The other night we were talking about the lineage of Orders, and wondered how far we would have to go back to find a common ancestor. So I had to figure it out.
We have three priests here in the parish, and the "most recent common ancestor" in our lineage of ordination is Pope Benedict XIV, who was made bishop all the way back in the summer of 1724. From his hands one of us diverges, though the other two maintain a common line all the way up to Pope St. Pius X.
Ten sets of hands back into my own lineage I discovered quite a character: Carlo Odescalchi (1786-1841), who, in order to become a Jesuit novice, resigned not only his cardinalate but (apparently) his episcopacy as well. He was no worse off for the career move, it seems, as he is said to have died in the odor of sanctity and his beatification process is open.
2 comments:
Father Charles, thanks for sharing this information. I am sure that most catholics are unaware that a priest can trace his lineage from his ordaining bishop back several centuries, revealing saints, candidates for sainthood, or popes. Please continue these informative posts. Best wishes for a blessed 2009!
I'm sure that I had never been told this. It is really very exciting. You have Religious Roots! Wow! Wishing you a HOLY NEW YEAE!! Cathy
Post a Comment