John Paul I

Today is the anniversary of the eleciton of John Paul I (Albino Luciani). He reigned as Pope for only 33 days before our Lord called him to his Celestial Reward. It was he who, trying to move the Second Vatican Council forward chose the names John and Paul to pay tribute to his predecessors who presided over the council. And thanks to JP1, our current Holy Father, John Paul II, took that name as well. And really, I couldn't imagine calling Karol Wojtyla anything other than JP2.

So, I offer this little Ave for John Paul I, and I ask him to intercede for our current Pontiff . . . that he might carry forward his office until Our Lord calls him home.

Ave Maria, gratia plena, dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus venrtis tu, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.