Saturday, February 18, 2012

22 new princes

Today in Rome, twenty-two new Cardinals were created.  In the ancient parlance, they are known as Princes of the Church for among their duties is that of electing the successor of Peter.

The consistory (the term by which this ceremony of investiture is known) was announced by His Holiness himself during his Angelus greeting on the occasion of the Feast of the Epiphany.  Among the newly-created Cardinals is the Archbishop of Toronto, His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins.

For the very first time, today's consistory followed a newly-minted programme, meant to simplify the celebrations.  Some have said that the Holy Father is attempting to move away from a previously thought-of Ordination-like format for this ceremony.  Whether that be true or not, this revised liturgy took only about 90 minutes to complete, including the investiture of each of the Cardinals with their beretta, the handing over of the Cardinalatial ring and the assignment of their titular church in Rome.

On the eve of today's celebration, the Holy Father addressed the newly-created Princes, welcoming them to the College of Cardinals, the Church's highest level of leadership, and encouraging them to follow afresh in the footsteps of the fisherman whose task of evangelization that has been entrusted to them.

Today is a day of great celebration, not only for the Archdiocese of Toronto, where Cardinal Collins is currently serving, but for the entire Church in Canada.  Congratulations and best wishes to the newly-created Cardinal.  Prayers are offered for blessings on your ministry and leadership.

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