Catholic Fire

Today is the 11th anniversary of my first post on Catholic Fire ! Thank you for reading Catholic Fire and for your comments here. This is the busy time of the year when people aren't visiting here too often because they are off preparing to celebrate Christmas, but if you do happen to drop by, I would love it if you would leave a comment. Yes, I do like feedback, preferably the positive kind. I will probably be blogging right up to Christmas, so keep on stopping by. I appreciate you so much!  God bless you!

) It's been a year now since Pope Francis was elected. In these past 12 months, no one has been left indifferent. From the unusual circumstances under which he was elected, to the so called 'Francis' effect that's made its way across the globe. 1- HELP As he introduced himself to the world, the first thing Pope Francis did, up from the balcony of St. Peter's, was bow his head and ask for prayers. The thousands of people gathered out in the Square, began to pray for his pontificate. POPE FRANCIS "I would like to bless you...but before I'd like to ask all of you for a favor. Before the bishop blesses his flock, I ask that you pray to the Lord, so that He blesses me. The prayer of the people, asking for the Bishop's blessing.” It was surprising at first, but soon it became a hallmark of his pontificate. "Pray for me.” "Pray for me.” "Pray for me.” "Don't forget, pray for me.” 2- AUSTERITY His personal style a

May 1, 2013. (Romereports.com) On May 1, 2011, for the first time a Pope beatified his predecessor. Just six years after the death of John Paul II, his successor Benedict XVI beatified him during a ceremony that attracted nearly 1.5 million people to the Eternal City.   The City of Rome went to great lengths to celebrate the beatification of the Polish Pope that spoke 'romanesco,' as the Italian dialect spoken in Rome is called. To be declared a saint, a miracle has to be attributed to the intercession of John Paul II, after he was beatified. A panel of doctors consulted by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints considered valid a supposed miracle presented by his postulator. Before presenting the finding to the Pope, the cardinals and the bishops from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints must approve it.

On Monday, Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate his 80th birthday. You can go here to send your greetings to the Holy Father . Don't forget: next Thursday also marks the 2nd anniversary of his election. Via LamLand.