Wednesday, Feb. 13, Ash Wednesday, also saw the Holy Father at a General Audience. During that time he explained to the faithful present his decision to resign from the Petrine office on Feb. 28, at 8:00 p.m. Rome time.
The Holy Father will have one more General Audience on Wed., Feb. 27. Next week he and the entire Vatican curia will be on Lenten Retreat. It is expected that most of the Cardinals will be present for his final General Audience.
Wednesday evening at St. Peter’s Basilica the Pope presided at the Ash Wednesday services. They were transferred from the usual venue of a procession from San Anselmo to Santa Sabina because of the large numbers of people expected due to the announcement of the Pope’s resignation.
In his homily, he spoke of humility and unity.
This constitutued the last public liturgical act of Benedict XVI.
Today, the Thursday after Ash Wednesday, the Holy Father met with the priests of the Diocese of Rome. This is an annual event, but this year also was an occasion for the priests of his diocese to bid the Holy Father good-bye. By all reports it was a very emotional meeting, and the Holy Father was a given a standing ovation several times during the visit. The Cardinal Vicar of Rome spoke on behalf of all the priests in wishing the Holy Father well, and in assuring him of their love, prayers and thanks for his pontificate. The Holy Father also assured the priests that they would be constantly remembered in his prayers after he leaves the Throne of Peter.
Altogether a difficult time for everyone — a time of sadness, but also a time of joy and thanksgiving.
We shall wait to see what comes next.
The Concho Padre
THE CONCHO PADRE POST 