Georg Gänswein: We will celebrate Benedict XVI’s 70 years of priesthood with surprise

Pope emeritus, Benedict XVI, will celebrate his 70th anniversary as a priest on June 29.

He was ordained in 1951. A journey that marked his entire life.

GEORG GÄNSWEIN
Secretary of Benedict XVI
“He remembers that day that it was an extensive ceremony, and the dignity of the prestigious and elderly Cardinal Faulhaber, who ordained him. It left a strong impression on him for life. A priest has been removed for that day of 1951 ”.

Since then, for Joseph Ratzinger the celebration of Mass has been essential. Even today, with his mobility problems.

GEORG GÄNSWEIN
Secretary to Benedict XVI
“Unfortunately he cannot stand for that half hour. So he just concelebrates, sitting in a wheelchair, next to the altar, while I act as the main celebrant. And this every day. There has not been a day that I have not celebrated or concelebrated Mass ”.

For this 70th anniversary, those who live with him in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery inside the Vatican, have prepared something special for him.

GEORG GÄNSWEIN
Secretary to Benedict XVI
“Benedict XVI doesn’t know yet, but we have prepared a surprise for him. For him, surprises are always related to the liturgy. We have invited a group of former boys from the Regensburg choir, the kind who learned to sing with their brother. They are between 40 and 60 years old. Some of them will sing in the chapel during Mass ”.

A special detail for Benedict XVI, since it is one year since the death of his brother Georg, who for decades led that choir.

GEORG GÄNSWEIN
Secretary of Benedict XVI
“The Pope Emeritus is a 94-year-old person who is physically very weak, and very fragile. But thank goodness his head works very well. Unfortunately his voice is very weak. It is difficult for him to speak. But he’s in a good mood and says, ‘Every day I start with the Lord and end with the Lord, and we’ll see how long it lasts.’

Georg Gänswein was one of the protagonists of a meeting organized by Rome Reports and the Pontifical Joseph Ratzinger Foundation to commemorate Benedict’s 70th anniversary.

It is a day of anniversaries. Indeed, one of the last public speeches of Benedict XVI was five years ago, on the 65th anniversary of his ordination.

Romereports.com