CHATTER, THE ENGLISH VERSION OF KREATIVBEREICH

In the French section of the RFC, the girls set up a thread called Salon, in which they can exchange chitchat about anything, not necessarily about the Pope or the religion, although it usually is about the Pope and religion! Similarly, the German section has a thread called Geplauder, in which the talk is more personal - one's daily activities, the weather, a social hub, really. Since we don't have a separate Picture thread in which the chatter usually takes place, I hope this corner can be used for the purpose.

2/22/07 -
After posting the Ratzigirl interview here and making sone peripheral comments, I decided to come bck and check how I had introduced this section , and I see that it was started before we began our own picture threads - where naturally, the comments and reactions to the picutres should and do appear. All the more reason to have this space for the social function it's supposed to have.

[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 23/02/2007 14.18]

SWISS GUARD CELEBRATIONS

www.sciencedaily.com/upi/?feed=TopNews&article=UPI-1-20051125-11474800-bc-vatican-swissg...

Okay, so this is more news than chatter; however, I think it would be neat to buy some of the Swiss Guard souvenirs mentioned in this article--the caps and tshirts in particular. I'm wondering about the helmet thing referred to. It might be perfect for MaryBenedict in her next attempt to sneak into the Vatican.

THE HAIR IS BACK!!!

Check out the photos under the heading "Profilo Miracoloso", near the bottom of the page. Here's the link: www.freeforumzone.com/viewmessaggi.aspx?f=65482&idd=386&p=2

If that isn't a sight for sore eyes, the hair making a comeback on the temples. Hooray! He is starting to look like his usual rock-star self again, especially with that red cape.

SURE SEEMS TO BE! - even on the left side where there was too much pink scalp seen after the last "barber-ism" committed.
Anyway, I can only watch wide-eyed and mouth agape at the continuing succession of great photos from the last audience - the first with the oh-so-smashingly-suitable red cape.

Since this is a chatter page, I can finally make an observation I have been dying to make since all the flap about Papa's red shoes started. And that is - I am surprised no fashion designer is capitalizing on the interest in our Benedict's fashion choices to institute "red" as a fashion color for all seasons.
[I remember shortly after his election, many of the spring fashion shows featured a so-called Papal look - inspired by the rich burgundy and gold tones of the Papl stole when he first appeared on the Loggia.]

From personal experience, I have been wearing red to accessorize most of my clothes since oh, about 1972, when I interviewed a then-starting fashion designer in Manila (who 24 years later, would be dressing the first woman President of our country) who advised me that the best all-around accessory color was red, which can be worn with any color, and somehow makes you look always dressed up! Plus, it is cheerful! In his opinion, it was the perfect "neutral" color, rather than black or beige or brown. And I have never regretted following his advice. It helps a lot, especially when you travel - you only have to take one set of accessories - red shoes, red bag, red belt, and even a red overcoat in winter. You can't beat it. And no one will ever accuse you of being dowdy! [Of course, I don't wear red to funerals!]

TERESA BENEDETTA I've always like red but was never wearingh anything in this colour. But after what you said I'll probably try something red

teresa, i like it that Papa is fashionable even at his age..when i saw some of his Cardinal pics,i knew that he's got style! ..Don GG may just be saying *yes,that looks good* but Papa has his own sense of sleek style :)

love his red shoes! i dont usually wear red but Papa looks good in that color!

woops,wasnt able to log in hehe..anyway,lol

Christmas is a good time to start trying the "red" look. If you haven't tried them before, believe me, red shoes really give you a spirit boost (especially if you buy something that resembles Papa's moccasins - and it does not have to be Prada)!

I want to share some of the funny comments the Italian girls have been making about the latest "barber-ic" assault on his
trademark ciuffo, as they keep me chuckling every time I read them.

Paparaxvi had remarked that the way the barbarous barber had cut his hair this time, she could only think it was an international ploy to send Papa back to military duty! Ratzigirl answered: "What an idea! But it's one of the more probable explanations! Though personally, I think it's all envy!! Everyone is bald at the Vatican and they can't stand that white shock of hair, so at night, they all creep silently into Zep's room and play their dirty trick! I think, however, he tries to defend himself, which would explain the cuts we see on his face every so often!....Ratzi, fire them all, please! (Those who you think are your hairdressers were cutting grass just a few months back!)"

And Paparatzifan expresses concern for Paparaxvi who will be at the next General Audience, as she may find a Pope with even less hair than he did yesterday!

Well, we can only take heart. Benefan noted earlier that his hair seems to be regrowing fast enough...

Papa's hair is so healthy and i also think some Vatican men are jealous j/k..to think some of them are already bald at still relatively young age..no offense

Papa's hair is sooo gloriously shiny and healthy and truly a crown!! like a halo

Hmmm, yes, I like it. Mind you, with my Irish colouring (thanks to two great grandmothers), I have to be careful with red, it can look very ageing on me, and as I am somewhat "well-nourished", I can look like a tomato! But the idea of red shoes is great - I once had some bright red ecco lace ups, maybe I will look for another pair. I live in jeans so that would have to do!

Amazing how Papa's hair seems to grow so fast - just as well, or he'd catch a chill.

I was trying to find Amy Welborn's blog from last April when she wrote a hilarious piece about the papal shoes. She thought, why stop at red? why not have different colours for different purposes, say, green for receiving dignitaries, black for excommunications, yellow for vacations, purple for lent and advent, and blue suede for rockin' Ratzi...... Unfortunately there isn't an archive for her page so I can't link to it.

Just watched the Vesper service at St. Peter's - it's the first Advent Vespers service I've ever "been to", and I am constantly thankful that we live in the age of Internet and satellite TV which has made it possible for us to "take part" in extraordinary liturgical services we would otherwise never experience!

So much to say about B16,t oo, but above all, I was impressed by when he improvised, rather lengthily, on his homily, without missing a beat, to talk about "la venuta del Signore - in Greek paroussia, in Latin Adventus" and about the Virgin Mary as the living temple of God, etc. Through it all, that voice and tone the Italians call "suadente" which implies not only persuasiveness but sweetness and gentleness as well...

What a blessed way to start Advent and prepare for Christmas!

Yes, I just watched the vesper too. What a special treat on my birthday to be able to watch a our beloved papa LIVE. His vestments were beautiful. I have just one gripe: all these people with their cameras; flashes were going off left and right. I can understand that people want to take photographs but it is very distracting and takes away from the solemn character of a mass. They should forbid photography during a mass.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WILLOW! What a birthday blessing for you!

Thanks, Teresa. A special blessing indeed. I couldn't have asked for anything better expect maybe actually being there in person.

Hey Teresa! Vespers today were absolutely uplifting... on my own journey home to Rome as it is, this is the first Advent season that I am looking truely at Our Lady as someone more than just a virgin. She was a virgin - hand picked by God, to be the mother of His Son - a part of the Holy Trinity. Hand picked by God - ASKED by an Archangel to be a willing participant. She could have said "NO" - but she didn't! Papa's homily was very moving, especially the adlibs "suadente" YES!!!

It is always nice to see Papa no matter what color his vestments happen to be. The red are especially striking, but I somehow think we will never see him again in basic black or the wonderful red/black combination except in photos.

Speaking of photos, the 1 that Teresa was referring to of Joseph presenting Maria to JP2!!! The 1st time I saw it, I couldn't take my eyes off of it for the better part of 5 minutes! Their faces was so... expressive of the moment... I still get teary just thinking about it!

NanMN - I think that photo has got to be one of the most touching photos in all the hundreds (thousand?) we have been
exposed to the past 7 months! And we are lucky Ratzigirl managed to unearth it.

About today's ceremony - The polyphonic choral music from multiple choirs (a boys choir a men's choir, a women's choir)was lovely, culminating in the Magnificat.

The Pope's vestments today were particularly elaborate - his stole had an unusual back piece shaped like a shield and a giant breast clasp! The chasuble was a confection of gold and a shade darker than old rose - what effort it must have been to work gold thread into that brocade design (I don't think that was a ready-made fabric) and it made me think of all the patient, creative seamstresses and embroiderers responsible for turning out the liturgical vestments and altar drapes at the Vatican, how they serve and glorify the Lord in their own way.

Also, I enjoyed the recessional after the ceremony, not only for the majestic organ music, but for the sheer pleasure of watching Benedict with his graceful, stately measured pace as he walked down the central aisle of St. Peter's, acknowledging the crowd and reaching out now and then to touch an outstretched hand. (Someone even handed him something that looked like a pamphlet, which the priest walking behind him deftly took over.)

I wish we had at least one televised liturgical rite from the Vatican every week!

I hope the Vatican website posts the ceremony in its news archives for those of us too dopey to get up at the right hour to see it or who can't get access to it on our TVs. I wonder if that French site, KTO (?), will have it. The Yahoo photos of Papa were gorgeous. Well, not the photos, him.


Hey, what does that little star under my name indicate? It wasn't there before.

[Modificato da benefan 27/11/2005 2.34]

I THINK YOU GET A WHITE STAR FOR EVERY 20 0R 25 POSTS THAT YOU MAKE, THEN IT BECOMES A BLUE STAR ONCE YOU HIT THE 100 MARK, AND SO ON...RATZIGIRL HAS 4 GOLD STARS BY NOW FOR HAVING MORE THAN 4000 POSTS...

Correction: Blue star when you hit 200. I couldn't edit the previous post because it has me as my "Non Registrato" alter ego!

Anyway, while I'm here, let me turn to the little gags that Ratzigirl et alia post in "Per divertirsi un po" (in which they invent appropriate funny lines for a picture or series of pictures to tell a joke).

Examples from today:
"Furbicia cardinalizia" (Cardinal hijinks) -
in which Paparaxvi posts a picture of Ratzi with one of those amused side glances of his, and Cardinal Tettamanzi is right behind him, with his hand atop his cardinal's cap.
Paparaxvi's caption-
Card. Tettamanzi(sotto voce): "Shhh, don't say anything but since I had thought about becoming Pope, I'm not going to waste this unique opportunity. So now I'm going to change my cap for his!"
Papa Ratzi: "Hmm, you think I'm not aware of what you are about to do, old wolf?"
[In these gags, they always spell Ratzi's Italian words the way a German would pronounce them - v as f, soft g as ch, u as v, the Italian ch- which is pronounced like k, as k.. Therefore, "vecchio volpe" for old wolf becomes "fekkio folpe"]

So Ratzigirl replies, "Hahahahaha, here's the sequel":
Picture of Ratzi, cap in hand -
Caption: "This is mine and woe to him who takes it!..."
Picture of Ratzi as 2 hands take off his miter -
Caption-
Unidentified cardinal - "OK, if I can't have the cap...I'm going to have your miter!"

A second cardinal gag today shows Cardinal Sodano kissing the Pope's ring.
Caption: "Now look, Angelo, if you want to read my hand to see what it will be like during my Papacy and whom I am going to put in your place, that's not the way to do it!"

The third gag concerns a running fantasy that the Sante Coccole sisters have - namely, that the Pope is not only aware they exist but keeps in touch and welcomes their presence around him.
The picture shows the Pope surrounded by Cioccio, Marini, Sodano and others on the steps of some building (I can't identify the occasion) with a waiting open-top car in front of them. The Pope appears to have a cellphone to his ear.
Caption-
Papa Ratzi: "Hello...yes, Mother Sihaya...How many Sante Coccole sisters are there?...OK, I will wait for you here with the car...Oh, yes, there's room for everyone...The party will be at 9 p.m.?....OK, I'll wait for you."

i missed the vespers..:( ill just have to look at the pics..huhu

Happy Birthday,Willow! hugs

Thanks Teresa for the translation of new "Per divertirsi un po". Really funny.
Watching Papa in his magnificent vestments I was thinking about the him as a link between the past and today. I know that Jesus wasn't wearing thuis kind of clothes but his succesors for more than 1000 years did.
It must be heavy but Papa was carrying it with grace and elegance as usually.

Does anyone know if there is a museum somewhere (the Vatican would be the obvious first choice) for Papal liturgical vestments? They are such well-crafted creations, often with well-thought-out designs, as in the patterns they choose for embellishment - whether it's the quilted shells on B16's inauguration chasuble or the golden bees on his chasuble at the Mass that ended the Bishops Synod - and are often quite gorgeous in any of the liturgical colors, that a permanent exhibit of them would be far more interesting than any fashion retrospective exhibit that the Metropolitan Museum of Art here in New York, for example, mounts from time to time! And in the case of a Pope, each garment is linked to an event that's part of his Papacy and of Church history.

What, for example, has been done with all the liturgical vestments John-Paul II wore in 26 years as Pope?

Benefan - I have been trying to find out where to order Swiss Guard souvenirs since your post the other day, but no luck so far. However, the Swiss Guard do have an Internet site in 4 languages, including English:
www.schweizergarde.org/
But I do not seem to be able to find any section about merchandising! I think for the moment, the only thing I can think of is that during their 500th anniversary year, such souvenirs would be on sale at most airports and tourist shops in Swirzerland and in Italy, at the very least.

PAPAL VESTMENTS

I wonder if the exhibit on the papacy that is in San Antonio, TX right now includes papal vestments. It was supposed to include a lot of other really stunning items, including chalices, gifts to popes, etc. I was going to post an article on the RFC that I found about that a few weeks ago but lost it. I will keep my eyes open for that and the Swiss Guard souvenirs. Thinking about future disguises, Teresa?

SWISS GUARD SOUVENIRS

Here's a link to the souvenirs. It was buried in the site you provided the link to, Teresa.

www.gsp06.ch/it/souvenir.asp

PAPAL EXHIBIT IN SAN ANTONIO

This does include some vestments but most likely nothing recently worn by Benedict. The exhibit is supposed to travel to a few sites in the US but I don't think this article mentions where and when.

www.mywesttexas.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15477527&BRD=2288&PAG=461&dept_id=4756...

[Modificato da benefan 27/11/2005 19.41]

What a beautiful and informative story, Benefan. Have you found out the itinerary of this exhibit? I hope it is not just confined to San Antonio. It appears to have been put together with much thought and care. And imagine actually seeing one of the garments Ratzi tried on in the Room of Tears and the urn that held the ballots for his election, as well as being able to slip your hand into the bronze cast of John-Paul's hand! Not to mention the Mandylion of Edessa. And there do seem to be enough Papal vestments on the exhibit, including JP-II's Jubilee Year Opening vestments...Now, if we only had the itinerary!

MaryB - I love that irrepressible humor! Your definition of STUNC was a great piece of irony. Have you checked out the new "Buonanotte Benedetto" section of the main forum above, under the thread "Papa Ratzinger Forum"? Vallifra initiated it-
she wrote a short goodnight note to our Papa, with her reactions to the news of the day regarding him (that day, it was his Motu Proprio on the Franciscan churches...It is inspiring the most beautiful messages from the Italian girls, and I am dying to do translations...

STARS


"I THINK YOU GET A WHITE STAR FOR EVERY 20 0R 25 POSTS THAT YOU MAKE..."


Good Lord! You mean we get rewarded for posting, not chastised??? What a great forum!

PAPAL EXHIBIT

Okay, here is a great site for this exhibit, which will be in San Antonio till January, I think. It is supposed to be at several US cities. I'm looking for which others it will go to. Check out this site because it includes some great music and visuals of the items being displayed. You know the Vatican does things topnotch. After all, look who got picked to be pope.

www.vaticansanantonio.com/

[Modificato da benefan 27/11/2005 21.11]

And wow again! What a great site! The exhibit must be awesome and huge, if it covers 15000 square feet of space. This is truly an unexpected Advent gift, Benefan. It appears this exhibit started in Montreal in June 2005 and will go to Milwaukee after it finishes in San Antonio. How could I have been oblivious of this! It would have been a pleasant overnight bus or train ride to Montreal from New York. Anyway, I can do that easily for Milwaukee, too. I can't wait...