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St. Cecilia Congregation Welcomes
Pope Benedict XVI
On April 9th the recently occupied new wing of the Motherhouse was
enveloped in a peaceful and productive silence. Shortly after 9 am the
voice of Mother Rose Marie roused all the sisters through the new intercom
system, set up in the event of fire. Instead of evacuation instructions,
her voice could be heard exclaiming, “Sisters, there is smoke… white smoke
at the Vatican! Come to the Community Room to await our new pope!” Within
moments the room was filled with sisters, from 19 year old Sr. Leslee to
96 year old Sr. Dominica. It was an historic moment that was relished and
celebrated. The announcement of Pope Benedict XVI evoked a joyous response
from the sisters who had gathered. The former Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger’s
works have been the subject of frequent reading and study within the
community, and his work as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of
the Faith has long been deeply valued.
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July 2004 - "Cardinal Ratzinger"
extends his blessing to the Congregation after a Mass at the German
College |
Mother and some of sisters who have studied in Rome have attended
Cardinal Ratzinger’s Thursday morning Mass at the German college. Mother
Rose Marie remarked that among the times she has spoken with him, this
humble shepherd encouraged her with the admonition that Dominicans must be
firmly rooted in truth. Indeed, it is a conviction we wholeheartedly
share.
Perhaps the greatest response was a personal one that came from our
chaplain, Father Rock. In his time in the Congregation for the Doctrine of
Faith from 1990-1995, Father worked closely with Cardinal Ratzinger on a
number of projects. Father has traveled with Cardinal Ratzinger and has
translated some of his talks and writings. He observed that the newly
elected Pontiff has a brilliant mind and is a holy man. “He combines
culture and intelligence with a profound humility and gentleness.”
“Moreover,” Father noted, “Cardinal Ratzinger was known for never
compromising on the truth.” God has given us a man for our time and the
Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia await the graces of his pontificate. On
April 2, 2005, millions of people all over the world lost a father. The
Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia shared in the loss, mourning the
passing of a pontiff who inspired the “John Paul II Generation”. In fact,
many of the sisters attribute their vocations to his example and
encouragement to “put out into the deep”. |
