Like everyone else I was "stunned" by this morning's news about the resignation of Pope Benedict. As others have said, what surprised was not THAT he resigned (there were clear indications he was considering this), but the timing of the resignation. I had been expecting that he would announce the resignation at the conclusion of the "Year of Faith:" in November; but he prayerfully discerned otherwise.I re-read today his Apostolic Letter, "Porta Fidei," announcing the Year of Faith, and thought to share its conclusion -- applicable to him, whether as Pope or as Cardinal and, of course, to us as well.

may this Year of Faith make our relationship with Christ the Lord increasingly firm, since only in him is there the certitude for looking to the future and the guarantee of an authentic and lasting love. The words of Saint Peter shed one final ray of light on faith: In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy. As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls (1 Pet 1:6-9). The life of Christians knows the experience of joy as well as the experience of suffering. How many of the saints have lived in solitude! How many believers, even in our own day, are tested by Gods silence when they would rather hear his consoling voice! The trials of life, while helping us to understand the mystery of the Cross and to participate in the sufferings of Christ (cf. Col 1:24), are a prelude to the joy and hope to which faith leads: when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Cor 12:10). We believe with firm certitude that the Lord Jesus has conquered evil and death. With this sure confidence we entrust ourselves to him: he, present in our midst, overcomes the power of the evil one (cf. Lk 11:20); and the Church, the visible community of his mercy, abides in him as a sign of definitive reconciliation with the Father.