How has Pope Francis impacted your spirituality so far?

[Tampa_Dave]

And to think I had to live in that state for 2 years… You know, the one just southeast of Michigan =)

I grew up in Lake County about a mile from Lake Erie. Mchigan is a great rival - I wouldn’t have it any other way. I often converse with Mchigan fans on their message board at Scout.com. Intelligent fans and good people. They just have this thing about Maize and Blue …

 

[Marie5890]

I have never been as spiritually excited and hopeful as I am now (that is since the first time Jesus called me). Pope Francis, with his focus on our love for our fellow man and our need to care for and protect those in need, has filled me with such a huge sense of optimism and spiritual hope for our Church and for humanity. This really is Pope filled with love, compassion and the Holy Spirit.

I believe Pope Francis will be one of our Church’s truly great Popes, one who will not let anything (hierachies, structures, traditions etc.) get in the way of his mission to take the Word of God to the wider world.

I know what you mean.

I feel like the freshness of the springtime has come to the Church. In this Year of Faith, and 50 years since VII. In the Lord’s timing and with the previous popes, I felt that the Church has been go thru the preparations for this new spring time. Much like we farmers do when we till the grown and get it ready for seed, then we tend to it, take care of it, weed it, water it, feed it… until its ready to harvest

What is the saying about the Church, ever ancient, ever new. I feel the “ever new” part right now.

 

[Tampa_Dave]

Dave, I am sure that in a very short time Pope Francis will strengthen and unite our Church and instill in us a new sense of spirituality as he takes the Church to the wider world. There are tough times ahead for our Church, but the Holy Spirit, through Pope Francis with his compassion and love for mankind, will I’m sure strengthen us all so that we can fight evil in this world using the trusty sword of compassion and the shield of love. ‘Traditionalists’ and ‘modernists’ alike will put aside our differences come together as one under our new Pope and take the fight to the enemy.

God bless Pope Francis!

I hope you’re right in your belief we will all come together. My goal is for the Church to become ever stronger. Secularism is gaining ground and it is important that we, as Christians, fight the good fight.

Again, I applaud you for your quick embrace of Pope Francis. It appears from previous posts that you instantly felt this way once Pope Francis was named the next successor of St. Peter. I felt joy over the white smoke and happiness over the quick conclave (always good sign). When they announced the new pope, however, I knew nothing about him. I researched the so-called favorites from the ranks of the Cardinals before the conclave, but never Pope Francis. I can only trust in the decision of the Cardinals under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

 

[crazzeto]

I grew up in Lake County about a mile from Lake Erie. Mchigan is a great rival - I wouldn’t have it any other way. I often converse with Mchigan fans on their message board at Scout.com. Intelligent fans and good people. They just have this thing about Maize and Blue …

lol… Actually I enjoyed my time in cleveland even though the city is a bit of a roller coaster in terms of being on the decline then raising backup. Southern Ohio is a giant speed trap though

 

[Tampa_Dave]

lol… Actually I enjoyed my time in cleveland even though the city is a bit of a roller coaster in terms of being on the decline then raising backup. Southern Ohio is a giant speed trap though

The Cleveland weather is not particularly great, but it was home. I would not have chosen any other place to grow up. I love the people of the Midwest.

 

[Rich_C]

Dave, I am sure that in a very short time Pope Francis will strengthen and unite our Church… ‘Traditionalists’ and ‘modernists’ alike will put aside our differences come together as one under our new Pope and take the fight to the enemy.

God bless Pope Francis!

Modernists. I don’t think that means what you think it means.

 

[Brendan_64]

Modernists. I don’t think that means what you think it means.

I was using the term with just a hint of irony. It sometimes seems on CAF that those of us who don’t attend Latin Mass, or who prefer a more informal style of confession from our priests, are regarded as ‘modernists’. Personally I couldn’t care less about what labels people may or may not choose to attach to others.

 

[crazzeto]

The Cleveland weather is not particularly great, but it was home. I would not have chosen any other place to grow up. I love the people of the Midwest.

It reminded me of college, so I was good with weather. I went to school in Michigan’s upper peninsula. Northern Michigan University in Marquette MI. Cleveland’s winters couldn’t hope to be worse =)

 

[Tampa_Dave]

I was using the term with just a hint of irony. It sometimes seems on CAF that those of us who don’t attend Latin Mass, or who prefer a more informal style of confession from our priests, are regarded as ‘modernists’. Personally I couldn’t care less about what labels people may or may not choose to attach to others.

My wife is a Charismatic Catholic. I’m a Traditionalist. She reads books about spirituality while I read theological texts. We attend different parishes! Like you, my hope is that Pope Francis unites all Catholics.

 

[Sirach2]

Perhaps ‘euphoria’ was not the proper word.

It does not “bother me” that Brendan is filled with joy. I am not “insulting” Brendan or others. You insult me with your comments, Sirach2, so ignore my posts if you wish.

Well, you could have fooled me. Why not just stop with the blue sentence, then? The topic did not ask for how you believed others were impacted … only yourself.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=10521160&postcount=103

I’ve not been impacted spiritually by Pope Francis yet. He has not done anything to inspire or deflate my spirit. Not surprising, since he was just elected to the office.

Some CA members have gone charismatic over Pope Francis in a matter of days. I’m happy for them, but amazed at the immediate euphoria since most people know very little about the life, writings, history, or beliefs of Pope Francis. I’m actually concerned when I hear statements about the pope’s desire for a “poor Church”. What does that mean?

But as of today,** I feel no tingles up my spine.** God bless Pope Francis and may he serve the Church well.

 

[crazzeto]

My wife is a Charismatic Catholic. I’m a Traditionalist. She reads books about spirituality while I read theological texts. We attend different parishes! Like you, my hope is that Pope Francis unites all Catholics.

Sad, both my spouse and I prefer traditional, both of us are excited by the possibility of joining an EF parish. That said, if we had to we could mix things up by attending Charismatic Prayer groups if we wanted. Actually I must admit, part of me wouldn’t mind experiencing the movement just once, to see what its all about.

 

[Sirach2]

[sign]Let’s get back on topic, ok folks?[/sign]

 

[Tampa_Dave]

Well, you could have fooled me. Why not just stop with the blue sentence, then? The topic did not ask for how you believed others were impacted … only yourself.

So what if I commented on the positive, negative, or neutral responses people had to the election of Pope Francis? Other CA members have admitted to being somewhat neutral, in emotional terms, once Pope Francis assumed office. That does not mean we reject him, just that we felt no immediate emotional pull one way or another. I think it’s great for Brendan that he felt something positive immediately. My wife certainly did. I’m a lawyer, unfortunately, and I’m often ruled by my brain versus my heart. But as I said before, my feelings are irrelevant because, as a Catholic, I must follow and pray for Pope Francis as a faithful Catholic. I do.

 

[Brendan_64]

Like you, my hope is that Pope Francis unites all Catholics.

Which would be a good first step towards the wider goal of unity amongst all brothers and sisters in Christ. We need the unity of all Christians before we face the final battle.

 

[crazzeto]

Which would be a good first step towards the wider goal of unity amongst all brothers and sisters in Christ We need the unity of all Christians before we face the final battle.

His witness will be most critical here, because that which divides us is hardly anything insurmountable. All valid Catholic expressions are good, holy and true. Just in different ways, and they speak to us in different ways. That’s the basic hurdle, our being able to tolerate other prayerful expressions.

I do feel the new Pontiff will be good with this regard.

 

[Sirach2]

So what if I commented on the positive, negative, or neutral responses people had to the election of Pope Francis? Other CA members have admitted to being somewhat neutral, in emotional terms, once Pope Francis assumed office.

I’m a lawyer, unfortunately, and I’m often ruled by my brain versus my heart. But as I said before, my feelings are irrelevant because, as a Catholic, I must follow and pray for Pope Francis as a faithful Catholic. I do.

Indeed, others admitted neutrality and then dropped it, as I asked you to do. As a lawyer, you know court procedure whenever the opponent gets off track. Objection! Sustained!

Again, back to topic, please.

 

[Tampa_Dave]

Indeed, others admitted neutrality and then dropped it, as I asked you to do. As a lawyer, you know court procedure whenever the opponent gets off track. Objection! Sustained!

Again, back to topic, please.

To my knowledge, you are not a moderator. You are in no position to limit, control, or otherwise regulate my commentary.

 

[Sirach2]

To my knowledge, you are not a moderator. You are in no position to limit, control, or otherwise regulate my commentary.

It happens to be my thread, over which I am obliged to keep tabs. I am simply asking that you follow the topic, which does not include speculative commentary on other posters’ views.

 

[Tigg]

Modernists. I don’t think that means what you think it means.

PASCENDI DOMINICI GREGIS - one of my favs.

 

[QuestingKnight]

The Pope has made some theatrical gestures, like JPII. I’m unmoved. I really don’t get people crying when he kissed the crippled man. It’s kind of in the job description!

I hope he can do something to clear the filth and heterodoxy out of the church. That would be great. I don’t want to be in a diocese where Catholics are slowly becoming indistinguishable from protestants, in terms of what they believe and do.