Speculation on who will be Pope and why...

I too have been concerned for our Pope's welfare. As I was leaving Mass on Sunday, I passed our pastor on the sidewalk, meaning to say hello, but what came out was, "Are you okay?" This resignation is deeply unsettling. It is a spiritual event more than a political or bureaucratic one. I can't indulge in guesses about the next pope, although I have thoughts. I do believe we need a pope with experience of the Eucharistic miracles and Marian apparitions of our time. This pope needs to have been called very personally and clearly be God. Come Holy Spirit, renew the face of the earth.

 

after reading this article, maybe someone younger will be picked.

http://www.ncregister.com/blog/jimmy-akin/how-old-will-the-next-pope-be

 

This has to do with the locutions about the next Pope as discussed on this forum
http://www.markmallett.com/blog/2013/02/entering-perilous-times/#more-10062

 

Here is a prospect for our soon to be "holy" Holy Father, a son of Mary:

Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East. This is the Maronite Patriarch, made a cardinal by PBXVI last November.



Some information about him from CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE:

MARONITES-JBEIL Mar-15-2011 (700 words) With photo. xxxi

Maronites elect patriarch expected to unite Catholics, speak truth

By Doreen Abi Raad
Catholic News Service

BEIRUT (CNS) -- Church bells rang, horns blasted and firecrackers echoed throughout Lebanon as it was announced that Bishop Bechara Rai of Jbeil, Lebanon, had been elected the new patriarch of the Maronite Catholic Church.

Patriarch Rai, 71, known for his courage to speak the truth, is seen as someone who can unite Maronite Catholics, who have been divided among political party lines.

The patriarch's election was announced March 15. Elections began March 11, after the Maronite synod spent two days in spiritual retreat and reflection. He replaces Cardinal Nasrallah P. Sfeir, 90, who retired because of age.

Father Joseph Mouawad, vicar general of Jbeil, predicted Patriarch Rai would unite Maronite Catholics and begin a pastoral renewal of the church.

"I think his first mission will be to confirm us in our faith here in Lebanon and, as head of the church, he will try to unite Christians, the different parties, and to consolidate the communion among the Maronites," Father Mouawad said.

"He has a deep spirituality, and he is very sociable and open to the others, and he has great courage. He says the truth even if someone doesn't want to listen to it," Father Mouawad said.

"I think on a national level in Lebanon, he will work to conserve this country to be a country of conviviality of all religions -- between Christian and Muslims," the priest added.

Of Lebanon's population of nearly 4 million, approximately 33 percent are Christian. Of the approximately 5.5 million Maronite Catholics worldwide, approximately 1 million live in Lebanon.

Syrian Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Youssef III Younan called the new patriarch "a good friend, an outstanding leader and well-gifted bishop."

"His intense spirituality, solid formation and openness of heart will be, God willing, a tremendous asset to reunite all Catholic Maronites in Lebanon, in the Middle Eastern countries and in the church," said Patriarch Younan.

Maronite Father Joseph Mouannes, secretary of the communications commission for Catholic bishops of the Middle East, called the election "really the choice of the Holy Spirit. And a great choice."

"He has done a lot for dialogue between Muslims and Christians. He was always the voice of truth, the voice of dignity, of freedom and respect," Father Mouannes said.

The new patriarch has served as president of the Lebanese bishops' communications committee and hosted a weekly program on Telelumiere, Lebanon's Christian television station. The program, "Boushra al Rahi," which means "Good News of the Shepherd," provided commentary and teaching on that Sunday's Gospel, and the patriarch encouraged listeners to live the Scriptures in a practical way.

Maronite Father Camille Mubarak, dean of the faculty of political science at Beirut's Sagesse University, said Patriarch Rai "can resolve many problems, politically and socially." He predicted the patriarch would "try to make peace between Christians first (the political parties), and then he will try to make peace among all the people of Lebanon."

The priest added, "We know when we go to his office, we can see a simple man, a kind man who can talk with anybody with great attention."

"He's a good teacher and a good diplomat," Father Mubarak said.

Mohammad Sammak, secretary-general of Lebanon's Christian-Muslim Committee for Dialogue, said Patriarch Rai has an ability to transcend divisions.

"I think he can play a very constructive role for the future of Christians in the Middle East," Sammak said.

Patriarch Rai "is known for being very courageous in expressing his point of view, and actually he speaks out what he believes in. That's why it is easy to deal with him, because he's honest with himself," he added.

At his request, Patriarch Rai will officially be installed on the feast of the Annunciation, March 25. Catholic patriarchs do not have their elections confirmed by the pope, but the new patriarch will request and receive spiritual communion from Pope Benedict XVI.

The 77th patriarch of the Maronite Catholic Church said "Communion and Charity" would be his motto.

He was born Feb. 25, 1940, in Himlaya, Lebanon. He was ordained a priest of the Maronite Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sept. 3, 1967, and was made a bishop in 1986. He has served as bishop of Jbeil since 1990.


Apparently he has consecrated his area of the world to our Blessed Mother.

There must be something special about the Maronites that Pope Benedict went to Lebanon and singled them out in the region.

 

Another Marian aspect about Cardinal Patriarch Bechara Butros Al-Rahi: his devotion to Medjugorje. And obviously Mary's devotion for Her son:

12000 WELCOME IVAN IN LEBANON
BY JACOV MARSCHNER, ON NOV 15, 2012

The Patriarch of the East attended a Medjugorje apparition for the first time when visionary Ivan Dragicevic opened his tour of Lebanon on November 15. The Virgin Mary asked attendees to pray for peace. Ivan’s three next apparitions in Lebanon can be followed live on web-tv.

​

Choir soloist Edwin Lattouf and organizer Gisele Azzi​

Medjugorje visionary Ivan Dragicevic was far from left alone on Thursday when his four day visit to Lebanon began. In Bkerke, 12,000 people started to arrive at The Patriarchal Edifice several hours before the event began at 6 pm local time, some having even slept outside the night before.
“I am on my way to Bkerke to see Ivan. You cannot believe, there is no place to park from Jounieh to Bkerke, many cars, buses, people are so excited, and all are wearing the rosary” attendee Mary Jabre reported to Medjugorje Today.

​

Ivan speaking in Bkerke. Photo: Nelly Maroun​

“12,000 chairs where there, and everyone was seated, so there was 12,000 people, sure as I saw” Mary Jabre told us after the event.
“The Virgin Mary said that she will pray for Lebanon and for the Lebanese. She said she gave her blessing to the Patriarch, and she blessed everyone. She thanked everyone for praying with her, and she asked to pray for peace and said that she is always with us.”
“Ivan said that Mary was very much happy during the apparition. She asked for peace and thanked her children. As a Lebanese I believe that is a very good sign” Paulette Maroun reports from Lebanon.
“People’s faith is growing more and more in their hearts, people were happy, clapping hands praying chanting even though they were freezing. Everyone was so happy” Mary Jabre reports.

​

The Patriarchal Edifice in Bkerke during Ivan’s visit​

Lasting just about five minutes, Ivan’s apparition took place on an altar under a massive dome of stained glass. Five giant screens were in place.
Maronite Cardinal Beshara Boutros El-Rahi, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, presided over the subsequent Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. The presence of the very Marian Cardinal was viewed as an event to itself:
“It is the first time that the Patriach of the East is present for a Medjugorje apparition. It is new for the Middle East churches. It is very important for Christians here” Charbel Maroun, the president of the Marian Movement for Lay People in Galilee tells Medjugorje Today.

​

Ivan giving witness in Bkerke. Photo: Nelly Maroun​

Charbel Maroun further informs that, immediately after the apparition and in front of both Ivan and the Patriarch Cardinal, Lebanon was solemnly consecrated to The Immaculate Heart of Mary by Father Boulos Fahed, a priest and brother in the Maronite Marian order.
“In his consecration, he used the prayer of the Pope John Paul II from May 13th 1984 when the Pope consecrated the whole world and the Church to the Immaculate Heart of Mary” Charbel Maroun further tells.

​

Cardinal Patriarch El-Rahi​

While praying specifically over all the attending priests, the Virgin Mary paid special attention to the Patriarch Cardinal:
“Ivan said that she came so close to the Patriarch and prayed over him in a special way” Paulette Maroun reports.
“Ivan said that he saw the Virgin Mary put her hand on Cardinal El-Rahi’s head and bless him” attendee Rima Meadaa tells Medjugorje Today.

​

Part of the 12,000 attendees in Bkerke, Lebanon​

“It was divine! Heaven on earth!” attendee Samar Karout Fakhourt reports from Bkerke.
Ivan’s next three arrangements in Lebanon on November 16-18 will be transmitted live by Tele Lumiere, beginning at 6 pm local time (4 pm GMT, 11 am EST).
Ivan’s apparition on November 15th 2012 in Bkerke, Lebanon
Photography: LBC (Christian channel in Lebanon)

 

A little more information on Cardinal Becharan Butros Al-Rahi:

https://www.usmaronites.com/Maronite_Patriarchate_9QK1.html
Bechara Boutros al-Rahi was born in Himlaya, Matn District, Lebanon on 25 February 1940.
He attended College Notre-Dame de Jamhour, a Jesuit school in Lebanon. He entered in the Mariamite Maronite Order on 31 July 1962 and he was ordained as a priest on 3 September 1967.
From 1967 to 1975 he has been the responsible of the Arabic language transmissions of Vatican Radio. In 1975 he was awarded the Phd in canon and civil law. He also studied for three years in the Lateran University in Rome. He was consecrated as auxiliary bishop of Antioch on 12 July 1986, by Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir and on 9 June 1990, he was appointed bishop of Byblos.
In 2003 he was elected Secretary of the Maronite Synod, and in 2009 he was appointed President of the Lebanese Episcopal Commission for the Media. In 2007 he received the award of the National Order of the Cedar. At 71, he was elected Patriach of the Maronites on March 15, 2011, after getting more than two-thirds of the votes of the 39 bishops. The Mass for the inauguration of his patriarchate took place on March 25, 2011, in Bkerké, the See of the Maronite Catholic Patriarchate.
As is custom for all Maronite patriarchs Rahi took the additional name Boutrous ( Peter ), who briefly held the see of Antioch before moving to Rome to become bishop there. ( Is this Petrus Romanus????? )

In April 2011 Patriarch Rai said that, for the sake of communion and love, he would work "to establish a sincere and complete dialogue" with Muslims "and build together a future in common life and cooperation." Patriarch Rai said his predecessor "struggled with insistence to free both the national decision-making and the land of Lebanon from all forms of tutelage and occupation, worked for reconciliation in Mount Lebanon and realized needed church reforms." "All of these constitute an extension of the church's springtime started by the Second Vatican Council," he said.

 

Apparently Cardinal Al-Rahi has close relations with Russia. He's been there right now until March 1 meeting with church leaders. (sorry don't have the source for this except for a comment in a blog).

He is a member of the Maronite Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was named a Patriarch on the feast of the Annunciation. He founded Our Lady of Louaize University.


Being an Arab would be critical (positively) in many aspects and very significant for him to support Israel.

There are probably dozens of other cardinals that also meet the job description for the very special and holy new Holy Father. Isn't that wonderful??? Even though the press wants us to believe that the Church is death and about to be buried in scandals ....
Soon we'll know

 

And one more:

Cardinal Peter (Boutrous) will lead the Stations of the Cross at the coliseum on Good Friday this coming Holy Week as entrusted to him by Pope Benedict.

Interestingly enough, Cardinal Ratzinger led the Stations of the Cross in 2005 before Blessed JPII departure to heaven on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday and the conclave.

Who knows, maybe we won't have a new Pope until Easter. Many things have to happen for the cardinals to look outside of the Roman Rite .... if this were the case, and they will need time to come that far together.

 

Oh my! This is wonderful! 'Look to the East!'

http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=2741

THE POPES AND THE EASTERN RITE

 

This brought tears to my eyes. How beautiful he is. Mother Mary's little boy.

 

Great thread folks - you good people sure can dig up some wonderful & inspiring material - well done to you all - loved the article on Ivan in the Lebanon & the good Cardinal Al-Rahi

 

Sorry to add a secular input to such a wonderful thread but leading Irish Bookmaker Paddy Power has Patriarch Bechara Peter Rai of Lebanon as 50/1 to be Pope with twenty other cardinals ahead of him in the betting

Maybe I should place a few ££'s on him

 

I will race you Garabandal.

 

Cardinal Rai certainly loves our Lady as you can see from the link to his homily at is enthronment

http://news.karpasha.com/index.php?...ent-as-patriarch-of-antioch-and-all-the-east-

Interesting too in his homily he consecrated the Lebananon to our Lady's Immaculate Heart & showing a desire to consecrate the rest of the Middle East to her - sounds like someone who would consecrate Russia anew and more fully:

I place our Church and our beloved homeland under the watchful eyes of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Annunciation and of Lebanon, consecrating both of them to her Immaculate Heart, and awaiting the consecration of the countries of the Middle East to her motherhood in one act, in recognition of the suggestions of the Bishops of the Middle East gathered last October in Rome.

He is not from the Latin Rite so this may go against him?

 

You know, look at all the beautiful saints, all the angels, all these wonderful candidates for the papacy. They are only this beautiful because of God, and because they are Christlike.

We are going to keel over when we see Him. Every bit of suffering, every bit of pain, every bitter disappointment offered up will be so worth it just to see Him. We will also see all the souls that we helped to get to Heaven just through offering all these up!

Sorry, I know that I have deterred.

 

Het is al altijd zo geweest wie als favoriet in het conclaaf binnengaat keert er zeker niet uit als paus!!! Als ik toch ook mijn voorkeur ook mag geven kardinaal Meisner( DUITSLAND)zeer degelijk en trouw aan het evangelie en de leer van de apostelen als je het mij vraagt,zo iemand hebben we nodig,daar moeten we om bidden!

 

can anyone translate this post? all I can decipher is Cardinal Meisner.

 

Translation:

It has already this way been always which as afavourite in the conclave enters does not turncertain as a pope!!! If I can preference also my givenevertheless also cardinal to Meisner (GERMANY)very sound and faithfully to the gospel and theleathers of the apostelen if you ask it me, this waywe need someone, there we must to pray!

 

More on the Cardinal's visit to Moscow:

http://maronite-blogger.blogspot.ie/2013/02/cardinal-al-rahi-to-make-historical.html