You Can Participate in the Conclave

Unless you live under a rock, you know that Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he is resigning the papacy on February 28, 2013. Yep, as in at the end of this month.

I watched and listened to the whirlwind of comments yesterday. Most of those in the secular media were of course dead wrong, over-speculative, and in some cases just disgusting.

But there were many Catholics over-reacting as well. At least that's my opinion.

In short, I believe that Pope Benedict is doing what he has always done; following what he has discerned to be the Will of God in what is best for the Church.

With that said, let us trust that the Holy Spirit will provide the Church with the right man to be the Vicar of Christ on earth at this time.

But don't sit on the sideline. Participate in the conclave! How? Pray. Start praying now. And don't pray for an African pope or an Italian pope or an American pope. Pray for the right pope; not through the lenses of your own experiences and not one that meets your expectations  but one who will be most open to the Will of God by the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Carry on.