So fitting! So proper! So correct!
New horizons! Ever ancient, ever new! In the one true Faith!
It has been my contention that Pope Emeritus Benedict must attend (if able) the upcoming canonization of his predecessors! With this public act, the precedent has been set a couple of months in advance! Deo gratias!
Naturally, Pope Francis would invite and insist. And the Emeritus Pope must, of course, be more than eager to oblige in the legitimate wishes of the reigning Pontiff.
The Church is in a particular moment of glory with all of this, it's called the inscrutable design of God, which is the constant guide of His Church.
The message is clear and it is for everyone without exception: be radically honest before God and in complete loyalty to His Church, for your own salvation, for the good of Holy Mother Church, for the salvation of souls!
Spare nothing, even the greatest positions in the world. Serve God, wherever He leads you, but serve, adore and follow Him through it all. Without counting the cost, even to laying down your life for Him, as Christ has done, and so many saints have done and are doing. You too!!! Follow this way of the saints, the only real way for man, every man. Even popes.
In this, every man is pope: each one must use his head, loyal to the Church and to Christ, for the glory of God. No need for fear. What is needed is the magnanimity of the saints, which changes you and thereby the world!
What did Saint Benedict do when he left the worldly city and formed the monastery, if not that: follow God?
What did Saint Francis do when he left he worldly life and family and all material concerns to beg, pray and preach on the streets, if not that: follow where God led him!
And you?...and me... We must be like these men as God wants us!!!!! for the good of all.
Customs have their place, even (and perhaps especially) in the Church. But if they get in the way of God's express will for you (of course never breaking the divine law: God could never call you to that!), away with them! God first, second and last! Always and in everything He is your personal and saving Lord, and there is no other, not even for Popes!