I heard from many of my readers who were grateful that I posted the entire document from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Their explanation was surely better than any I could have attempted!

Today was a bit quieter. Pope Benedict presided at the general audience in St. Peter’s Square while the Synod Fathers continued to meet in language groups as the three-week long Synod for Africa winds down. The concluding Mass in this coming Sunday at 10 a.m. Rome time.

Just a brief column today. First I’ll look at the Pope’s weekly general audience catechesis, and then I’ll post some of the photos taken last Friday during the Holy Father’s audience with Prince Albert of Monaco. These are just a few of the pictures taken by Francesco, the L’Osservatore Romano photographer who covers papal audiences, both general and private.

ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

At the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Benedict continued his catechesis on the theologians of the Middle Ages, turning to a man he called “one of the most outstanding, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. Born in Fontaines, France, Bernard entered the monastery of Citeaux at the age of twenty. In 1115 he was sent by St. Stephen Harding, third abbot of Citeaux, to found a new monastery at Clairvaux where Bernard himself became abbot.

“At Clairvaux,” said the Pope, the saint insisted on the importance of a sober and restrained lifestyle, in food, in clothing and in the structures of the monastery, at the same time encouraging support and assistance for the poor.” Benedict XVI said that “because of his great learning and deep spirituality he is venerated as a Doctor of the Church, and is often called ‘the last of the Fathers’." Together with his theological writings and homilies … Bernard maintained a vast correspondence, developed warm friendships with his contemporaries, defended sound doctrine, and combated heresy and outbreaks of antisemitism.”

The Pope noted that the two central aspects of Bernard's doctrine concern Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. He believed "true knowledge of God consists in a personal and profound experience of Jesus Christ and His love. … This," the Pope added, "applies to all Christians. Faith is first and foremost an individual and intimate encounter with Jesus, it means experiencing His closeness, His friendship, His love." He noted that Bernard had no doubt that "through Mary we are led to Jesus," and he was, in fact, “known for his fervent devotion to our Lady and his insight into her intimate sharing in the sacrifice of her Son. He clearly demonstrated the privileged place of the Virgin in the economy of salvation, thanks to her entirely unique participation in the sacrifice of her Son."

AN ENCOUNTER TO REMEMBER

Here are the L’Osservatore Romano photos I promised of Pope Benedict’s audience last Friday with Prince Albert.

Here is Prince Albert as he exited the elevator which brought him to the Second Loggia, escorted by Archbishop James Harvey, a Milwaukee native who is the prefect of the Papal Household. You also see one of the Gentlemen of His Holiness and several Swiss Guards. Other Gentlemen and Swiss Guards met the Prince in the Clementine Hall, the first room he entered, as we had done earlier, on his way to the Pope’s library.

He crossed the Clemntine Hall, the Room of the Sediari (former papal chair bearers) and the St. Ambrose Room where photographers, journalists and cameramen came to life and started taking photos.

We are now in the Pope’s library. Here you see Prince Albert and Pope Benedict who, because Albert is a reigning head of State, wore an embroidered red silk mozzetta (a short, elbow length cape) with a red-embroidered silk stole-like vestment.

Prince Albert gave the Holy Father a small but exquisite bronze sculpture that depicted the story of St. Devote, the patron saint of the Principality of Monaco. It looked like a huge wave arced over a small boat with a lone figure in it, a wave about to crash on the vessel: hopefully you read the story I posted Friday about St. Devote and her legend.

Here I am as I met and spoke with Pope Benedict! What amazed me about this photo was that you can the Holy Father bending ever so slightly as he welcomes me. You have all heard me describe Benedict XVI as “a gentlemen and a gentle man” – and you see that gentlemanliness right here.

Here I am thanking him on behalf of EWTN. Mother Angelica and all my colleagues for the honor he bestowed on Mother Angelica on October 4 – the Pro Ecclesia and Pro Pontifice Medal – through Bishop Robert Baker of Birmingham.

And that was my splendid, special October 16!

Write to Joan at:
joansrome@ewtn.com