Shifiting gears a bit – today is the 2nd anniversary of the election of Benedict XVI.

Here’s a blog post from a year ago in which you shared your thoughts on the one-year anniversary and memories of the election.

Fr. Z’s running a thread right now – I was particularly taken with Zadok’s memories – he was there, of course!

You can watch video in various places, including the Vatican website, which is good because there’s no commentary – just sights and sounds.  (click on "white smoke" for scenes leading to the announcement and "1st Papal Address" for the announcement)

(Oh, and in case anyone’s still reading this …remember the great video, "Habemus Papam" – that was on American Papist’s website)

(After his papal name is announced, you can already hear the chant "Ben-e-dett-o." It begins rather evenly, and then by the time Benedict has finished talking, it’s transmongrified into the sing-songy Bennnnn- e – DETT- o that you hear now.)

I swear, hearing those bells again and seeing the crowds pouring into the piazza, with people racing from the city – responding to the bells, to the call to come and here the news, as people have done throughout history – chills. In a good way – in a way that connects me with Christ, His Church, here, now and across time.

Dear brothers and sisters, after the great Pope John Paul II, the Lord Cardinals have elected me, a simple and humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord.

I am consoled by the fact that the Lord knows how to work and act even with insufficent instruments and I particularly entrust myself to your prayers.
In the joy of the Risen Lord, trusting in His constant help, we move ahead. May the Lord help us and and may His Mother be at our side. Thank you.