Oremus pro Pontifice

On this Memorial of Saint Benedict of Norcia, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI celebrates his name day, a custom that most lamentably has fallen out of use in these United States of America.

One's name day - for me, Saint Joseph - is a day to give thanks to Almighty God for the gift of our heavenly patrons and to seek their continued care and guidance. It is a day to recall their own example of a faithful following of our Lord Jesus Christ and to resolve anew to follow in their footsteps.

It was Saint Benedict who said: Nihil amori Christi praeponere (Prefer nothing to the love of Christ"). This certainly is the guiding principle of the Holy Father, in all he says and does.

Since ascending the Chair of Peter, Pope Benedict XVI has spoken about the Father of Western Monasticism and why he chose the name "Benedict" (I'm sure he has elsewhere, also, but I can't search around all day :).

Let us, then, remember especially the Holy Father in our prayers this day.

Oremus pro Pontifice nostro Benedicto.

R/. May the Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him blessed on the earth, and not hand him over to the will of his enemies.

R/. May your hand be on the man at your right hand.

V/. And over the son of man whom you have chosen for yourself.

Let us pray.

God our Father, Shepherd and Guide, look with love on Benedict your servant, the pastor of your Church. May his word and example inspire and guide the Church, and may he, and all those entrusted to his care, come to the joy of everlasting life. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

And may he have a blessed and restful vacation and work well on volume two of Jesus of Nazareth! Amen!