Pope Benedict XVIPope Benedict XVIA Celebration of his LifeA Celebration of his Life and Valuesand Values

Early LifeEarly Life

Pope Benedict XVI was born Joseph Ratzinger, in 1927, in Pope Benedict XVI was born Joseph Ratzinger, in 1927, in Bavaria in Germany.Bavaria in Germany.

He was the third of three children whose father was a policeman He was the third of three children whose father was a policeman and mother was a cook.and mother was a cook.

Most of his childhood he spent living in Traunstein, which is a Most of his childhood he spent living in Traunstein, which is a small village on the border between Germany and Austria, and it small village on the border between Germany and Austria, and it was here that Joseph developed his love of Classical music, and was here that Joseph developed his love of Classical music, and in particular, Mozart.in particular, Mozart.

Early LifeEarly Life

His early years were not easy, as he was growing up during the rise of the His early years were not easy, as he was growing up during the rise of the Nazis and was forced to join the Hitler Youth, which he did not attend.Nazis and was forced to join the Hitler Youth, which he did not attend.

Joseph Ratzinger was shocked to witness the Nazis beat up a parish Joseph Ratzinger was shocked to witness the Nazis beat up a parish priest before mass.priest before mass.

His father was opposed to the Nazis, as he believed that that their His father was opposed to the Nazis, as he believed that that their doctrine was in conflict with the teachings of Christianity.doctrine was in conflict with the teachings of Christianity.

In 1941, his cousin was put to death under the Nazi eugenics programme In 1941, his cousin was put to death under the Nazi eugenics programme as he suffered from Down’s Syndrome.as he suffered from Down’s Syndrome.

In 1943 he was drafted into the German army, but managed to escape.In 1943 he was drafted into the German army, but managed to escape.

Task OneTask One

So far you have learned some important information about Joseph So far you have learned some important information about Joseph Ratzinger and the difficulties he faced as a young man, in particular how Ratzinger and the difficulties he faced as a young man, in particular how he and his father were opposed to the Nazi regime and believed that it he and his father were opposed to the Nazi regime and believed that it contradicted the teachings of the bible.contradicted the teachings of the bible.

Task:Task:

Imagine that you are the 14 year old Joseph Ratzinger and have just found Imagine that you are the 14 year old Joseph Ratzinger and have just found

out that you must join the Hitler Youth. out that you must join the Hitler Youth.

Write a letter to a distant relative / friend telling them your thoughts and Write a letter to a distant relative / friend telling them your thoughts and feelings and explaining why you think that the Nazi regime does not feelings and explaining why you think that the Nazi regime does not reflect the core values of Christianity.reflect the core values of Christianity.

Task OneTask One

Points for SuccessPoints for SuccessYou will need to do some research on the following:You will need to do some research on the following: Core values of ChristianityCore values of Christianity Core values of Nazism in 1941Core values of Nazism in 1941 Joseph Ratzinger’s personal experience of NazismJoseph Ratzinger’s personal experience of Nazism

On the next slide are some quotes from Joseph Ratzinger’s lettersOn the next slide are some quotes from Joseph Ratzinger’s letterswhen he became Pope. These may help you.when he became Pope. These may help you.

Task OneTask One

Here are some quotes from Joseph Ratzinger’s letters when heHere are some quotes from Joseph Ratzinger’s letters when hebecame Pope:became Pope:

1. “We are one community and have one origin, because God 1. “We are one community and have one origin, because God caused the whole human race to dwell on earth” (Acts 17:26)caused the whole human race to dwell on earth” (Acts 17:26)

2.2.““I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35)I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35)

3. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul 3. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and the greatest and with all your mind. This is the first and the greatest Commandment. And the second is love your neighbour Commandment. And the second is love your neighbour

as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39)as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39)

Defining YearsDefining Years

In 1951, six years after the end of the Second World War, Joseph In 1951, six years after the end of the Second World War, Joseph Ratzinger and his brother Georg entered the priesthood.Ratzinger and his brother Georg entered the priesthood.

For the next twenty years, Joseph spent his time reading and For the next twenty years, Joseph spent his time reading and studying religious topics and lecturing at university.studying religious topics and lecturing at university.

In 1977, he was elected the Archbishop of Munich, and later that In 1977, he was elected the Archbishop of Munich, and later that year he was elevated to the position of Cardinal by the Pope.year he was elevated to the position of Cardinal by the Pope.

In 1981 he was asked by the Pope to become Prefect of the In 1981 he was asked by the Pope to become Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith.Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith.

In 2005 he was elected as Pontiff.In 2005 he was elected as Pontiff.

Task TwoTask Two

You can see that Joseph Ratzinger was very successful in his career and You can see that Joseph Ratzinger was very successful in his career and rose through the Church very quickly, as many people around him rose through the Church very quickly, as many people around him recognised that he was committed to the Catholic Church, his recognised that he was committed to the Catholic Church, his congregation and most importantly to God. In order to understand what congregation and most importantly to God. In order to understand what positions he held, complete the following starter task in your booklet.positions he held, complete the following starter task in your booklet.

Starter TaskStarter Task: Pair and Share: Pair and Share

Discuss the following positions that Pope Benedict has had in his life andDiscuss the following positions that Pope Benedict has had in his life and

Write down a definition for each of them. You may need to use a dictionary or Write down a definition for each of them. You may need to use a dictionary or

the internet to help you.the internet to help you.

Task TwoTask Two

Priest:Priest: Bishop:Bishop: Archbishop:Archbishop: Cardinal:Cardinal: Prefect of the Congregation for the Prefect of the Congregation for the

Doctrine of Faith:Doctrine of Faith: Pontiff:Pontiff:

Task TwoTask Two

Pair and Share:Pair and Share:

Discuss the Christian values on theDiscuss the Christian values on the

following slide and put them into order offollowing slide and put them into order of

importance with the rest of your class…importance with the rest of your class…

Task TwoTask Two

Pope Benedict XVI is someone who has dedicated his life to the Pope Benedict XVI is someone who has dedicated his life to the service of God and others, living out the Christian values that service of God and others, living out the Christian values that you have just discussed.you have just discussed.

Task:Task:

You are now going to imagine that you are twenty-five years old. You are now going to imagine that you are twenty-five years old. Using the template design yourself a Facebook page. Using the template design yourself a Facebook page.

Points for success:Points for success:

What do you want to achieve by this age, in terms of career and What do you want to achieve by this age, in terms of career and family?family?

What values will be important to you?What values will be important to you?

What charities will you be involved with?What charities will you be involved with?

What will be your aims for the future?What will be your aims for the future?

The PontiffThe Pontiff

The Pontiff The Pontiff

The PontiffThe Pontiff

On 19On 19thth April 2005, Joseph Ratzinger was elected as the April 2005, Joseph Ratzinger was elected as the successor of Pope John Paul II.successor of Pope John Paul II.

One of his first acts was to choose a name. He decided on the One of his first acts was to choose a name. He decided on the name Benedict, thus becoming Pope Benedict XVI. name Benedict, thus becoming Pope Benedict XVI.

On the next slide you will see the reasons the Pope gave for his On the next slide you will see the reasons the Pope gave for his choice of name…discuss these reasons and what they tell you choice of name…discuss these reasons and what they tell you about his values and vision for his Papal role.about his values and vision for his Papal role.

The Pontiff : ValuesThe Pontiff : Values

“Filled with sentiments of awe and thanksgiving, I wish to speak of why I chose the name Benedict. Firstly, I remember Pope Benedict XV, that courageous prophet of peace who guided the Church through turbulent times of war. In his footsteps, I place my ministry in the service of reconciliation and harmony between peoples. Additionally, I recall Saint Benedict of Nursia, co-patron of Europe, whose life evokes the Christian roots of Europe. I ask him to help us all to hold firm to the centrality of Christ in our Christian life: May Christ always take first place in our thoughts and actions!”

Pope Benedict XVI

The Pontiff : ValuesThe Pontiff : Values

Starter TaskStarter Task

Pope Benedict chose this name because of two great Christians:Pope Benedict chose this name because of two great Christians: Pope Benedict XVIPope Benedict XVI Saint Benedict of NursiaSaint Benedict of Nursia

Discuss in groups what the Pope’s quotes tells us about hisDiscuss in groups what the Pope’s quotes tells us about his

vision and values for his Papacy.vision and values for his Papacy.

Task ThreeTask ThreeCoat of ArmsCoat of Arms

Below are examples of different coats of armsBelow are examples of different coats of arms

Task ThreeTask ThreeInvestigation:Investigation:

What is a coat of arms?What is a coat of arms?Find out what a coat of arms is. In order to do this you should discussFind out what a coat of arms is. In order to do this you should discuss

with your class and teacher. It may a good idea to do some with your class and teacher. It may a good idea to do some

research on the Internet. You may find you have a coat of armsresearch on the Internet. You may find you have a coat of arms

attached to your name, like the Munro coat of arms below!attached to your name, like the Munro coat of arms below!

Task Three: Papal Coat of ArmsTask Three: Papal Coat of Arms

Task Three: Papal Coat of ArmsTask Three: Papal Coat of Arms

In your booklet you have a template for Pope Benedict’s Coat of In your booklet you have a template for Pope Benedict’s Coat of Arms. Using the following email address label the different Arms. Using the following email address label the different symbols on his Coat of Arms:symbols on his Coat of Arms:

http://wordbytes.org/pope/CoatOfArms.htm

Once you have labelled it you can colour it in using bright colours!

PlenaryPlenary

In this unit you should have learned about the life and values of In this unit you should have learned about the life and values of Pope Benedict XVI, and you should have considered your own Pope Benedict XVI, and you should have considered your own values and aims as a young Catholic. What evidence do you values and aims as a young Catholic. What evidence do you have to show that you have done this?have to show that you have done this?

Final Thought…Final Thought…

Pope Benedict has a great passion for classical languages.Pope Benedict has a great passion for classical languages.

Make a copy of the Our Father in Latin to celebrate his life and his Make a copy of the Our Father in Latin to celebrate his life and his visit to Scotland.visit to Scotland.