LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The embattled Cardinal has been blogging on his experiences in Rome, providing small, interesting insights into his experiences as he participates in the conclave and its aftermath.

Mahony shared with is readers how the Holy Spirit moved him to vote.

"When we eventually arrived at the Sistine Chapel on March 12, I was still pondering two or three candidates.  However, when the first blank ballot was given to us, and when it was time to write down a name, something powerful--and strange-happened," Mahony blogged.

"I picked up my pen to write, and I began.  However, my hand was being moved by some greater spiritual force.  The name on the ballot just happened.  I had not yet narrowed my thinking down to one name; but it was done for me."

"I wrote it, then trembled deeply.  That's when I knew the Holy Spirit was fully working within the Church of Jesus Christ, and that my role was not to "select" the new Successor to Peter, but to "write down" his name--a name that had been given to me."

Indeed, this is how we would expect the Holy Spirit to work in such a circumstance. The election of a new Holy Father is not so much the product of campaigning and discussion as it is the product of diligent prayer and contemplation.

In Pope Francis, the work of the Holy Spirit is supremely evident.

As for Cardinal Mahony, he now returns home undoubtedly relieved that some of the cases that have tainted his administration as Archbishop of Los Angeles, are now settled.

Mahony has continued to blog about forgiveness as well as various aspects of Lent. In all his posts, forgiveness and compassion seem to be a dominant theme.

Perhaps as it should be, for the Cardinal has much asking to do, and much to forgive. Still, it is wonderful to see that the power of the Holy Spirit guides all our cardinals at the moment of truth.

© 2013, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.