From ZENIT:
Vatican Officials Ask Filipino Faithful to Use Images of Christ, Not Pope
Gesture Falls In Line With Pope’s Call to Keep Eyes on ChristUse images of Christ, not the Pope, is the message Vatican officials have been trying to send faithful in the Philippines, who eagerly await Pope Francis, who arrives in their country tomorrow and departs Monday.
[…]
This request follows the various instances of the Jesuit Pope’s preferences for simplicity and calls on the faithful to keep their eyes on Christ and Mary, not him.
[…]
Yeah… I completely get that.
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That picture calls for a caption contest.
VATICAN PRESS RELEASE: “In a bid towards ‘open-ness and harmony, the Vatican announced today it will sponsor the 2015 Victoria Secret Fashion Show…”
I must say Father Z, your headline coupled with that picture has me in giggles. I don’t think anyone could beat it in a caption contest.
Is this really what they do in the phillipines? Weird. Beyond weird.
That picture put me in mind of this passage from the Acts of the Apostles:
“They called Barnabas Jupiter, and Paul Mercury, because he was the chief speaker; and the priest of Jupiter, Defender of the City, brought out bulls and wreaths to the gates, eager, like the multitude, to do sacrifice.
The apostles tore their garments when they heard of it; and both Barnabas and Paul ran out among the multitude, crying aloud: ‘Sirs, why are you doing all this? We too are mortal men like yourselves; the whole burden of our preaching is that you must turn away from follies like this to the worship of the living God, who made sky and earth and sea and all that is in them.’”
Acts 14: 11-14
That makes the wasp nest in the Vienna Jesuitkirche look almost tasteful and restrained.
Francis- The Great and Powerful
I can just imagine a “boots and pants” beat as ……ahem……Mass begins. Is there any video of this?
On second thought, don’t tell me if there is any video. I’m already getting that twitchy eye just thinking about this.
Given his Holiness remarks today about ‘provocation’ – far from his finest hour, to say the very least – I’d like to think this picture shows the Holy Spirit landing on him….
I’ll refrain from alternative explanations; they would probably tempt our host to tinker with my posting privileges here…
I have always found it odd to see a picture of the Pope in a house where there are no representations of even Christ (obviously a simple cross doesn’t count). It does seem to elevate the human above the divine.
Just to clarify:
That photo is not from the Philippines. It’s from Argentina. The caption reads:
“The Ara Yevi samba school performs on a float showcasing Pope Francis during carnival in Gualeguaychu, Argentina, early Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015. Members of the samba school said the Pope doesn’t know they chose to honor his life at this year’s celebration and look forward for him seeing their performing. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)”
Oh-ee-oh, Bergoglio.
The pope shouldn’t worry with spectacles like this, I don’t think they’ll be keeping their eyes (or attention) focused on Christ OR the Pope.
Yikes!
Father G says:
15 January 2015 at 10:07 am
Just to clarify:
That photo is not from the Philippines. It’s from Argentina. The caption reads:
“The Ara Yevi samba school performs on a float showcasing Pope Francis during carnival in Gualeguaychu, Argentina, early Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015. Members of the samba school said the Pope doesn’t know they chose to honor his life at this year’s celebration and look forward for him seeing their performing. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)”
Spot On-
Hope it was not published on purpose just to get posters off!!
It is becoming like crisis magazine in a way.I thought it was respectful of different opinions but mine, whitout insulting anyone simply do not get publishes, where people whose posts are ALWAYS critical of the Holy Father do
So are there any good articles on the Pope lately or should we just keep looking for the ones that bash him, even in a light manner?
Please make an effort otherwise readers might get the feeeling this is done on purpose?
It would be good to see that here for a change..
Well, if it was in Argentina and in Buenos Aires, it’s a “local boy done good” thing. They probably did a search and replace on some float they used to do for some Argentinean soccer player.
Forgive me if I feel disappointed – and a bit concerned – that my post here is evidently the first to say: isn’t this an encouraging, excellent thing that the Holy Father (“Vatican” … whatever) is discouraging personal celebrity and calling on Catholics to focus on Christ? Viva Christo Rey!
Boniface, I agree!
Cultus Franciscus. “Make him a saint now!”, they seem to be saying.
The float depicted is one of four planned for the carnival. There are more photos but they are immodest to post. Here is the article:
“A samba school has organized an unusual show to honor Pope Francis during the opening of a hugely popular carnival in Argentina.
The troupe Ara Yevi combined characters dressed as the pope or angels with scantily clad female dancers in its homage to the Argentine-born pontiff when the carnival opened Saturday in Gualeguaychu, about 230 kilometers (about 140 miles) northwest of Buenos Aires.
The 300-member Ara Yevi group is performing with two other schools during the carnival through Feb. 28. Some 400,000 visitors are expected.
Four floats represent different aspects of the pope’s background: his arrival at the Vatican, his love of soccer, the tango, and his earlier work in shantytowns. On one float, a huge dove of peace looms above the pope and world.”
My mental icon of the Petrine ministry is the Chair with crossing keys and a dignifited papal tiara floating above it. At times, especially in recent months, it is easier for me to handle this image and to pray for it, than for more specific personas.
Father G: That is HILARIOUS. Thanks for the clarificaiton and info about the Samba school float. I just love people.
That image is creepy.
1984
Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club
The Wizard of Oz
Follies
The Great Gatsby
It’s creepy.
@Bob Glassmeyer,
“Oh-ee-oh, Bergoglio.” Hilarious!
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain, indeed.
Father G:
Thanks for the clarification. I’m glad this was a float.