Ad multos annos!

Today we celebrate the 2nd anniversary of our Holy Father's election! Just a few days ago we celebrated his 80th birthday! Please remember to say prayers for him; think about how tiring it must be for an 80-year-old man to celebrate the grueling hours of the Holy Week liturgy, and to shepherd our Catholic Church.

V. Let us pray for Benedict XVI, the Pope.
R. May the Lord preserve him, give him a long life, make him blessed upon the earth, and may the Lord not hand him over to the power of his enemies.
V. May your hand be upon your holy servant.
R. And upon your son whom you have anointed.

Let us pray. O God, the Pastor and Ruler of all the faithful, look down, in your mercy, upon your servant, Benedict, whom you have appointed to preside over your Church; and grant, we beseech you, that both by word and example, he may edify all those under his charge; so that, with the flock entrusted to him, he may arrive at length unto life everlasting. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen

And here's a quotable quote from our Pope (from an interview in the book "Salt of the Earth"):

Q: Isn't it extremely wearing having to deal with God every day?
Dealing with God every day is a necessity for me. For just as we have to breathe every day, just as we need light every day and have to eat every day, just as we also need friendship every day and truly need certain people every day, dealing with God is one of the absolutely fundamental elements of life. If God suddenly disappeared, my soul wouldn't be able to breathe properly.