AD MVLTOS ANNOS!

Happy Anniversary of election to His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, gloriously reigning on the throne of Peter. We offer our prayers and best wishes to "il Papa" as he celebrates not only the joy of the Risen Christ, on this Easter Wednesday, but also the challenge of being the Vicar of Christ. As an added note, he just celebrated his 79th birthday on Easter Sunday.

How well I remember the events of one year ago: we had just finished the mid-day Mass in the Theologate chapel (I was a transitional deacon), and were on our way to the refectory for lunch. The words echoed through the hall as an astute seminarian had checked the TV -- "HABEMUS PAPAM!" Crowding into the lounge, we waited with nervous expectation until those marvelous words reached our ears: "Nuntio vobis gaudium magnum, habemus Papam: Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum Iosephum, Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Ratzinger, qui sibi nomen imposuit Benedicti Decimi Sexti." At the word "Iosephum", there was a collective gasp ... and then the confirmation, with the unforgettable name: "Ratzinger."

Shouts of joy erupted; high-fives, hugs, and tears filled the room. We rejoiced with the Church throughout the world at the election of her new head and chief shepherd. As we reflect on this past year -- World Youth Day in Cologne, Deus Caritas Est, and everything else -- we offer our prayers for His Holiness:

Oremus pro Pontifice nostro Benedicto. Dominus conservet eum, et vivificet eum, et beatum faciat eum in terra, et non tradat eum in animam inimicorum ejus.

Let us pray for our Pope Benedict. May the Lord protect him, give him life, and make him blessed on the earth, and not hand him over to the will of his enemies.

Viva il Papa!

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UPDATE: I've opened this post for comments; feel free to praise Papa Benedetto, share your memories of a year ago, or hopes for the pontificate.