His Holy Germanness

I may not be a Catholic, Christian, or a God-fearing soul, but that doesn't mean I can't agree with what the Pope says. In particular, I like his thought that "life is a search for the true, the good and the beautiful." He might have been refering to God, forgiveness and redemption, but I'm thinking of love, hope and happiness.

Flicking through an old Bulletin, now extinct, (dated Jan 22 08) I found this amusing check list about how to become a saint alongside an article about none other than His Holy Germanness, the Pope. How appropriate.

Sainthood in 9 easy steps
1. You die. At least 5 years pass.
2. People recognise that you are a saintly person.
3. An in-depth study shows you lived a life of "heroic virtue."
4. An inquiry examines witnesses about your life (the MacKillop inquiry started in 1926, finished 1973.)
5. After prayers to you, you intercede with God, who performs a cure that defies medical and scientific explanation - that is, a miracle.
6. After numerous investigations you are beatified, declared "blessed."
7. You intercede for a second miracle.
8. You become known "universally."
9. After further investigation, the Pope approves you canonisation.

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The new Chinese initiative to clean up Beijing by getting cars off the road - in that they can only drive every second day, on an odd or even date according to the last number on their number plate is an awesome idea. I'm not sure how effective it will be in the short run, but I think it's a great way of reducing pollution and traffic.

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Oh, and happy World Youth Day for yesterday, or whatever day it is wherever you are! Because being young is the way to be.

x
JAG