It's conclave time, everyone. Here's some inside scooping by uber knowledge veteran with heavy traditionalist mind and reputation. There are "progressives" and there are "progressives."
The Remnant, nonpareil in his field . . .
The game is on. Is John XXIV on his way? Yes, but also no.
By: Gaetano Masciullo | Remnant Columnist
His opening grabber?
At exactly noon . . . on April 29 [the] General Congregation of the Cardinals came to an end. A few hours later . . . a rumor reached me— . . . The kind that makes you jump out of your seat but . . . must always be taken with caution: "Parolin has already secured the majority. On the afternoon of May 8, white smoke. Pontifical name: John XXIV."
Oh. Historical name, of course. The man would tell the world, it’s Vatican 2 revisited. Are you ready?
Then another!
. . . [W]ithin hours, another voice—. . . from a different source, equally well-connected within curial circles—reported the same thing to me. Coincidence? Pure suggestion? It's not for me to say. The sources, to be clear, are reliable. But reliable is not synonymous with infallible.
Of course. Many a slip ‘tween tongue and lip. Still . . .
What seems to be taking shape . . . is a subtle duel between two factions. On one side . . . supporters of Pietro Parolin. On the other . . . Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça—a figure capable of attracting support from the more progressive sectors of the College of Cardinals, as well as a portion of the moderates and some influential American prelates.
Cupich of Chicago clearly one of the latter.
And yet another?
Despite this, the modernists are said to have also devised plans in favor of the French Jean-Marc Aveline. He would be backed by the most ardent “synodalists,” . . . . Aveline’s name could be kept in reserve if, during the Conclave, Tolentino is deemed too closely aligned with Bergoglio’s agenda—now unpopular with many.
Aveline would [also] have his papal name ready: John XXIV . . . as Bergoglio himself had suggested years ago upon returning from his trip to Mongolia in 2023. However, there remains a concrete obstacle—his limited proficiency in Italian, which could significantly impact the selection of the next Successor of Saint Peter. Meanwhile, Matteo Zuppi, disappointed because his candidacy has likely faded . . . returned to Bologna for a day, officially "to recharge."
. . . to be continued.
That said . . .
Thought for the day — today — John 3:31-36, which “may be regarded either as part of what St John the Baptist said or (perhaps more probably) as comment by the Evangelist.”:
“He who comes from above is above all men’s reach; the man who belongs to earth talks the language of earth, but one who comes from heaven must needs be beyond the reach of all; he bears witness of things he has seen and heard, and nobody accepts his witness.
“The man who does accept his witness has declared, once for all, that God cannot lie, since the words spoken by him whom God has sent are God’s own words; so boundless is the gift God makes of his Spirit.
“The Father loves his Son, and so has given everything into his hands; and he who believes in the Son possesses eternal life, whereas he who refuses to believe in the Son will never see life; God’s displeasure hangs over him continually.”
Finally, a look at mass-going a few years ago:
7-1-23: Preacher in thespian mode. Good, but overdone. Hard to do well.
7-2-23: Fellow worshiper chats people up after mass. Proof of when church after mass is not a church but a social hall.
7-3-23: Preacher offers paralysis by analysis. How dry is he.
8-1-23: Preacher: "Have you noticed that . . . " Twice. "I don't see how . . . but . . . " His version of "Right? . . . Right? . . . " A sort of "Between you and me" approach. Over the back fence.
9-10-23: Sunday mass, two sisters two pews up chat throughout, mother ignores it. Preacher goes 12 minutes, delivering the good news. Girls continue, but at Sanctus they quiet down. Demonstrates power of liturgical sign, in this case bells, when all kneel and quiet descends. (Except when priest speaks out, time and again, sometimes loudly, mistakenly thinking he's the legitimate focus!)
9-28-23: The day the book fell. Spilled out when I the reader, walking away after reading the pre-gospel passage, left it on the missal. On to the floor it went, scattering many small sheets bearing names of the dead to be announced and prayed for! No dull moments when Jim's the reader!
Bright spot: Fr. R. from Venezuela, celebrant at the altar, drops to hands and knees to help me gather them up! From that moment, he's my favorite priest at the parish. (My next time as reader, the whole book had been cleaned and neatened up. So some good came of the great book fall.)
10-5-23: On this day, I the reader and bells-ringer managed the reading and petitioning but let mind wander and missed my bells at Sanctus. But ever onward and upward, bit by bit to my ultimate goal -- change it all to LATIN!!
-- JUST KIDDING!!
Same day, after mass to La Colombe, where at counter I forgot name of my fave coffee, which usually was posted but on this day was nefariously missing. And young lady at counter refused to read my mind! I hate it when people do that!
As for what I was reading over coffee that day, later, OK? . . .