CARDINAL MARC ARMAND OUELLET (pictured on left) is from La Motte, Quebec in Canada. He is one of the leading Cardinals considered for the Pontificate. There have been numerous Popes from Europe, Asia and three from Africa but none from the North American Continent. He speaks many languages and has lived in South America, for ten years, where the majority of Catholics reside. Ouellet was born on June 8, 1944 to a family of eight children. He was ordained in 1968 and became a secular priest. In 1970 he went to Colombia, South America and taught in a seminary for ten years. He received a Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, in Rome, Italy. He was consecrated as Cardinal in October, 2003 by Pope John Paul II. His Cardinal motto is Ut Unum Sint, Latin for, "May they all be one".
He is pictured here with the Blessed Sacrament on procession during the Eucharistic Congress in Quebec in 2008:
BIBLIOGRAPHY FROM CCCB:
Cardinal Ouellet is the twenty-fourth bishop, fourteenth archbishop and seventh cardinal of Québec.
He is pictured here with the Blessed Sacrament on procession during the Eucharistic Congress in Quebec in 2008:
BIBLIOGRAPHY FROM CCCB:
He attended the Teacher Training College of Amos where he completed his college and two years of philosophy and obtained a Baccalaureate in Education. He obtained a Licence in Theology from the University de Montréal at the end of his theological studies at the Grand Séminaire de Montréal (1964-1968). He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Amos in his home parish on May 25, 1968, and was appointed curate at Saint-Sauveur Parish in Val d’Or, from 1968 to 1970. He was sent to teach philosophy at the Major Seminary of Bogota, Columbia, then run by the Sulpicians and he decided to join the Society of Saint-Sulpice in 1972. Cardinal Ouellet continued his studies in Rome where, in 1976, he obtained a Licence in Philosophy at St. Thomas Aquinas Pontifical University. He was assigned as a faculty member and professor at the Major Seminary of Manizales in Columbia in 1974 until he was recalled to Canada to assume the same functions at the Grand Séminaire de Montréal.
In 1978, Cardinal Ouellet returned to Rome for further studies and obtained a Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology from the Gregorian University in 1983. He was then assigned as a faculty member and professor at the Major Seminary of Cali, Columbia, and was named rector of that Major Seminary from 1984 to 1989. He became rector of the Grand Séminaire de Montréal in 1990 and of St. Joseph’s Seminary in Edmonton in 1994. From 1996 to 2002, Cardinal Ouellet was titular of the Chair of Dogmatic Theology at John Paul II Institute for studies on marriage and family at the Lateran Pontifical University.
He was named titular bishop of Agropoli and appointed Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity on March 3, 2001. Pope John Paul II ordained him a bishop on March 19 in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Cardinal Ouellet is a member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Congregation for the Clergy, of the XIth Ordinary General Assembly of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, of the Pontifical Academy of Theology, of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses, of the pontifical Council of Cardinals for the Study of the Organization and Economic Problems of the Holy See, and a counsellor for the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
Cardinal Ouellet was appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Québec on November 15, 2002, and took possession of his See on January 26, 2003. His elevation to the Sacred College of Cardinals was announced on September 28, 2003. He participated in the Conclave that led to the election of Pope Benedict XVI in April 2005.
In 1978, Cardinal Ouellet returned to Rome for further studies and obtained a Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology from the Gregorian University in 1983. He was then assigned as a faculty member and professor at the Major Seminary of Cali, Columbia, and was named rector of that Major Seminary from 1984 to 1989. He became rector of the Grand Séminaire de Montréal in 1990 and of St. Joseph’s Seminary in Edmonton in 1994. From 1996 to 2002, Cardinal Ouellet was titular of the Chair of Dogmatic Theology at John Paul II Institute for studies on marriage and family at the Lateran Pontifical University.
He was named titular bishop of Agropoli and appointed Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity on March 3, 2001. Pope John Paul II ordained him a bishop on March 19 in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Cardinal Ouellet is a member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Congregation for the Clergy, of the XIth Ordinary General Assembly of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, of the Pontifical Academy of Theology, of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses, of the pontifical Council of Cardinals for the Study of the Organization and Economic Problems of the Holy See, and a counsellor for the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
Cardinal Ouellet was appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Québec on November 15, 2002, and took possession of his See on January 26, 2003. His elevation to the Sacred College of Cardinals was announced on September 28, 2003. He participated in the Conclave that led to the election of Pope Benedict XVI in April 2005.
FROM WIKIPEDIA - RECENT APPOINTMENTS
He is the present prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI on 30 June 2010. He succeeded Giovanni Battista Re, who had reached the age limit.[5]
He is also a member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, the Congregation for Catholic Education, the Congregation for the Clergy, the Pontifical Council for Culture, the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the FaithThese memberships are for five years and are renewable. Being resident in Rome, he is invited to attend not only the plenary meetings of those departments, which in principle are held every year, but also the ordinary meetings. He takes part in the (generally annual) meetings of these bodies, held in Rome. He is also a member of the Council of Cardinals for the Study of Organizational and Economic Affairs of the Holy See. On 5 January 2011 he was appointed among the first members of the newly created Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation. On 29 January 2011, Cardinal Ouellet was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as a member of Secretariat of State(second section) On 6 April 2011, Cardinal Ouellet was named a member of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts by Pope Benedict. On 7 March 2012 he was appointed a member of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches.
Cardinal Ouellet is the twenty-fourth bishop, fourteenth archbishop and seventh cardinal of Québec.
NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH - MIRACULOUS PRAYER
NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH
On March 19 it will be the feast of St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus.
On March 19 it will be the feast of St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus.
The Novena Prayer to St. Joseph begins today.
Say for nine consecutive mornings for anything you may desire. It has seldom been known to fail.
*Oh St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so
*Oh St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so
strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I
place in you all my interests and desires.
Oh St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful
intercession and obtain for me from your
Divine Son all spiritual blessings through
Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged
here below your Heavenly power I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage to the Loving of
Fathers.
Oh St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you
and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not
approach while He reposes near your heart.
Press Him in my name and kiss His fine Head
for me, and ask Him to return the kiss when I
draw my dying breath.
St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray
for us. Amen
place in you all my interests and desires.
Oh St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful
intercession and obtain for me from your
Divine Son all spiritual blessings through
Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged
here below your Heavenly power I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage to the Loving of
Fathers.
Oh St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you
and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not
approach while He reposes near your heart.
Press Him in my name and kiss His fine Head
for me, and ask Him to return the kiss when I
draw my dying breath.
St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray
for us. Amen
WE NEED YOUR HELP DONATE NOW VIA PAYPAL
AUSTRALIA : ALL SAINTS OF AFRICA CENTRE - OPENS WITH BISHOP FISHER
DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA RELEASE
The All Saints of Africa Centre will provide holistic programs and services within an atmosphere of pastoral care, to strengthen and enhance the capacity of the African community (especially the youth) within Western Sydney by strengthening families and their personal wellbeing in order to participate, integrate and thrive within the Australian community.
 |
| Photography: Alphonsus Fok & Grace Lu |
An Opening & Blessing Ceremony for CatholicCare Social Services - Diocese of Parramatta’s All Saints of Africa Centre at St Patrick’s Blacktown Parish was held on Sunday 3 March.
Listen to Bishop Anthony’s Homily
Download an audio file of this Homily| Photography: Alphonsus Fok & Grace Lu |
The Bishop of Parramatta, Most Rev Anthony Fisher OP, opened and blessed the All Saints of Africa Centre at St Patrick’s Blacktown Parish on Sunday 3 March.
The Centre will provide pastoral, welfare and educational services for people of African background, and allow African-Australians to help each other.
In his Homily, Bishop Anthony said the inspiration for the Centre was the needs expressed by African migrants and refugees and those who work closely with them.
“Here we hope to strengthen families, and young people especially, in their sense of identity, spirituality and personal wellbeing so they can fully participate in the Australian Church and community,” Bishop Anthony said.
STRENGTHENING FAMILIES AND PERSONAL WELLBEING
 |
| Photo: Alphonsus Fok & Grace Lu |
The All Saints of Africa Centre will provide holistic programs and services within an atmosphere of pastoral care, to strengthen and enhance the capacity of the African community (especially the youth) within Western Sydney by strengthening families and their personal wellbeing in order to participate, integrate and thrive within the Australian community.
The Centre plans to offer a range of services including:
- A gathering place for community events including pastoral and liturgical events.
- One parenting group per school term co-facilitated by CatholicCare staff.
- Opportunities for collaboration with other Blacktown-based support services seeking to provide “as needed” services to the African community, e.g. facilitation of a playgroup, a youth group, a domestic violence support group, a support group around settlement issues, a financial management group, a support group for families affected by drug and alcohol, etc. These groups may be held after hours.
- Home visiting and Centre-based family support /case management.
- “Drop-in” service to provide one-off support for referral, assistance with forms.
- Development of youth services and groups that may include a Youth Leadership Program, a Youth Peer Support Program, recreational activities and homework centre.
- Development of a volunteer program which may include English conversation classes, adult education, computer skills, CV writing and employment programs.
- Community festivities across the year, e.g. Migrant and Refugee Sunday, Refugee Week, International Women’s Day.
CUBA : LADIES IN WHITE - SYMBOLIZE PEACE - COMMENDED BY CSW
IND. CATH. NEWS REPORT
|
ASIA : INDIA : CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY ATTACKED IN PRAYER - 8 INJURED
ASIA NEWS REPORT
by Nirmala Carvalho
Eight people seriously injured. The Pentecostal Christians were holding a night vigil of prayer, when at least 30 Hindu nationalists attacked accusing them of forced conversions. It is the sixth attack in Karnataka since the beginning of 2013.
Mumbai (AsiaNews) - Dozens of Hindu fundamentalists have violently attacked a Pentecostal community of Karnataka as they prepared for a night vigil of prayer. Eight people, including a pastor, were injured and hospitalized. Thanks to the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), the police arrived on the spot quickly and arrested 16 attackers.
The incident occurred in the village of Moodubelle, near Udupi. Thirty activists from the Hindu nationalist movement Rashtriya Sawayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bajrang Dal raided the house of Rev. Robert Lobo, pastor of World of Victory Ministries, where the vigil was being held. The fundamentalists accused them of practicing of forced conversions and beat the faithful present. Another pastor, Fr. Ramesh Poojari, suffered serious head injuries and was taken to Manipal Hospital in Udupi. Another seven people, five men - Ramesh, Prem, Suraj, Shantharam and Janardhan - and two women - Sujatha and Shakisala - have been admitted to the Ajarakadu State hospital.
GCIC contacted the police in Shirva who have assured justice to the Christian community. "This - Sajan George, president of the GCIC tells AsiaNews - is the sixth anti-Christian attack in Karnataka since the beginning of 2013 and does not bode well for freedom of worship in India. Hostility and religious intolerance continue to grow and are a cause of serious concern for the vulnerable Christian minority. These believers had gathered for a night vigil, an absolutely legal act. Freedom of religion is a constitutional right, but these extremists have political protection in Karnataka's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP, ultra-nationalist Hindu party) and are encouraged to persecute the Christian community, particularly the Pentecostals. "
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS IT
by Nirmala Carvalho
Eight people seriously injured. The Pentecostal Christians were holding a night vigil of prayer, when at least 30 Hindu nationalists attacked accusing them of forced conversions. It is the sixth attack in Karnataka since the beginning of 2013.
_0309_-_the_6th_anti_Christian_incident_in_Karnataka.jpg)
Mumbai (AsiaNews) - Dozens of Hindu fundamentalists have violently attacked a Pentecostal community of Karnataka as they prepared for a night vigil of prayer. Eight people, including a pastor, were injured and hospitalized. Thanks to the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), the police arrived on the spot quickly and arrested 16 attackers.
The incident occurred in the village of Moodubelle, near Udupi. Thirty activists from the Hindu nationalist movement Rashtriya Sawayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bajrang Dal raided the house of Rev. Robert Lobo, pastor of World of Victory Ministries, where the vigil was being held. The fundamentalists accused them of practicing of forced conversions and beat the faithful present. Another pastor, Fr. Ramesh Poojari, suffered serious head injuries and was taken to Manipal Hospital in Udupi. Another seven people, five men - Ramesh, Prem, Suraj, Shantharam and Janardhan - and two women - Sujatha and Shakisala - have been admitted to the Ajarakadu State hospital.
GCIC contacted the police in Shirva who have assured justice to the Christian community. "This - Sajan George, president of the GCIC tells AsiaNews - is the sixth anti-Christian attack in Karnataka since the beginning of 2013 and does not bode well for freedom of worship in India. Hostility and religious intolerance continue to grow and are a cause of serious concern for the vulnerable Christian minority. These believers had gathered for a night vigil, an absolutely legal act. Freedom of religion is a constitutional right, but these extremists have political protection in Karnataka's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP, ultra-nationalist Hindu party) and are encouraged to persecute the Christian community, particularly the Pentecostals. "
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS IT
SUNDAY MASS ONLINE : MARCH 10, 2013 - 4TH OF LENT - LAETARE
| Joshua 5: 9, 10 - 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | And the LORD said to Joshua, "This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." And so the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | While the people of Israel were encamped in Gilgal they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at evening in the plains of Jericho. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | And on the morrow after the passover, on that very day, they ate of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | And the manna ceased on the morrow, when they ate of the produce of the land; and the people of Israel had manna no more, but ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mar 10, 2013 - 4th Sun of Lent
TODAY'S SAINT : MARCH 10 : 40 MARTYRS OF SEBASTE
Forty Martyrs of Sebaste
MARTYRS
Feast: March 10
 Information:
|
A party of soldiers who suffered a cruel death for their faith, near Sebaste, in Lesser Armenia, victims of the persecutions of Licinius, who, after the year 316, persecuted the Christians of the East. The earliest account of their martyrdom is given by St. Basil, Bishop of Caesarea (370-379), in a homily delivered on the feast of the Forty Martyrs (Hom. xix in P.G., XXXI, 507 sqq.). The feast is consequently more ancient than the episcopate of Basil, whose eulogy on them was pronounced only fifty or sixty years after martyrdom, which is thus historic beyond a doubt. According to St. Basil, forty soldiers who had openly confessed themselves Christians were condemned by the prefect to be exposed naked upon a frozen pond near Sebaste on a bitterly cold night, that they might freeze to death. Among the confessors, one yielded and, leaving his companions, sought the warm baths near the lake which had been prepared for any who might prove inconstant. One of the guards set to keep watch over the martyrs beheld at this moment a supernatural brilliancy overshadowing them and at once proclaimed himself a Christian, threw off his garments, and placed himself beside the thirty-nine soldiers of Christ. Thus the number of forty remained complete. At daybreak, the stiffened bodies of the confessors, which still showed signs of life, were burned and the ashes cast into a river. The Christians, however, collected the precious remains, and the relics were distributed throughout many cities; in this way the veneration paid to the Forty Martyrs became widespread, and numerous churches were erected in their honour.
One of them was built at Caesarea, in Cappadocia, and it was in this church that St. Basil publicly delivered his homily. St. Gregory of Nyssa was a special client of these holy martyrs. Two discourses in praise of them, preached by him in the church dedicated to them, are still preserved (P. G., XLVI, 749 sqq., 773 sqq.) and upon the death of his parents, he laid them to rest beside the relics of the confessors. St. Ephraem, the Syrian, has also eulogized the forty Martyrs (Hymni in SS. 40 martyres). Sozomen, who was an eye-witness, has left us (Hist. Eccl., IX, 2) an interesting account of the finding of the relics in Constantinople through the instrumentality of the Empress Pulcheria. Special devotion to the forty martyrs of Sebaste was introduced at an early date into the West. St. Gaudentius, Bishop of Brescia in the beginning of the fifth century (d. about 410 or 427), received particles of the ashes of martyrs during a voyage in the East, and placed them with other relics in the altar of the basilica which he had erected, at the consecration of which he delivered a discourse, still extant (P. L., XX, 959 sqq.) Near the Church of Santa Maria Antiqua, in the Roman Forum, built in the fifth century, a chapel was found, built, like the church itself, on an ancient site, and consecrated to the Forty Martyrs. A picture, still preserved there, dating from the sixth or seventh century, depicts the scene of the martyrdom. The names of the confessors, as we find them also in later sources, were formerly inscribed on this fresco. Acts of these martyrs, written subsequently, in Greek, Syriac and Latin, are yet extant, also a "Testament" of the Forty Martyrs. Their feast is celebrated in the Greek, as well as in the Latin Church, on 9 March.
(Taken from Catholic Encyclopedia) |
SOURCE: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/F/fourtymartyrsofsebaste.asp#ixzz1oiLPBuys
NOVENA FOR THE CONCLAVE ELECTION OF POPE
Heavenly Father, we pray in union with the whole Church for the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Cardinals. May the Cardinals of the Church listen attentively to Your Holy Spirit during the conclave.
Almighty God, we pray that the conclave brings us a Pope who pleases You by guiding Your Church to grow in faithfulness to You. We pray together with the intercession of our Mother Mary and all the Saints. Please Lord, protect and guide your Church during this time of interim. (IMAGE SOURCE : GOOGLE )
Amen.
1 Our Father
1 Hail Mary
1 Glory Be
Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.
PRAY FOR 9 DAYS
NOVENA FOR THE CONCLAVE ELECTION OF POPE
Almighty God, we pray that the conclave brings us a Pope who pleases You by guiding Your Church to grow in faithfulness to You. We pray together with the intercession of our Mother Mary and all the Saints. Please Lord, protect and guide your Church during this time of interim. (IMAGE SOURCE : GOOGLE )
Amen.
1 Our Father
1 Hail Mary
1 Glory Be
1 Hail Mary
1 Glory Be
Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.
PRAY FOR 9 DAYS
LATEST FROM VATICAN - CONCLAVE TIMETABLE - CHIMNEY INSTALLED TO SIGNAL NEW POPE
 Vatican City, 9 March 2013 (VIS) – “The first order of business of the eighth General Congregation, which met yesterday evening and in which 145 cardinals participated, was to vote on the date to begin the Conclave. Cardinal Dean Angelo Sodano, expressing the wishes of all and after having consulted with the Cardinal Carmelengo Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B., regarding the preparations at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, proposed the date of Tuesday, 12 March. The overwhelming majority immediately voted in agreement,” reported Fr. Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office. “There was no difference of opinion between the cardinals and the percentage of votes in favour of to those against was around 10 to one. Moreover,” Fr. Lombardi added, “the full complement of Cardinal electors was already reached and it was no longer considered necessary to wait further, as they already had time to reflect on their decision.” Vatican Radio RELEASE - During the course of the briefing for journalists on Saturday in the Press Office of the Holy See, Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, outlined a timetable for the ceremonies and proceedings on the first days of the upcoming Conclave. The times given below are tentative and approximate. (IMAGE SOURCE: GOOGLE) Tuesday, March 12th, 2013 (all times Rome local: GMT + 1)
16:30 – Procession from Pauline Chapel to Sistine Chapel 16:45 – Oath administered and Extra omnes! Proclaimed Followed by meditation by Card. Prosper Grech, OP Eventual 1st vote
19:30 – Cardinals return to Domus Sanctae Marthae Wednesday, March 13th, 2013 (all times Rome local: GMT + 1)
07:45 – Transfer from Domus S. Marthae to Sistine Chapel 08:15 – Mass 09:30 – Hora Media in Sistine Chapel Morning vote(s) (scrutiny(ies) taken
13:00 – Lunch 16:00 – Cardinals return to Sistine Chapel 16:50 – Scrutinies taken 19:15 – Vespers 19:30 – Cardinals return to Domus Sanctae Marthae Fifteen cardinals intervened during the course of the Congregation and two newly arrived cardinals were sworn in, neither of which is a Cardinal elector: Cardinal Miguel Obando Bravo, S.D.B., archbishop emeritus of Managua, Nicaragua, and Cardinal Gaudencio Borbon Rosales, archbishop emeritus of Manila, Philippines. During the ninth General Congregation that met this morning, the cardinals spoke about moving into the Domus Sanctae Marthae, which will be their residence for the duration of the Conclave. “It was agreed by majority that the move will take place on Tuesday morning, beginning from 7:00am, that is, the same day that the Conclave begins. A “Pro eligendo Romano Pontifice” Mass will be celebrated by the Cardinal Dean at 10:00am that morning in St. Peter's Square. Rooms were also assigned, by lot.” “This morning 17 cardinals intervened, speaking on the same general themes that have been previously reported, including: expectations regarding the new Pope, activities of the Holy See and its Dicasteries, and improving the Curia. In total, there have been 133 interventions in the General Congregations and, keeping in mind those scheduled for Monday, that number will probably reach 150.” At the end of the press conference, the schedule for the sessions of the Conclave was presented. On Tuesday at 3:45pm, the cardinals will move from the Domus Sanctae Marthae to the Pauline Chapel in the Apostolic Palace. At 4:30pm, the cardinals will process from the Pauline Chapel to the Sistine Chapel and, after they have all taken the oath, the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations will give the order “Extra omnes” for all those not taking part in the Conclave to leave the Sistine Chapel. The cardinals will listen to a meditation given by Cardinal Grech, concerning the grave duty incumbent on them and thus on the need to act with right intention for the good of the Universal Church, after which they will proceed to the first vote. At 7:00pm they will pray Vespers and, at 7:30pm, will return to the Domus Sanctae Marthae. Beginning on Wednesday, 13 March, the cardinals will move from the Domus Sanctae Marthae to the Pauline Chapel at 7:45am where, at 8:15am, they will celebrate Mass. At 9:30am they will enter the Sistine Chapel, pray the Liturgy of the Hours, and proceed to the voting process. Around 12:00pm they will return to the Domus Sanctae Marthae and, after lunch there, will go back to the Sistine Chapel at 4:00pm where they will pray briefly and resume the voting procedure until 7:00pm. This coming Monday, 11 March, all the auxiliary personnel needed to ensure the smooth operations of the Conclave will take the oath of secrecy and those images will be broadcast by Vatican Television. Since there are two votes each morning and afternoon, Fr. Lombardi stated that the 'fumata' (smoke signalling the election or non-election of a pontiff) that is produced from the burning of the ballots from those two voting processes could be expected around 12:00pm, in the case of the morning, or 7:00pm, in the case of the evening, unless the first of the two votes produces an election. In such an instance, the “fumata” would obviously take place earlier. The Director of the Holy See Press Office also recalled the procedure in the case that a pontiff is not elected in the first four days of voting. In such an instance the cardinals will take a pause on the fifth day in order to pray, speak freely among themselves, and listen to a brief exhortation given by the senior cardinal in the Order of Deacons. The scrutinies will proceed in a similar fashion—two days of voting with every third day taken to pause for prayer—until the 34th vote on the afternoon of the eleventh day. In such an event, No. 75 of the Apostolic Constitution "Universi Dominici Gregis" modified by Benedict XVI's recent "Motu Proprio" would apply, which states: “If the balloting mentioned in Nos. 72, 73, and 74 of the aforementioned Constitution does not result in an election, one day shall be dedicated to prayer, reflection and dialogue; in the successive balloting, observing the order established in No. 74 of the same Constitution, only the two names which received the greatest number of votes in the previous scrutiny, will have passive voice. There can be no waiving of the requirement that, in these ballots too, for a valid election to take place there must be a clear majority of at least two thirds of the votes of the Cardinals present and voting. In these ballots the two names having passive voice do not have active voice.” That is, the two candidates with the greatest number of votes will be voted for and cannot themselves cast a vote. Fr. Lombardi reported that the commission that, under the direction of the Camerlengo, is responsible for sealing the entrances to the areas of the Conclave and carrying out the other operations necessary for the safeguarding of the Conclave was established. It is led by the Cardinal Camerlengo and among its members are the Substitute of the Secretariat of State, the Commandant of the Swiss Guards, members of the Gendarmerie, and notaries. Finally he reported that the Pope's Fisherman's Ring—which exists in two forms, the ring itself and as a stamp used to seal documents—as well as two stamps—a larger and a smaller one—and the master lead seal of the pontificate were all destroyed, the images scratched out in the form of a cross to render them useless. The next Pope's ring will bear the same image of Peter casting his net but, naturally, will have the new pontiff's name inscribed above the image. It was also communicated that tomorrow, Sunday, 10 March, various cardinals will celebrate Mass at their titular churches, inviting the faithful to pray for the Church and for the election of the new pontiff. |
 (Vatican Radio IMAGE SHARE) CHIMNEY INSTALLED ON ROOF OF SISTINE CHAPEL TODAYVatican City, 9 March 2013 (VIS) – The chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, which will emit the smoke to indicating the election (white smoke) or non-election (black smoke) of a pope, was installed this morning, three days before the Conclave is scheduled to begin. That, however, is not the only change taking place in the chapel. Vatican Television is recording the preparations and those images are then distributed to all media outlets that request it for broadcasting around the world. Work began on Tuesday, 5 March, at 1:00pm when restorers, electricians, mechanics, carpenters, seamstresses, assemblers, electronic technicians and other labourers from various areas of competence suddenly replaced the hundreds of tourists who visit the Sistine Chapel every day. “The Chapel is closed to the public. We are preparing for the Conclave,” employees respond to the questions asked by perplexed visitors who are trying to finish their tour of the Vatican Museums with a glimpse of Michelangelo's “Creation of Adam”. Journalists are already in the know. The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., has been holding daily press conferences, giving a general overview of the proceedings of the General Congregations and explaining the images of the preparations that are being carried out around Vatican City. From within the Sistine Chapel we see scaffolding around the stoves that will burn the ballots to erect the stove pipe that releases the smoke from the roof of the chapel, shorter tubing for the scaffolding that will elevate the floor and create a uniform area to work on, lengths of cloth and the seamstresses sowing them together to create table covers... On Wednesday, 6 March, for example, Vatican Television provided raw video of workers installing a large platform for the chimney and flooring sheets over the original mosaic pavement, both to protect the mosaics and to make it easier to build the elevated floor above it, which will provide the cardinals with an even expanse to walk and work upon. Around the altar, 115 cherry wood chairs have been put in place, each engraved with the name of the cardinal who will occupy it, with 12 wooden tables covered in beige and bordeaux fabric where the cardinals will prepare their ballots. They will cast their votes in front of Michelangelo's fresco of “The Last Judgment” on the wall of the altar. After the chimney is installed it will be submitted to a series of tests using chemicals to emit a yellow smoke so as not to confuse the increased number of passers-by in St. Peter's Square. The chimney is just the last piece of the mechanism that will produce the smoke. The two iron stoves it is attached to were installed yesterday. The first stove, cast in 1938, has the dates of the five Conclaves it has been used in etched upon it—from the one electing Pius XII in 1939 until the latest, in 2005, when Cardinal Ratzinger became Benedict XVI. This older oven is used to burn the balloting papers. The modern one, equipped with an electronic device, will add the chemicals to produce the black or white smoke indicating the result of the voting until the election occurs. There are two voting sessions planned for each morning and each afternoon that the Conclave continues. At the moment, the chimney is at the centre of the media's curiosity. Next Tuesday afternoon it will hold the attention of millions around the world. Besides the Cardinal electors, the only others who will be present in the Sistine Chapel are the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations and Cardinal Prospero Grech, O.S.A., who will preach the second meditation provided for in No. 13 of the Apostolic Constitution “Universi Dominici Gregis” to the Cardinal electors. |
