Today's dose of B-16

For our quick, mini-unit on Pope Benedict XVI, today we'll be:

• Taking a look at "The Pope's Childhood: In His Own Words," from Salt of the Earth: The Church at the End of the Millennium (and thanks to Ignatius Insight for posting this excerpt from Salt of the Earth)

• Updating our timeline with his birthday (which is tomorrow) and the date of his election to the papacy

• Looking up information on St. Benedict and Pope Benedict XV, both of whom Pope Benedict XVI honored in his name choice.

For Ramona:

• this "Fishers of Men" coloring page (although she's quite unsure that these beards look normal)
  

• Find Germany and Italy on the globe

• Look at Pope Benedict's papal crest, talk about its symbols, and draw her own crest.

And for all of us:

• Watch some coverage. Wish we were there.