The Last Day of Pope Benedict XVI

(Vatican Radio) The Pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI will come to an end with the Sede Vacante (“Vacant See”) beginning at 8pm Rome time (7pm GMT). On the last full day of his pontificate, Pope Benedict will hold a special farewell meeting with members of the College of Cardinals in the Clementine Hall. At 4.55 p.m. the Pope will bid farewell to the pontifical household, an depart the Apostolic Palace by car from the San Damaso Courtyard. From there, he will be driven to the Vatican heliport, where he will be seen off by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Angelo Sodano. At 5.15 p.m. he will be flown to Castel Gandolfo, about 30 km from Rome. The Holy Father will then briefly greet the faithful of the Diocese of Albano from the central balcony of the Apostolic Palace. This will be the last public appearance of Pope Benedict XVI while in office. At 8 p.m, the reign of the 265^th Pope, the 264^th successor of St. Peter, will come to an end, having lasted 7 years, 10 months, and 9 days.

(source)

Saint Fiacre

This, perhaps, is Saint Fiacre, patron of gardeners among other things, usually portrayed with a shovel, found at Most Sacred Heart Church, in Eureka, Missouri.

...The decision I have made, after much prayer, is the fruit of a serene trust in God’s will and a deep love of Christ’s Church. I will continue to accompany the Church with my prayers, and I ask each of you to pray for me and for the new Pope. In union with Mary and all the saints, let us entrust ourselves in faith and hope to God, who continues to watch over our lives and to guide the journey of the Church and our world along the paths of history...

— Pope Benedict XVI, excerpt from his last General Audience, Saint Peter's Square, Wednesday, 27 February 2013

A frozen lake, at Clifton Heights Park, taken after our recent snow storm.

Aquinas and More is Closing

HAVING BEEN AN advertiser on this blog for many years, Aquinas and More is closing up shop, its last day in business being February 28^th. They are offering discounts of 20%:  please order via the advertisement seen on the right side of this page ===>

Resignation of Pope Benedict

“...WITH FULL FREEDOM I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.”

Full declaration.