As soon as we heard that white smoke had been spotted over the Sistine Chapel, all the Touchstone staff went next door and gathered before the Reardon television in high expectation. The quickness of the decision was very encouraging, indicating that the Conclave was of one mind.
Both in the daily Touchstone prayer session each morning, as well as in the intercessions at All Saints Church, we have been praying for the guidance of the Holy Spirit on this important election.
All along I believe that Cardinal Ratzinger was the choice of the Touchstone staff, but no cardinals, alas, had conferred with us about it. It probably would not help anybody’s chances to be known as “the Touchstone candidate.”
I can certainly say that Cardinal Ratzinger had been my own choice all along. For years I have been drinking my coffee at breakfast from my Cardinal Ratzinger’s Fan Club mug. It has a picture of the cardinal on it, with the inscription: “Putting the smack down on heresy since 1981.” Indeed, I even reviewed Cardinal Ratzinger’s autobiography in the pages of Touchstone. He has long been one of my favorite churchmen.
As soon as the Cardinal Deacon today spoke the name “Josephum” in his announcement, my heart came into my mouth. It seemed too good to be true. When he spoke Ratzinger’s name, the Touchstone staff broke into applause.
This is one of the happiest events I can think of in a long time. Immediately after the Holy Father went back inside the basilica, I went over to church to give thanks and to pray for him.
Recent Comments