by white smoke if selected.
The Vatican is NOT an equal opportunity employer. Sorry, ladies.