Things you may never see again...

In the category of things you may only see once, then never again, here are the pictures released of the meeting between Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.

Please notice the moment in the video when Pope Francis passed up the kneeler and chair in front to sit with Benedict.

Biblical Stations of the Cross 2013, Contemporary Music for Reflection

Please see the Stations of the Cross page for details on how these songs can be used to reflect on the Passion of Christ.

1. Eyes Open / Taylor Swift - Station 1
2. Too Close / Alex Clare - Station 2 & 3
   
3. Hidden Away / Josh Groban - Station 4 & 5
   
4. Titanium (David Guetta ft. Sia) / Madilyn Bailey - Station 6
   
5. Come Home / OneRepublic & Sara Bareilles - Station 7
   
6. Be Still / The Killers - Stations 8 & 9 
   
7. Lego House / Ed Sheeran - Station 10
   
8. Home / Phillip Phillips - Station 11
   
9. A Thousand Years / Christina Perri - Station 12
   
10. After the Storm / Mumford & Sons - Station 13
    
11. Fix You / Coldplay - Station 14
    
12. Back to the Place / David Walker
    
13. Your Love Is Like a River / Third Day
    
14. One / Damien Rice 

Habemus Papam!

Habemus Papam!  

What's in a name?  Well, let's recall the story of St. Francis with the following:

Not long after his return to Assisi, while St. Francis was praying before an ancient crucifix in the forsaken wayside chapel of St. Damian's below the town, he heard a voice saying: "Go, Francis, and repair my house, which as you see is falling into ruin."

As you take a moment to reflect on our new Holy Father's words below and the choice of the name Francis, I think pointing out His Holiness' emphasis on "camino" is crucial.  He used the word several times, translated below as road or journey.  We have a Pope that wants to accompany us and join us on the path of faith as well as lead from the front through holiness of life.  

English translation of Pope Francis' off-the-cuff launch-text:

Brothers and sisters, good evening!You know how the duty of the Conclave is to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother cardinals have gone to take him from the edge of the world... but here we are. 

I thank you for your welcome. The diocesan family of Rome has your bishop: thank you! And before anything else, I'd like for us to pray for our bishop-emeritus, Benedict XVI. Let us pray together for him, that the Lord bless him and Our Lady keep him in her care....

Our Father....

Hail Mary....

Glory Be....

And now, together, let us start this road: bishop and people. This [new] path of the church of Rome, which "presides in charity" [over] all the churches. A path of brotherhood, of love, of trust between us. Let us pray always for ourselves: one for the other. Let us pray for all the world, that we all might know a great fraternity. I wish you that this journey as Church, that we begin today and on which my Cardinal-Vicar [of Rome] will help me, might be fruitful for the evangelization of this beautiful city!

And now I'll give you my blessing... but first – first, I ask you this favor: before the bishop blesses his people, I ask that you pray to the Lord that he might bless me: the prayer of the people, seeking God's blessing for their bishop. In silence, let's please make a prayer for me....

*Pope Bows to crowd*

Now I give my blessing to you and all the world – to all men and women of good will....

Brothers and sisters, I leave you, but only for now. Many thanks for your warm welcome. Please pray for me often!
I'll see you soon – tomorrow I want to go pray to Our Lady [Salus Populi Romani – her shrine at St Mary Major], because she's the one who cares for Rome.
Good night and sleep well!

Habemus Papam party at Rivier University.

Surfacing Soon

Soon and very soon, I am going to put forth a new collection of songs called "Surfacing." As proof, here is a first take on a song called Lazarus.  The lyrics are included below.  I hope it is a fitting reflection on Lent including the passage from death to life and the promise of the Resurrection that we have through our baptism.  In scripture: John 11.

Lazarus:

I left my body in an instant:

I floated above,

I felt great love,

In light I bathed,

Cleansed from the grave,

But unable to enter,

Into Heaven’s center,

I waded with many a soul,

Unable to reach their goal,

‘Til my name was spoken by a voice,

The weeping Lord’s choice:

“Come out!  Unbind him."