March 6, 2013

By Father Bryan Stitt
Diocesan Vocation Director

Shortly after the shocking announcement of Pope Benedict’s abdication, people started noticing all the signs that he had given us that this day would eventually come. 

Three signs that come readily to mind:
1) Work on the old monastery in the Vatican which will serve as Benedict’s retirement home has been going on for months. 

2) The Holy Father made not one but two visits to the tomb of Pope Celestine V - the last pope to freely abdicate the See of Peter back in 1294. 

3) In his book length interview with Peter Seewald in 2010, Benedict said: “If a pope clearly realizes that he is no longer physically, psychologically and spiritually capable of handling the duties of his office, then he has a right and, under some circumstances, also an obligation to resign.”

It’s hard to imagine it getting more clear signs than these.  However the following is another sign, albeit more subtle, that this day would come.  Pope2008.com tells of Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI’s great love of timing. 
The Associated Press gave details of the Pope’s early arrival at the United Nations headquarters [in 2008]: 
“Germans, by tradition, put great importance on punctuality.  Delays of even a few minutes for work or social engagements are considered impolite, especially among Germans of Benedict’s generation—though early arrivals are also considered poor etiquette.  But the Pope’s travels were not in his hands. …”  Planned arrival time: 10:45.  Actual arrival time: 10:23.  Difference: 22 minutes.  The word got to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, General Assembly President Srgjan Kerim and their wives.  They rushed to the curb to greet the Pope.  Even Ban, who has met the Pope before, was excited by the papal visit.  “Great day!  Greatest day!”  he is quoted saying. 

The Pope signed the guest book in Latin.  His message: “The effect of justice will be peace.”  “Still well ahead of schedule, Ban and Benedict headed to the General Assembly, where the diplomats rose and applauded as he entered the horseshoe-shaped hall.”

Then came the ceremonials and remarks.  Then the departure.  Planned departure time: 1:45 p.m.  Actual departure time: 1:23.  Difference: 22 minutes. 

It would seem that, once in the building, with more control over his own movements, the punctual Pope kept to his planned schedule precisely.   His “inner clock” has all the precision of the fancy Junghans wristwatch which was left to him when his sister died.  But it is my firm belief that there is also a profound spiritual dimension to His Holiness’ “internal clock”.