PHOTO CREDIT: Cover Image - Pope Benedict XVI: Martin Ezequiel Gardeazabal/ Shutterstock.com

When a pope dies or resigns, the governance of the Catholic Church passes to the College of Cardinals. Cardinals are bishops and

Vatican officials from all over the world, personally chosen by the pope, recognizable by their distinctive red vestments. Their

primary responsibility is to elect a new pope.

Following a vacancy in the papacy, the cardinals hold a series of meetings at the Vatican called general congregations. They discuss the needs and the challenges facing the Catholic Church globally. They will also prepare for the upcoming papal election, called a Conclave.

The cardinals participating in the Conclave must be under 80 years of age and vote by secret ballot. Four rounds of balloting are taken every day until a candidate receives two-thirds of the vote. If no one receives the necessary two-thirds of the vote, the ballots are burned in a stove near the chapel with a mixture of chemicals to produce black smoke. White smoke signals to the world the election of a new pope.

How is a New Pope Chosen?

BALLOTING

Voting is on paper ballots, with just one tally on the first day.

After that, rounds of balloting – two in the morning, two in the afternoon – proceed until a new pope is elected by a two-thirds majority.

If balloting does not yield a two-thirds majority, ballots along with any other notes made by electors are burned.

If balloting results in the election of a pope, a special chemical added to the burning ballots causes them to yield a white smoke. The white smoke signals that a new pope has been chosen.

If a new pope is not chosen after three days of balloting, voting is suspended for a day of prayer and reflection; after about 12 days, cardinals can move to a simple majority.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

PREPARATION

Cardinals take residence in Domus Sanctae Marthae.

The electors celebrate Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica the morning of the Conclave’s first day.

The electors process from the Apostolic Palace to the Sistine Chapel chanting “Come Holy Spirit.”

The electors take an oath to maintain the rules and secrecy of the proceedings.

Two meditations begin the election process.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

The option of a pope to resign is explicitly written into the Code of Canon Law. It says a pope may step down, but stipulates that the decision must be made freely and “duly manifested.” No one needs to formally accept a pope’s resignation for it to be valid.

What does the Code of Canon Law say about Papal Resignation?

Why did Pope Benedict XVI Resign?Pope Benedict XVI announced Feb. 11 that he would be resigning at the end of the month after an eight-year pontificate, stating that he no longer has the strength to exercise ministry over the universal church.

“After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry,” the pope told cardinals gathered for an ordinary public consistory to approve the canonization of new saints.

What will be Pope Benedict XVI’s new title?The pontiff will keep the name Benedict XVI and still be addressed as “His Holiness” once he retires. He will also be known as Pope Emeritus or Roman Pontiff Emeritus.

It’s Finally Here... The Relevant Radio® App!

MISSION MESSAGE: A Note from Father Rocky

The Holy Father’s decision to resign as Bishop of Rome at 8:00 pm on February 28, 2013 is a sign that the Holy Spirit is alive and active in the Church. Pope Benedict XVI is a marvelous human being and a saintly man, whose love for Jesus Christ and for every single human being is apparent in his words and actions. He never wanted to be Pope and after prayerful consideration realizes he no longer has the energy to meet the grueling demands of his office. One wonders how he has been able to carry on so long. Only by the grace of God, I am sure. By his decision, the Holy Father manifests his deep conviction that the Church belongs to Jesus Christ and is guided in history by the Holy Spirit, ever alive and active in all of the members of the Church. As we thank God for the wonderful ministry of Pope Benedict XVI, it is now time for all of Christ’s Faithful to unite in common prayer for his successor. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Let us pray.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Five Stars on Google Play!

“I just downloaded it and it’s great!” - Mary Ann

“As soon as I saw it on Twitter, I downloaded the App. Yahoo!”

- Pilar

“Awesomeness. I listen online at work here in NJ, and now I can listen on

my walks, too! Many thanks!!” - Rebecca

After high anticipation, the Relevant Radio App is finally available for both Android and Apple devices. With the App, you can take Relevant Radio programming with you wherever you go and you have easy access for making a Prayer Request, Donating Online (with our new, mobile-friendly donation page), listening, and sharing the podcast archives.

Rev. Francis J. Hoffman, JCD – Executive Director

Join the Movement!

For more information, go to: www.usccb.org/life-marriage-liberty.

Go to Google Play on your Android or the Apple Store on your iPhone and download the App today!

Ways to Pray For Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty:5

Monthly Holy Hour

Prayers of the Faithful

Daily Rosary

Fasting & Abstinence on every Friday (not just during Lent)

Fortnight for Freedom 2013

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

During the Year of Faith, from October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013, a plenary indulgence for the temporal punishment of sins (imparted by the mercy of God and applicable also to the souls of deceased faithful) may be obtained by all the faithful who, truly penitent, take Sacramental Confession and the Eucharist and pray in accordance with the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff.

Indulge the right way during Lent. Plenary Indulgence for the Year of Faith.

3.On any day they chose, during the Year of Faith, if they make a pious visit to the baptistery, or other place in which they

received the Sacrament of Baptism, and there renew their baptismal promises in any legitimate form.

1.Each time they attend at least three sermons during the Holy Missions, or at least three lessons on the Acts of the Council or the articles

of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in church or any other suitable location.

4.Each time they visit, in the course of a pilgrimage, a papal basilica, a Christian catacomb,

a cathedral church or a holy site designated by the local ordinary for the Year of Faith (for example, minor basilicas and shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Apostles or patron saints), and there participate in a sacred celebration, or at least remain for a congruous period of time in prayer and pious meditation, concluding with the recitation of the Our Father, the Profession of Faith in any legitimate form, and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary and, depending on the circumstances, to the Holy Apostles and patron saints.

2.Each time that, on the days designated by the local ordinary for the Year of Faith, ... in any sacred place, they participate in a solemn

celebration of the Eucharist or the Liturgy of the Hours, adding thereto the Profession of Faith in any legitimate form.

Definition as it appears in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

1471. The doctrine and practice of indulgences in the Church are closely linked to the effects of the sacrament of Penance.

“An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints.”81

“An indulgence is partial or plenary according as it removes either part or all of the temporal punishment due to sin.”82 The faithful can gain indulgences for themselves or apply them to the dead.83

What is an Indulgence?

The week before Easter Sunday is an opportune time to share with your children the beauty of our Catholic faith and the sacrifice Christ made for us. Here are some ideas that you and your family can use to celebrate Holy Week to its fullest!

Palm Sunday:• After Mass find a special place to display your palms (ie: near a crucifix) or create a family centerpiece for the week using your palms as the focal point. • Make your own palm branches together with green construction paper and sticks to commemorate the palm branches that Jesus and his disciples carried with them as they entered Jerusalem.Holy Thursday:• Prepare a special Passover meal (seder) to commemorate Christ’s Last Supper and use it as an opportunity

to teach children to about the historic origins of their faith, as well as the importance of this day of Holy Week. • It was Jewish custom to clean the home in preparation for the Feast of Passover. Share this with your children and clean your home together, in preparation for the Easter celebration. • Don’t forget the Sacrament of Reconciliation - spring cleaning for the soul!• After Mass, remain for a period of Adoration or take extra time at home to pray together before bedtime. •Together, think of ways that you and your family can “wash the feet” of people in need in your parish or community.• Participate in the Stations of the Cross. Contemplate and discuss the true meaning of each station with your children.

Good Friday:• As a family, take the day off on Good Friday and attend services at your Parish.• Pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary and reflect on Christ’s passion.Holy Saturday:• Decorate eggs with images and messages of the Risen Lord (cross, empty tomb, “He is Risen”) and reflect on the beauty of new life. • Pray together for those entering the Church at the Easter Vigil Mass through RCIA and perhaps “adopt” a candidate to pray for throughout the week. Easter Sunday:• Have your children draw pictures of the Resurrection and Rejoice that he is Risen!• Bake a special Easter treat together. • Make attending Mass today the highlight of your Easter celebration and share a special Easter brunch afterwards.

Holy Week: Ideas for faith-filled fun with the whole family!