Following the general audience of October 20, 1010, the Holy Father
Benedict XVI announced the names of twenty-four prelates who will be
created cardinals in a special ceremony, known as a consistory, due to
be held on 20 November, eve of the Solemnity of Christ the King.
"Cardinals", said the pope, "have
the task of helping Peter's Successor carry out his mission as permanent
and visible source and foundation of the Church's unity of faith and
communion."
Twenty of the new cardinals, being under the age of eighty, will
have the power to elect his eventual successor.
This means that, after
the Consistory on November 20, there will be 121 cardinals of voting
age, one more than the usual 120 limit.
Cardinals, the "princes of the Church" as they are traditionally
called, are the pope's closest advisers and are personally named by him.
They are usually archbishops of major dioceses or heads of influential
departments at the Vatican.
"Cardinal" comes from the Latin "cardo-dinis" (hinge) and symbolizes
the link they assure between the Holy See and major dioceses.
The Code
of Canon Law attributes to the College of Cardinals the task of helping
the Roman pontiff deal both with "questions of greater moment" and with
the ordinary "daily administration" of the Church.
Their trademark red hat, which they will receive in the ceremony,
stands for their readiness to shed their blood for the Church. The
colour symbolizes the commitment of the cardinals to hold fast to the
faith "even unto the shedding of blood" ("usque ad sanguinis effusionem",
literally "up to of blood the shedding") -- that is, up to martyrdom.
"In you," Pope John Paul told the cardinals in one of his consistories,
"the faithful and even the pastors of the particular Churches scattered
throughout the world look for light and direction to live more
profoundly the communion with the Roman See.
Is not this perhaps the meaning of the admonition contained in the
rite we are celebrating: 'Te intrepidum exhibere debeas' ('You should
show yourself fearless')?" That is the mission of a cardinal. Since
1630, cardinals are addressed as ‘His Eminence”.
In accordance with
Latin tradition, they sign by placing the title Cardinalis (abbreviated Card.) after their personal name and before their surname as, for instance, "Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith".
The new cardinals with then celebrate Mass with the Pope on the Feast
of Christ the King, Sunday, November 21, and at that Mass they will
receive their cardinalatial rings directly from the Pope to symbolize
their bond with the Holy Father, the successor of Peter.
The pope chooses the image on the outside: under Pope Benedict XVI it
is a modern depiction of the crucifixion of Jesus, with Mary and John
to each side. The ring includes the pope's coat of arms on the inside.
On the evening when the cardinals are created, that is on November
20th , the well-wishers of the new cardinals will be able to visit them
inside the Vatican, to congratulate them and to receive their blessings.
SIC: AT/INT'L