Latin, Spanish or French?

I spent two hours today answering a question to a concerned mother about what language I thought was best for a high school student at my alma mater to take. They have three options: Latin, Spanish, and French.

Learning a foreign language creates a voluntary habit within one person that, given enough practice, will allow them to use it quickly, easily, and with pleasure. At first it is difficult and awkward to learn any new language, but with years of practice and experience having the use of another language(s) is a useful, impressive and exciting quality to have. Nevertheless, having to choose a foreign language to teach your son between Latin, French, and Spanish is a difficult decision to make especially for a Long Island Family in the year 2014 because all three have their benefits. For a concerned mother, many decisions having to do with the high school education of her child probably will be made with considerations for college plans. In regard to college planning I would like to offer two points for your reflection: 1. Many colleges offer Spanish and French as part of their foreign language degree options. This is relevant to those who may want to study Spanish beyond Spanish IV or Spanish V or to those who may have a similar desire in French. This is not to say that many colleges do not offer upper-level Latin. However, it is undoubtedly more common for colleges to offer upper-level coures in Spanish and French. 2. Knowledge of Latin introduces the pupil to the world of classical antiquity. For the student that desires to study Classics (or a degree in Classics), Latin (and Greek) are essential. Colleges that offer courses in upper-level Latin would typically be those that offer a degree in Latin or Classics. (Which is by no means uncommon, but is (like I said) undoubtedly less common than colleges that offer degrees in French or Spanish.) Knowledge of the languages of French, Spanish, and Latin each have their individual benefits. In the case for Spanish, the language I learned while I was at Kellenberg, there are many practical usages. In addition to being able to read certain texts with a degree of fluency, it is significant to note that many people in the Western Hemisphere do speak Spanish. With the large influx of Hispanic Immigrants into the United States of America (especialy around New York), familiarity with the Spanish language is ever more important. If one was to travel to a Spanish-speaking land, basic understanding would be very helpful for the sake of communication. I took Spanish I, II, III, and IV at Kellenberg. Coming out of that class, I am able to read Spanish very well, and I can hear and understand quite a bit. My verbal composition of Spanish, however, is not very good at all. I have the vocabulary and the grammar, but I haven't the parsing skills I would need to be anything other than a very good reader and listener. I don't regret taking it because I was exposed to great deal of history, geography, and literature in Spanish III and IV which we did read about in the Spanish language. For French student, I can imagine one having a similar degree of fluency on graduation day that I have for Spanish. The practicality of speaking French is obvious in that French was, in fairly recent history, the official language of the world. Many people in Europe, Canada, the Caribbean, and the United States use French daily. Knowledge of French is particularly handy for scholars. Being that the French was the last true "global language," many scholarly works have been translated into or can only be found in French. I have been trying to teach myself French, should I potentially need a basic understanding of it in the future. I have been using the DuoLingo app which is a fantastic resourse for French, Spanish, German, and other languages. Also, I have begun translating the Catechism of Pope St. Pius X from French into English. This was at the advice of my Latin 101 teacher, Dr. Edward Strickland. He is the Chairman of the Classics Department here at Christendom and is fluent in Latin, Greek and Spanish among other languages. I have noticed that my familiarity with Latin grammar and vocabulary which I am learning here at Christendom and my knowledge of Spanish syntax which I learned at Kellenberg is aiding me in understanding the French passages that I am reading. Nevertheless, for all the Romance languages (Spanish, French, Italian) one should note very well that the all derive from Latin. Knowledge of the grammar and vocabulary of any one of the three Romance languages would help one in learning the other, but none more so than for the Latinist attempting to learn one of those languages. I would highly suggest taking Latin for a number of reasons. The first objection one would make to taking Latin is that it is a dead language. The Latin language is certainly alive, well, and used every single day. One must remember, the fact that Latin usage has stopped developing does not mean that the Language has fallen off the face of the earth. Granted, certain elements of very early Latin are no longer used and there are some parts of early Latin which I would say are only partly dead (e.g. the locative and vocative cases) as well. However, it is important for the sake of Western Civilization that we hang on to these early forms of Latin, lest we loose our understanding of the great works which we have from antiquity. Next, I would like to point out that Latin is very much respected in the scholarly world. Classicists are very much in demand, and to say that you have knowledge and understanding of Latin is not something that one can fake. It is in a way a substantial tool that becomes part of who you are and what you have to offer. This is because Latin is the door to the great works of classical antiquity and of scholarly works from the classical antiquity up until today. Many scholars today in classics, theology, and philosophy are writing in Latin for the sake of Latin's immutability and universality. In addition to that I would like to offer this quote from Pope John XXIII: "There can be no doubt as to the formative and educational value either of the language of the Romans or of great literature generally. It is a most effective training for the pliant minds of youth. It exercises, matures and perfects the principal faculties of mind and spirit. It sharpens the wits and gives keenness of judgment. It helps the young mind to grasp things accurately and develop a true sense of values. It is also a means for teaching highly intelligent thought and speech." With no doubt to the immense educational value of Latin and of classical literature which knowledge of the classical languages is the gateway to, it is important to note that all classical literature must be read in light of what we believe as Catholics lest we tend to think something ridiculous like "Dido was right for committing suicide in Vergil's Aeneid." For more information on how a Catholic might make the most out of reading classical Greek literature, I highly suggest reading St. Basil the Great's "Address to Young Men on the Right use of Greek Literature." (Copies of which can be found for free online. Spiritually, I believe in the primacy of the study of Latin over the study of the Romance languages in order of priority because Latin is the language of the Church. Vatican II was clear in that "Latin in the Roman Liturgy should be preserved." (cf. Sacrosanctum Concillium) Also, not only have the great works of Science, Philosophy, Mathematics, and Literature of classical antiquity up until modern times been preserved by Western Scholasticism (which was founded with the Pontifical Universities of Paris, Bologne, and Oxford) and by Christian (aka Catholic) monks, but the official language for the study of Philosophy and Sacred Theology is Latin. There is nothing like reading the Latin Vulgate of St. Jerome or St. Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica in the language in which they have been preserved for centuries. The common language of Latin ensures universal orthodoxy and the immutability of the Language (as opposed to vernacular languages in which the meanings of words are subject to change) ensures that the beliefs of the Church as they have been held since the Apostles and have been defined (in latin) through the centures remains constant. (In addition to all those disciplines whose texts are found in Latin I would like to make a small point that the footnotes of many scholarly works written in the vernacular are in Latin and in the fields of science, philosophy, law, and medicine many works are written in Latin. I am sure you can ask Samantha what "exeunt omnes" means. As a thespian, even she should be able to tell you that is a common stage direction for "exit all.") (Side note: EXIT comes from Latin where "it" means "he/she goes" and the prefix, "ex," means out, so "exit" as a Latin word can literally translate to "he or she goes out") As another side note, I would like to point out that language differences were a major cause of the Great Schism of East and West in the year 1054 between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. One major language difference between the Greeks and the Latins occurs when trying to define the different processions within the Holy Trinity. The similarities of words between Latin and Greek that have dissimilar meanings was highly confusing and enough to make the Greeks call the Latins Sabellianists (aka heretics) and the West call the east Tritheists (aka heretics). Hence, the schism. A personal argument I would make for the study of Latin is that in addition to opening the door to the immense virtues of classical literature, the study of Latin as a language itself helps order the mind to form a person more likely to live a well ordered life. There is something unique about the parsing, the declensions, and the conjugating of words and sentences that helps train the mind to function in a way that is well ordered. And we all can realize that living a well ordered Catholic life is conducive to eternal salvation. So, that goes to prove that "It is in a way a substantial tool that becomes part of who you are and what you have to offer." I hope that this helps you make a decision! I at least hope it hasn't made things worse. God Bless! Oh! By the way, one of the Latin teachers at Kellenberg is Mr. David Bonagura who is a professor of Christology at the diocesan seminary at Dunwoodie. He is an excellent teacher and Latinist.I highly recommend him.Unfortunately, at Kellenberg you can't choose your teachers. But I am sure that Mr. Bonagura would be an excellent for extra help as would any of the Kellenberg foreign language teachers.If you're at all interested in Latin and the Church I highly recommend reading Pope John XXIII's Veterum Sapientia.You may also consider Pope Benedict XVI's words which he spoke at an audience, "Pro Dei amore Latinam linguam discite" which translates to, "For the love of God, study Latin!"And for further aide in studying Latin (perhaps not Classical Latin, but certainly Ecclesiastical Latin) you might enjoy checking out the Traditional Latin Mass at St. Ladislaus in Hempstead. (Every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation at 9:00 am) I can certainly help you to find the text and translation of the changing and unchanging portions of the Mass.

St. Nicholas of Tolentino: Priest, Mystic, and Saint

JMJ

            Today before Mass someone challenged me by asking the question: “What do you know of St. Nicholas of Tolentino?” Today, of course, was his feast day in the calendar of the 1962 Missale Romanum.¹ At a loss for a sufficient answer to his question, I decided to look into why the Church honored him today, and more importantly, how his life is a model of holiness which one could use as an example of how to live.

            Starting at the beginning, St. Nicholas was born, Nicholas Gurutti  Sant’Angelo, Italy in the year 1245.² Known for being a model of innocence and virtue since the days of his youth³, he grew up to become a friar at the age of 18 and was ordained a priest 7 years later. He lived a life of holiness characterized by penance, fasting, works of mercy, and much time spent in prayer. He became well known as a preacher and a confessor.

            St. Nicholas worked in his years as friar feeding the poor at the monastery gates and tending to those whom Our Blessed Lord called “the least of His brethren”, those who by which we exercise the Corporal Works of Mercy we shall do unto Our Lord Himself. (D-R St. Matthew 25:35-36,40, 42-43)

            Augustinians have a custom in which they bless and give away bread known as St. Nicholas bread. That custom came from a mystical vision of St. Nicholas which occurred in his time working with the poor and the suffering. After a long fast, St. Nicholas found himself feeling very weak. He received a vision of the St. Augustine and Our Lady who told him to eat bread marked with a cross dipped in water. He regained his strength and gave these rolls to the ailing and afflicted people while devotedly praying to Mary. The suffering people to whom this saint gave bread were often cured of their afflictions. ⁴

            This was not the only mystical experience which is believed to have happened to St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas received visions of Purgatory. St. Nicholas, in his life, was very devoted to the souls in Purgatory which resulted in Pope Leo XIII pronouncing him patron of the souls of Purgatory in 1884, a year which only dates 129 years ago. ⁵

            One story holds that while Nicholas was in bed a deceased Friar whom he had known pleaded him to say Mass for him and for the salvation of other souls in Purgatory. Nicholas offered Mass for 7 days for the salvation of these souls. The deceased Friar returned to Nicholas in another vision assuring him that many souls were now in heaven as a result.

            Nicholas was a model pastor to his flock. Tolentino, a city which was divided by the conflict between the Guelfs who supported Papal control of Italy and The Ghibellines who supported the Holy Roman Emperor’s control of Italy. In the midst of this crisis between the Church and the Empire which became manifest in a very real way within the city of Tolentino in the form of conflict, he kept up his priestly ministry and tended to the poor, the imprisoned, and worked wonders and healed the afflicted. ⁷

            Conscious of his instrumental relationship as an instrument of the Lord, he continued the mortifications and fasting of his life up to the day of his death. He died on this day, September 10, 1305-- 708 years ago.⁸ His body is kept in the Shrine of St. Nicholas in the city of Tolentino for veneration.

            St. Nicholas was canonized in the year 1446 by Pope Eugene IV, and became the first Augustinian friar to become a saint after what is known as the Grand Union of the Order of St. Augustine in 1256. ⁹
_________________________________________________________________________________

¹ “Liturgical Calendar” The Roman Catholic Daily Missal (1962). Kansas City: Angelus Press, 2009. p. 15

² “St. Nicholas of Tolentino” Catholic Online. (accessed September 10, 2013) www.catholic.org

³ “St. Nicholas of Tolentino” The Roman Catholic Daily Missal (1962).  Kansas City: Angelus Press, 2009. p.1400

⁴ Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel of the Augustinian Order. “St. Nicholas of Tolentine” (accessed September 10, 2013) www.midwestaugustinians.org

⁵ “St. Nicholas of Tolentino” Wikipedia. (accessed September 10, 2013) www.wikipedia.org

⁶ Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel of the Augustinian Order. “St. Nicholas of Tolentine” (accessed September 10, 2013) www.midwestaugustinians.org

⁷ “St. Nicholas of Tolentino” Wikipedia. (accessed September 10, 2013) www.wikipedia.org

⁸ “St. Nicholas of Tolentino” The Roman Catholic Daily Missal (1962).  Kansas City: Angelus Press, 2009. p.1400

⁹ Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel of the Augustinian Order. “St. Nicholas of Tolentine” (accessed September 10, 2013) www.midwestaugustinians.org

Light of Love

The Imagine Sisters Movement is coming out with their new film, Light of Love, on Sunday. It is premiering online.

For more information about Light of Love visit:

lightoflovefilm.com

and for the Imagine Sisters:

www.imaginesisters.org 

God Love You!

Blazing New Trails

St. Thomas Aquinas tells us "Three things are necessary for the salvation of man: to know what he ought to believe; to know what he ought to desire; and to know what he ought to do." Therefore, a good education in the truths of our faith is fundamental to our salvation and our sanctity.

I am currently about to embark on a journey. I am starting a new chapter in my life. In June, I graduated from Kellenberg Memorial High School in Uniondale, NY, and this week I began my studies at Christendom College in Front Royal, VA. 

Christendom College is a college every Catholic should know about. It is the pioneer in the field of Catholic Liberal Arts education with a great books program which became the template for other Catholic Colleges around the United States. 

A degree from a college like Christendom (most of the others listed on the Cardinal Newman Society website) is practically a certificate granting a lifetime supply of much coveted "Catholic bragging rights." 

Now we all know, dorms aren't the most spacious of living arrangements. Luckily, this blog doesn't take too much space in my digital suitcase, so I brought it with me. Hopefully we can share the beauty of a Christendom College Liberal Arts Education together.

Courses I'm taking at Christendom in the Fall 2013 semester:
English 101: Literature of Western Civlization I
History 101: Ancient and Biblical World
Mathematics 101: Introduction to Mathematical Thought
Philosophy 101: Introduction to Logic and Philosophy
Theology 101: Fundamentals of Catholic Doctrine I
Language 101: Elementary Latin

Photo of a trail on the Christendom College Campus in Front Royal, VA

Re:Blog FR Z on Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate and traditionalists' attitude

I simply had to re-blog this. Not that, re-blogging is a "thing" but I agree with him.

Hard-identity Catholics ARE treated like second class citizens in the Church. The only way for us to combat this is to smile and become more and more involved in the Church and our Communities. The more visibly Catholic we are (and not obnoxious) the better evangelists we are.

When liberal Catholics attack, we must smile and remind them that "Jesus loves them."

and now for Fr. Z:

Card. Braz de Aviz moves on the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, curtails use of Usus Antiquior. Fr. Z rants, offers tough love.

Posted on 29 July 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

It has been a tough week, friends.

Now there is news which will make a lot of the traditionally inclined go bonkers.  My email is filling up with panicky bile.

Before any of you readers have a spittle-flecked nutty, in a spittle-flecked nutshell, the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate (FFIs) underwent an Apostolic Visitation which finished 3 July. There was division among the FFIs about Summorum Pontificum, their use of the older form of Mass, and criticisms made by some of Vatican II. As a result of the Apostolic Visitation, a decree dated of 11 July, signed by the Prefect of the Congregation for Religious, João Card. Braz de Aviz (remember him?) and the Secretary Archbishop José Rodríguez Carballo (a Franciscan and one of the first appointments Pope Francis made). It was approved by Pope Francis before its publication.

The decree appoints “Commissario Apostolico” ad nutum Sanctae Sedis, a Capuchin named Fidenzio Volpi, over the all the FFIs. It also requires – and this is the point some will freak out over and some liberals will crow over - all FFIs must celebrate the Novus Ordo and that they can celebrate the Usus Antiquior only with permission from competent authorities. This goes into effect on 12 August.

At a first glance, this move seems to contradict dramatically the provisions of Summorum Pontificum.  We shall have to see how it plays out for private Masses, etc.

I’ll bet most, if not all, of the Friars will obey. They won’t do an SSPX sort of move or go postal.  Their obedience will edify us all.

That being the case, let’s think about this for a bit.

First, and I don’t think the Prefect of the Congregation, or the FFIs that sparked this take-over by the Holy See, should get a pass: this decree will hurt a lot of lay people.  It will also stimulate the bitter element among those inclined to a traditional expression of the Faith. I had sensed over the last years that some people were finally starting to unclench.  This is a set back for their morale.  In short, a small group of people ruined something great for a lot of people.

What we need to keep in mind is that this decree is more about a division in a religious community than it is about Summorum Pontificum.  

The FFIs were not founded as an Extraordinary Form community, as some others were (e.g., the Institute of Christ the King). After Summorum Pontificum, a faction within the FFIs were making the Extraordinary Form the only form. As I understand the situation, other FFIs were unhappy about this, for various reasons. Division ensued.  A Visitation resulted.  The Holy See executed a take-over with regard to Summorum Pontificum.  The FFIs will now have supervision, because they couldn’t get along over this matter.

All this was set in motion long before Benedict XVI announced his abdication.  Remember also that the Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei“, now a part of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, wouldn’t have competence in this matter because the FFIs were not founded under their auspices.

Take-overs happen when something is not working.  Think about the LCWR. (No, I am not drawing a moral equivalence.)

I suspect that faults in charity and prudence on the part of the more traditionally inclined among the FFIs (and the fact that liberals are always ready to shove traddies to the back of the bus) set the stage for this.  Others were caught in the middle.  The result, however, is that the harder-core traditional types and those who lean in that direction are the ones who lost ground.  The FFIs who wanted only or mostly the Novus Ordo won the day.  Let’s let that sink in for a bit.

I think… think… Pope Francis is not against the Usus Antiquior. Francis, however, was a Jesuit, a religious. He was a provincial. In his day, Fr. Bergoglio dealt with huge divisions in his community.  He has insight into problems in religious communities. I think… think… Francis thought that the FFIs needed a way to heal their internal divisions as religious.  He hit the “reboot” button for them.  Moreover, the somewhat draconian restriction of the older Mass could have more to do with Card. Braz de Aviz than Pope Francis.  We shall see.

At the same time, I suspect that neither Francis nor the Prefect (nor the problem elements in the FFIs) gave much consideration to how this will affect the lay people in parishes that the FFIs staff who are attached to the Usus Antiquior.  If that is the case, then this move could be a manifestation of the sort of clericalism that Pope Francis seems to want to diminish.  We shall see what happens when FFIs start asking for permissions from competent authorities for pastoral reasons.  I hope people monitor this closely and let everyone know what happens one way or another.

In any event, this decree probably has more to do with a matter internal to a religious community than it does with the older form of Mass, though the older form was an issue of the division.

It probably also concerns the manner in which some of the FFIs approached or spoke of Vatican II.  Everything “Vatican II” is even more of a third rail now than it was four months ago!  Under this Pontificate, even more voltage is going to that rail.

At this point, I remind everyone that the provisions of Summorum Pontificum are still in effect… but they can be lost.

Therefore, I urge all of you who are interested in the older form, who want to obtain celebrations of the older form of Mass in your parishes or communities, to push ahead with energy and a cheerful attitude. Do not relax. Do not slow down. Do not flag in your resolve. Get to work. Now. And be smart about it.  Get whatever chips there may be off your shoulders and get to work.

Traditional, hard-identity Catholics, need to press forward and be prudent.  Leave aside harsh polemics or comments about Vatican II.  Stow them, at least for now. Be smart. There will be time in the future for people to sort what Vatican II means and what it doesn’t mean.  But, mark my words, if you gripe about Vatican II right now, in this present environment, you could lose what you have attained.

I have some suggestions.

Make some holy “lío”, as Francis would call it.  Stir things up in your dioceses.  But make it a smart and a positive ruckus.

First, work to get Masses established and work to get as many young priests and seminarians trained up as quickly as possible and as well as you can. Stick a crowbar in your wallets and spend money if you have to. Set aside the smaller differences you have over certain hotly-debated issues and band together.  Encourage and persuade with good cheer and without sticking your thumb in the eyes of those who can help you.

Second, get involved in your parishes or in the place where you attend the older form of Mass. Get involved especially in what the parish might have going in regard to spiritual and corporal works of mercy. If that means getting involved in a less-than-perfect RCIA program as a group leader, do it. If that means volunteering to visit the sick, do it. If that means offering to wash altar linens, do it. If that means helping with a food or clothing drive, or even starting them, do it. Do these things, firstly, because they are the right things to do. Do them also because traditional, hard identity Catholics are treated like second-class citizens in the Church. You need to give the lie to the impression which the controlling liberal class has about you.  Don’t just go to your Mass and then go home without thinking about the parish again for another 6 days.

Libs have been energized in the last few months.  They think that the momentum is in the favor right now.  I don’t buy that, but they do.  Thus,  in parishes and schools they will rise up against you more vigorously than of late. They are still mostly in control, too!  When they shove you to the back of the bus, again, be better than they are. Stay cheerful and remain energized, and keep pressing forward.

This next part is going to sting a little.

You more conservative or traditional Catholics out there and in here…. clean up your act and be smarter.

Liberals and progressivists seem to be able to set aside some of their differences to band together to create a larger force and lobby.  Together with the effects of Original Sin and the help of the Devil, their ability to work together is one of the reasons why they usually win.  They still control most of the structures and entities in the Church.  The Biological Solution is working on them, but slowly.  It works on all of us, by the way.

On the other hand, traddies, conservatives, call them what you will – self-righteous debating about these imperfect labels is tedious and you know what I mean by them – seem to want to defend every wrinkle of turf they think they own. They don’t want anyone who doesn’t agree with them perfectly in the sandbox with them.  They bite at those with whom they have far more in common than they have differences.  That has got to stop now.  The terrain is shifting quickly and we need a new approach lest we screw up and lose the good ground we have gained.

Be smart about this.  I’ve watched the combox here and on other more traditional blogs which have some focus on the Extraordinary Form and blogs which would surely identify as being “moderate” but which manifest a kind of no-risk conservatism.  All of us still over here on the ‘C’atholic side of things have to do better.

Nevertheless, I’ve also been watching the growing division between hard-identity Catholics and those who are a little squishy around the edges.  We have to do better!  We can’t afford mud fights with those who are for the most part fellow travelers.

I call on both traddies and – I don’t know what word to use – neo-cons? You probably know the range of people and bloggers, etc., I am talking about – to find more common ground.

To those on the trad side of things, you are going to have to stop biting in such a nasty way at those with whom you mostly agree. Moreover, bitchy moaning about Pope Francis in the comboxs of blogs is going to bring about the realization of your fears.  Cui bono?  You are going to spoil everything gained in the last years through your petulance.

To those on the – I dunno – neo-con side, it is time to rethink your no-risk conservatism and toughen up your Catholic identity a bit. You have your nasty moments too, especially toward those who have more traditional inclinations than you.

Goodness gracious!  It’s like something from a fable by Aesop!

The time has come for hard-identity Catholicism, but hard-identity in a smarter tone.

This is going to cost something on both sides.

Let us all start with an examination of our consciences.  We have to root out our personal faults, especially through the sacrament of penance.

We have to be smarter about what we are doing.

For this and more check out Fr. Z's WDTPRS blog at http://www.wdtprs.com/

The Anti-Benedict

I just noticed on Fr. Z's WDTPRS Blog that he recently posted about how to "Get Francis Wrong."
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2013/07/getting-francis-wrong/

In the post, Fr. Z points our attention to an article called "Five Myths about Pope Francis"
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2013/07/five-myths-about-pope-francis

The first myth about Pope Francis in this article is "1. Pope Francis is not the Anti-Benedict"
i.e. Papal Humility (See Below) is spot on.

Papal Humility

I was watching the World Youth Day (WYD) celebrations in Rio the other day. I was particularly disturbed by some implications made by the media covering Pope Francis's arrival in the Brazilian city. 

Many people in the world freaked out when His Holiness Pope Francis said that worldliness is "the greatest danger for the Church, for us, who are in the Church." Worldliness is a trap many people fall into. The opposite to worldliness is a certain spiritual mindedness which is marked by humility. Although Pope Francis's choosing not to live in the Papal Apartments, constantly trying to be among his sheep, and taking public transportation are certainly indicators that this holy man is challenging us to be more humble, they do not imply that this his predecessor was not a humble man. 

Pope Emeritus Benedict is currently 86 years old. He knew that he no longer could physically handle such active contact with people because of how advanced he is in age as well as handle running a country and a 2000 year old international organization. He then, with the entire world watching him,  ABDICATED the Papacy to someone who could be a better SERVANT OF THE SERVANTS OF GOD than he could physically. That is probably the most humble act I've ever witnessed. 

Therefore, people must not misinterpret Francis's call to us to be humble. That call to humility was always there. It simply couldn't have been expressed in the same way by a man who's too old to make an intercontinental flight and who had in his old age entrusted his security to a team of professionals who had, along with Benedict, seen the Supreme Pontiff (Pope John Paul the Great) gunned down. 

I am glad that Pope Francis recognizes Pope Benedict's humility and tries to embody it for us Catholics to imitate. Pope Francis, a man with his priorities set and a youthful vigor in his step, is truly trying to live out his title as Pope St. Gregory the Great put it, "Servant of the Servants of God," by being a pillar of virtue and an example of holiness just as Pope Benedict had.