Easter Eggs w/Auntie Kim!

"Pitiable and yet Chosen"

Pope Francis' papal coat of arms:
It has the three-tiered miter on top - the hat worn by the Bishop of Rome
The gold and silver keys of St. Peter (Mt. 16)
The white pallium with 3 red crosses - worn over vestments by bishops
The crest: IHS - Iesus Salvator Hominum = Jesus the Savior of Mankind with the golden sun behind and 3 nails symbolizing the Cross
The white star: symbol of Mary, Star of the Sea
The flowering of grapes: one of the traditional symbols of St. Joseph
In sum: Jesus, Mary and Joseph = the Holy Family
Latin Motto: "Pitiable and yet Chosen" - mankind is pitiable and yet chosen/elected by God for salvation.

He's doing it

Benedict is now walking all over the place. Faustina and Jude are more excited than anyone, it seems. Every time he walks - which is most the time now, they yell at the top of their lungs, "Look, Mom, he's doing it! He's walking!". I love how his walk is still all wobbly and he walks with his hands extended straight up in the air.

Habemus Papam! [updated]

Here's a couple articles on our new Shepherd, Pope Francis:

• Pope Francis talks about his name and 1st press conference
• Catholic Spirit article
• Chiesa piece - more in-depth
• A reflection on Card. Bergoglio in 2009
•  http://wdtprs.com/blog/2013/03/pope-francis-the-real-deal-has-audience-with-cardinals/ 
• 1st homily: http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1350467?eng=y 
• about this pope: http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1350465?eng=y 
• More about Francis: http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1335696?eng=y

Pope Francis' first words...

Brothers and sisters, good evening!

You know how the duty of the Conclave is to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother cardinals have gone to take him from the edge of the world... but here we are. 

I thank you for your welcome. The diocesan family of Rome has your bishop: thank you! And before anything else, I'd like for us to pray for our bishop-emeritus, Benedict XVI. Let us pray together for him, that the Lord bless him and Our Lady keep him in her care....

Our Father....

Hail Mary....

Glory Be....

And now, together, let us start this road: bishop and people. This [new] path of the church of Rome, which "presides in charity" [over] all the churches. A path of brotherhood, of love, of trust between us. Let us pray always for ourselves: one for the other. Let us pray for all the world, that we all might know a great fraternity. I wish you that this journey as Church, that we begin today and on which my Cardinal-Vicar [of Rome] will help me, might be fruitful for the evangelization of this beautiful city!

And now I'll give you my blessing... but first – first, I ask you this favor: before the bishop blesses his people, I ask that you pray to the Lord that he might bless me: the prayer of the people, seeking God's blessing for their bishop. In silence, please pray over me....

*Pope Bows to crowd*

Now I give my blessing to you and all the world – to all men and women of good will....

Brothers and sisters, I leave you, but only for now. Many thanks for your warm welcome. Please pray for me often!

I'll see you soon – tomorrow I want to go pray to Our Lady [Salus Populi Romani – her shrine at St Mary Major], because she's the one who cares for Rome.

Good night and sleep well!

The guys

Our Artist

Faustina. loves. art. She loves loves loves to color. That is by far her number one activity. We have a hard time keeping markers around, she uses them so much! And, she is quite good. She is very detailed and careful in her drawings. It is fun to see how her pictures progress as the months go by. Right now, she is drawing lots of people, tall figures with more detailed faces. Actually, in general, Faustina seems to love color, all types of artwork, clothes (she is all girl!), and fashion, design, etc. She is good at picking out matching outfits and coordinating clothes. She tells me she has no plans to get married because she plans on being an artist. 

On the left is a picture of our family, with one added guest. In the middle everyone is in a house peeking out the windows. And we have a pretty rose on the right.

Uncle Travis' friend was stopping over to say 'hi' to the kids. Faustina ran downstairs with Jude to draw some pictures for her. Faustina's is a bit more sophisticated than Jude's....at this point in time.