Passionist International Bulletin

Passionist Life - Special EventsOur Passionists in the VULN Province of Germanywere particularly joyful at the news of the electionas Pope of one of their countrymen and also a goodfriend of our communities in Regensburg andSchwarzenfeld. Fr. Martin Bialas, C.P. offers thefollowing reflections:that never took place!Furthermore, the Holy Father visited our communityat Schwarzenfeld on more than ten occasions. Inparticular, the then Cardinal Ratzinger graced ourcommunities with his presence on three "officialFr. Martin studied for hisdoctorate at the Universityof Regensburg (Ratisbona)from 1970-1977, and it wasduring this period that hefirst met Joseph Ratzinger,a professor at theUniversity. At this timeRatzinger had his privateresidence built at a distanceof 400 meters from ourhouse, "Paulusheim". Hishouse as yet did not have aprivate chapel so he wouldgo to celebrate Mass in ourcommunity chapel, usually25-30 times a year. Onmost of these occasions,from 1977 until his electionas Pope in 2005, whenCardinal Ratzinger would goto his residence to work or for vacation, Fr. Martinconcelebrated Mass with him. Following Mass hewould usually join the community for breakfast.Until his election as Pope, he was scheduled to visitthe community the week before Pentecost - a visitPope Benedict XVI and Fr. Martin Bialas (VULN)feast days": The 50th anniversary of the foundationof our monastery in August, 1984; the 25th Jubileeof ordination of Fr. Martin Bialas in August, 1993;and again at Fr. Martin's 50th anniversary of ordinationin 1995.36Cardinal Ratzinger, Fr. José Agustín Orbegozo and Fr. Martin Bailas (VULN),Basilica of Sts. John and Paul, October 19, 1992