PASSING TO THE FATHER

 

Sad as it is to lose a powerful figure in our Church, we rejoice that POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XVI has gone to the Father.

His papacy was short, (almost eight years), and yet he contributed much to Church doctrine and will be considered one of the six most significant Catholic theologians of the 20th century, along with Karl Rahner, S.J., Yves Congar, O.P., Romano Guardini (one of my favorites), Henri de Lubac, S.J., and Hans Urs von Balthasar. His published works include over 60 books, several of which we use for lessons at Matins.

For me his greatest contribution is his great devotion to the Eucharist, placing the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist at the very heart of  our Catholic faith.  In “God Is Charity” he wrote: the Eucharist draws us into Jesus’ act of self-oblation…we enter into the very dynamic of His self-giving.

Of course as Benedictines we were thrilled when he chose the name of our founder. “The name ‘Benedict’ also calls to mind the extraordinary figure of the great ‘Patriarch of Western Monasticism. This co-patron of Europe was “a fundamental reference point for European unity and a powerful reminder of the indispensable Christian roots of his culture and civilization.”

Regarding new saints in the Church, Pope, Benedict canonized 45 new saints, including Damien de Veuster of Molokai (2008) and Kateri Tekakwitha (2012).  He added two doctors to the Church in 2012, my patroness, St. Hildegard of Bingen and the Spanish priest St. John Ávila.

He also had the unique distinction of starting the cause of canonization of his predecessor, John Paul II, presiding at his beatification in 2011. (St. John Paul II was canonized in 2014 by Pope Francis.)

 Some in the Church predict that Benedict will one day be declared a Doctor of the Church. 

“I don’t believe being pope is a proof of sanctity, nor is it sufficient grounds for canonization. But being Joseph Ratzinger is,” said  the founder and editor of Ignatius Press, Father Joseph Fessio, S.J..  His doctorate was directed by Professor Joseph Ratzinger at the University of Regensburg. “I don’t know anyone who has worked closely with him who does not recognize his holiness and his brilliance. In addition to hoping for santo subito, I look forward to his being declared a Doctor of the Church.”     

The American write and analyst, George Weigel said that Benedict was “one of the most creative Catholic theologians of modern times and arguably the greatest papal preacher since Pope St. Gregory the Great. In the more than 30 years I knew him and was in conversation with him, I found him to be a consummate Christian gentleman, a man of deep faith and sweet temper. It has been my privilege to have been taught by and to work with many brilliant men and women; no one I’ve ever met had a more lucid or orderly mind than Joseph Ratzinger. He believed that the truth of the Gospel was the truth of the world, and he bent every effort to help others understand that truth.”

This Holy Father dedicated his last years in a “self-giving” as he spent them  penance and prayer, a gift to the Church, which perhaps will never be fully appreciated- for its hiddeness.

Painting:  Jose Luis Castrillo- Spain