HABEMUS PAPAM!

WHAT a day! What an emotional roller coaster of a day! I am SO blessed and joyful to be Catholic!

Today's second round of votes in Rome time actually came over my lunch break. I had a live, streaming video of the chimney at the Sistine Chapel on the corner of my computer screen--you know, just in case. It was only the second day of the Conclave so I did not expect to see the white smoke today. I was, however, oddly entertained by the world's [now] most famous bird.

But then shortly after, as I was in the middle of work and lunch, I saw it. I saw the white smoke! I think my jaw slapped the floor and I was in some sort of time-is-standing-still disbelief. But it kept coming out white and my soul leaped with joy!! "HABEMUS PAPAM!" We have a pope!!

Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth;

break into song; sing praise.

Sing praise to the LORD with the lyre,

with the lyre and melodious song.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn

shout with joy to the King, the LORD.

Psalm 98:4-6

 

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

my spirit rejoices in God my savior

Luke 1:46-47

 

The bells tolled with exuberant joy! The growing crowd of well over 100,000 people was alive and I could feel their energy! All eyes turned from the billowing white smoke to the balcony where the new pope would be presented to us. We waited about an hour in anxious anticipation to see our next Holy Father, the next Peter, our next shepherd.

 

Pope Francis! Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina! A Latin American pope and the first ever from the western world! The first Francis pope! The first Jesuit pope! This is just too unreal.

He seemed to be off the radar from most sources I have been reading for the last month; so honestly, this was the first that I was hearing about him. And as he stepped onto that balcony and looked at the enormous, adoring crowd, he actually looked a bit like a deer in headlights. For a moment, his facial expression read, "What have I just gotten myself into?" I imagined him in the Room of Tears, dressing for his appearance, just in total shock. Yesterday he was just an Archbishop in Buenos Aires, ready to get back home. Today, he is the Vicar of Christ. The successor to St. Peter. The visible head of the Church, which is the bride of Christ. He is now the leader of an entire country, Vatican City. He is the shepherd to over 1.2 billion Catholics. He is an extremely humble man and now the whole world is looking to him. Deer in headlights look?--You betcha.

 

 

I have been extremely struck by the heavy media coverage of the papal resignation and Conclave. Why all of a sudden, does the liberal, secular media want to talk only about the Catholic Church? Sure, too many of their articles and news bits had that secular slant, continuing to negatively shape opinions on our beautiful Church and spreading lies. Perhaps it is the work of Satan, always looking to attack that which threatens him the most. What could possibly threaten him more than Christ's One, True Church? The one that Jesus Himself founded, and continually offers Himself in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, and promised to protect to the end of time? Of course the Evil One will do all he can to take Her down... but in a way, and which is usually the case, I think his plan backfired. All eyes, all around the entire world, were on the Vatican today. All ears were turned to the Catholic Church. Even if most people live their lives as if God didn't exist, and either ignore or forget about Him every single day, today they couldn't avoid it. The news was everywhere, and God's Hands were all over this. Many of them probably hardened their hearts and will go about their business tomorrow--but maybe some listened. Maybe some heard. Maybe some were captivated by the Church's ancient traditions, or by the pure joy from the crowd, or by this institution that seemed to be "not of this world." Maybe some started to realize why the Catholic Church has stood strong for 2,000 years, or that the visible, physical world is completely related to the invisible, spiritual world. (The visible sign of white smoke represented the Holy Spirit's guidance and the cardinals' cooperation with Him.)

The Catholic Church will never get its due recognition from the rest of the world--and that is okay, because Jesus told us that that would happen. There certainly will always be people who will never understand the beauty of our faith which knows no boundaries. But none of this ever discourages me. Nothing is more important to me in my life than my Catholic faith. Some days I feel like I could just burst with childlike joy just because I am Catholic. The Holy Spirit has lit my soul on fire and I am falling deeply in love with Him! The Church is getting stronger and signs of life are everywhere. 

And of course, she will continue to grow and strengthen evermore, with our new Supreme Pontiff, Pope Francis! God bless the pope!

 



First 7 Quick Takes Friday!

~ 1 ~

This is my first "7 Quick Takes Friday" as I am still relatively new to the blogging world. I have also spent quite a lot of time this week reading through Jennifer's blog, loving the conversion story from atheist to Catholic. I just love conversion stories! But I've also spent time this week trying to get the hang of the 7QTF :)

 

~ 2 ~

I am home sick from work today. I thought that my friends--water, sleep, and Airborne--were keeping my cold at bay, but boy was I wrong! After being lethargic all day at work on Thursday, I was even more frustrated that I wasn't sleepy at all last night. I went to bed around 8:30, but literally stared at the ceiling for almost 4 full hours, coughing, unable to breathe through my right nostril, and feeling the head cold travel to my ears. My dear, dear husband ran to the store at midnight to get me some nighttime cold medicine. What a saint! I slept soundly until 9:00 this morning. Lessons learned: don't be afraid to ask for help, and take it easy when you feel the cold coming on.

 

~ 3 ~

Big news today: the Cardinals have set a date for the Conclave!! Tuesday, March 12!! Ever since our dear Pope Emeritus announced his resignation back in February, I have had a certain Christmas song stuck in my head: "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth." You see, my birthday is on March 13 so I keep singing, "All I want for my birthday is a white puff of smoke"! Now that the Conclave date has been established, the day before my birthday, I know it might be a long shot, but a possibility nonetheless!

 

~ 4 ~

In Montana, it's a pretty big deal when you can have nice weather in March... and by nice weather, I mean mostly sunny, not windy, and with temperatures in the 40s. That's exactly what we will have today, tomorrow, and most of Sunday. I always seem to get sick when the weather is great! I will just live vicariously outdoors through a few of my warm-looking photos.

 

 

~ 5 ~

I read this story today about a 16-year-old girl named Cassidy. This beautiful soul was born without eyes and a nose. It made me think of a couple things. For one, yes unfortunately this girl would have been a probable candidate for an abortion, and I thank God that her life was spared. It just amazes me that a child is a candidate for the death penalty because he or she is not physically "perfect" as we think they should be. For two, I was really moved by the fact that she said (because she goes to a blind school), "Mom, everyone here is blind, so I'm normal." Is this not how we should look at our fellow brothers and sisters? Without our organ-eyes which can only see the body, the shell of a person, and instead use our soul-eyes to see the souls of others? To see the beauty, the worth, the Divine, and the dignity inside each person? Our organ-eyes have a lot to learn from our soul-eyes on how to look at the whole world.

 

~ 6 ~

I'm pretty excited to think that I might get a few views on by blog today! The only place that I share my blog is on my personal Facebook page, so the incoming traffic stays pretty small and consistent. This is my first big step in connecting with other bloggers! So "HELLO" to you all!

 

 ~ 7 ~

It took me about 2 hours to get this blog published. Not because I didn't have anything to say, but because my computer AND internet are running ridiculously slow today! Learning patience with technology can be very trying. What is even more trying is the humility you feel once you realize how insignificant our "first world problems" are.





Having coffee with Jesus

For Lent this year, one of the things I gave up happens to be one of my favorite things: coffee. Oh how I just love coffee! Nothing beats the smell of it… especially when you take the raw green beans, roast them, and then immediately grind and brew them to get, literally, a fresh cup of coffee. This is how coffee is made in the Evans household, and I treasure it deeply.

 

I’m not a huge coffee drinker in that I don’t drink 5, 6, 7+ cups of coffee a day. No, I typically just drink one or two cups a day. (I’m also sadly notorious for leaving just a few sips at the bottom of each cup, no matter how much or how little I have had…) But there’s just nothing like that sweet smell of hot coffee coming from the mug that you’re holding so thankfully in your hands.

 

And all the joys and pleasures that I get from a simple cup of coffee is what I gave up this year.

 

Just a month before Lent, I honestly thought that I wouldn’t be able to give up something that I loved so dearly and I tried to rationalize why I couldn’t give it up. But, as the Good Lord does, He was pursuing me to make real sacrifices this year. Sacrificing things I love, things I live with daily, and things that make the morning so worth waking up to.

 

And I think it is precisely for this reason: so that prayer and my relationship with Jesus becomes something that I so love, something that I live with daily, and something that makes the morning so worth waking up to.

 

We are about halfway through Lent now and it has been 22 days since I have had a cup of coffee. I miss it so much, but the hour has not yet come. For now, I will continue to wander through the desert with Jesus to finish out this Lenten season. My love for Him will keep growing, our relationship will get stronger, and He will keep teaching me along the way.

 

And then on that glorious, most holy Eastern morning, I will have my first cup of coffee since February 12, and in my heart, I will be sharing that coffee with Jesus. In my soul, we will be sitting together at a coffee shop, talking as friends do, speaking to the One I love, and sharing my deepest gratitude for His overcoming death, for His Passion which has made my salvation possible, for His Mercy that I rely on when I fall short and fall into sin, for His unconditional love which is His essence. And together on the third day we will celebrate His Resurrection, over a cup of coffee.

 

 

Why Adoration?

Why would we choose to go to Adoration? What makes it so special? Why is it any different than just praying at home, or even in an empty church or chapel?

 

 

Well that big, gold thing holds the answer.. literally. That “gold thing” is called a monstrance (from the Latin word “monstrare” which means “to show”). So, based on its name, this monstrance is showing something, but what? Well, in the middle of the monstrance is a glass circle, and visible through the little window is a consecrated host, the Eucharist--literally the flesh of Christ.

 

So when we go to Adoration, we literally are sitting in the presence of Christ’s true Flesh, His true Spirit sitting there, gazing upon us as we gaze upon Him. Truly seeing Him, and not just a picture or a statue. Christ is always around us in Spirit, but He is the Incarnation: He is the Word made Flesh. When we sit in Adoration, God isn’t just with us in Spirit, but He is with us in Body, too.

 

Sometimes it’s so hard to comprehend, because when you look at it, on the surface it just looks like a piece of bread. And it is. It does retain its physical properties of bread, but after it has been consecrated and inundated with the Holy Spirit, it becomes the flesh of Christ. Just like if you cut down an oak tree to make a table, it still retains its properties of being oak wood, but now it is a table. Or if you find a seashell and make it into a Christmas ornament (which I have done!), it is still a seashell, but now it has become an ornament. Same, too, for what we see is still bread, but thanks to the Holy Spirit, it is also the flesh of Christ.

 

And that’s really the only difference between Adoration and any other time for prayer, but it is a big difference. You literally get to sit in His spiritual and physical presence, to speak to Him and listen to Him.

 

It’s like talking on the phone with friends or family who are far away. Talking to them is great, but nothing beats actually being home and being in their presence. You might have the same conversations in person as you would on the phone, but it’s so much better to physically be around them. Or it’s sort of like having a long-distance relationship, rarely seeing your significant other, but always keeping in touch. But finally one day, always a great and much-anticipated day, he is in town and you get to go out on a date with your love. You get to see him, smell him, feel his love, energy, and spirit. And when you gaze upon him, and not just a still photograph or a blurry memory in your mind, you are reminded once again of how deep your love is, how blessed you are to know him, and how it feels to be loved by him.

 

 

And that is what Adoration is to us.

 

 

 

 

 

A few saints (and venerables) had exceptionally deep devotion to the Eucharist. Check out what a few of them had to say about it here. 

 

 

 

True Presence

One of the most difficult ideas to come to terms with in my renewed embrace of the Catholic faith (besides Confession) was the idea of the Eucharist. Growing up, we always had a rather light-hearted approach to the Eucharist: just the “bread and wine” or “juice and crackers.” I grew up in a church and community where there was no real reverence for the Eucharist. The priest just went through the motions during Mass. Everyone I knew received the Eucharist without Confession (I did not know that was a rule, even bound in Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:27 Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord.)—there was never a feeling of “being unworthy” to receive Him; it was just another part of the Mass. God forgive them, but I even saw my junior high/high school classmates take the host and put it in their pocket, or drink the entire chalice of wine.

 

Almost nothing truly instilled in me a sense of awe, wonderment, understanding, or love for the Eucharist, which is truly the holy body and blood of Christ Himself. It is not a mere symbol, but His true flesh and true blood.

 

Why do we believe this to be true? Well, it is clearly written in Scripture. Every Catholic should know where to find this: John 6, the Bread of Life Discourse. John chapter 6. It is a bit lengthy, so you can read the whole thing here. I have just included the key verses below:

Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” So Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” (31-33)
 

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. (35)
 

Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (47-51)
 

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us [his] flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” (52-58)
 

Then many of his disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you?  (60-61)
 

As a result of this, many [of] his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. (66)

 

Jesus said it Himself, and we certainly do not take Jesus to be a liar. Probably one of the most important things to know here is something that we do not see in English. The original word used for “eat” which I have underlined above, is the Greek word τρώγων (trogon) which literally means to “gnaw” or to “chew.” There’s really no mistaking “gnawing” or “chewing” for something symbolic. Whereas in English we could say something like “I ate up his words” meaning “I listened,” but we don’t say, “I gnawed up his words.” That just doesn’t make sense because gnawing implies something physical.

 

We can further prove from the passage that Jesus used strong and literal words for “eat” and “drink” referring to His own flesh and blood because the Jews that He was speaking to were offended and said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” By Jewish Law, this would be something very “unclean” to do, so it’s no wonder that they didn’t want to hear it. But instead of Jesus saying, “Wait, come back! You misunderstood me. I didn’t mean literally eat my flesh and drink my blood! I meant it symbolically, so that you can just ‘have’ Me, My words, My Spirit, in you, without any eating (gnawing).” Jesus didn’t say that and He did not retract His statement. He just knew that people would find it difficult, and “as a result of this, many [of] His disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied Him.”

 

So are we the disciples who think this is too hard and walk away from it? Or do we believe Jesus and follow the tradition of His Apostles? (If the Apostles and first Christians did not believe this saying to literally mean eating/gnawing/chewing His flesh and blood that give eternal life, they would not have even written it that way.) If you believe Jesus’ words, there is no need to do any “mental gymnastics” to try and justify His words in other, more complicated ways. As St. Augustine said, “If you believe what you like in the Gospels, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself.”

 

I’m being a little harsh, but I will be the first to attest that coming to believe this through my complicated, overly-rational, educated mind was not easy. It is very tempting to be like the unbelieving disciples and walk away, discounting Jesus’ words. But this is because we have made ourselves too complicated. We are indeed overly rational. We are not what we are commanded by Jesus to be: like a child. Jesus told us that we have to have childlike faith. If you tell a child something, he or she does not try to complicate it. They just accept that what you say is true. So, too, should we accept Jesus' words for what He says, because of all the people to ever walk this earth, Jesus is the one person that we should never question.

For me at least, it still took time to try and "unlearn" my mind to become more childlike. I work on it every day in every aspect of my faith, but I could not do it without the help of the Holy Spirit, Who is the only means that we can come to know Jesus. (1 Corinthians 12:3 And no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit). It is that same Spirit that is called upon by the priest to turn the simple bread and wine into the body and blood of our Lord: "Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall, so that they may become for us the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ."

A woman in the Bible was healed by simply touching the hem of His garment because of her faith. Imagine what kind of effects His body and blood can have on us if we believe with that kind of faith! Holy Communion is a Sacrament, so it is a visible sign of an invisible grace. We might just be able to move mountains with a deep yet simple understanding that what we receive is His flesh and blood, His Spirit, and to be open to His special graces. Don't walk away from Him because it is too hard to accept, but rather pray to understand better, accept it, love it, and be thankful for it!

 

I Conquered a Huge Fear

After years of claiming to be pro-life, praying for the unborn babies and moms, reading pro-life news, and even following the 40 Days for Life campaign through my computer, I finally found enough strength and courage to get in the game, instead of just cheering from the bench.

 

The first step came just over a week ago on Fat Tuesday. Our local 40 Days for Life coordinators held a kick-off rally at our local Planned Parenthood. I thought that seeing some faces, meeting my peers, and getting some information would make me less afraid to get involved in the pro-life scene. I wanted to see where I would be standing and praying for the next 40 days.

 

Our Planned Parenthood is visible from the main drag through town if you’re looking for it, but it appears mostly hidden. I drive past it on my way to and from work every day, but I’ll be honest, there have been many times that I never even noticed it and forgot that it was there. So when we got out there for the 40 Days for Life kick-off, it was my first real look at the front of the building—where the workers come and go, and where scared, pregnant women and their babies go. I got a very eerie feeling being out there. Even from the parking lot, the building is almost hard to see. Even this side of the building lies very hidden behind three huge pine trees. When I look at it, the trees seem like a mask, like this building has something to hide.

Screen capture from Google Street View

 

From what I could see through the front door (only from the sidewalk, of course), the inside looked more inviting. Warm colors on the walls and nice artwork. But still, something caught my eye in the front lobby that gave me that eerie feeling again. I saw a box of tissues sitting between the chairs. I can only imagine how many women have sat there and cried from fear or feeling like this is their only “choice.” Just like at any Planned Parenthood, if those walls could talk, it would be heartbreaking..

 

Being there that night made it all feel very real to me. Part of that experience made me feel more afraid, but I knew God was pursuing me to be His hands on earth. I told God that I didn’t really want to get in the game; the bench seemed much safer and more comfortable. But I also knew this was a test of faith. When you pray for a deeper faith, God doesn’t just give it to you; He gives you opportunities to be faithful. To rely on Him, offer it up, and let Him work through you, while you release your inhibitions and simply “follow Him.”

 

Friday of that same week, typically abortion day at our clinic, I did it. I took that huge leap of faith and conquered my fear. I went back there to pray in front of Planned Parenthood. My heart was beating hard and my stomach felt a little uneasy. I didn't know what to expect or really what to do. What really helped me was repeating a prayer that I came up with after the 40 Days for Life kick-off:

 

Take me. Make me. Mold me. Transform me into what You want.

Let Your grace flow through me.

 

Thanks be to God, when I first got there, I saw three of my friends standing there. He sure knows how to provide. We all prayed a Divine Mercy chaplet and then they left. Now it was just me, my husband, and Planned Parenthood. I felt a little awkward, unsure of what to do next, but the time actually flew by. Standing in silent prayer, feeling God's presence, feeling love and compassion for every person in that clinic and in clinics across the world, was food for my soul. I felt surrounded by the communion of saints after calling upon our Blessed Mother and St. Michael to protect those inside. I felt very nervous each time someone came in or out of the building, or each time a car drove by, but it got easier as the time went on.

 

An hour went by quickly and I felt spiritually refreshed. I have been back twice since then and I will go back many more times. I'm at the point now where I wonder what held me back for so long. Why was I so afraid? Yes, doing God's work can be scary and uncomfortable, but it's easier and even enjoyable when you pray for grace and allow it to work in you.

 

Now who is going to harm you if you are enthusiastic for what is good? But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you. Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.

 For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit.

1 Peter 3:13-18

 

 

Living in History: Pope Benedict XVI to resign

 

Pope Benedict XVI announced this morning, February 11, that he would renounce his position as the Bishop of Rome, effective February 28. His announcement both shocked and saddened me. I have only known two popes my whole life. Anyone who was born after 1978 also has only known two popes, and I dearly love them both. But his resignation was also a shock because the last pope to resign his position was with Pope Gregory XII in 1415--that's almost 600 years ago!

I deeply admire Pope Benedict's humility and grace to step down as Vicar of Christ. In a world and a culture that is so focused on success and "me-me-me," his choice must be difficult to understand. But he understands the difficult times that the Church is facing, where hostility and intolerance of Christianity is strong. He understands that the world is evolving and modernizing quicker than we can blink. He understands that the Church needs a strong mind and body to shepherd over one billion Catholics, and he has accepted that he can no longer fill such large shoes. (Read his full statement here.) God bless the Holy Papa for such humility and selfless wisdom! My admiration for him has only grown stronger.

His announcement shouldn't be a total surprise. In 2010, Pope Benedict told a German journalist that "if a pope clearly realizes that he is no longer physically, psychologically, and spiritually capable of handling the duties of office, then he has a right and, under some circumstances, also an obligation to resign." He is a man true to his word. Also in a world where hindsight is 20/20, the pope also dropped a very subtle hint that went under the radar. In April of 2009, the Holy Father visited the tomb of Pope St. Celestine V (1215-1296) in Aquila, Italy. After praying at the tomb, he left his pallium (the symbol of his papal authority, pictured left) on top of St. Celestine's tomb. St. Celestine was elected shortly before his 80th birthday (Pope Benedict was 78 when he was elected in 2005), and was one of those few popes who resigned from the pontificate.

In such a weird transition time, we must not stop praying for our Holy Father, but rather, increase our prayers for him and for his successor. We must pray for those cardinals who will go to conclave soon, for the complete guidance of and trust in the Holy Spirit, who has guided our Church for 2000 years.

"Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Jesus: "Do not let your hearts be troubled." John 14:1

 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

 

And of course we should not have any reason to be concerned about the future of the Church (the bride of Christ) and the successor to Peter, because Jesus said:
 

"And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven." Matthew 16:18-19

 
There's really no need to worry or go on speculating about who the next successor to the throne of Peter might be. It is not for us to decide who we think is "right" for the Church or "wrong" for the Church at this time. God, in His infinite wisdom, is the only One to know. Whatever will be, will be. God's will be done, and the Holy Spirit will guide His bishops to the right leader.

So for now, let's remain the pope's faithful flock, steeped in prayer, and strong in faith.

 

Additional reading about the Supreme Pontiff:


From the Catholic Church's Facebook page:

In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 16:18, Jesus says to Peter “and so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” Among Jesus’ twelve apostles, Peter is given a unique mission to preserve the purity and sanctity of the Holy Church, and lead his fellow brothers and sisters in the one true faith. In like manner, Jesus endowed the other apostles with the authority of bishops, with Peter as their head. In this way, they formed a “college”, or stable group dedicated to teaching, and defending the faith. Just as Peter and his fellow apostles together formed an apostolic college, so too does the pope, successor of Peter, and bishop of Rome, along with the other bishops, form an episcopal college, dedicated to instructing and preserving the faith. Since the Church was intended to endure through the ages, until the return of Jesus, succession was necessary in order for this to be fulfilled. In fact, there has been an unbroken succession of popes from Peter to Benedict XV1, the 265th successor.

Peter, along with succeeding Popes and bishops were and are given the authority to govern the Church, make doctrinal judgments, and implement definitive teachings regarding faith and morals. However, the Teaching office of the Church may be exercised by the Pope alone when he teaches officially, or by the whole “college” of bishops together with the Pope. It must be stated however, that the Pope is not infallible on all matters. The word “infallible” does not mean that the Pope is perfect. It also does not mean that the Pope knows everything. Instead, “infallibility” only applies when the Pope speaks about solemn, official teachings on faith and morals. This does not happen very often and usually is in response to a doctrine that has been called into question. This teaching is based on the promise Christ gave to His Church in John 16:13 that the Holy Spirit would “guide you to all truth.” However, on the occasion that the Church declares a particular matter as infallible, this means it is something believed to be revealed by Jesus Christ and is without the possibility of error. When a particular matter is declared infallible, Catholics are obliged to adhere in the spirit of obedience. In the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, the nature of infallibility is explained:

“Bishops who teach in communion with the Roman Pontiff are to be revered by all as witnesses of divine and Catholic truth; the faithful, for their part, are obliged to submit to their bishops’ decision, made in the name of Christ, in matters of faith and morals, and to adhere to it with a ready and respectful allegiance of mind.” (Lumen Gentium, 25)

The primacy of the Pope, and the recognition of the universal authority he has been given to instruct the faithful, sustains and safeguards the unity of the Church as the communicator of truth. It has been said that the Pope is the servant of the servants of God. That is to say, the Pope’s primary mission is one of service to the people of God, to uphold the oneness of Christ’s Church.

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

880 When Christ instituted the Twelve, "he constituted [them] in the form of a college or permanent assembly, at the head of which he placed Peter, chosen from among them." Just as "by the Lord's institution, St. Peter and the rest of the apostles constitute a single apostolic college, so in like fashion the Roman Pontiff, Peter's successor, and the bishops, the successors of the apostles, are related with and united to one another."

881 The Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the "rock" of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock. "The office of binding and loosing which was given to Peter was also assigned to the college of apostles united to its head." This pastoral office of Peter and the other apostles belongs to the Church's very foundation and is continued by the bishops under the primacy of the Pope.

 

882 The Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter's successor, "is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful." "For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered."

 

895 "The power which they exercise personally in the name of Christ, is proper, ordinary, and immediate, although its exercise is ultimately controlled by the supreme authority of the Church." But the bishops should not be thought of as vicars of the Pope. His ordinary and immediate authority over the whole Church does not annul, but on the contrary confirms and defends that of the bishops. Their authority must be exercised in communion with the whole Church under the guidance of the Pope.

 

869 The Church is apostolic. She is built on a lasting foundation: "the twelve apostles of the Lamb" (Rev 21:14). She is indestructible (cf. Mt 16:18). She is upheld infallibly in the truth: Christ governs her through Peter and the other apostles, who are present in their successors, the Pope and the college of bishops.

 

891 "The Roman Pontiff, head of the college of bishops, enjoys this infallibility in virtue of his office, when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful - who confirms his brethren in the faith he proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals. . . . The infallibility promised to the Church is also present in the body of bishops when, together with Peter's successor, they exercise the supreme Magisterium," above all in an Ecumenical Council. When the Church through its supreme Magisterium proposes a doctrine "for belief as being divinely revealed," and as the teaching of Christ, the definitions "must be adhered to with the obedience of faith." This infallibility extends as far as the deposit of divine Revelation itself.

936 The Lord made St. Peter the visible foundation of his Church. He entrusted the keys of the Church to him. The bishop of the Church of Rome, successor to St. Peter, is "head of the college of bishops, the Vicar of Christ and Pastor of the universal Church on earth" (CIC, can. 331).

 

 

 

 

From the Code of Canon Law:
 

Can. 330 Just as by the Lord’s decision Saint Peter and the other Apostles constitute one college, so in a like manner the Roman Pontiff, the successor of Peter, and the bishops, the successors of the Apostles, are united among themselves.

 

Can. 331 The bishop of the Roman Church, in whom continues the office given by the Lord uniquely to Peter, the first of the Apostles, and to be transmitted to his successors, is the head of the college of bishops, the Vicar of Christ, and the pastor of the universal Church on earth. By virtue of his office he possesses supreme, full, immediate, and universal ordinary power in the Church, which he is always able to exercise freely.

 

Can. 333 §2. In fulfilling the office of supreme pastor of the Church, the Roman Pontiff is always joined in communion with the other bishops and with the universal Church. He nevertheless has the right, according to the needs of the Church, to determine the manner, whether personal or collegial, of exercising this office.

 

Can. 334 Bishops assist the Roman Pontiff in exercising his office. They are able to render him cooperative assistance in various ways, among which is the synod of bishops. The cardinals also assist him, as do other persons and various institutes according to the needs of the times. In his name and by his authority, all these persons and institutes fulfill the function entrusted to them for the good of all the churches, according to the norms defined by law.

 

Can. 335 When the Roman See is vacant or entirely impeded, nothing is to be altered in the governance of the universal Church; the special laws issued for these circumstances, however, are to be observed.