Catholic college students honor Pope Benedict’s last days

Last updated on: February 28, 2013 at 9:11 am by CNA Daily News

Catholic college students honor Pope Benedict’s last days 2013-02-28T09:11:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Washington D.C., Feb 28, 2013 / 02:11 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Students at American Catholic universities are observing the end of Pope Benedict XVI’s papacy with special Masses, prayers and acts of charity.

At Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, “Christ the King Chapel was filled to overflowing” during a holy hour on Feb. 22, the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, said Tom Sofio, a public relations official.

Sofio told CNA that hundreds of students attended the holy hour – which was held “in thanksgiving for Pope Benedict's papacy and to pray for the new pope” – as well as the subsequent Mass celebrated by Steubenville Bishop Jeffrey Monforton.

In addition, he said, almost 130 students enrolled in the university’s study abroad program in Austria re-arranged their schedules and traveled by buses on a 16-hour overnight trip to Rome for the Pope’s final audience on Feb. 27.

Franciscan University was one of several Catholic colleges that had special Masses, prayers and other events to honor the final days of Pope Benedict’s papacy. The Holy Father is stepping down at the end of February due to failing strength and advanced age.

The University of Notre Dame celebrated two Feb. 27 Masses at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart for Pope Benedict and in thanksgiving for his service to the Church.

Ave Maria University in Naples, Fla., hosted a multi-day celebration in thanksgiving for Pope Benedict’s ministry.

Events included several Masses, a faculty lecture, Eucharistic holy hour, student-organized panel on the Holy Father’s contributions to the Church and student service project to prepare meals for the poor, in the spirit of Pope Benedict’s 2005 encyclical on love, “Deus Caritas Est.”

In New Jersey, Seton Hall University’s Immaculate Conception Seminary held a Feb. 27 colloquium on Pope Benedict’s legacy.

The event featured speakers from the School of Theology who specialize in Sacred Scripture and Systematic Theology.

Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., will celebrate Mass and then ring the bells at St. Benedict’s Abbey, adjacent to campus, at 1:00 p.m., which is 8:00 p.m. in Rome, the time at which the Holy Father will officially step down.

Students in the University of Dallas’ Rome program attended the Pope’s final public Mass on Ash Wednesday at St. Peter’s Basilica, the university said.

University of Dallas student Ada Thomas said it was “bittersweet” to be there.

“I was definitely struck by the Pope's humility. He wasn't giving a final performance, so to speak, but he was celebrating a Mass surrounded by those he loves: Catholics from all over the world and every walk of life.”

Uncategorized

Previous Post

February 28, 2013

Obama officials, Republican group advocate 'gay marriage'

Next Post

February 28, 2013 Theologian says cultural renewal starts with Catechism

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was the father of King Solomon?

Select your answer to see how you score.

David Saul Samuel Jonathan