Welcome Pope Benedict!

Habemus Papam! We have a pope on our shore! What a joyous time for celebration!

Last week, we met a large group of friends to get ready. The children loved listening to the story of Pope Benedict's life as told by his cat, Chico: Joseph and Chico by Jeanne Perego (Ignatius). The nice thing about this biography for children is that it was approved by the Vatican and beautifully illustrated. After storytime, we made birthday cards for the Holy Father and discussed plans to celebrate his 81st together tomorrow. I shared a few memories of Pope John Paul II's visit in 1979 and told the story of the impromptu celebration we had the day Cardinal Ratzinger was elected pope.

Here are ideas for making this Papal visit a memorable one, whether or not you managed to get tickets to any of the planned events:

* Visit Pflaum's website for reproducible activities called "Celebrate the Visit."

* Host a birthday party for Pope Benedict XVI on April 16th. Hang welcome signs, bake a Black Forest cake, make cards--anything to bring joy to the children on that special day. If you do not have eighty-one candles, use sixteen!

* Treat the children to dinner at local German restaurant or prepare an authentic German meal to mark the visit.

* Pray for the pope's safety and success at bedtime every night. Pray for the repose of the soul of Pope John Paul II.

* Yellow ribbon hung outside the home is a symbol of waiting and welcome--adapt this tradition for our Holy Father with yellow and white ribbon, the colors of the Papal flag.

* Create "Papal Visit" notebooks adapted from the Pope John Paul II Memorial notebooks we made three years ago when our beloved JPII passed away. A scrapbook of newspaper clippings would make a meaningful keepsake for the children to show their own little ones some day.

* Talk to the children about vocations, reminding them to ask the Holy Spirit to inspire their choices, remembering to listen for God's call.

* Invite the children's friends over to watch our pope on television.

* Did you know that our pope collects figurines of cats? Have the children make sculptures of cats from Sculpey or Model Magic. Even felt might be used for this simple project.

* Make "Ratzinger Salad."

The day Cardinal Ratzinger was elected pope, we were on our way to a friend's house for a playdate and did not hear the news right away. My friend Elizabeth greeted us in the driveway looking elated, "We have a Pope! It's Ratzinger!!!" Still in mourning for Pope John Paul II, it was such a joyful moment to learn that his dear friend would be our new "Papa." Three or four other families were with us and the playdate turned into a party and celebration of a new beginning. My children still love the dish we christened "Ratzinger Salad" on that day, simply because Elizabeth happened to serve it. Here is the recipe:

Mix cold cooked shells or rotelli pasta, tuna, mayonnaise, chopped red and yellow bell pepper, and chopped tomato in a large serving bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

This salad is delicious and easily multiplied for a crowd.

May you and your children have a memorable visit with the Holy Father! His faithful presence is exactly what our country needs right now.

Comments

[Christine M]

What wonderful ideas!

I remember when he was elected, and I told my (then 5-year-old) son the new Pope's name. A little later I asked him if he remembered. "Pope Benadryl" he announced(what can I say, it was allergy season)

[Kathryn]

How envious am I! Maybe one day we will see him here in the UK.

[Meredith]

This is so wonderful Alice, I'm linking you to my site for all these great ideas for those of us who can't "be there"!! Thanks so much dear friend!

[Karen Edmisten]

Alice, wonderful ideas! Thanks so much. I'm thrilled to see that Pflaum has a page -- I used so much from them for our JPII study last year.

As always, a wealth of ideas!

[patience]

I have been thinking of this picture all day long. Thinking of how wonderfully lovely it looked - reading to children out of doors, sharing with them the graces and beauty of your faith. Our homeschool group keeps the children so busy, I think we should consider incorporating more gentle, spiritually-minded moments like this.

Pope Benedict has said many things I admire. I hope his visit goes well.

[Jessica]

Thank you so much for sharing all these wonderful ideas!!

[Ruth]

This is excellent, Alice. Thank you!!!

[Abigail]

So many great ideas! Thank you Alice.
I prayed for your family's intentions at the Papal Mass in D.C. on April 17th. I'm glad you enjoyed the Mass in NYC so much!