Nonnie's Observations

The Canonization of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II As a Catholic and, having seen Pope John Paul II in person  in Chicago in October of 1979,  I was excited to experience  the canonization of him and Pope John XXIII,  albeit via TV. My 19 year-old daughter,  a close teacher friend from St. Lawrence Elementary School  and I rode the train to Chicago  to be part of the sea of people congregated in Grant Park.  Pope John Paul II greeted  the worshipers in several different languages.  There upon he celebrated the Mass  with more than 350 bishops from North America.   I think that I surely was not the only person there  who felt the sensation of goose bumps developing on one’s skin.  I felt the same phenomenon  when Pope Francis declared the canonization  of these two beloved popes. Pope Francis greeting Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI one of three petitions for the canonization of Popes John XXIII and John Pa...

Both these images were taken last year on the Feast of Corpus Christi. To see what Pope Francis had to say at his Mass celebration today, click here . hymn: "O Saving Host" or "O Salutaris Hostia" O saving Victim, opening wide, The gate of heaven to man below! Our foes press on from every side; Thine aid supply, thy strength bestow. To Thy great name by endless praise, Immortal Godhead, one in Three; Oh, grant us endless length of days, In our true native land with Thee. Amen

When I received the May issue of Magnificat, I was pleasantly surprised to see a prayer card with Pope Francis on the front and a prayer on the back side was included. May God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit assist Pope Francis in his guidance of the Church.

The Papal Coat of Arms  for Pope Francis  is explained here and here .   The future pope's arrival in Vatican City. the empty balcony inside the conclave two of Rome's policemen      Cardinals pay before voting. Noll Hall was decorated with the Papal flag and the colors of the flag. Fitting decorations since Father Keene's talk was about the signal of white smoke announcing to the world "Habemus Papum!"- "We have a Pope!" our marvelous speaker- Father Keene Father teased about the "holy smoke." The St. Mary Women's Association who not only planned the breakfast, but provided the food and decorated the hall. The posters with attached newspaper articles were provided by Father Keene.