On Saturday we hosted a 'Pope Benedict Party' to honor the enthronement of His Holiness. Lots of saurkraut, lots of bratwurst, and of course, lots and lots of German beer. At the pinnacle of the celebration, we swore the following oath of fidelity to the Holy Father. We had had a difficult time finding a suitable oath. We slapped this one together from a variety of existing oaths, so it's somewhat of a patchwork job. But in my opinion, quite heavy on the POD side. Which is a good thing.
Solemn Oath of Fidelity to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
I, __________, with firm faith believe and profess everything that is contained in the Symbol of faith, everything contained in the Word of God, whether written or handed down in Tradition, and everything definitively proposed by the Church regarding teaching on faith and morals.
I promise and swear to be faithful henceforth and forever, while I live, to Christ and his Gospel, being constantly obedient to the Holy Roman Apostolic Church, to Blessed Peter in the person of the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI, and of his canonically elected Successors; to maintain communion with the Catholic Church always, in word and deed; to carry out with great diligence and faithfulness those tasks to which I am called by my service to the Church.
I now, in the presence of the indivisible Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the blessed Michael the Archangel, the blessed St. John the Baptist, the holy Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul and all the saints and sacred hosts of heaven, do declare and swear, that his holiness the Pope is Christ's Vice-regent and is the true and only head of the Catholic or Universal Church throughout the earth.
I swear I will faithfully, loyally and honourably serve the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI and his legitimate successors, and also dedicate myself to them with all my strength, sacrificing if necessary also my life to defend them.
In fulfilling the charge entrusted to me in the name of the Church, I shall hold fast to the deposit of faith in its entirety; I shall faithfully hand it on and explain it, and I shall avoid any teachings contrary to it.
So help me Almighty God and all His saints.
