The Vatican Sonnets

By Stephen Volk

The Vatican Sonnets is a unique collection of 21st century poetry! Papal Blessing granted November 22, 2008, and published in Full Vatican Color. Savor on a plane or in a monastery. For every Catholic Library in home and school! Vatican illustrations by photographers from USA, France, Canada and Italy. Special First Edition available worldwide. 83 pages. President Kenneth Noster of the new Living Water College of the Arts: "Thank you for this beautiful lyrical source of profound meditation, not unlike the impact of some of the poetry selections in the back of the Daily Office."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Apr 12, 2011
• ISBN: 9781257579570

Book preview

UPHOLD IN PRAYER, O UNIVERSAL SEDIARI

Unrivaled Sediari, light the world,

Present the Pontiff in your daily prayer!

Hail hallowed angels with broad wings unfurled,

Ordaining His will in St. Peter’s Square!

Lo, every Catholic is a bearer fair,

Declaring daily prayer, bowed in respect,

Infused with cardinals’ and bishops’ flair!

Now pray Church Militant and genuflect!

Palmed Sedia, a tall armchair of gold,

Raised by twelve Sediari, rears before

Aged Sistine Chapel! Symbols softly bold,

Yield in import to Pontiff’s prayer corps!

Endure, endeavor, ever entertain

Resplendent prayer for Pope’s renewing reign!

In the Vatican, the Sovereign Pontiff ascends the portable throne, the sedia; as sediari, arrayed in scarlet tunics, hoist it upon their shoulders. In like manner, universal sediari, are Catholic intercessors of every tongue and nation who daily uphold the Sovereign Pontiff in prayer. As the spiritual world is more real than the material, this is a very real image!

THE WALLS OF EDEN

They skirt the ancient walls, young lovers, while

His plan for Eve and Adam they renew!

Enjoying life and love and God’s warm smile

While to Him and each other they stay true.

Alive upon the ring of Papal State,

Love-locked securely under Roman stars,

Loyal to Lord Jesus Christ, each bonding mate

Surrenders in sweet silence for Renoirs…

Of sparkling light and color, they renew

Forgotten paths of Eden: As souls fresh

Enmesh in visions intimate and true,

Desiring life when two become one flesh…

Enchanting are the ways of Rome and God!

No angel lives who would not long applaud!

The full circuit of Vatican City, which Rome encompasses on every side, requires, on foot, three-quarters of an hour. To skirt the ancient walls makes a charming walk, and one which is favored by young lovers. To the poet, these walls represent the loving care of God and the boundaries of Eden. When our love remains youthful and tender toward Him and His beneficent plan, we recreate Eden in our souls. Unique displays of Vatican creativity