Mid-Atlantic Congress Begins in Baltimore

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:50 pm By Lisa M. Hendey

After a day and a half of travel related adventures, I am happily ensconced at the Baltimore Hilton to attend and “live tweet” this year’s Mid-Atlantic Congress. If you’re unfamiliar with this event, you can learn more about it here, but this is an overview of the organizing principles: The Mid-Atlantic Congress (MAC) is organized around three essential themes, one for each of the three days. Thursday—Being Enthusiastic About Our Faith: Creating and sustaining passion about our faith, translating it into... Read more

Close Up Look at Conclave Ballot Urns

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:50 pm By Lisa M. Hendey

From the Vatican Youtube channel, this great look at the urns which will be used to gather the votes for the conclave. Patheos’ own Deacon Greg has some additional information on these urns. The three urns used for voting during the Conclave to elect the next Pope are ready: One for the votes, one for the ballots after they have been counted and one for cardinals impeded by illness from leaving their rooms in Santa Marta. The modern style urns... Read more

Of Snowstorms, Surgeons, and Snafus: Keeping Life in Perspective

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:50 pm By Lisa M. Hendey

Today did not go according to plan. If it had, I would be typing this from the airport in Los Angeles, awaiting my flight to the Mid Atlantic Congress in Baltimore. Instead, I am sitting in my home office trying not to seethe over the fact that my flight was cancelled due to a snowstorm. Sometimes God has a way of getting my attention and reminding me of what’s most important. He did that this morning: I was all packed... Read more

Cardinal Seán’s Cassock and His Amazing Tech/Media Crew

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:50 pm By Lisa M. Hendey

Every since I “virtually adopted” Cardinal Seán O’Malley of Boston last week, I have been praying for my adopted shepherd. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to at least one prayer that sounded something like this: “I know you have your hand on this Conclave, Lord. If it’s your will (and I hope it is!) that Cardinal Seán be called to serve as Pontiff, please bless his endeavors to lead others closer to you through his life and his... Read more

Sistine Chapel Closes to Prepare for the Conclave

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:50 pm By Lisa M. Hendey

Effective at 1:00 pm today (Rome time!), March 5th, the Sistine Chapel is closed to prepare for the Conclave to select the next Pope. The website of the Sistine Chapel lists the information on this closure with the following announcement: Closure of the Sistine Chapel – In order to accommodate the forthcoming Conclave, the Sistine Chapel will remain closed to the public from 1 pm on Tuesday 5 March until further notice. During the same period, the Borgia Apartment and... Read more

Fr. Lombardi’s Afternoon Press Briefing

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:50 pm By Lisa M. Hendey

From the Vatican Youtube account, a look at today’s press briefing with Fr. Lombardi, S.J., the head of the Vatican Press Office. I don’t know if it’s my imagination, or if I’m actually starting to understand a bit of Italian. We hear in the video that 33 Cardinals have given interventions, and some discussion of the motu proprio and the waiting period for the Conclave to begin. Also read during this briefing was a message sent from the gathered Cardinals to... Read more

American Cardinals Arriving at Afternoon Session — On Watching from Home

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:50 pm By Lisa M. Hendey

Words cannot express how much I wish my physical body were in Rome this month — although I’m far from a real “journalist”, since attending the Vatican Bloggers Meeting a few years ago, I have felt such a close connection to the Vatican and our Pope Emeritus. That’s probably why I simply can’t get enough of watching the news surrounding the upcoming conclave. Next time I get to confession (which needs to be soon), I’ll need to confess the serious... Read more

Cardinal George: Next Pope Must Have “Zero Tolerance” Policy for Clergy Abusers

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:50 pm By Lisa M. Hendey

In this video from Catholic News Service, we hear firsthand Chicago’s Cardinal George discussing the tough policy needed in the next pontificate to deal with Clergy sexual abuse issues: Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago told reporters at a press conference in Rome March 4, 2013 that the next pope will have to enforce a no-tolerance policy for clergy sex abusers. Given the horrific circumstances unfolding in the case of Scotland’s Cardinal Keith O’Brien, we recognize the grave necessity for... Read more

Papal Vestments Ready – Fascination with Pope’s Attire

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:50 pm By Lisa M. Hendey

It’s been remarkable to me over the past few weeks the things that draw folks’ attention to this historic moment in our Church’s history. Some find a fascination with the Swiss Guard, with Conclave politics, with “fake Bishops” infiltrating the Vatican, and — notably — with Papal fashion. Case in point: this article from The Guardian proclaiming: Pope Benedict: his true legacy is his fashion sense. Seriously? But apparently, we Catholics want to know all about our Holy Father’s vestments... Read more

Cardinal Wilfrid Napier Calls Cardinals Closer Since Last Conclave

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:50 pm By Lisa M. Hendey

In another conversation with a Cardinal who will be selecting our next Pope, Catholic News Service interviews Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, Archbishop of Durban in South Africa, reflects on how the College of Cardinals is “closer” to one another than they were at the last Conclave. I love his reference to “googling” his fellow Cardinals! Cardinal Napier is one of our “wired” shepherds at the Conclave with his own blog and an active Twitter presence. I love that in following the... Read more