NEWTOWNSANDES
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Over the past few weeks, digital Catholic social hubs have been ablaze with passionate debates sparked by Pope Francis’s remarks concerning other religions as “paths to God.” It is not my intention here to offer commentary on the pontiff’s words, as CWR contributors Larry Chapp and Christopher Altieri have already competently performed that task. Regardless of what one makes of the debacle, magisterial teaching resoundingly affirms that religious dialogue has its rightful place within Catholic life. And, fortunately, the Church has well-established guidelines for this engagement, as outlined in such sources as the Second Vatican Council’s Nostra Aetate, John Paul II’s encyclical Redemptoris Missio, the curial document Dialogue and Proclamation, and Joseph Ratzinger’s Truth and Tolerance: Christian Belief and World Religions.ather, I want to showcase what authentic dialogue with non-Christians ought to look like through a privileged lens that has heretofore received scant attention.
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Thomas Cromwell
Thomas Cromwell (around 1485–1540) rose to become one of Henry VIII's key advisors, a tale of intrigue and ambition told in Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall Trilogy. But how much do we actually know about this seasoned statesman? What can records at The National Archives tell us about his life?
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Elizabeth’s life and demeanor reportedly changed after she received her First Holy Communion. Before receiving the sacrament, her mother and sister recall fits of anger and Elizabeth’s quick temper. However, upon leaving the church that day, she expressed to a friend:
“I am no longer hungry. Jesus has fed me.”
Elizabeth’s mother also recalled that fits of anger no longer occurred after her First Holy Communion.
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October 26 2024; Today in history, a man who would come to be known as the “Albanian Braveheart” delivered his homeland — and by extension, all of Europe — from a brutal Muslim siege following a series of mindboggling events.
Nearly four decades earlier, this same Albanian, George Kastrioti — better known as Skanderbeg (“Lord Alexander”) — was taken captive as a small child by the Ottoman Turks, and trained to be a janissary: a Christian slave turned Muslim soldier. Excelling at war, he quickly rose among the Ottoman ranks until he became a renowned general with thousands of Turks under his command.
But despite all the honors showered on him, once the opportunity came in 1450, he showed where his true allegiance lay: he broke free of the Ottomans and fled back to his native and continuously harried Albania. There, after openly reclaiming his Christian faith, he “abjured the prophet and the sultan, and proclaimed himself the avenger of his family and country.”
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Prayer for our Deceased
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord
and let the perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
Lord God,
whose days are without end
and whose mercies beyond counting,
keep us mindful
that life is short and the hour of death unknown.
Let your Spirit guide our days on earth
in the ways of holiness and justice,
that we may serve you
in union with the whole Church,
sure in faith, strong in hope, perfect in love.
And when our earthly journey is ended,
lead us rejoicing into your kingdom,
where you live for ever and ever.
Amen.
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Be Happy with what your have, keep working on what you love and remember a happy life begins by
Saying “Thank you Lord for what I have.”
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Weekly Newsletter
20th Sunday after Pentecost
6th October 2024
Dear Friends of Sacred Heart Church,
In today’s Gospel, we witness the royal official, calling for Our Lord’s grace to heal his child lest he would die. And Our Lord, after a little resistance, healed not only the official’s son from his bodily sickness but also the spiritual disease of a lack of perfect faith in Him, both to the official and to his household. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to help us to ever mature in our Faith that seeks not for His miracles, but for His grace.
The Month of the Holy Rosary Has Arrived
Last week, we began the month of October, and hence the month of the Most Holy Rosary! As one of the most important and iconic devotions to our Blessed Mother in the Church, we are all invited to invest more time and fervour in our daily meditation of the mysteries of the Life, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Following the requests of Pope Leo XIII as expressed in his encyclical Octobri Mense
of 1891 to ‘redouble [our] piety towards the august Mother of God, the mighty helper of
Christians, and [to] pray to her throughout the month, invoking her by that most holy rite of the Rosary’, we started reciting the Holy Rosary together during our Adoration at 5 p.m. every day (except on Thursdays, when we do it right after the 8 a.m. Mass, and on Fridays, when we will pray it as usual after the 6 p.m. Mass). We encourage all of you to make a special effort to attend this great devotion to the glory of God and for the honour of our Queen of Heaven!
Patronal Feast of Ardee
Speaking of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, tomorrow will be the patronal feast of our convent in Ardee, as the convent is dedicated to Blessed Mother under this title. Please join us in returning their daily prayers for us and our apostolates with more particular prayers for them tomorrow.
A new car has arrived in Sacred Heart Church!
On other news, you may have noticed that Canon Henry now has a new car! We are very happy with his new acquisition that he is now entrusting to our apostolate.
We have felt the need for this car for some time in our Church, particularly to ensure our capacity to reach our other apostolates, and especially Galway to which we travel every Sunday to celebrate Mass. Thanks to Providence, we were able to find a second-hand car in good condition for a reasonable price.
It will be no surprise to anyone, however, that it came with a sizeable investment including insurance. If you would like to make a contribution to this most recent expense, please indicate Car on your weekly donation envelope. Any help will be much appreciated!
Provincial Days in Italy
In our Institute, the different provinces and regions look to have an annual reunion called the Provincial Days. During this period, the priests spend a few days together in prayer, community outings and other activities to reinforce our fraternal charity and familial spirit with those who work closer to us in the same Province but aren’t always within our reach.
During these upcoming days, the Italian Province will have its Provincial Days, and will be joined by a small detachment of our Irish Province. Canons Heppelle, Henry and Gribbin will be away for a few days in Sicily to be united with our fellow Canons of ‘The Boot of the South’ and will be back on Saturday. Have a safe trip!
Pilgrimage to Lisieux
During this upcoming week also, from Wednesday the 9th until Sunday the 13th of October, Canon Lebocq will lead a small group who will be joining our Institute pilgrimage to Lisieux. This trip will include moments of prayer and visits to Montligeon (a shrine dedicated to praying for the Holy Souls), the Carmel Convent of Argentan, the beautiful cathedral of Notre Dame de Chartres (which houses Our Lady’s veil!) and culminating with a Mass and Benediction in Lisieux.
Please keep our little Irish delegation in your prayers. We wish you a safe journey throughout France!
Canon Lebocq
Prior of Sacred Heart Church
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By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú
Vatican City, Oct 24, 2024 / 15:30 pm
Here are some of the most inspiring quotes from Pope Francis in his new encyclical Dilexit Nos on the divine and human love of the heart of Jesus Christ:
“Mere appearances, dishonesty, and deception harm and pervert the heart. Despite our every attempt to appear as something we are not, our heart is the ultimate judge, not of what we show or hide from others, but of who we truly are. It is the basis for any sound life project; nothing worthwhile can be undertaken apart from the heart. False appearances and untruths ultimately leave us empty-handed” (No. 6).
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By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, 17 October, 2024 / 7:10 pm (ACI Africa).
Among the 14 people who will become the Catholic Church’s newest saints on Sunday is a priest whose intercession led to the miraculous healing of a man mauled by a jaguar, a woman who convinced a pope to call for a worldwide novena to the Holy Spirit, and 11 men killed in Syria for refusing to renounce their faith and convert to Islam.
While not household names, the 14 soon-to-be saints each exemplified heroic virtue and witnessed to holiness within their unique vocations, including two married men — a father of eight and a father of five, respectively — and three founders of religious orders who have generations of spiritual children who have continued their spiritual legacy throughout the world.
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SAINT John Paull II – Feast Day 22nd October. Karol Wojtyla, taking the name John Paul II, was pope from 22nd October 1978 until his death on 2nd April 2005. Born in Wadowice, Poland on 18th May 1920, he studied at the seminary in Krakow, was ordained a priest in 1946 and then studied in Rome. After parish work and university chaplaincy he again undertook further studies in philosophy and theology. He was ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Krakow in 1958, in 1964 archbishop, and in 1967 he
was created a cardinal. He took part in the Second Vatican Council, making a significant contribution to the drafting of the document Constitution on the Church in the Modern World. As Bishop of Rome he visited almost all of the Roman parishes and made apostolic journeys to over 100 countries, including Ireland from 29th September to 1st October 1979. He played a major role in the collapse of
Communism in Eastern Europe in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. He suffered from Parkinson’s Disease for many years before his death in 2005. He was beatified on 1st May 2011 and canonized on 27th April 2014, Divine Mercy Sunday. His feast day is observed on the anniversary of his inauguration as Pope on 22nd October 1978.
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Feast of Blessed Taidhg Mac Carthaigh (1566-1602) is celebrated on Friday 25th October. When he was made Bishop of Cork and Cloyne, the then Earl of Desmond demanded that his appointment be confirmed by the Pope. He travelled to Rome as a pilgrim but on his return journey to Ireland he died in the town of Ivrea in Italy where he is still venerated as the ‘Irish Saint’
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Pope Francis on Sunday encouraged Catholics in a remote town in Papua New Guinea to continue to be missionaries where they live, working together to replace superstition and fear with love. After celebrating Mass in Port Moresby on Sept. 8 2024.
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQVzXbzrVHtgFJqPDJfSLvNWzTr
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Saint Pio of Pietrelcina’s Story
In one of the largest such ceremonies in history, Pope John Paul II canonized Padre Pio of Pietrelcina on June 16, 2002. It was the 45th canonization ceremony in Pope John Paul’s pontificate. More than 300,000 people braved blistering heat as they filled St. Peter’s Square and nearby streets. They heard the Holy Father praise the new saint for his prayer and charity. “This is the most concrete synthesis of Padre Pio’s teaching,” said the pope. He also stressed Padre Pio’s witness to the power of suffering. If accepted with love, the Holy Father stressed, such suffering can lead to “a privileged path of sanctity.”
Many people have turned to the Italian Capuchin Franciscan to intercede with God on their behalf; among them was the future Pope John Paul II. In 1962, when he was still an archbishop in Poland, he wrote to Padre Pio and asked him to pray for a Polish woman with throat cancer. Within two weeks, she had been cured of her life-threatening disease.
Born Francesco Forgione, Padre Pio grew up in a family of farmers in southern Italy. Twice his father worked in Jamaica, New York, to provide the family income.
At the age of 15, Francesco joined the Capuchins and took the name of Pio. He was ordained in 1910 and was drafted during World War I. After he was discovered to have tuberculosis, he was discharged. In 1917, he was assigned to the friary in San Giovanni Rotondo, 75 miles from the city of Bari on the Adriatic.
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By Andrés Henríquez
Caracas, Venezuela, 23 August, 2024 / 7:30 pm (ACI Africa).
The first Catholic missionaries arrived in Papua New Guinea just 70 years ago. In a place where the faith is so recent, Father Martin Prado, amissionary of the Institute of the Incarnate Word (IVE) who does pastoral work in the country, highlighted the conversions that occur “through very simple things that reflect that it is God who is behind it.”
Pope Francis will visit Papua New Guinea as part of an apostolic journey that will take place Sept. 2-13 in Oceania and that will also take him to Indonesia, East Timor, and Singapore.
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By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, Jul 12, 2024 / 09:18 am
Pope Francis received a top-ranking member of the Russian Orthodox Church for private discussions at the Vatican this week.
The Holy See Press Office confirmed on July 12 that the pope received Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, the head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, on Thursday afternoon.
Metropolitan Anthony is essentially the “foreign minister” of the Moscow Patriarchate and considered to be second only to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow.
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The Holy Father established the World Day of the Poor in 2016 at the end of the Church’s Jubilee Year of Mercy. The day is celebrated each year on the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, a week before the feast of Christ the King. This year the observance will fall on Nov. 17.
In a letter to the faithful on Thursday, the pope pointed toward the Book of Sirach. The author of that book, Ben Sira, discovered through prayer that “the poor hold a privileged place in God’s heart,” according to the pope.
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A NOTE FROM FR. JIM Lenihan ......
Last weekend’s Gospel raised the very challenging reference to the
‘Unforgivable Sin’ or as it’s called in the Gospel, ‘Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit’.
I referred to an explanation given by Saint Pope John Paul II which you’ll find
below. I really do believe everyone should give this very serious consideration
and ask oneself is there any serious sin in our lives that we simply have down
played or justified in our own mind. It’s amazing how deceptive the heart can
be especially when we’re asked to let go something that we hold dear.
Certainly I do believe that nothing in this passing life is worth risking if it
means losing our eternal soul. Please read it carefully and honestly and see is
there anything coming up for you which could jeopardise you going to heaven.
“Blasphemy does not properly consist in offending against the Holy Spirit in
words; it consists rather in the refusal to accept the salvation which God
offers to man through the Holy Spirit... (The blasphemy against the Holy
Spirit consists precisely in the radical refusal to accept this forgiveness, of
which he is the intimate giver and which presupposes the genuine conversion
which he brings about in the conscience. If Jesus says that blasphemy against
the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven either in this life or in the next, it is
because this "non-forgiveness" is linked, as to its cause, to "non-repentance, "
in other words to the radical refusal to be converted.....Blasphemy against the
Holy Spirit, then, is the sin committed by the person who claims to have a
"right" to persist in evil- in any sin at all - and who thus rejects Redemption.
One closes oneself up in sin, thus
making impossible one's conversion,
and consequently the remission of sins,
which one considers not essential or
not important for one's life.....
This is what Sacred Scripture usually
calls "hardness of heart." In our own
time this attitude of mind and heart is
perhaps reflected in the loss of the
sense of sin... Pope Pius XII had
already declared that "the sin of the
century is the loss of the sense of
sin," and this loss goes hand in hand
with the "loss of the sense of God."
(John Paul II, Dominum et
Vivificantem, 46; CCC 1864)
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Tom Hoopes- May 29, 2024 Share
What Pope Francis said on 60 Minutes seemed to be a surprise to a lot of people. But it shouldn’t have been.
A friend and I have been playing a game for the past few years — though I’m not sure it’s a game for him. Let’s call it the “What Pope Francis Really Said” game. I call it that because of my book, of course (which is newly available on Audible, by the way).
The game goes like this: He texts me, outraged about the latest outrageous thing Pope Francis “said.” First, I look to the article he read, and point out to him that what he is reading gives severely edited Francis quotes, surrounded with a lot of characterization of what he said. Then, when I can, I find a transcript of what Pope Francis really said, and give him the context. Usually, it turns out that the media has grossly mischaracterized what the pope said.
So, to him and to me, the “surprising” things Pope Francis said in his 60 Minutes interview were not so surprising after all. Here are some examples.
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NOVENA TO ST. ANTHONY 4TH – 13TH JUNE 2024
O Holy St. Anthony, gentlest of souls, your love for God and charity for your neighbour made you worthy when on earth to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought I implore of you to obtain for me my request……O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition in the ears of the Infant Jesus who loved to be enfolded in your arms and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen.
Next time you admire the wonderful things God has made, remember YOU are one of them.
Life is good when you are happy, but life is better when other people are happy because of you.
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We often think happiness comes from big moments like holidays, but really, it is about finding joy in the little moments of everyday life.
Live your life, take chances when they arrive. Don’t wait - because right now is the oldest you have ever been and the youngest you will be ever again.
LAST WORD: In life you can either choose to be a spectator or a player – but not both.
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Feast of Sacred Heart; Monday Day 5. A Heart for the Sick: Praying for all who are suffering in body, mind or spirit.
Tuesday Day 6. A Heart for Service: Praying for Vocations to the Priesthood, Diaconate & Religious Life. Wednesday Day 7.A Heart for Peace: Praying for peace in our world.
Thursday Day 8. A Heart for the Church: Praying for the Church in our world today.
Friday Day 9. Feast of the Most Sacred Heart - A Heart for Mission: Praying for ourselves as we witness to the Gospel in our lives.
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By Peter Pinedo
Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 30, 2024 / 13:09 pm
Pope Francis condemned the recent killing of 14 Catholics in the African Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who reportedly were killed after they refused to convert to Islam.
The Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano reported that the 14 Catholics, several of them very young, were killed in North Kivu by members of the ISIS-affiliated militia called the “Allied Democratic Forces.”
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A Nun's Life Ministry <sister@anunslife.org>
A NUN'S LIFE MINISTRY
“It's always springtime in the heart that loves God."
~ St. John Vianney
APRIL 19, 2024
A MESSAGE FROM A NUN'S LIFE
Greetings, Friend --
Happy Spring! Happy Easter! Happy (almost) Earth Day!
In 2020, on the occasion of the 50th Earth Day, Pope Francis shared a beautiful reminder that we'd like to bring your attention to here:
"We are fashioned from the earth, and fruit of the earth sustains our life. But, as the book of Genesis reminds us, we are not simply 'earthly'; we also bear within us the breath of life that comes from God (cf. Gen 2:4-7). Thus we live in this common home as one human family in biodiversity with God’s other creatures. As imago Dei, in God’s image, we are called to have care and respect for all creatures, and to offer love and compassion to our brothers and sisters, especially the most vulnerable among us, in imitation of God’s love for us, manifested in his Son Jesus, who became man in order to share our state with us and save us."
Pope Francis reminds us that we all have a responsibility to care for the Earth we live on -- as well as for our brothers and sisters and all things that live in our common home. Ask yourself: how can you imitate God's love for us in your care for creation this week, this month, this year?
Keep an eye on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts for blogs, podcasts, and more connected to Earth Day and the joy of Easter!
As we enjoy the blessings of this sacred season, you and your loved ones remain in our prayers.
The A Nun's Life Team
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A Long Island nun celebrated her 111th birthday! Sister Francis Dominici Piscatella marked the big day surrounded by family. She is a member of the Sisters of Saint Dominic in Amityville, New York.
Despite being the oldest nun in the U.S. and the third oldest in the world, she still attends Mass at her parish, Saint Aidan Church, every week.
Sister Francis has lived through 19 U.S. presidents and ten popes.
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By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú
ACI Prensa Staff, 25 April, 2024 / 8:00 pm (ACI Africa).
Asked during a new interview if he has any message for Vladimir Putin, the Russian president who instigated the war in Ukraine, Pope Francis stated that “a negotiated peace is better than an endless war.”
CBS News broadcast some excerpts April 24 from a new interview conducted by journalist Norah O’Donnell with Pope Francis at St. Martha House, the pontiff’s residence in the Vatican.
During the exchange, the full version of which will be released on May 19, the Holy Father reflected on world conflicts and especially on the suffering of children during wars.
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Pope Francis’ Daily Prayer to Saint Joseph
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.
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Abel Camasca
Ken Oliver-Méndez
By Abel Camasca, Ken Oliver-Méndez
CNA Newsroom, May 3, 2024 / 13:45 pm
World Press Freedom Day is celebrated every May 3, drawing attention to the importance of free and independent news media.
Among modern-day saints, there is a journalist-priest who suffered martyrdom by the Nazis for his work in Catholic media: St. Titus Brandsma.
St. Titus (1881–1942), canonized by Pope Francis in 2022, was a Carmelite priest and native of the Netherlands. During the Nazi occupation of that country, the Nazi public relations bureau informed Dutch newspapers that they had to accept advertisements and press releases emanating from official sources.
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Major Reorganisation of Diocese in the West of Ireland
On Wednesday Pope Francis announced a number of significant
changes to six of the Catholic Diocese in the West of Ireland.
Announcing the changes, the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop
Luis Mariano Montemayor, said “We know from personal experience
that life is a process of adaptation to changing circumstances.
Although we seek to preserve at all times our essential identity, we
adopt measures to meet new challenges as they arise. That is true also
of the life of the Church and it is reflected in what we are doing today.
To meet the evolving needs of the Catholic Church in the west of
Ireland, it is necessary to envisage a gradual process of
reorganisation of six dioceses, which will, it is hoped, give added
impetus and vitality to the communities concerned. In due time, and
following careful assessment and consultation, the present Dioceses of
Tuam and Killala on the one hand, and Elphin and Achonry on the
other, may be governed by one Bishop in each case, just as the
Dioceses of Galway and Clonfert are today governed by one Bishop.
If this process evolves still further, the associated Dioceses may then
merge fully under their Bishop, and, in this way, the six Dioceses in the
Province of Tuam will eventually become three. They say “in union
there is strength”. Thus, with pooled resources and combined
endeavours, and trusting strongly in the grace of God, we can look to
the future with hope and confidence.”
http://www.abbeyfealeparish.ie/publications/newsletter/14_04_2024[2024-4-14].pdf
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By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, Mar 31, 2024 / 08:45 am
In his Easter Sunday blessing, Pope Francis asked the risen Lord to open paths of peace in the Holy Land, Ukraine, and all regions of the world suffering from war and violence.
Speaking from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on March 31, Pope Francis called for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. He appealed for humanitarian access for the people of Gaza and called for the prompt release of the hostages seized by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.
“Jesus alone opens up before us the doors of life, those doors that continually we shut with the wars spreading throughout the world,” Pope Francis said.
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Unfortunately, contemporary America demonstrates what happens to a culture when these basic human drives are poorly sublimated. Relativism — the idea that there is no absolute truth or morality, only beliefs held by particular cultures or groups — rejects the idea that history has taught us anything. That there is no historical repository of wisdom governing human behavior, that each generation must, in effect, reinvent the wheel, is an absurdity. Yet such seems to be the principle that underlies the turmoil of contemporary American life. Hotly held and angrily expressed opinions divide Americans on political, racial, class, and gender issues, as well as on issues of sexual morality. We have lost faith in governing institutions that historically have been intergenerational transmitters of our nation’s values and in the religious institutions that have been transmitters of morality.
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Gallardo, a religious freedom activist who lived for more than 40 years in Cuba and currently resides in Miami, said that in addition to the electricity shortage people are going hungry, as “there are no supplies to distribute to the population.”
“The food allotment that the government provides to sustain families for a month is increasingly inadequate. There are areas of the country where nothing has arrived yet and there are others where they have given out two pounds of rice and two pounds of sugar,” he explained.
The situation has gotten to the point where at the end of February, for the first time, the Cuban government requested assistance from the World Food Program due to “difficulties in distributing subsidized milk to children under 7 years of age.”
https://www.ncregister.com/cna/power-outages-food-shortages-trigger-social-unrest-in-cuba
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OUR LADY: Here are 10 Marian titles to know and cherish:
1) Our Lady of Guadalupe
In December of 1531, Our Lady appeared to Saint Juan Diego, an indigenous farmer in Mexico, speaking to him in his native language.
She appeared several more times, asking him to petition the bishop to build a church in her honor. She told him to bring roses to the bishop, and when all the roses fell, Our Lady’s image was painted on his tilma.
The tilma with her image can still be seen today in the Basilica of our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.
Her feast day is celebrated on Dec. 12.
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By Matthew Santucci
Vatican City, 15 February, 2024 / 8:22 pm (ACI Africa).
The theme for the fourth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which will be celebrated on July 28, has been chosen by Pope Francis.
According to the Holy See Press Office, this year’s theme is “Do Not Cast Me Off in My Old Age,” which comes from Psalm 71. The Feb. 15 press release noted that in choosing this verse it was the Holy Father’s desire “to call attention to the fact that, sadly, loneliness is the bitter lot in life of many elderly persons, so often the victims of the throwaway culture.”
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The Beautiful Christmas Letter Pope Benedict XVI Wrote to Baby Jesus as a Child
Did you know Pope Benedict XVI wrote a beautiful letter to the Christ Child at seven years of age?
Jacqueline Burkepile
Jacqueline Burkepile
December 14, 2023 — 2 minutes read
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pope benedict xvi, joseph aloisius ratzinger, cardinal ratzinger, baby Jesus
Kancelaria Prezydenta RP (GFDL 1.2 or GFDL 1.2), via Wikimedia Commons
Did you know Pope Benedict XVI wrote a beautiful letter to the Christ Child at seven years of age?
Pope Benedict XVI (also known as Joseph Ratzinger) passed away on Dec. 31, 2022, at age 95. While we remember him as our beloved Pope and Saint John Paul II's close confidant, he also led a beautiful life before these monumental years.
In 1934, little Joseph Ratzinger wrote a beautiful Christmas letter to the Child Jesus at age seven.
According to the Italian website Korazym, the letter was found in 2012 during his childhood home’s restoration in Bavaria, which was transformed into a museum dedicated to the former pontiff.
Here’s a photo of the letter:
"Dear Baby Jesus, soon you will come down to earth.
You will bring joy to children. You'll bring joy to me too.
I would like the "Volks-Schott", a green chasuble for mass
and a Sacred Heart of Jesus. I'll always be good.
Joseph Ratzinger Christmas 1934 pic.twitter.com/a80kDq5nM9
— Pope news (@Pope_news) December 14, 2018
Pope Benedict XVI’s Christmas letter to Jesus reads,
“Dear Baby Jesus, soon you will come down to earth. You will bring joy to children. You’ll bring joy to me too. I would like the 'Volks-Schott,' a green chasuble for mass and a Sacred Heart of Jesus. I’ll always be good.
“Joseph Ratzinger Christmas 1934.”
Pope Benedict once said his favorite season is Advent, or the “pre-Christmas season.”
“Every year our nativity scene grew by a few figures, and it was always a special one,” he said. “The joy of fetching moss, juniper, and fir branches from the forest with my father.”
Pope Benedict's requested gifts explained
The young Ratzinger requested the Volks-Schott missal, which helped him fall in love with the liturgy. He also requested “a green chasuble,” because he played a “parish priest’s game” with his brother.
“As boys, my two brothers loved to act out the Sunday service,” Pope Benedict’s sister Maria Ratzinger said in 1991.
“We celebrated Mass and we had chasubles made by the mother’s seamstress just for us,” Pope Benedict’s brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger told Inside the Vatican. “One time, in turn, we were the minister or the altar boy.”
Lastly, Ratzinger requested the Sacred Heart of Jesus because of his family’s devotion to Him.
In 2012, Pope Benedict’s private secretary Georg Gänswein told the German news outlet Bild that “The Pope was very happy when the letter appeared and smiled at the contents."
He added that "the smell of moss" remained a part of Christmas for the Pope.
Say a prayer for the repose of the soul of Pope Benedict XVI!
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Maryanne Thake · ·
A Gentle Reminder From Pope Francis
This life will go by fast.
Don't fight with people, don't criticize your body so much, don't complain so much.
Don't lose sleep over your bills.
Look for the person that makes you happy.
If you make a mistake, let it go and keep seeking your happiness.
Never stop being a good parent. Don't worry so much about buying luxuries and comforts for your home, and don't kill yourself trying to leave an inheritance for your family. Those benefits should be earned by each person, so don't dedicate yourself to accumulating money.
Enjoy, travel, enjoy your journeys, see new places, give yourself the pleasures you deserve.
Allow dogs to get closer.
Don't put away the fine glassware.
Utilize the new dinnerware; don't save your favourite perfume, use it to go out with yourself; wear out your favourite sport shoes; repeat your favourite clothes.
So what? That's not bad. Why not now?
Why not pray now instead of waiting until before you sleep?
Why not call now?
Why not forgive now?
Why wait so long for Christmas; for Friday; for Reunions; for another year; for when I have money; for love to come; when everything is perfect...look...
Everything perfect doesn't exist.
Human beings can't accomplish this because it simply was not intended to be completed here.
Here is an opportunity to learn.
So take this challenge that is life and do it now...love more, forgive more, embrace more, love more intensely and leave the rest in God's hands.
Amen.
============================================
Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023.
SÃO PAULO – With 56 percent of the vote, ultra-libertarian economist Javier Milei was elected Argentina’s next president on Sunday, in a result that in some ways amounts to a referendum on the social and political agenda of Pope Francis in his home country.
Milei’s radical economic plans –for instance, adopting the U.S. dollar as the Argentinian currency – and his fierce rhetoric against social policies advanced by left-wing governments have been raising concerns among many in the South American country’s society, including the Catholic Church.
In his victory speech, president-elect Milei affirmed that the “end of the Argentinian decadence is beginning” and that “the impoverishing model of the omnipresent state that only benefits some people while most Argentinians suffer” also ends today.
Milei also mentioned his political opponents and those “who will resist” the changes brought by his administration, sending a message to them that was received by some as threatening.
“To all those people I want to say something: ‘Under the law, everything. Out of the law, nothing.”
Those words may refer to segments of the Catholic Church, among other social groups. In fact, among progressive priests, Milei’s victory created an atmosphere of uncertainty and concern. Their confront with him had been intense over the past months.
For years, Milei criticized the Church’s social doctrine and insulted Pope Francis on several occasions due to his defense of concepts like social justice. He even called the pope an “imbecile” and defined him as “communist.”
Milei’s attacks on the pontiff and on the Church’s social ideas as a whole led many groups of lay people and also members of the clergy – including the hierarchy – to promote campaign activities against him. Even during homilies priests would criticize him, as well as in processions and during a pilgrimage to the sanctuary of Our Lady of Luján, on Oct. 1.
Buenos Aires’ team of slum priests (known as curas villeros, in Spanish), a group that operates in poor neighborhoods and carries out an intense social work, organized in September a Mass in reparation of Pope Francis due to Milei’s insults. In their daily activities with slum residents, a broad alliance was formed against the self defined “anarcho-capitalist” candidate.
The pope himself also criticized Milei during interviews. Before the first round of elections, he talked to a public radio in Argentina and compared Milei – without mentioning his name – to “pied pipers” who promise they will solve the economic crisis and charm the people only to “make them drown.”
“The situation is quite confusing. We must always respect the people’s will, but what’s coming is uncertain. For the good of all Argentines, let’s hope that the new president does well,” Father Carlos White, in charge of the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires’s interfaith dialogue, told Crux.
Among more political groups of priests, the atmosphere is one of anguish and fear.
“I’m very afraid about what will come. We don’t know what will happen and we don’t want to live in a country like that – Milei’s country,” Father Francisco Olvera, known as Padre Paco, told Crux.
Padre Paco, a member of a progressive clergy group called Priests in Option for the Poor, fears that Milei’s policies will have a terrible impact on the Church’s social work, affecting its daily operations on several fronts.
“I’m about to send a message to the people who are served by us. ‘Those who voted for Milei, please be coherent and don’t come to the refectory anymore. There will be no food for everybody,” Padre Paco blurted out a couple of hours after the announcement of Milei’s victory.
Father Lorenzo de Vedia, known as “Padre Toto,” one of the curas villeros who organized the Mass in reparation of Pope Francis, told Crux that the people in the slums are “surprised, sad, and afraid” after Milei’s victory.
“His plans are unpredictable. We don’t know what to expect from a man who said so many contradictory things during the campaign,” he affirmed.
De Vedia said the slum priests will organize a general meeting in order to discuss their future steps.
“When the military regime began [1976-1983], the slum priests didn’t run. They kept working. We also lived through the government of [former right-wing president Mauricio] Macri. We’ll keep working side by side with the people,” he said.
De Vedia also compared Milei’s future government – he will take office on December 10 and still has to try to build alliances in Congress, where he doesn’t hold a majority support – to the military dictatorship in Argentina.
“But at that time the regime imposed itself on us. Now, the majority of the people decided to vote for it,” he said.
De Vedia fears that Milei will privatize state-owned companies and the country’s natural resources, like lithium deposits.
“We know the results of that process for the country,” he said.
A sociology professor at the University of Buenos Aires and an expert in the country’s religious dynamics, Fortunato Mallimaci told Crux that the Catholic Church will maintain an institutional dialogue with Milei’s administration, but progressive priests are among the social segments which will face more difficulties, given that they live and work with the poor, which will probably receive less assistance.
“And the problems will escalate if Milei’s allies become authoritarian and violent,” he affirmed.
==============================================
MUMBAI – A religious order in Vietnam is calling for global support in resisting what it described as the illegitimate seizure of an historic monastery by the country’s government, under the pretext of renovating it for use as a hospital.
Father Joseph Nguyễn Văn Hội, rector of the Redemptorist community in Hanoi, made the appeal in a letter to members of the order and its partners and supporters around the world.
The disputed facility is part of the Redemptorist-run Thai Ha church in Hanoi, which was one of dozens of church-owned properties seized after the Communist takeover of Northern Vietnam in 1954. The structure was converted into a public hospital, called Dong Da Hospital.
Archival photo of the Redemtorist Monastery in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Redemptorists began using the site as their novitiate and study center in 1928 after they arrived in Vietnam in 1925.
Despite efforts to resolve such church-state disputes in recent years, including a recent agreement to permit a resident papal representative in the country, Văn Hội charges that local authorities are conducting internal and external renovations on the hospital which effectively will make it impossible to reclaim it for religious use.
The Redemptorists are presently preparing to celebrate the 100th anniversary of their arrival in Vietnam in 2025, and regard the monastery as the heart of their presence in the country.
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Timepiece
Vintage Vendors Tom O Connell Tralee
Herbert had the following inscription added to the back cover of "K2"
"Presented to The United Services Institution by Rear-Admiral Thomas Herbert KCB MP. This timekeeper belonged to Captain James Cook RN and was taken by him to the Pacific in 1776. It was again taken to the Pacific by Captain Bligh in the Bounty in 1787. It was taken by the Mutineers to Pitcairn Island and was sold in 1808 by Adams to a citizen of the United States who sold it in Chile where it was purchased by Sir Thomas Herbert."
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We are all familiar with the story of Captain Bligh and the mutiny on the Bounty in 1787 in which the good captain was not only relieved of his ship but also “K2” a chronometer built by Larcum Kendall in 1771 as a special commission for The Board of Longitude at a cost of around £200, which equates to approximately 25% of the cost of a ship at the time.
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=2407643506140291&set=pb.100057516308101.-2207520000
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By Agnes Aineah
Five Things to Know about this African Pope Celebrated on November 21
Nairobi, 20 November, 2023 / 8:49 pm (ACI Africa).
Of the 266 successors to St. Peter, three are of African descent. One of them is St. Gelasius I, whose feast is celebrated on November 21.
Pope Gelasius I was the Church’s third black Pope known then for saving Rome from famine, composing a book of hymns, and clarifying Church teaching on the Eucharist.
Here are a few other things that not many people know about St. Gelasius I.
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DAY of the Poor: Established by Pope Francis in 2016 at the end of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, the World Day of the Poor is commemorated on the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The seventh World Day of the Poor will be celebrated with the theme "Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor" taken from the Book of Tobit 4:7
In his message for the event, Pope Francis says the voices of the poor are not being heard.
“We are living in times that are not particularly sensitive to the needs of the poor. The pressure to adopt an affluent lifestyle increases, while the voices of those dwelling in poverty tend to go unheard,” the Holy Father said in the message signed on the June 13 feast day of St. Anthony of Padua.
The Holy Father called on everyone to be involved in helping the poor saying, “The parable of the Good Samaritan (cf. Lk 10:25-37) is not simply a story from the past; it continues to challenge each of us in the here and now of our daily lives.”
==========================
JTA) — Up in Broome County, New York, beneath a simple marker in a family plot in Hale Eddy Cemetery, I believe the Rev. Dr. Franklin Hamlin Littell is turning in his grave.
Littell, the son of a Methodist minister who also became one, was a towering figure in the study of the Holocaust and genocide. In postwar West Germany, he spent almost a decade as chief Protestant religious adviser to the High Commission on Germany, assigned to denazification. In 1958 at Emory University in Atlanta, he initiated the first U.S. graduate seminar on the Holocaust. Eighteen years later in Philadelphia, as chair of Temple University’s religion department, he started the world’s first doctoral program in Holocaust studies. And in 1998 at Stockton University in Pomona, New Jersey, he and his wife, Marcia Sachs Littell, established the first interdisciplinary master’s program in Holocaust and genocide studies.
======================================
Joseph Pronechen Interviews- November 5, 2023
MARRIAGE:
Following their successful first Into the Breach video series and taking a cue from the attacks on marriage in secular society, the Knights of Columbus have just released another video series called Into the Breach: The Mission of the Family — to strengthen Catholic marriages and Catholic families.
Looking at marriage as the foundation of the family, the gift of children, healing in the family, creating a legacy of faith and more, the six parts bring not only words of wisdom from people like Tim Gray, president of Augustine Institute; Carrie Gress, a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, scholar at the Institute for Human Ecology at The Catholic University of America, and editor at the online women’s magazine Theology of Home; and Catholic psychologist and EWTN host Dr. Ray Guarendi, but also beautiful stories and advice from marriage couples in the pews such as the wife of a Navy officer who says, “I want to be happy family and know that our true happiness lies in God. Our common goal is to become a saint, to get our spouse to heaven and help our kids get to heaven; and then for them to help us get to heaven.”
Damien O’Connor, the Knights of Columbus vice president of evangelization and faith formation, spoke about this new video series with the Register.
========================================
=========================================
CREATION
“And whence will come this flesh; whence will come this blood? They will come from this bread and from this wine: an all-powerful word will be uttered, which will change this bread into the flesh of the Savior, and this wine into his blood. All of this will take place at the very moment that this word is uttered; it is the same word that created heaven and earth.” — Jacques Bénigne Bossuet
LET US PRAY
Lord Jesus, the Word through whom all things were made, you entered your creation by taking flesh. More wondrously still, you offer your flesh to us as true food. Give me awe as I meditate on the work of the Word. Amen.
--------------------------
St. Pope John XXIII Spotify Playlist
Keep the Faith
,
Community
By
Grotto
Who was St. Pope John XXIII?
Born in Italy on November 25, 1881, St. Pope John XXIII began his work within the Church when he was ordained a priest in 1904.
When World War I broke out, John was drafted into the Italian army before being discharged in 1919. After doing his duty, he returned to serve as president of an organization in the Church that is responsible for sharing the faith around the world.
When World War II struck, John devoted himself to saving Jewish refugees. Because of this work, he was nicknamed the “Righteous Gentile” after the war.
In 1958, John was elected pope. Under this new role, he visited people who were poor, sick, and imprisoned. Additionally, he called the Second Vatican Council, a worldwide gathering of bishops that opened the doors of the Church to engage with the modern world.
Pope John XXIII was a great advocate for peace and tried to negotiate peace between the former Soviet Union and America. Although unsuccessful, he was recognized as Time Magazine‘s “”Man of the Year”” — making him the first pope to be named in that way.
John died on June 3, 1963, and was canonized on April 27, 2017, by Pope Francis. His feast day is on October 11. He is the patron saint of papal delegates, Vatican II, and the Italian army.
Get to know this saint and pope through our Spotify playlist inspired by his life — featuring artists Aaron Strumpel and The Ballroom Thieves, and themes of refuge and peace.
---------------------------------------------------------
POPE:
NEW APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION FROM POPE FRANCIS
In his apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum ("Praise God"), Pope Francis addresses environmental concerns in the world with the respect to human life and dignity. This follow-up to his encyclical Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home looks at what has happened since 2015 when the encyclical was released and what still needs to be done.
Pope Francis expounds upon the theme of human ecology presented in Laudato Si' and the idea that humans and the environment are inextricably intertwined. This new document focuses in particular on the most recent extreme weather events and catastrophes affecting people across five continents. The Holy Father urges greater environmental action and notes how environmental degradation can lead to human degradation, especially in how the poor and marginalized are treated.
Laudate Deum was released on October 4, the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, the pope's namesake whose words open Laudato Si'.
======================================
Who Are They?
Who exactly are “the incorruptibles”? They are saints whose mortal bodies have not fully decayed (or been “corrupted”) after death. Sometimes, one particular limb or organ of a saint’s body has not decayed, even though the rest of the body has done so.
Remarkably, stories of saints’ bodies that did not decay have been told from the very earliest times to the present day. The second-century Roman St. Cecilia was reportedly incorrupt, as is the 19th-century French St. Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879), whose remains are still with us today.
The body of St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) didn’t rot even though it was buried in wet mud. The bodies of St. Paschal Baylon (1540-1592), St. Francis Xavier (1506-1552) and St. John of the Cross (1542-1591) all remained fresh and intact despite being covered for months in sacks of quicklime — a chemical used to hasten the decomposition of the flesh.
St. Clare of Montefalco (c. 1268-1308), a holy Italian nun, apparently declared to her sisters: “If you seek the cross of Christ, take my heart; there you will find the suffering Lord.” After her death, not only did her body remain incorrupt, but the sisters removed her heart and found, clearly imprinted on the cardiac tissue, figures representing a tiny crucifix complete with the five wounds of crucifixion.
When St. John of the Cross died in 1591, he was buried in a vault beneath the floor of the church. When the tomb was opened nine months later, the body was fresh and intact; and when a finger was amputated to use as a relic, the body bled as a living person would have done.
The tomb was opened for a second time nine months after that. The body was still fresh, despite the fact that it had been covered with a layer of quicklime.
At further exhumations in 1859 and 1909, the body was found to be still fresh. The last exhumation was in 1955, when the body — after nearly 400 years — was still “moist and flexible,” although the skin “was slightly discolored.”
“The Incorruptibles” (Tan Books, 1977), an overview of the subject by Joan Carroll Cruz, reports no less than 102 stories of incorrupt bodies of Catholic saints. With so many alleged incorruptibles, it is no wonder some of the faithful have wondered whether the preservation of Pope John XXIII’s remains might be a sign from heaven.
=================================
POPE:
NEW APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION FROM POPE FRANCIS
In his apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum ("Praise God"), Pope Francis addresses environmental concerns in the world with the respect to human life and dignity. This follow-up to his encyclical Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home looks at what has happened since 2015 when the encyclical was released and what still needs to be done.
Pope Francis expounds upon the theme of human ecology presented in Laudato Si' and the idea that humans and the environment are inextricably intertwined. This new document focuses in particular on the most recent extreme weather events and catastrophes affecting people across five continents. The Holy Father urges greater environmental action and notes how environmental degradation can lead to human degradation, especially in how the poor and marginalized are treated.
Laudate Deum was released on October 4, the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, the pope's namesake whose words open Laudato Si'.
=================================
Amazing Rare Footage of Cities Around the World (Plus a Pope) in the 1890s
https://youtu.be/rHqha40xRL4?si=pCULyfUmDsOu2ZGz
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===========================
------------------------------------
To Jesus Through Mary
As Queen Mother, Mary can intercede for us in our prayers. Reflect on the high office of Mary and how she brings us closer to her son today.
-------------------------
WITH THIS LIGHT shares the remarkable story of Sister Maria Rosa Leggol, who over the course of 70 years, helped over 87,000 Honduran children and their families escape poverty. Sister Maria Rosa believed, “Even when everything is going wrong, you have to give them a little hope.”
https://www.withthislight.com/
---------------------------
Love of God
Today, the Lord reminds you that he asks for your love. Will you give him your heart, love, and desires?
Embracing Silence
If you want to encounter God, you must embrace silence. The Lord is not in the storms and chaos but in the stillness of your heart.
Everyday Conversations on God- The Shema is a great prayer and summons that reveals the heart of worshipping God in the Old Testament. Consider the words of the Shema and how you can follow them and share them with others today.
There is No Other God
The purpose of the Exodus is not political freedom but for Israel to know and believe that Yahweh is the one true God.
Prayer for our Deceased
Grant them eternal rest O’ Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them.
Lord God, whose days are without end and whose mercies beyond counting,
keep us mindful that life is short and the hour of death unknown.
Let your Spirit guide our days on earth in the ways of holiness and justice,
that we may serve you in union with the whole Church, sure in faith, strong in hope, perfect in love.
And when our earthly journey is ended, lead us rejoicing into your kingdom, where you live for ever and ever.
Amen.
------------------------
Father, I pray, you pour out your blessings on our parish,
so that, fired with the gifts of your Spirit,
each of us may be filled with a passionate love of your Son
and a deep desire to make Him known.
Help us, despite our fears and weakness,
to be effective beacons of His light, His love, His joy.
Father, open my mind and heart
to hear your personal call to me.
Give me the generosity to respond
so that I may play my part in spreading the Good News.
Amen.
--------------------------------------
Andrew Masi
by Katie Vasquez
When Andrew Masi goes to church, he’s bringing hundreds of other Catholics with him.
“I feel like I’m taking people on a virtual tour of these places. I’ve had people tell me- you give me a way to experience the beauty of the church,” Masi said.
He’s known to his Instagram followers as, “The Catholic photographer,” most notably for capturing snapshots of faith on a cell phone camera.
Masi first picked up his camera almost a decade ago.
It was Easter Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, and he was inspired after simply looking up.
“I’m looking up at the beautiful church, looking at the magnificent architecture, its gorgeous stained-glass windows, the statues, and I’m thinking wow this church is just amazing,” Masi said.
Since then, he’s taken his passion for photographing parishes on the road.
He’s visited 35 out of 50 states and captured basilicas and cathedrals in cities like Philadelphia, Lansing, Michigan and Las Vegas.
“I feel a sense of gratefulness for my Catholic faith drawing me to these places,” Masi said. “Without my faith, I wouldn’t be able to do this.”
On Labor Day, Masi will hit a new milestone. He’ll photograph his 100th church, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Memphis, Tennessee.
“They already know I’m coming and they’re like oh we’ll get the red carpet ready for you,” he said.
Masi said he’s on a mission to see all the cathedrals and basilicas across the United States, a task he expects to finish within the next decade.
But he’s not stopping there, he would also like to photograph churches throughout Canada and eventually all of Europe.
=================================
DIOCESAN PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
Blessed Trinity, Father, Son and Spirit,
we worship and praise You.
Father, through the Holy Spirit you give to every
Christian a unique calling as you provide and care
for the needs of your people.
Hear our prayers for our needs as parish
communities.
Bless our efforts to strengthen lay ministry.
In our diocese and in all our parishes
give to each person the grace
to discern, follow and live their calling.
Call forth from among us
vocations to the diocesan
priesthood.
Fill the hearts of our priests
and deacons with renewed
Peace and Joy.
Father, in all things ‘Thy will
be done’.
We entrust our prayers to
you through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
========================================
Pope Francis finally met with pilgrims from around the world for World Youth Day on Thursday Aug 3. His his energy seems to have only gotten better once arriving to the event.
He’s also met with Portuguese sex abuse survivors in a private meeting during the day.
News
https://netny.tv/shows/currentsnews/
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Hitler, the Holy See, and a historic treaty: The Reichskonkordat at 90
Reichskonkordat The agreement between the German Reich and the Holy See in Rome was signed on July 20, 1933. | Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-R24391|Wikipedia|CC BY-SA 3.0 de
AC Wimmer
By AC Wimmer
CNA Newsroom, Jul 20, 2023 / 09:20 am
On Thursday, July 20, the Catholic Church marks the 90th anniversary of a deal made in Rome on a hot summer day in 1933 between Hitler’s Germany and the Holy See: the Reichskonkordat. It’s a treaty that is both historically significant and relevant today because it has never been abrogated.
Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, the apostolic nuncio to Germany, addressed the Reichskonkordat anniversary in a speech delivered in Berlin last month, reported CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner.
The nuncio strongly defended the treaty while acknowledging its complex history: “The Holy See looks back on the existence of this concordat with satisfaction today, even though its origin fell into the early era of the Nazification (Gleichschaltung) of cultural, social, and political life in Germany.”
The Reichskonkordat — like all concordats — governs relations between the Catholic Church and other states, in this case, Germany. Its 34 articles confirm the recognition of the Catholic religion, the freedom of ecclesiastical administration, the protection of religious orders and congregations, the regulation of sacramental marriage, and the guarantee of Catholic religious practice and education.
Despite the agreement, the Nazis did not refrain from violating the treaty and persecuting the Church, its clergy, and its faithful. The Church protested against breaches of the agreement, famously so in the 1937 encyclical Mit Brennender Sorge.
Cautioning against misinterpreting the Reichskonkordat through the lens of Soviet and Nazi propaganda, Eterovic said on June 14 that the treaty was not the first foreign policy success of Adolf Hitler, or even a kind of Nazi success in Hitler’s attempts to discredit the Holy See.
Rather, the prelate said, Nazi Germany had already ratified on May 5, 1933, the extension of a 1926 treaty of friendship with the Soviet Union. Thus, the Reichskonkordat, signed on July 20, 1933, was the second foreign policy treaty of the Hitler government.
What is more, Eterovic said, the treaty “helped to guarantee Church life in Germany, even if it did not prevent the National Socialist Kirchenkampf” — the Nazis’ ideological war against Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular.
The National Synod of “German Christians” in Wittenberg, September 1933. Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-H25547 / CC-BY-SA 3.0
The National Synod of “German Christians” in Wittenberg, September 1933. Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-H25547 / CC-BY-SA 3.0
After World War II, Pope Pius XII upheld the Reichskonkordat over the objections of some German bishops and the Allied powers. The pope argued that the treaty was still valid and useful to the Church, but some historians question his motives and actions during and after the war.
The Reichskonkordat is still in force today because it has not been formally abrogated by either party. However, some of its provisions have been changed through later agreements or laws, such as the Basic Law of Germany and concordats with individual states.
Nuncio Eterovic noted: “Today, the Holy See has entered into 241 valid concordat treaties with 74 states. In the Federal Republic of Germany, the Reichskonkordat is only one of a total of 15 valid concordat treaties due to the federal structure of this state.”
Adding to the reflections on the Reichskonkordat, historian Jan Wille, in an article published July 20 on a portal financed by the German Bishops’ Conference, provided a nuanced perspective on the treaty’s legacy and potential future.
Writing for katholisch.de, Wille emphasized that the Reichskonkordat was not only a contentious issue in the relationship between the German state and the Catholic Church but also a subject of intense debate among historians.
“While there is currently no legal reason for a revision, renegotiation, or dissolution of the Reichskonkordat, the current transformation of the role of the Church and the questions of the Europeanization of church-state law make it advisable to at least consider a reform of the treaty,” Wille wrote.
The Reichskonkordat’s anniversary comes at a time when the Catholic Church in Germany is grappling with significant challenges, as is the diplomacy of the Holy See.
The controversial German Synodal Way has sparked tensions and worldwide concerns over another schism from the land of Luther. Moreover, the Church is experiencing a German exodus: A massive — and accelerating — decline in membership. Scientists at the University of Freiburg predict that the number of Christians paying church tax in Germany will halve by 2060.
=========================
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A Day of Prayer for the Synod of Bishops (October), on the Feast of the Visitation, (May 31st) 2023- Pope Francis has requested prayer. At Knock Shrine there will be 11am Prayer Service, 12 Noon Mass, 7pm Rosary & Mass, see www.knockshrine.ie. Otherwise, let’s all keep the Pope’s request in mind on that day.
==================================
Unearthed in 2007 by Ion Mihai Pacepa, a former Romanian secret service general who defected to the West, the plot involved fabricating a play portraying Pope Pius XII as a Nazi sympathizer.
Authorized by Nikita Khrushchev in 1960, the operation aimed to weaken the Vatican’s anti-communist influence. General Ivan Agayants, head of the KGB’s disinformation department, crafted the outline and false research for the play, “The Deputy,” while devoted Communist and producer Erwin Piscator brought it to life on stage.
Posing as priests seeking to reestablish diplomatic relations between Romania and the Holy See, spies infiltrated the Vatican archives. Despite finding no incriminating evidence against the Pope, Agayants used the stolen documents to bolster the play’s credibility. Writer and law professor Ronald Rychlak revealed that many of those involved in the play’s production and promotion had ties to communist or leftist causes.
Adding to the intrigue, declassified British intelligence from 1969 speculates that Rolf Hochhuth, the purported author of “The Deputy,” might have been an ‘intellectual agent’ working for the East Germans or Soviets. Historians Michael F. Feldkamp and Michael Burleigh support Pacepa’s account, asserting that Operation Seat 12 fits into a larger pattern of communist efforts to discredit the Catholic Church and its leaders.
--------------------------
Ed Wilkinson
Wilkinson_Ed 2016Ed Wilkinson was the Editor of The Tablet, Brooklyn’s diocesan newspaper, from 1985 to 2018, when he assumed the title of Editor Emeritus. He retired from full-time work in 2020 after 50 years of service with The Tablet. He continues to works on special projects for The Tablet and NET-TV.
After joining The Tablet staff in1970, he wrote a weekly sports column for 11 years while also reporting on local news. He became News Editor in 1981 and remained in that position until he was named Editor in 1985.
He has won several awards in the Catholic Press Association’s annual newspaper contest, including Best New Story, Best Headline Writing, Best Photograph, Best Editorial Writing, and Best Youth Coverage.
In the spring of 2019, the Catholic Media Convention honored The Tablet as its Newspaper of the Year, i.e., the nation’s top diocesan newspaper.
He can be seen on Currents, the daily Catholic news show on The NET, when he conducts a Friday interview with Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, the Bishop of Brooklyn. He also hosts the weekly NET-TV show, On the Block, an interview show that features the priests of the metropolitan area in their home neighborhoods.
The most memorable event of his tenure as Editor was a personal meeting with John Paul II when the Pope visited New York in October, 1995.
Born in Greenpoint, he is a life-long resident of Brooklyn. He attended St. Alphonsus Elementary School; Cathedral Prep, Brooklyn; Cathedral College, Douglaston, and studied Theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary.
He has been honored by the Msgr. Ferris Life Center, the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants, the Catholic-Jewish Relations Committee of Northeast Queens, the Boy Scouts of America, Arriba Juntos Youth Center, the Catholic Teachers Association, the Kings County Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Cathedral Prep Alumni Association. In 2000, he served as Chief Brehon of Catholic Charities’ Great Irish Fair. In 2007, he was selected to be Grand Marshal of the Bay Ridge St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
In 2014, he received the Bridge to Life Award from the pro-life group of the same name, and he was honored at Brooklyn Borough Hall as the Irishman of the Year at a St. Patrick’s Day breakfast.
In May, 2018, the Diocese of Brooklyn honored him with its St. Francis de Sales Distinguished Communicator Award at its observance of World Communications Day. Ed and his wife, Sheila, and their 24-year-old son, Edward Daniel, live in Our Lady of Angels parish, Bay Ridge.
https://netny.tv/ed-wilkinson/
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Watching in the front pew, his mother, Petra Florencio, beamed with pride. Miguel is the 11th of 13 children, and his vocation is a source of great prestige for his family.
However, Petra would also be forgiven for harbouring a few doubts: Miguel has joined the riskiest priesthood in the world.
More than 50 priests have been killed in Mexico since 2006, nine of them under the current administration alone. Some were killed for speaking out against cartel violence, others caught up in the crossfire of an unending conflict between rival criminal organisations.
Almost always, the murders go unpunished and unsolved - the authorities often carrying out only the most cursory of investigations.
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In the ancient Church, today was called Dominica in albis — “Sunday in white” — because it was the day that the newly baptized, who had been vested in white robes at their Baptism during the Easter Vigil, took them off. In that ancient Church, the eight days were also a period of intense catechesis, when the newly initiated had all the “sacred things” — the sacraments — explained to them.
Today is also “Divine Mercy Sunday,” designated by St. Pope John Paul II, based on the private revelations of St. Faustina Kowalska who, in her Diary (no. 49), records that Christ had expressed his desire for a “Feast of Mercy” with which he associated a painting to be made based on his appearance to her at that time.
Like this Sunday, today’s Gospel is also very rich. Three teachings deserve our attention:
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What is Divine Mercy Sunday?
Divine Mercy Sunday is the Sunday after Easter each year. Divine Mercy Sunday was first announced in an April 2000 homily given by John Paul II for the Mass celebrating the canonization of Maria Faustina Kowalska.
St. Faustina Kowalska was a Polish nun who received prophetic messages from Christ. These messages included revelations about the infinite mercy of God — coined the “divine mercy” — and her obligation to spread the message to the world as recorded in her diary, “Divine Mercy in My Soul.”
The late pope said in his homily that “the light of divine mercy, which the Lord in a way wished to return to the world through Sr. Faustina’s charism, will illumine the way for the men and women of the third millennium.”
John Paul II granted plenary and partial indulgences to the faithful who observed certain pious practices on Divine Mercy Sunday each year in a June 2002 decree. He did this in order to inspire the faithful in devotion to the Divine Mercy.
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WORLD YOUTH DAY: will be held in Lisbon, Portugal from August 1st until August 6th 2023. World Youth Day is a world-wide encounter with the Pope celebrated every three years in a different country. WYD is open to all young people (18- 35) who want to take part in a festive encounter centred on Jesus Christ together with their peers. To read more about WYD see their official website at: http://www.lisboa2023.org/en
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By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican, 27 March, 2023 / 8:15 pm (ACI Africa).
Pope Francis on Wednesday will bless a satellite that will launch his words into space on June 10.
The “Spes Satelles,” Latin for “Satellites of Hope,” will be launched on a rocket taking off from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
According to the Vatican, the miniaturized satellite will hold a copy of a book documenting the pope’s urbi et orbi blessing of March 27, 2020, when, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, he blessed the world from St. Peter’s Square with the words “Lord, may you bless the world, give health to our bodies, and comfort our hearts.”
“You ask us not to be afraid,” the pope prayed. “Yet our faith is weak and we are fearful. But you, Lord, will not leave us at the mercy of the storm.”
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The Pope Video - February 2023
https://www.churchservices.tv/cstv/archive/uploads/O37N1aMjNAbWmpn
The First Day of Lent
The penitential season of Lent lasts for 40 days (Sundays are not included in this number). This day is marked by the spiritual practices of fasting and abstinence. While it is not a holy day of obligation, we are invited to attend Mass, receive ashes, and listen to the message of the Gospel.
Did you know that anyone can receive ashes on Ash Wednesday?
https://www.churchpop.com/2023/02/21/ashes-explained-facts-about-ash-wednesday-every-catholic-should-know/?utm_campaign=ChurchPop&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=247174242&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_fEn0AgQipVueP5HQTt3Hek27xYrZHx3aKsHgLr5vk_-91nC3QnwxECuRUycQnbDxb_YW_4JXfH4lZnvJOuKmjGV5HZw&utm_content=247174242&utm_source=hs_email
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The Presbytery, Abbeydorney. (066 7135146; 087 6807197)
abbeydor@dioceseofkerry.ie
19th February, 2023. 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Dear Parishioner,
If I gave you a few minutes to think of the answer to this
question ‘What did I write about on the front page of ‘Dear Parishioner’
last weekend? Would you be able to answer the question? I mentioned
the news that I had got on the previous Thursday – the unexpected death
of Kiltegan priest, Tim Galvin, from Brosna Parish, whose family home is
located just beyond the border between Kerry and Limerick at Feale’s
Bridge. On this past Friday night, I was one of the 35 priests or so
(including Bishop Ray Browne), who attended a memorial Mass in
Abbeyfeale Church. (Fr. Tim’s funeral will take place in Kenya at the end of
next week.) The Mass booklet, which was prepared for the Mass included
a fairly long and interesting piece about Fr. Tim – his education, ordination
to the priesthood and about his life as a missionary priest.
‘Tim gave himself totally to the people of South
Sudan, whom he served faithfully and generously for almost forty years.
The provision of high-quality education was an important focus of his
mission during time there. Tim spoke many languages as well as English
and Irish – Arabic, Kikamba (Kenya) and Toposa (Sudan). He remained
close to his family and his home community, throughout his missionary life
and got great support and encouragement from them. He had a wide
network of loyal supporters and friends around Abbeyfeale and Brosna,
with whom he had a very close relationship. They provided him with the
resources to carry out his ministry in South Sudan. He was always
extremely grateful to them.
Tim was a proud Kerry man and had a life-long interest in the fortunes of
the Kerry Gaelic football team. He was particularly proud of his nephew,
Anthony Maher, who wore the green and gold of Kerry with distinction for
twelve years. Tim also had a great interest in spirituality and poetry. No
doubt this interest sustained him during his nearly forty-five years as a
missionary priest in very difficult and challenging situations. Wars and
rumours of wars were constant in his life. His unshakable faith in Jesus
Christ saw him through these difficult times and enabled him to persevere
in his mission to the end.’ I think it is easy to understand the loss being felt
at this time by Fr. Tim’s family, by his fellow St. Patrick’s Missionary Society
and the people whom he served in South Sudan. (Fr. Denis O’Mahony)
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Putting Temper into Temperance,
Day of Prayer for Temperance, 19 February, 2023.
Temperance is one of those words meant to carry a lot of weight. Yet it
appears a tame word when understood simply as moderation, sounding a
little like the advice from the drinks company to drink ‘responsibly’ or from
the bookmakers to gamble ‘responsibly’. Many of us, however, don’t do
‘responsibly’ very well. We are more like the ‘ordinary’ folk in TS Elliott’s
play, ‘Murder in the Cathedral’, who are happy to go on ‘living and partly
living’, who do not want to be disturbed or, in our idiom, do not want to be
separated from our intake of chemical substances, pornography, video
games and all the less obvious out-of-control behaviours that pass for
‘normal’. There is an addictive gene in all of us.
On a Day of Prayer for Temperance we pray for all who suffer, to a greater
or lesser extent, the direct or collateral damage of addiction. However, our
mostly unacknowledged addictions are community ones like those
highlighted in the latest COP27 meeting in Egypt; those expressed by our
costly lifestyle and consumption, our greed (which no one calls addiction
although enough is never enough!), and our over-estimation of ourselves
as ‘worth it’ when it comes to excessive spending or waste of limited
resources.
Today then is a day for grieving for what we are doing to the planet and, by
inference, to those recently or not yet born, whose habitable futures we go
on stealing to enhance our own present. Pope Francis reminds us that
these actions against the common good of the earth and its people are
sinful, for they destroy the very life support systems of our common home
(common to all creatures as well!). Our reckless generation, however,
wants it all and is far from living ‘responsibly’ given what we now know of
our human contribution to climate change, the mass extinction of plant
and animal species, the de-sacralisation of the natural world. Ours is the
God of Growth, and our unquestioned belief that endless consumption is
possible.
On the day of prayer for temperance nothing less will do than commit
ourselves to undergo a ‘profound ecological conversion’ as our only hope of
stalling this headlong rush towards ‘the abyss’ that Pope John Paul 11
wrote about in 2001, something echoed in COP27 by Antonio Guterres, UN
Secretary-General, when he said we are on ‘a highway to climate hell with
our foot firmly on the accelerator. In this context the word ‘temperance’ is
too tame. We have to stop, question, face ourselves but, especially,
refrain by saying ‘no’ to another product, to another purchase and down
on our knees! As consumers, we are feeding our false self, our public
image, trying ‘to be as good as others’ without any regard for our true
selves, as children of a creator God who loves all of life’s beauty and every
species created with the same loving care as we are loved! How then can
we possibly square praising the Creator and thrashing the creation!
Perhaps we should keep the ‘temper’ part of temperance and use its
energy to ’be the change’ we wish to see on behalf of the poor who are
already suffering, because of how richer countries have turned up the
temperature gauge of the climate, with disastrous consequences for them.
A day to pray for temperance in 2023
would be missing its proper target if we focused exclusively on the
traditional, and newly acquired, addictive behaviours in need of
moderation and restraint. To live responsibly as people of faith and hope,
we must use this day to ask for forgiveness for our wasteful ways, for the
proliferation of plastics and chemicals, for our mindless destruction of the
sources of life – water, air, land, other lives. So, to paraphrase the most
challenging words of Jesus, ‘I was hungry but there was no place for me at
the table, I was thirsty but you had poisoned the living stream’. This day
needs to address the true state of our addiction to a way of living we
refuse to moderate or give up. Today we are called to look at it. No
dodging. No excuses. Pray certainly but take action! Blessed are those
who hear the heart-breaking Word of God and are changed by it! (Hugh
O’Donnell, Intercom February 2023)
At my time in Maynooth College, it was unheard of for a lad from Kerry to
show any leaning towards a musical talent. Plenty of talent in sport, yes,
especially in Gaelic football. Apparently, there had been only two in living
memory, who had made it into the celebrated Senior College Choir: one
was the former bishop of Kerry, Dairmuid Ó Súilleabháin, and the other
many years before him, was Monsignor Frank Cremin, our distinguished
Professor of Canon Law. I will never forget the experience of hearing the
College Choir for the first time; some thirty-five fresh, youthful voices
singing the great masterpieces of Church music from the 16th century,
specially arranged for them – the four equal voices – by the former
Professor of Music at the college, the German priest, Fr. Henry Bewerunge.
The sound they made was overwhelming to the ear of one who had never
heard such music before. (Taken from ‘Forging the Dance’ by Fr. Pat
Ahern, Ó Riain Publishing)
Seeing Your Life Through The Lens of The Gospel
John Byrne OSA (Intercom February 2023)
1.Jesus tells us to act out of love and says that acting out of love is better
than acting out of revenge. What does your experience tell you?
2.Perhaps you have at times hit back in revenge when you have been hurt
or offended. What effect did this have on you, on others, and on your
relationship with them? Contrast this with the times when you resisted
the urge to retaliate. What outcome did this have on you, on others, and
on your relationship with them ... at the time, and in the long-term?
3.From other passages in the gospels it is clear that Jesus did not mean that
we should ignore injustices, and never make a stand against others. What
lessons have you learned in life on when, and how, to make a stand?
What wisdom would you share with others from your experience?
Points to Ponder (Intercom February 2023)
The Catechism of the Catholic Church treats temperance in the context of
the dignity of the human person, the human vocation and human virtues as
the power for right living. It is not depriving a person of anything, but is a
totally positive acquisition. Patrick Duffy replies.
What is Temperance? Temperance is the moral virtue that enables us to
moderate the attraction of pleasures and be able to balance our use of
created goods. The temperate person trains the will to be able to master
the instincts and to direct the sensitive appetites towards what is good,
while maintaining a healthy discretion.
The Book of Ben Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 18:30 advocates temperance in
these words: ‘Do not follow your base desires, but restrain your
appetites.’ The New Testament calls it ‘sobriety’ or ‘moderation’. Paul
warns Titus that we ought ‘to live sober, upright, and godly lives in the
world’. (2:12). Human viruses, also called moral virtues, are described in
the Catechism as ‘firm attitudes, stable dispositions, habitual perfections of
intellect and will that govern our actions, order our passions, and guide our
conduct according to reason and faith.’ A virtue inclines the person not to
perform good acts, but to give the best of themselves. The virtuous person
chooses the good in concrete actions and pursues it with all their sensory
and spiritual powers. Virtue is acquired by human effort. It begins with
decision, which means literally, ‘cutting’ or ‘killing’ off other possibilities.
Consistent practice then makes self-mastery easier and gradually produces
joy in doing the good.
Reflect
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PRAYER AT THE END OF THE DAY
O God, my Father, as I lay down to sleep, relax the tension in my body, calm the restlessness of my mind, still the thoughts which worry and perplex. Let your Spirit speak to my mind and my heart while I am asleep, so that when I waken in the morning, I may find I have received in the night-time – Light for my way, Strength for my tasks, Peace for my worries and Forgiveness for my sins.
IT MUST BE EASY FOR THEM……
The next time this thought creeps into your mind, remember this – it is not easy for any of us. To overcome the past, to forget the pain we have suffered, to let go, to get up when we are tired, to smile when we feel like crying. Yet there are gifts in
all experiences and we can make a choice to see the light even in dark places.
STRESS: the inability to tell the difference between what you think is happening and what is actually happening!!
There were hundreds of YESTERDAYS that passed and so many TOMORROWS still to come but there is only one TODAY to enjoy.
So, enjoy it.
At the end of each day the only question we should ask ourselves –
Did we love enough? Did we laugh enough? Did we make a difference?
When you try to control everything, you enjoy nothing, nor do you
control anything. Stop. Relax. Give up being General Manager of the Universe. Let go. Love Life.
Everyone wants to be the sunshine to brighten up someone else’s day.
But don’t forget you can also be a shining moon in someone’s darkest hour.
LAST WORD: Losing your temper is not the way to get rid of it
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Reflect
A NOTE FROM FR. JIM Lenihan ......
What is Lent all about? How often have we stopped over the years and genuinely
asked ourselves this important question? What is Lent all about? I suppose if
we’re honest we’d view this season as a painful obstacle course to get through and
just survive it. Last Wednesday when I wished the congregation at the Ash
Wednesday mass a happy lent they had a little chuckle. People genuinely don’t put
the season of Lent and Joy together. Yet Lent is a time we prepare our hearts for
the Joy of Easter!! When we hear words like Conversion and Repent!! We hear it
as a kind of a scolding or reprimand. Yet it’s not. The call to repentance and
conversion is a loving call to remind all of us of how we’re missing out on the really
good stuff by simply by being distracted by so much rubbish. Rubbishy stuff that
at the end of our lives will be meaningless. Someone once said when we’re on our
deathbed we won’t be regretting that we didn’t spent more time sitting in front of
a screen or spending more time working even more time entertaining ourselves.
Facing eternity we’ll surely wish we loved more, God and those around us. Lent is
that period of the year where we get our priorities in order and ask ourselves
questions that have eternal significance. It’s through Prayer, Almsgiving and
Fasting which helps us focus the mind and heart on what really matters in life. Let
this be our best Lent ever.
A Prayer Before Mass
St. Ambrose used to pray before he celebrated Mass, "my mind and tongue
carelessly left unguarded. Lord of kindness and power, in my lowliness and need I
am turning to you, the fountain of mercy; I am hurrying to you to be healed; I am
taking refuge under your protection. I am longing to meet you, not as my Judge
but as my Savior. Lord, I am not ashamed to show you my wounds. Only you know
how many and how serious my sins are, and though they could make me fear for my
salvation, I am putting my hope in your mercies, which are beyond count. Look on
me with mercy, then, Lord Jesus Christ, eternal King, God and man, crucified for
our sake. I am putting my trust in you, the fountain that will never stop flowing
with merciful love: hear me and forgive my sins and weaknesses."
-----------------------------------------
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Pope Francis exhorted the Congolese to forgive on his trip there this past week. How did the Congolese respond? The AP story reporting his homily told of some of the atrocities that the people of Congo suffered in a war between 1998 and 2004 that took the lives of some 5 million people, the largest death toll of any armed conflict since World War II, and have suffered in the years since, even more intensely in recent years.
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By Jonah McKeown
St. Louis, Mo., 01 February, 2023 / 8:30 pm (ACI Africa).
More than 1 million people attended Pope Francis’ Mass celebrated on an airfield in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday morning, according to local authorities. The papal Mass, celebrated in French, was filled with joy and dancing.
Papal Masses, especially in the last 50 years or so, have attracted crowds of millions — many of them at World Youth Days, the massive gatherings of young people that began in 1987 and take place every few years.
Here’s an inexhaustive ranking of some of the biggest papal Masses:
Pope Francis, Manila, 2015: 6-7 million
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POPE: The LETTER – a film with Pope Francis. THE LETTER - The film explores issues including Indigenous rights, climate migration, science, and youth leadership in the context of action on climate and nature. The highlight of the film is the exclusive dialogue that the people from these communities have with Pope Francis after saying yes to his letter inviting them to meet with him in Rome. To be screened Friday 27th January 7.00pm to 8.45pm at Saint John’s Parish Centre, Tralee. All are welcome. Please reply by 25th January to Karen.kent@stjohns.ie or by telephone to 066 7122522 if you wish to attend.
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By Courtney Mares
Vatican, 17 January, 2023 / 9:04 pm (ACI Africa).
Pope Francis expressed his closeness on Tuesday to the victims of a church bombing in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that killed at least 14 people and injured more than 60.
“In prayer, the Holy Father entrusts the deceased and the wounded to the mercy of God. He implores Christ, the Lord of Life, that the afflicted may find consolation and trust in God, invoking upon them the gift of peace,” a telegram sent Jan. 17 on behalf of the pope said.
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the deadly bombing of a Sunday church service at a Pentecostal church in the eastern Congolese town of Kasindi on the border with Uganda.
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Sacred Heart Church Weekly Newsletter - 8th January 2022
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Sacred Heart Church - Limerick via gmail.mcsv.net
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Weekly Newsletter
Feast of the Holy Family
8th January 2023
Dear Friends of the Sacred Heart Church,
Today is the Feast of the Holy Family whom you can see in our beautiful Nativity Scene, visited by the Three Kings since the Feast of the Epiphany on Friday. The family of Jesus is a model to all families.
Last Tuesday, a beautiful Requiem Mass was celebrated for the repose of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. With gratitude for all that he has done for the liturgy, let us keep him in our prayer so that he becomes our efficient intercessor. Sancto subito!
In one of his Christmas addresses, our beloved Pope reminded us that the shepherds, the privileged first to adore Our Lord, "found themselves not only before the Infant Jesus but also a small family: mother, father and newborn son. God is the Trinity, he is a communion of love; so is the family despite all the differences that exist between the Mystery of God and his human creature, an expression that reflects the unfathomable Mystery of God as Love." Family is thus a fruitful life-long exercise of charity and God gives sufficient grace to this end. Let us also not forget one of the twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart, I will establish peace in their families.
Let us extend a warm welcome to Canon Gribbin who is with us this week while Canon Lebocq is away: he was in Belfast for the Feast of the Epiphany, Ardee today and in France from Monday to Saturday for his Christmas break.
Newly blessed Epiphany water is now available at the entrance of corridor in front of Our Lady’s altar. They are also blessed Epiphany chalks so that you can have the following inscription written on top of the main entrance to your house: 20 + C + M + B + 23. The letters C.M.B. stands for Christus Mansionem Benedicat (May Christ bless this house) and they are at the same time the letters are the first letters of the names of the three Wise Men: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar.
We hope that you were able to catch up a little with the Irish seminarians who were home for their Christmas break. Please continue to pray for them as they continue their priestly formation. As they make their way back to the seminary in Italy, we are happy to welcome our own seminarian, Abbe Bocci, back from his vacation.
The Feast of Saint Francis de Sales is just around the corner. He is, as you know, the Patron saint of the Insititute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest and since Providence has led you to our community, why not learn our Salesian spirituality. To help you to do so and to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Saint Francis' death (28th December 1622), we will have a preparation novena from 20th until 28th January—there will be a short talk daily on our YouTube channel about our Patron Saint and his gentle spirituality.
Lastly, someone in the congregation is turning 50 tomorrow or 70 this Thursday. Who could they be? In the spirit of family, let us pray for them!
Wishing you a blessed week,
Canon Lebocq
Prior of Sacred Heart Church
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By Courtney Mares
Rome Newsroom, 05 January, 2023 / 8:18 pm (ACI Africa).
Catholics from Germany, France, Ghana, India, Australia, Uganda, and many more countries who attended the funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Thursday have shared their favorite memories of the late pope and why some decided to join in the chants of “santo subito” at the end of the ceremony.
More than 50,000 people attended the Jan. 5 funeral for the pope emeritus, who died at the age of 95 last Saturday.
Among those in the crowd for the funeral was Arthur Escamila, who got to know Benedict XVI personally during the 2008 World Youth Day in Australia.
“It was emotional seeing the coffin coming out of the basilica,” he told CNA.
Escamila, a numerary from Opus Dei, recalled how Benedict XVI rested for a few days in the Opus Dei center in Sydney where he was living at the time.
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By Hannah Brockhaus, Courtney Mares
Vatican City, Jan 5, 2023 / 04:50 am
Tens of thousands of people were present in St. Peter’s Square for the funeral Thursday of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, a leading theologian of the 20th century and the first pope to resign from office in nearly 600 years.
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Vatican’s Actions
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Priests for Life <FrFrankPavone@priestsforlife.org> Unsubscribe
Fri, Dec 23, 7:36 AM (1 day ago)
December 22, 2022
James,
Here are answers to frequently asked questions about the Vatican's actions. You can find this text also on www.FrFrankPavone.com.
Was this decree signed by the Pope?
Yes, and although we have not seen the decree, we know from the nature of it and from confirmation given to our canonical advisors in Rome that it was the decision of Pope Francis.
We also know he was advised that there was a more conciliatory solution available, namely, that Fr. Frank be allowed to transfer to a diocese where he could work under the authority of a more favorable bishop. Currently there are bishops who are willing to receive him.
Does this decision have any possibility of appeal?
The statement that there is “no possibility of appeal” is technical, legal language that states what we all know, that the highest canonical authority in the Church is the Pope. Among human beings in the Church, you can’t go over the Pope’s head.
But that doesn’t mean the decision can’t change. The Pope can change it. So can the next Pope.
So I will continue to ask the Pope to reverse the decision. I want to live with the same accountability to a bishop as any diocesan priest has – a bishop who will not abuse me as Bishop Zurek has done (see www.FrFrankPavone.com).
What was the reason for the dismissal?
They have no reason. For 21 years, they’ve been inventing one reason after another, and none of them have validity. Read the history at www.FrFrankPavone.com and you’ll see what we mean.
Bishop Patrick Zurek of Amarillo, and others who are coaching him, have wanted me to be dismissed from the priesthood for years. Year after year, he failed to give me any assignment in the diocese and also said he didn’t want me working outside the diocese. I said to him in a meeting (witnessed by several others), “You want me out of the priesthood altogether, don’t you?” “Never, never,” he said in a loud voice. A few weeks later he sent me a letter telling me I should ask for dismissal from the priesthood, or else he would make that request of the Holy See.
All along this road, he used different excuses, such as my video of an aborted baby, or my support of President Trump. The Vatican dismissed his complaints at the end of 2019, but then, based on a tweet comment I made in the 2020 election cycle, he renewed his complaints. He turned the tweet into an accusation of “blasphemy,” because, he said, I was declaring that God was sending these people to hell. I was doing no such thing. Rather, I was getting angry and saying things I shouldn’t – a common human experience. So I went to confession and was absolved. This isn’t a reason for dismissal from the priesthood.
He also complained about my repeated “disobedience,” a claim, however, which his own Vicar for Clergy contradicted in letters to the Vatican (more on that below).
Were you disobedient to your bishop?
When Cardinal Egan asked me to take a parish assignment in New York, I took the assignment – St Roch’s Church in Staten Island. And people around the country asked him why he was taking the most visible pro-life priest out of pro-life ministry. The needs of the diocese are not the only consideration. The potential scandalous impact of a decision like that on the faithful around the country and around the world has to be taken into consideration.
When Bishop Zurek of Amarillo called me to come back to the diocese in 2011 instead of traveling around, I did indeed report to Amarillo, on the day he requested. (Meanwhile, he went to Brazil that day and didn’t even stay around to meet with me.)
When the Vatican asked me not to have a formal title with the Trump Campaign, I complied with that request and the Campaign graciously cooperated as well.
Msgr. Harold Waldow, who was Vicar for Clergy in Amarillo when I became part of that diocese in 2005, wrote this letter in 2016 indicating that I complied with all I was asked to do. He also explained that it was Bishop Zurek who was saying negative things about me.
Read in its entirety, with all the links, www.FrFrankPavone.com will show you that I have been an obedient priest.
It also raises the question: does respect and obedience to authority require one to tolerate the abuse of authority? The record shows the abuse to which I was subjected, and the steps I took, according to Church law, to protect myself from that abuse.
So I ask: specifically in what way was I not obedient?
Will you join the clergy of another denomination?
No, although I am grateful to the many religious leaders in other denominations who are willing to receive me, and I respect them highly. I will remain a Catholic, and will continue to ask for the reinstatement of my full priesthood. Nor am I interested in getting married.
What will your work be now that this dismissal has occurred?
The Board, Pastoral Team, and Staff of Priests for Life are unanimously agreed that I will continue to lead this ministry of Priests for Life. The term “Priests for Life” does not refer to our Administration, but rather to the tens of thousands of bishops and priests around the world whom we serve, unite and encourage. And most of that service is provided by laypeople, who are presenting seminars, writing brochures, and broadcasting programs.
My work, therefore, will be to continue leading the family of Priests for Life ministries as National Director of Priests for Life, and Pastoral Director of Rachel’s Vineyard and Silent No More. The decree of the Vatican does not take away my knowledge, experience, insights, speaking and writing ability, or network of relationships, energy, passion, and compassion which help me carry out this work.
Moreover, Priests for Life will continue to enjoy the overwhelming support of God’s people, because our supporters do not support our work because a bishop tells them to, but precisely because we’re doing the work that they would like to see their priests and bishops do.
How can people help?
There is a lot that people can do to support and help us; this is summarized at www.HelpFrFrank.com.
The Priests for Life Team
Priests for Life
PO Box 236695
Cocoa, FL 32923
Phone: 321-500-1000
Toll Free: 888-735-3448
Email: mail@priestsforlife.org
www.EndAbortion.US
Has your address changed? Let us know here.
Please, remember to support our work at ProLifeDonation.org.
Do you know others who may be interested in our work? Please refer them to us.
Visit our online store at www.ProLifeProducts.org for books, t-shirts and other great pro-life products.
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MyHeritage's "AI Time Machine" can generate pictures of what you might have looked like hundreds of years ago.
Once you upload your photos to the AI Time Machine, it'll transport you back to World War II, Ancient Rome, and more.
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Saint of the Day for November 8
(c. 1266 – November 8, 1308)
Audio file
Blessed John Duns Scotus’ Story
A humble man, John Duns Scotus has been one of the most influential Franciscans through the centuries. Born at Duns in the county of Berwick, Scotland, John was descended from a wealthy farming family. In later years, he was identified as John Duns Scotus to indicate the land of his birth; Scotia is the Latin name for Scotland.
John received the habit of the Friars Minor at Dumfries, where his uncle Elias Duns was superior. After novitiate, John studied at Oxford and Paris and was ordained in 1291. More studies in Paris followed until 1297, when he returned to lecture at Oxford and Cambridge. Four years later, he returned to Paris to teach and complete the requirements for the doctorate.
In an age when many people adopted whole systems of thought without qualification, John pointed out the richness of the Augustinian-Franciscan tradition, appreciated the wisdom of Aquinas, Aristotle, and the Muslim philosophers—and still managed to be an independent thinker. That quality was proven in 1303, when King Philip the Fair tried to enlist the University of Paris on his side in a dispute with Pope Boniface VIII. John Duns Scotus dissented, and was given three days to leave France.
In Scotus’s time, some philosophers held that people are basically determined by forces outside themselves. Free will is an illusion, they argued. An ever-practical man, Scotus said that if he started beating someone who denied free will, the person would immediately tell him to stop. But if Scotus didn’t really have a free will, how could he stop? John had a knack for finding illustrations his students could remember!
After a short stay in Oxford, Scotus returned to Paris, where he received the doctorate in 1305. He continued teaching there and in 1307 so ably defended the Immaculate Conception of Mary that the university officially adopted his position. That same year the minister general assigned him to the Franciscan school in Cologne where John died in 1308. He is buried in the Franciscan church near the famous Cologne cathedral.
Drawing on the work of John Duns Scotus, Pope Pius IX solemnly defined the Immaculate Conception of Mary in 1854. John Duns Scotus, the “Subtle Doctor,” was beatified in 1993.
Reflection
Father Charles Balic, O.F.M., the foremost 20th-century authority on Scotus, has written: “The whole of Scotus’s theology is dominated by the notion of love. The characteristic note of this love is its absolute freedom. As love becomes more perfect and intense, freedom becomes more noble and integral both in God and in man” (New Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 1105).
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https://www.franciscanmedia.org/franciscan-spirit-blog/john-duns-scotus-his-view-of-christ
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The two saints, both born in Italy in the 19th century, ministered to others. The Holy Father also mentioned, at the Angelus, ‘Regarding the beginning of the Council 60 years ago, we should not forget the danger of nuclear war that menaced the world right at that time. Why don’t we learn from history? Even at that moment, there were conflicts and huge tensions, but the way of peace was chosen.’
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By Courtney Mares
Rome Newsroom, Oct 2, 2022 / 06:32 am
Pope Francis made a direct appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin for an immediate ceasefire on Sunday, imploring him to end the “spiral of violence and death” in Ukraine.
Speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace on Oct. 2, the pope dedicated nearly all of his Angelus address to the war in Ukraine.
“I deeply deplore the grave situation that has arisen in recent days … It increases the risk of nuclear escalation, giving rise to fears of uncontrollable and catastrophic consequences worldwide,” Pope Francis said.
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Pope Francis recognizes the ‘countless acts of kindess and charity’ of Stella Maris, Apostleship of the Sea
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Pope at Angelus: Be creative and clever in doing good always
Pope Francis calls on the faithful to use creativity, prudence, and even cleverness, in living out the Gospel in our daily lives, and to be generous in using the goods of this world for those who need them most, showing fraternal love and social fellowship.
SEASON OF CREATION 2022
“We need to act courageously. We do not have time to wait. We are at the edge with climate change and the time to take action is now. We must care for nature so that nature may care for us.” ~ Pope Francis
The Season of Creation 2022, began on Thursday last - September 1st (World Day of Prayer for Creation) and will run until October 4th (Feast of St. Francis of Assisi). This Season is a wonderful opportunity to respond to the call of Pope Francis to listen to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. A lovely brochure produced by Trocaire is available at the back of the church and also in our Parish Office. Today, the prevalence of unnatural fires are a sign of the devastating effects that climate change has on the most vulnerable of our planet. Creation cries out as forests burn, animals flee, and people are forced to migrate. Record temperatures across the world this year have shown us that climate change is affecting all regions and all systems and will make parts of the world uninhabitable for human beings. We are invited to listen to the Voice of Creation which is all around us. What is God saying to us through the Book of Nature? Spend more time, with awareness, evoking the senses, contemplating God’s love for us through creation - “for we know that things can change!” (Laudato Si’, 13). For more information about the Season of Creation, feel free to contact jane.mellett@trocaire.org
POPE: By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican, 24 September, 2022 / 8:32 pm (ACI Africa).
Pope Francis on Saturday lamented the loss of spiritual meaning in the lives of many young people today — a lack that is often replaced by an undue focus on material goods, he said.
“Human beings, created in the image and likeness of God, are seekers of meaning before being seekers of material goods. That is why the first capital of any society is spiritual capital,” he said at an international conference on the economy in Assisi, Italy, Sept. 24.
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." These were the words of Pope John Paul II when he beatified Edith Stein in Cologne on 1 May 1987.
Who was this woman?
Edith Stein was born in Breslau on 12 October 1891, the youngest of 11, as her family were celebrating Yom Kippur, that most important Jewish festival, the Feast of Atonement. "More than anything else, this helped make the youngest child very precious to her mother." Being born on this day was like a foreshadowing to Edith, a future Carmelite nun.
Edith's father, who ran a timber business, died when she had only just turned two. Her mother, a very devout, hard-working, strong-willed and truly wonderful woman, now had to fend for herself and to look after the family and their large business. However, she did not succeed in keeping up a living faith in her children. Edith lost her faith in God. "I consciously decided, of my own volition, to give up praying," she said.
In 1911 she passed her school-leaving exam with flying colours and enrolled at the University of Breslau to study German and history, though this was a mere "bread-and-butter" choice. Her real interest was in philosophy and in women's issues. She became a member of the Prussian Society for Women's Franchise. "When I was at school and during my first years at university," she wrote later, "I was a radical suffragette. Then I lost interest in the whole issue. Now I am looking for purely pragmatic solutions."
In 1913, Edith Stein transferred to G6ttingen University, to study under the mentorship of Edmund Husserl. She became his pupil and teaching assistant, and he later tutored her for a doctorate. At the time, anyone who was interested in philosophy was fascinated by Husserl's new view of reality, whereby the world as we perceive it does not merely exist in a Kantian way, in our subjective perception. His pupils saw his philosophy as a return to objects: "back to things". Husserl's phenomenology unwittingly led many of his pupils to the Christian faith. In G6ttingen Edith Stein also met the philosopher Max Scheler, who directed her attention to Roman Catholicism. Nevertheless, she did not neglect her "bread-and-butter" studies and passed her degree with distinction in January 1915, though she did not follow it up with teacher training.
"I no longer have a life of my own," she wrote at the beginning of the First World War, having done a nursing course and gone to serve in an Austrian field hospital. This was a hard time for her, during which she looked after the sick in the typhus ward, worked in an operating theatre, and saw young people die. When the hospital was dissolved, in 1916, she followed Husserl as his assistant to the German city of Freiburg, where she passed her doctorate summa cum laude (with the utmost distinction) in 1917, after writing a thesis on "The Problem of Empathy."
During this period she went to Frankfurt Cathedral and saw a woman with a shopping basket going in to kneel for a brief prayer. "This was something totally new to me. In the synagogues and Protestant churches I had visited people simply went to the services. Here, however, I saw someone coming straight from the busy marketplace into this empty church, as if she was going to have an intimate conversation. It was something I never forgot. "Towards the end of her dissertation she wrote: "There have been people who believed that a sudden change had occurred within them and that this was a result of God's grace." How could she come to such a conclusion?
Edith Stein had been good friends with Husserl's Göttingen assistant, Adolf Reinach, and his wife.
When Reinach fell in Flanders in November 1917, Edith went to Göttingen to visit his widow. The Reinachs had converted to Protestantism. Edith felt uneasy about meeting the young widow at first, but was surprised when she actually met with a woman of faith. "This was my first encounter with the Cross and the divine power it imparts to those who bear it ... it was the moment when my unbelief collapsed and Christ began to shine his light on me - Christ in the mystery of the Cross."
Later, she wrote: "Things were in God's plan which I had not planned at all. I am coming to the living faith and conviction that - from God's point of view - there is no chance and that the whole of my life, down to every detail, has been mapped out in God's divine providence and makes complete and perfect sense in God's all-seeing eyes."
In Autumn 1918 Edith Stein gave up her job as Husserl's teaching assistant. She wanted to work independently. It was not until 1930 that she saw Husserl again after her conversion, and she shared with him about her faith, as she would have liked him to become a Christian, too. Then she wrote down the amazing words: "Every time I feel my powerlessness and inability to influence people directly, I become more keenly aware of the necessity of my own holocaust."
Edith Stein wanted to obtain a professorship, a goal that was impossible for a woman at the time. Husserl wrote the following reference: "Should academic careers be opened up to ladies, then I can recommend her whole-heartedly and as my first choice for admission to a professorship." Later, she was refused a professorship on account of her Jewishness.
Back in Breslau, Edith Stein began to write articles about the philosophical foundation of psychology. However, she also read the New Testament, Kierkegaard and Ignatius of Loyola's Spiritual Exercises. She felt that one could not just read a book like that, but had to put it into practice.
In the summer of 1921. she spent several weeks in Bergzabern (in the Palatinate) on the country estate of Hedwig Conrad-Martius, another pupil of Husserl's. Hedwig had converted to Protestantism with her husband. One evening Edith picked up an autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila and read this book all night. "When I had finished the book, I said to myself: This is the truth." Later, looking back on her life, she wrote: "My longing for truth was a single prayer."
On 1 January 1922 Edith Stein was baptized. It was the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus, when Jesus entered into the covenant of Abraham. Edith Stein stood by the baptismal font, wearing Hedwig Conrad-Martius' white wedding cloak. Hedwig washer godmother. "I had given up practising my Jewish religion when I was a 14-year-old girl and did not begin to feel Jewish again until I had returned to God." From this moment on she was continually aware that she belonged to Christ not only spiritually, but also through her blood. At the Feast of the Purification of Mary - another day with an Old Testament reference - she was confirmed by the Bishop of Speyer in his private chapel.
After her conversion she went straight to Breslau: "Mother," she said, "I am a Catholic." The two women cried. Hedwig Conrad Martius wrote: "Behold, two Israelites indeed, in whom is no deceit!" (cf. John 1:47).
Immediately after her conversion she wanted to join a Carmelite convent. However, her spiritual mentors, Vicar-General Schwind of Speyer, and Erich Przywara SJ, stopped her from doing so. Until Easter 1931 she held a position teaching German and history at the Dominican Sisters' school and teacher training college of St. Magdalen's Convent in Speyer. At the same time she was encouraged by Arch-Abbot Raphael Walzer of Beuron Abbey to accept extensive speaking engagements, mainly on women's issues. "During the time immediately before and quite some time after my conversion I ... thought that leading a religious life meant giving up all earthly things and having one's mind fixed on divine things only. Gradually, however, I learnt that other things are expected of us in this world... I even believe that the deeper someone is drawn to God, the more he has to `get beyond himself' in this sense, that is, go into the world and carry divine life into it."
She worked enormously hard, translating the letters and diaries of Cardinal Newman from his pre-Catholic period as well as Thomas Aquinas' Quaestiones Disputatae de Veritate. The latter was a very free translation, for the sake of dialogue with modern philosophy. Erich Przywara also encouraged her to write her own philosophical works. She learnt that it was possible to "pursue scholarship as a service to God... It was not until I had understood this that I seriously began to approach academic work again." To gain strength for her life and work, she frequently went to the Benedictine Monastery of Beuron, to celebrate the great festivals of the Church year.
In 1931 Edith Stein left the convent school in Speyer and devoted herself to working for a professorship again, this time in Breslau and Freiburg, though her endeavours were in vain. It was then that she wrote Potency and Act, a study of the central concepts developed by Thomas Aquinas. Later, at the Carmelite Convent in Cologne, she rewrote this study to produce her main philosophical and theological oeuvre, Finite and Eternal Being. By then, however, it was no longer possible to print the book.
In 1932 she accepted a lectureship position at the Roman Catholic division of the German Institute for Educational Studies at the University of Munster, where she developed her anthropology. She successfully combined scholarship and faith in her work and her teaching, seeking to be a "tool of the Lord" in everything she taught. "If anyone comes to me, I want to lead them to Him."
In 1933 darkness broke out over Germany. "I had heard of severe measures against Jews before. But now it dawned on me that God had laid his hand heavily on His people, and that the destiny of these people would also be mine." The Aryan Law of the Nazis made it impossible for Edith Stein to continue teaching. "If I can't go on here, then there are no longer any opportunities for me in Germany," she wrote; "I had become a stranger in the world."
The Arch-Abbot of Beuron, Walzer, now no longer stopped her from entering a Carmelite convent. While in Speyer, she had already taken a vow of poverty, chastity and obedience. In 1933 she met with the prioress of the Carmelite Convent in Cologne. "Human activities cannot help us, but only the suffering of Christ. It is my desire to share in it."
Edith Stein went to Breslau for the last time, to say good-bye to her mother and her family. Her last day at home was her birthday, 12 October, which was also the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles. Edith went to the synagogue with her mother. It was a hard day for the two women. "Why did you get to know it [Christianity]?" her mother asked, "I don't want to say anything against him. He may have been a very good person. But why did he make himself God?" Edith's mother cried. The following day Edith was on the train to Cologne. "I did not feel any passionate joy. What I had just experienced was too terrible. But I felt a profound peace - in the safe haven of God's will." From now on she wrote to her mother every week, though she never received any replies. Instead, her sister Rosa sent her news from Breslau.
Edith joined the Carmelite Convent of Cologne on 14 October, and her investiture took place on 15 April, 1934. The mass was celebrated by the Arch-Abbot of Beuron. Edith Stein was now known as Sister Teresia Benedicta a Cruce - Teresa, Blessed of the Cross. In 1938 she wrote: "I understood the cross as the destiny of God's people, which was beginning to be apparent at the time (1933). I felt that those who understood the Cross of Christ should take it upon themselves on everybody's behalf. Of course, I know better now what it means to be wedded to the Lord in the sign of the cross. However, one can never comprehend it, because it is a mystery." On 21 April 1935 she took her temporary vows. On 14 September 1936, the renewal of her vows coincided with her mother's death in Breslau. "My mother held on to her faith to the last moment. But as her faith and her firm trust in her God ... were the last thing that was still alive in the throes of her death, I am confident that she will have met a very merciful judge and that she is now my most faithful helper, so that I can reach the goal as well."
When she made her eternal profession on 21 April 1938, she had the words of St. John of the Cross printed on her devotional picture: "Henceforth my only vocation is to love." Her final work was to be devoted to this author.
Edith Stein's entry into the Carmelite Order was not escapism. "Those who join the Carmelite Order are not lost to their near and dear ones, but have been won for them, because it is our vocation to intercede to God for everyone." In particular, she interceded to God for her people: "I keep thinking of Queen Esther who was taken away from her people precisely because God wanted her to plead with the king on behalf of her nation. I am a very poor and powerless little Esther, but the King who has chosen me is infinitely great and merciful. This is great comfort." (31 October 1938)
On 9 November 1938 the anti-Semitism of the Nazis became apparent to the whole world.
Synagogues were burnt, and the Jewish people were subjected to terror. The prioress of the Carmelite Convent in Cologne did her utmost to take Sister Teresia Benedicta a Cruce abroad. On New Year's Eve 1938 she was smuggled across the border into the Netherlands, to the Carmelite Convent in Echt in the Province of Limburg. This is where she wrote her will on 9 June 1939: "Even now I accept the death that God has prepared for me in complete submission and with joy as being his most holy will for me. I ask the Lord to accept my life and my death ... so that the Lord will be accepted by His people and that His Kingdom may come in glory, for the salvation of Germany and the peace of the world."
While in the Cologne convent, Edith Stein had been given permission to start her academic studies again. Among other things, she wrote about "The Life of a Jewish Family" (that is, her own family): "I simply want to report what I experienced as part of Jewish humanity," she said, pointing out that "we who grew up in Judaism have a duty to bear witness ... to the young generation who are brought up in racial hatred from early childhood."
In Echt, Edith Stein hurriedly completed her study of "The Church's Teacher of Mysticism and the Father of the Carmelites, John of the Cross, on the Occasion of the 400th Anniversary of His Birth, 1542-1942." In 1941 she wrote to a friend, who was also a member of her order: "One can only gain a scientia crucis (knowledge of the cross) if one has thoroughly experienced the cross. I have been convinced of this from the first moment onwards and have said with all my heart: 'Ave, Crux, Spes unica' (I welcome you, Cross, our only hope)." Her study on St. John of the Cross is entitled: "Kreuzeswissenschaft" (The Science of the Cross).
Edith Stein was arrested by the Gestapo on 2 August 1942, while she was in the chapel with the other sisters. She was to report within five minutes, together with her sister Rosa, who had also converted and was serving at the Echt Convent. Her last words to be heard in Echt were addressed to Rosa: "Come, we are going for our people."
Together with many other Jewish Christians, the two women were taken to a transit camp in Amersfoort and then to Westerbork. This was an act of retaliation against the letter of protest written by the Dutch Roman Catholic Bishops against the pogroms and deportations of Jews. Edith commented, "I never knew that people could be like this, neither did I know that my brothers and sisters would have to suffer like this. ... I pray for them every hour. Will God hear my prayers? He will certainly hear them in their distress." Prof. Jan Nota, who was greatly attached to her, wrote later: "She is a witness to God's presence in a world where God is absent."
On 7 August, early in the morning, 987 Jews were deported to Auschwitz. It was probably on 9 August that Sister Teresia Benedicta a Cruce, her sister and many other of her people were gassed.
When Edith Stein was beatified in Cologne on 1 May 1987, the Church honoured "a daughter of Israel", as Pope John Paul II put it, who, as a Catholic during Nazi persecution, remained faithful to the crucified Lord Jesus Christ and, as a Jew, to her people in loving faithfulness."
https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_19981011_edith_stein_en.html
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Divine Mercy
By Zelda Caldwell
Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Aug 17, 2022 / 04:00 am
On Aug. 17, 2002, twenty years ago today, Pope John Paul II entrusted the world to Divine Mercy as he consecrated the International Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Lagiewniki, Poland.
Standing before the image of Divine Mercy, the pope said, “I wish solemnly to entrust the world to Divine Mercy. I do so with the burning desire that the message of God’s merciful love, proclaimed here through Saint Faustina, may be made known to all the peoples of the earth and fill their hearts with hope.”
He finished his homily with this prayer:
God, merciful Father, in your Son, Jesus Christ, you have revealed your love and poured it out upon us in the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, We entrust to you today the destiny of the world and of every man and woman.
Bend down to us sinners, heal our weakness, conquer all evil, and grant that all the peoples of the earth may experience your mercy.
In You, the Triune God, may they ever find the source of hope. Eternal Father, by the Passion and Resurrection of your Son, have mercy on us and upon the whole world!
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North Is Still North!
A NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER: It’s hard to sift through the insanity that has been thrust loudly in our faces in recent weeks since the Supreme Court officially overturned Roe v. Wade, but truth is on our side.
Catholic News Agency has tracked on an interactive map vandalism related to pro-abortion activism since May 2022.
Catholic News Agency has tracked on an interactive map vandalism related to pro-abortion activism since May 2022. (photo: EWTN News)
Michael Warsaw Publisher's Note
July 22, 2022
These days, I sometimes find myself asking whether north is still north. When women are attacked and threatened by anarchists and even government leaders for offering free medical and financial resources, as well as compassionate care, to other women in need, it feels like we’ve lost our north. It’s hard to sift through the insanity that has been thrust loudly in our faces in recent weeks since the Supreme Court officially overturned Roe v. Wade.
Ever since the Supreme Court’s draft opinion on Dobbs was leaked last May, pro-abortion anarchists have unleashed an escalating wave of violent attacks on Catholic churches and pro-life pregnancy centers around the country. According to Catholic News Agency’s tracker, more than 75 churches, pro-life pregnancy centers and offices/property of pro-life organizations have been attacked since the leaked draft opinion. These pro-life pregnancy centers and churches have been vandalized, firebombed and burned by Molotov cocktails. Facilities of countless pro-life organizations have been smeared with ominous graffiti, reading, “If abortions aren’t safe then neither are you,” “Jane was here” and “REVENGE.”
Catholic churches throughout the U.S. have been targeted, spray-painted with depictions of rape and phrases like “Abort the church.” Ruth Sent Us, one of the anarchist groups responsible for many of the attacks, promised to burn the Eucharist to protest “the abuse Catholic Churches have condoned for centuries.”
Why are Catholic churches and pro-life pregnancy centers bearing the brunt of these radical attacks?
The Church has had an enormous impact on the pro-life movement. The Catholic community has for decades worked with other faith groups to assist and uplift women in their communities who are pregnant and need support. Catholic teaching acknowledges what reason, science and the natural law already tell us — that abortion is a grave evil because it takes an innocent life and that formal cooperation in abortion is gravely sinful. Catholics recognize that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God and that, therefore, every human being has inherent dignity that is worthy of protection. We also recognize that true justice cannot come at the expense of innocent lives.
In September 1987, Pope St. John Paul II visited the United States and spoke unequivocally against abortion in America, highlighting the fact that abortion was the greatest test of our identity as a free nation. “If you want equal justice for all, and true freedom and lasting peace,” he said, “then, America, defend life from conception until natural death!” Similarly, in a speech to the U.N. General Assembly in 2020, Pope Francis condemned the promotion of abortion as one of the “essential services” of the “humanitarian response” to the COVID-19 pandemic. “It is troubling to see how simple and convenient it has become for some to deny the existence of human life as a solution to problems that can and must be solved for both the mother and her unborn child,” he said.
The sentiments of Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Francis have been central to the work of countless grassroots pro-life organizations and church efforts throughout our country for the past 50 years. We know that we can’t simply rest on our convictions but need to actively work to provide real alternatives to women who think abortion is their only option.
This is why the Catholic Church and many other faith-based organizations have joined forces and continue to play a powerful role in the creation and day-to-day running of thousands of pro-life resource centers and maternity homes around the country. These centers provided nearly $270 million in free resources to nearly 2 million women in 2019 alone. The volunteers staffing these centers devote precious time and resources to provide real options to women and tangible support to help them through pregnancy and care of their babies.
Pro-abortion advocates love to talk about social justice. Yet when it comes to underprivileged and minority women struggling due to unexpected pregnancies, their solution is to prescribe an abortion and forget about them. That is not compassion, and that is not love.
We’ve heard their tired talking points about how abortion is a “quick” and “easy” fix that is necessary for women’s success. Yet research shows that more than 60% of women feel coerced into getting an abortion. If women want to keep their babies, why aren’t the so-called “women’s rights”-loving abortion groups offering them ways to do that? Alternatively, pro-life pregnancy centers and maternity homes offer these women the resources, support and, in many cases, the shelter and finances possible for them to not only keep their baby, but to pursue a better life for themselves and their family.
Just look at Mary’s Shelter, a maternity home in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where pregnant women in need can stay during their pregnancy and up to three years after the birth of their child. The maternity home was there for a young mother of two named Shawnte, who lost her job when she was pregnant with her third child. Shawnte didn’t want to have an abortion, but without a support system or job, she felt that it was her only option. Then she found Mary’s Shelter. It changed her life.
Thousands of other women — many in minority or underserved populations — have experienced similar life-changing support from such pro-life organizations. Yet, for years, pro-abortion politicians and groups have denied the existence and care that these organizations provide. More recently, they have begun attacking these groups for the invaluable work that they do.
Why? Because they don’t offer abortions. Pro-abortion advocates are enraged over the overturning of Roe v. Wade, even though this simply means that the people, through their elected representatives, will decide abortion policy. Their rage has resulted in the countless physical attacks we are witnessing daily on pro-life organizations and churches around the country. It has also manifested itself in the malicious and unfounded accusations that pro-abortion politicians like Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren have levied against these groups serving women in need.
Warren recently claimed that pro-life pregnancy centers exist to manipulate women out of abortion and that Congress needed to crack down on them around the country. It is irrelevant to Warren that many women view abortion as a last resort and that countless women are grateful to discover a pro-life center that helps them keep their baby while pursuing a more fulfilling life for themselves.
It is also irrelevant to Warren that her malicious smears could be incredibly harmful and incendiary for pro-life centers and churches around the country at a time when they are suffering escalating attacks from pro-abortion anarchists.
The truth doesn’t matter to Warren and her fellow pro-abortion zealots. They hate the success of pro-life organizations, and the gratitude of the women they serve, because it exposes the hypocrisy and the lies of the abortion industry. That’s why these pro-abortion advocates do everything in their power to try to destroy them, and recent events have shown that they are committed to doing so.
While things may appear bleak, the good news is that life and truth are winning and will continue to win. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas recently said that, in spite of everything, “north is still north,” and “right is still right, even if you stand by yourself.”
Although powerful forces in our nation — the government, the mainstream media and pop culture — may seem to be against us, we must stand firmly rooted in our convictions and knowledge that truth is on our side. Yes, north is still north, and God is always with us.
May God bless you.
Michael Warsaw
Michael Warsaw Michael Warsaw is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the EWTN Global Catholic Network, and the Publisher of the National Catholic Register.
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So much of the story of lay holiness in the Americas is Native holiness. With St. Anne’s intercession, Pope Francis’ pilgrimage will truly begin to brighten the chain of faith between the Church and First Nations.
Peter Jesserer Smith
Peter Jesserer Smith Peter Jesserer Smith is a staff reporter for the National Catholic Register. He covered Pope Francis's historic visit to the United States in 2015, and to Jerusalem and the Holy Land in 2014. He has reported on the Syrian and Iraqi refugee crisis, including from Jordan and Lebanon on an Egan Fellowship from Catholic Relief Services. Before coming on board the Register in 2013, he was a freelance writer, reporting for Catholic media outlets as the Register and Our Sunday Visitor. He is a graduate of the National Journalism Center and earned a B.A. in Philosophy at Christendom College, where he co-founded the student newspaper, The Rambler, and served as its editor. He comes originally from the Finger Lakes region of New York State.
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Birds Of A Feather… Why Do Astrophotographers Tend To Develop A Love For Bird Photography?
By Fr. James Kurzynski, Robert Trembley | 6 Jun 2022
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This is the message the Argentine pope, Francis, sent by beatifying Oscar Romero, reversing decades of conservative opposition in the church hierarchy and setting the El Salvadoran archbishop on the road to sainthood. Romero was gunned down at the altar in 1980 by a right-wing death squad that regarded him as a dangerous Marxist because of his activism on behalf of the poor.
As Paul Vallely writes, Romero is an exemplar for Francis. Both are “orthodox and yet utterly radical.” Romero is “a priest whose life stands in testament to the kind of Catholicism preferred by a pope who declared within days of his election that he wanted ‘a poor Church for the poor.’”
https://www.noemamag.com/weekend-roundup-pope-francis-resurrects-liberation-theology-without-marx/
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History West Cork
https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/28206803/posts/39946
Further Report Conveyed to His Grace Lord Primate of the Church of Ireland in Dublin 17th December 1731 on the State of Popery including, Aughadown, Ballinadee, Caheragh, a small shed and cabin, Drimoleague, an altar moved from place to place, Fanlobbus (Dunmanway), three small huts open at one end, Drinagh one small hut open at one end, Kilbrittain, Kinsale, Desertserges, Innishannon, Ross, in a field under a hedge, Rathclarin, Schull and Kilmoe three Mass houses three thatched cabins Priests mostly Friars daily moving to and from France and other Popish Countries from Crookhaven, in the Parish of Kilmoe
https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/9643
Richard Hayward (1892-1964), rambles in West Cork 1964, with illustrations by Raymond Piper (1923-2007), Kinsale, Courtmacsherry, Timoleague Friary, Rathclarin Church, Donn Byrne, Bandon where the Pigs are Protestants, Rosscarbery where they buried the Elephant, Skibbereen where they ate the Donkey, Coppinger’s Court, Edward Fahy Drombeg Stone Circle, Irish Splurge Glandore, Purple Sea Urchin at Loch Ine, Sherkin Island, Gougán Barra grave of Tadhg Ó Buachalla and Ansty, Pass of Keimaneaigh, Kilruane Pillar Stone Bantry, Glengariff and the Cahas, Saxifraga Geum, Dursey Island birthplace of Don Philip O’Sullivan author of ‘The Catholic History of Ireland in the Elizabethan Period’ in Latin
https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/6209
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1765, Accounts of Franciscan Community, Broad Lane, Cork, Diet, Rents, Taxes.
May 2, 2022
1765, Accounts of Franciscan Community, Broad Lane, Cork, Diet, Rents, Taxes.
https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/26900856/posts/3988870654
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The Presbytery, Abbeydorney, (066 7135146; 087 6807197)
abbeydorney@dioceseofkerry.ie
8th May, 2022, 4th Sunday of Easter.
Dear Parishioner,
I am fairly sure that you did not know that a new woman
saint was canonised by Pope Francis, in Milan Cathedral (Italy) on 30th April
last. The Pope described her as ‘a model of a woman’, who contributed
decisively to the promotion of young Christian women in the first half of
the 20th century. Pope Francis wrote a book preface, commending the
example of Venerable Armida Barelli (1882 – 1952), a lay leader, who
encouraged generations of Catholic women, including the pope’s
grandmother, to be civically engaged in the early 20th century. A
biography written by the vice-postulator for her sainthood cause was
published in Italian on 29th March last. ‘The wanderer of the good God’, by
Ernesto Preziosi, tells the story of how Barelli “changed an epoch.”
Born to an upper-class family in 1882, Barelli came of age at a time when
Italy’s first secular feminists emerged from the women’s suffrage
movement. She served as president of the National Girls Youth of Catholic
Action, for more than three decades, helping young women to be formed
in a ‘Eucharistic spirituality’ and to recognise their ‘equal baptismal
dignity’, with men, according to Preziosi. Barelli went on to found the
Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, collected a fund to open an
orphanage in northern China and founded the secular Institute of the
Missionaries of the Kingship of Christ, with Father Gemelli. Pope Francis’
grandmother, Rosa Margharita Vasallo, met Armida in 1924 at a
conference of the ‘Womens Union.’ In his preface to the book, Pope
Francis said Barelli “fostered the conscious participation of women in social
and political life, making a sizeable contribution to the establishment of
democracy in Italy. The Church now points to her as a model of a woman,
who in her own humanity, with the intelligence that God gave her, was
able to bear witness to God’s love. Barellis’s cause for sainthood was
opened in the archdiocese of Milan in 1960. Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed
her venerable in 2007, in recognition of a life of ac virtue. In February
2021, Pope Francis approved a miracle, attributed a to Barelli’s
intercession, paving the way for her beatification. Go maire sí go sona
sásta, ar neamh. (Reality Magazine, May 2022)
(Fr. Denis O’Mahony
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Journalism has had its share of villains like Walter Duranty, but the media can also provide an invaluable service toward truth.
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Soldiers systematically forced their way into Ukrainian homes and confiscated every scrap of food. The soldiers even took the Ukrainian’s house pets so they could not be eaten for survival purposes. As the starvation wore on, Ukrainians ate grass, tree bark, rats, frogs. They tried to consume anything they could find, until there was nothing to find at all, at which point some resorted to cannibalism.
How did something like this happen without incurring international outrage?
Part of the reason was that influential American reporters refused to detail the genocide. Applebaum draws upon extensive research to illustrate how and why the American press, led by The New York Times journalist Walter Duranty, covered up the famine.
Not only did Soviet leaders deny the planned Holodomor occurred, Putin’s propaganda machine in Russia still denies it. In fact, Vladimir Putin commented in 2005, “the demise of the Soviet Union was the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century.” That’s a chilling statement, considering the misery the Soviet Union inflicted on Ukraine and elsewhere.
https://www.ncregister.com/blog/media-and-ukraine?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=catholic_news_pope_francis_to_visit_lebanon_in_june_says_president_aoun&utm_term=2022-04-05
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Pope Francis
Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Pope Francis led the people
of the world in this Act of Consecration on Friday 25 March 2022 (The Annunciation
of the Lord). The following is the final two paragraphs of this Act of Consecration:
Therefore, Mother of God and our Mother, to your Immaculate Heart we solemnly
entrust and consecrate ourselves, the Church and all humanity, especially Russia and
Ukraine. Accept this act that we carry out with confidence and love. Grant that war
may end and peace spread throughout the world. The “Fiat” that arose from your
heart opened the doors of history to the Prince of Peace. We trust that, through
your heart, peace will dawn once more. To you we consecrate the future of the
whole human family, the needs and expectations of every people, the anxieties and
hopes of the world.
Through your intercession, may God’s mercy be poured out on the earth and the
gentle rhythm of peace return to mark our days. Our Lady of the “Fiat”, on whom
the Holy Spirit descended, restore among us the harmony that comes from God.
May you, our “living fountain of hope”, water the dryness of our hearts. In your
womb Jesus took flesh; help us to foster the growth of communion. You once trod
the streets of our world; lead us now on the paths of peace. Amen
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Bishop Ray’s Message for Lent
A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit with in me.
Give me again the joy of your help; with a spirit of fervour sustain me. (Responsorial Ps 50, Ash Wednesday)
A meaningful Lent
I think of two images to describe Lent: just as the harsh winter weather kills off old vegetation and cleans up the soil for seeds to be planted and green shoots to spring up; and just as between now and Easter nature will come alive again, so too, in Lent we work on ourselves that we may be at our Christian best as family members, neighbours, colleagues and citizens in the years ahead.
The 2022 season of sport lies ahead. These first months for athletes and team members involve the discipline of training, in order to sharpen skills, to attain fitness and to develop teamwork. The discipline is needed if there is to be the joy of participation. We have the discipline of Lent that we might be at our best, in gratitude to God and in appreciation of the blessings of family, community and country.
As parish communities this Lent we put a focus on inviting all to return to participation in the fullness of parish life. Gradually, carefully all activities can resume. It will do us good to be together again.
A wish I have is that in our churches choirs will come back strong. They give life and joy to our worship. Also, may the Sign of Peace return, not yet as a handshake but as a smile, a bow, or a hand gesture of recognition and fellowship.
I suggest some simple things for this Lent: Check that you are happy with the time you give: to daily prayer and Sunday Eucharist- to keeping your faith fresh and strong to participation in parish activities, to being involved in some voluntary service to others. God Our Father asks us to have a special care for those who are poor or in some other need. Also, remember the Trócaire Lenten campaign.
A Christian Sunday
Sunday is special for every Christian community: 1) the first day of creation Gen1:1-5, 2) the Day of Christ’s Resurrection, and 3) the Day of the Coming of the Holy Spirit. This Lent can we reflect on how we live Sunday as Christian communities? For you and your loved ones is there in your Sunday:
a place for quiet prayerful reflection to count our blessings and renew your trust in God
a place for gathering to celebrate Mass in response to his invitation “do this in memory of me”
a place for a day of rest away from the busyness and pressures of the everyday.
Sunday is also a day for people, for family, neighbours and friends. Have you a pattern of regular good contact with others? Has Covid taught us that people are the true treasure in our lives? It is all too easy in today’s world to not have time for the people around us every day.
The Sunday Gospels of Lent
This year our Lenten Sunday Gospels are from St Luke. The second Sunday of Lent, the Gospel is that of the Transfiguration and focuses on the incredible mystery that in Jesus, God has come among us, “This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.”.
The fourth Sunday of Lent, the Gospel is that of the Prodigal Son, – God’s mercy is there for everyone, ”this son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and is found”. To return to God is to be forgiven and to realise that God the Father never stopped loving you, your place in God’s family is assured.
The Synodal Pathway
Since last Autumn throughout Ireland there has been much talk of a “Synodal Pathway for Ireland” and of a “Synod of Bishops in Rome in October 2023”. Because of Covid very little has been possible until now. Activities will be happening in our parishes and pastoral areas during Lent.
The Church is a family. Vital to every family is that the voices of all family members are heard. How can the Church be open to hearing many more voices, not just ‘once off’ but in an ongoing way as a pilgrim people journeying together to God? Journeying together, all voices encouraged, all voices matter. Together listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures and in our celebration of the Eucharist. Pope Francis asks that this be the way of the Church worldwide. To know more about the “Synodal Pathway” see our diocesan website (google, ‘diocese of Kerry synodal pathway’), and the National Website of the Synod (www.synod.ie).
A Prayer for Peace
“My heart aches greatly at the worsening situation in Ukraine
I would like to appeal to those with political responsibility to examine their consciences seriously before God, who is the God of peace and not of war; who is the Father of all, not just of some, who wants us to be sisters and brothers, and not enemies. …..
May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war.” Pope Francis Feb 23rd
These words were spoken by Pope Francis at his customary Wednesday audience on the first day of the war. He invited us to pray and fast for peace during Lent. All of us hoped that Russia would not start a war with Ukraine. I invite you to include this vital prayer intention in all your Lenten prayers and practices in the weeks ahead.
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to all people on earth.
Lord make us an instrument of your peace.
+ Ray Browne- Diocese of Kerry
https://www.dioceseofkerry.ie/2022/03/bishop-rays-message-for-lent/
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BE INFORMED: Catholic TV series called “Divine Mercy” – Episode 7 – The Secret of the Divine Mercy. Please use Zoom Link – https://us02web.zoom.us/J/2960157272 to join on Friday, 1st April – 8.30pm
POPE Francis presided over the Celebration of Penance in St. Peter's Basilica before performing the Act of Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The act, performed in different forms by previous popes, ties back to the Marian apparitions at Fatima, Portugal in 1917, during which many Catholics believe the Virgin Mary appeared before three children to ask that the Pope consecrate Russia to her heart.
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The Enduring Legacy of John Paul II’s 1982 Visit to Britain
“For the first time in history,” said Pope St. John Paul II after he stepped off the airplane, “a Bishop of Rome sets foot on English soil.”
https://www.ncregister.com/blog/john-paul-ii-1982-visit-to-britain?utm_campaign=NCR%202019&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=204253620&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_uKWK3wy05fnwf0DAjw6WAmfI-f2_39pxDdIHsRXU6QIWTROg8blaUSNCpFgHhrUZRb9G2x2NFg_CtLEc6TC5G5AoUNQ&utm_content=204253620&utm_source=hs_email
Vatican City, Feb 4, 2022 /
Pope Francis appointed a new Catholic archbishop of Glasgow on Friday.
The Vatican announced on Feb. 4 that Bishop William Nolan will lead the prominent Scottish archdiocese, based in the country’s biggest city by population.
Nolan, 68, has served as the bishop of Galloway, in southwest Scotland, since 2015 and chairs the Scottish bishops’ conference commission for justice and peace.
“As I overcome my initial shock at being appointed archbishop my thoughts now turn to the challenges that lies ahead,” Nolan said in a statement published by the archdiocese.
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Vatican City, Jan 9, 2022 / 05:15 am
Pope Francis appealed on Sunday for an end to violence that has claimed dozens of lives in Kazakhstan.
Speaking after reciting the Angelus on Jan. 9, he prayed for peace in the Central Asian country following unprecedented unrest.“I have learned with sorrow that there have been victims during the protests which broke out in recent days in Kazakhstan,” he said.
“I pray for them and for their families, and I hope that social harmony will be restored as soon as possible through the search for dialogue, justice, and the common good.”
“I entrust the Kazakh people to the protection of .”
Oziornoje, a village in northern Kazakhstan, is home to Kazakhstan’s National Shrine of the Queen of Peace.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250060/pope-francis-appeals-for-end-to-violence-in-kazakhstan?utm_campaign=CNA%20Daily&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=200391156&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_HZnSgnp5ScOzdDXtRfWJuf9dFoxaHEuQoyJFpO16Hf-W_RfU6olMAz_P6E5TEvxoKsKCnulnOrfSpld7cfKIomci2hQ&utm_content=200391156&utm_source=hs_email
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“Most of Wednesday’s talk is a beautiful meditation on the communion of the saints in which Pope Francis emphasizes so enthusiastically the baptismal bond’s strength that some of his statements can easily be misunderstood,” Father Kereszty said Feb. 3. “Aware of his many attestations that he is a son of the Church and teaches only what the Church teaches, I exclude an intention to contradict the Church’s faith.”
“Baptism imprints an indelible mark on the soul, called baptismal character, and if there is no opposition by the soul, it also results in sanctifying grace in virtue of which Christ lives in the soul and joins us to himself and to all Christians both on earth and heaven,” he continued. “By grave, mortal sin we lose sanctifying grace and thus the indwelling of Christ in the soul and, of course, the right to heaven. But no sinner, no matter how obstinate, can lose the indelible mark of the baptismal character.”
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Paul Kengor Commentaries
January 26, 2022
On Dec. 23, 1945, Pope Pius XII issued the encyclical Orientales Omnes Ecclesias, a statement addressed to the Church of the Ruthenians (the Slavic people of Central and Eastern Europe) and Ukrainian Catholics, whom the atheistic Soviet communists reviled. The Ukrainians were persecuted by Stalin and the Kremlin. It was a long torment that hit rock bottom in the 1930s with what became known as Holodomor, the Soviet-orchestrated famine that sentenced 7-10 million Ukrainian men, women and children to death by starvation.
Pope Pius XII stated, “the clergy of the Ruthenian rite have complained in a letter to the civil government that in the Western Ukraine, as it is called today, their Church has been placed in an extremely difficult position; all its bishops and many of its priests have been arrested” (56).
Coming two days before Christmas, the Kremlin was furious with the Vatican, even as the encyclical was restrained in its language, never once uttering the word “communism.” Not one for restraint himself, Stalin responded by immediately arresting six Ukrainian bishops who were promptly framed as “Nazi collaborators” and murdered.
To Stalin’s great frustration, he and his goons could not storm the Vatican and arrest the Pope. They would have hanged him from the ceiling of St. Peter’s Basilica if they could. Instead, they would lynch the Pontiff in absentia with whatever defamatory means they had at their disposal. They launched a smear campaign to discredit the Pope on the global stage, referring to Pius XII as “Hitler’s Pope,” accusing him of having collaborated with the Nazis. Pushed and pushed until it was picked up by the liberal left in the 1960s and 1970s, the smear eventually stuck and has forever tainted the good name of a good pope.
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Pope Francis calls for a day of prayer for peace over Ukraine situation
Pope Francis has called for Wednesday 26 January to be a day of prayer for peace over the increasing tensions that threaten peace in Ukraine.
At the conclusion of Sunday’s midday Angelus, Pope Francis expressed his concerns over the increasing tensions that threaten to overturn chances for peace in Ukraine and security on the European continent in general, given the wider repercussions of any conflict.
Pope Francis said, “I make a heartfelt appeal to all people of good will to raise prayers to Almighty God that all political actions and initiatives may be at the service of human brotherhood rather than partisan interests.”
The Pope added those who pursue their own objectives to the detriment of others, show despise for their own vocation as human beings, as we have all been created brothers and sisters.
The Pope has expressed his concern regarding the tensions over Ukraine frequent times in the past, encouraging everyone to pray for peace and that dialogue and negotiation may prevail in resolving the situation.
https://www.dioceseofkerry.ie/catholic-news-article/?ID=3
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On the eve of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the pope told the Lutheran, Catholic and Orthodox pilgrims that “we need to press forward with humility and patience, and always together, in order to encourage and support one another, for this is what Christ desires.”
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The second anniversary is “in 2030 — whether we will be around or not, I don’t know,” the 85-year-old pope told the group. The year will mark the 500th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession, a document that is now seen as a key summary of Lutheran faith.
But, the pope said, when it was presented in Augsburg, Germany, on June 25, 1530, “at a time when Christians were about to set out on different paths, that confession attempted to preserve unity.”
Homily starter anecdotes: 1: Grandparents are a treasure: Pope Francis said that as a child, he heard a story of a family with a mother, father, many children, and a grandfather. The grandfather, suffering from Parkinson’s disease, would drop food on the dining table, drop and break bowls, and smear food all over his face when he ate. His son considered it disgusting. Hence, one day he bought a small table, a wooden bowl and spoon and set it off to the side of the dining room so the grandfather could eat, make a mess and not disturb the rest of the family. One day, the Pope said, the grandfather’s son came home and found one of his sons playing with a piece of wood. “What are you making?” he asked his son. “A table,” the son replies. “Why?” the father asks. “It’s for you, Dad. When you get old like Grandpa, I am going to give you this table.” (In the American version of the story, the boy was making a wooden bowl). After that day, the grandfather was given a prominent seat at the dining table and all the help he needed in eating by his son and daughter-in-law. “This story has done me such good throughout my life,” said the Pope, who celebrated his 85rd birthday on December 17, 2021. “Grandparents are a treasure,” he said. “Often old age isn’t pretty, right? There is sickness and all that, but the wisdom our grandparents have is something we must welcome as an inheritance.” A society or community that does not value, respect and care for its elderly members “doesn’t have a future because it has no memory, it has lost its memory,” Pope Francis added. (http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2013/11/19/grandparents-are-a-treasure-says-pope-francis/) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/21
# 2: Cancer, heart disease and family relationship: A few years ago, a study was undertaken to find the U.S. city with the lowest incidence of cancer and heart disease. The winner was Rosetto, Pennsylvania. Soon experts descended upon the city expecting to see a town populated by non-smokers, people who ate the correct food, took regular exercise, and kept close track of their cholesterol. To their great surprise, however, the researchers discovered that none of the above was true. They found instead that the city’s good health was tied to the close family bonds that prevailed within the community. This suggests that there is much to be said for a close and loving family relationship. (Robert Duggan & Richard Jajac). (http://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/21
# 3: Dying of loneliness: In an audience, Pope Paul VI told how one day, when he was Archbishop of Milan, he went out on parish visitation. During the course of the visitation he found an old woman living alone. ‘How are you?’ he asked her. ‘Not bad,’ she answered. ‘I have enough food, and I’m not suffering from the cold.’ ‘You must be reasonably happy then?’ he said. ‘No, I’m not’, she said as she started to cry. ‘You see, my son and daughter-in-law never come to see me. I’m dying of loneliness.’ Afterwards he was haunted by the phrase ‘I’m dying of loneliness’. And the Pope concluded: ‘Food and warmth are not enough in themselves. People need something more. They need our presence, our time, our love. They need to be touched, to be reassured that they are not forgotten’ (Flor McCarthy in New Sunday and Holy Day Liturgies).(http://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/21
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Pope on Greek Economic Crisis: Human Dignity Must Be at the Center of Political Debate
The country’s unemployment rate is above 25%, and individuals are unable to remove more than $70 a day from ATMs.
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Pope Francis to youth in Greece: Don’t be ‘prisoners of the cell phone’
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By Cindy Wooden
ATHENS, Greece (CNS) — God the Almighty almost always chooses the least mighty people and the most desolate places to reveal the power of his love, Pope Francis said.
Celebrating Mass Dec. 5 in Athens’ Megaron concert hall, the pontiff touched on a theme he had explored in depth with Catholic leaders the day before: the blessing and spiritual advantage of being a small community without power and without pretenses.
Catholics make up less than 2% of the population of Greece; more than 90% of the country’s residents belong to the Orthodox Church.
Noting how the day’s Gospel says the word of God came to John the Baptist “in the desert,” Pope Francis said, “There is no place that God will not visit.”
“Today we rejoice to see him choose the desert, to see him reach out with love to our littleness and to refresh our arid spirits,” he said. “Dear friends, do not fear littleness, since it is not about being small and few in number, but about being open to God and to others.”
DEATH of Monsignor Liam Boyle aged 91, a native of Rathkeale, and later Knockaderry, on December 2 2021. He travelled as chaplain with the Irish soccer team to Rome in 1990 and arranged an audience with the Pope and team was Blessed by the Holy Father in front of an 8,000 audience
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CHRISTMAS: By Hannah Brockhaus. Vatican City, 10 December, 2021 / 8:00 pm (ACI Africa).
Pope Francis on Friday encouraged Catholics to celebrate Christmas with a focus on Jesus Christ’s closeness, not on the consumerist, commercial aspects of the holiday.
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Pope Francis Invites Catholics in Cyprus to be Agents of Fraternity
Pope Francis landed Thursday afternoon in Cyprus for the start of a five-day trip that will also take him to Athens, Greece, and the island of Lesbos.
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Rome, Italy, Nov 26, 2021 / 04:00 am
Pope Francis left the Vatican on Thursday to attend a theatrical performance in Rome by students on how the pandemic has affected young people.
The pope met with the Italian Minister of Education Patrizio Bianchi and a group of young people from 41 countries at the International Pontifical College Maria Mater Ecclesiae in Rome on Nov. 25.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249716/pope-francis-attends-student-play-on-how-the-pandemic-has-affected-young-people?utm_campaign=CNA%20Daily&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=188031669&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--ySI434aPitf-snmHgpxDXTZ3kjVHHg0ue8JkVOHSsOE2xmy5HNw-MMv31q5hLEAvMq17AXJikCLVMN_86dFC9i8Nung&utm_content=188031669&utm_source=hs_email
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By CNA Staff
Vatican City, 12 November, 2021 / 8:30 pm (ACI Africa).
Pope Francis said on Friday that “the Gospel is the most humanizing message known to history.”
He made the remark in a video message marking the 75th anniversary of UNESCO, the United Nations’ educational, scientific and cultural organization.
“From my heart, I express my congratulations on the 75th anniversary of this United Nations agency. The Church has a privileged relationship with it,” the pope said in the message released on Nov. 12.
“Indeed, the Church is at the service of the Gospel, and the Gospel is the most humanizing message known to history. A message of life, freedom, and hope, which has inspired countless educational initiatives in every age and in every place, and has inspired the scientific and cultural growth of the human family.”
“This is why [UNESCO] is a privileged partner of the Holy See in the common service to peace and solidarity among peoples, to the integral development of the human person and to the protection of the cultural heritage of humanity.”
The video message was played during a live-streamed 75th anniversary celebration attended by Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo and artists including the actor and director Forest Whitaker and singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo.
UNESCO, based in Paris, France, was founded on Nov. 16, 1945, in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War. Today, it has 193 member states and 11 associate members.
The Holy See has permanent observer status. The first permanent observer of the Holy See to UNESCO was Angelo Roncalli, the then apostolic nuncio to France, who was elected Pope John XXIII in 1958 and canonized in 2013.
The Italian priest Msgr. Francesco Follo has served as the permanent observer since 2002.
Pope Francis sat alongside Audrey Azoulay, the director-general of UNESCO, at an event at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome last month.
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Pope Francis in Assisi: ‘It is time that the poor be given back their voice’
Pope Francis at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels in Assisi, Italy, Nov. 12, 2021. Pope Francis at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels in Assisi, Italy, Nov. 12, 2021. | Vatican Media.
Courtney Mares
By Courtney Mares
Rome Newsroom, Nov 12, 2021 / 08:15 am
In an emotional encounter in Assisi with people living in poverty, Pope Francis listened to the testimonies of a former homeless ex-convict who experienced a dramatic conversion after encountering a priest on the street, a Romanian woman in a wheelchair who has suffered from a chronic debilitating illness, and a refugee from Afghanistan.
The pope met with a group of more than 500 poor people from across Europe in the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, a large church in the valley below the medieval hill town of Assisi that encompasses a small chapel, the Portiuncula, where St. Francis lived when he began the Franciscan Order.
In a brief speech, the pope underlined the importance of encountering the poor face to face and learning from their witness to hope at a time when those on the margins largely face indifference.
“It is time that the poor be given back their voice because for too long their requests have remained unheard,” Pope Francis said, standing in front of the Portiuncula during the live-streamed encounter on Nov. 12.
Pope Francis said that “meeting each other” was of the utmost importance, to “go toward each other with an open heart and outstretched hand.”
“For example, many people and many young people find a bit of time to help the poor and bring them food and hot beverages. This is very good and I thank God for their generosity. But I especially rejoice when I hear that these volunteers stop a bit and speak with the people, and sometimes pray together with them,” he said.
As the pope met with the poor in the basilica, he gave hugs, blessings, exchanged words, and even wrote a handwritten note to one of the men.
Each of the participants was given a gift of several items of winter clothing, a rosary, and face masks.
The pope heard testimonies from six people living in poverty, from Poland, France, Spain, and Italy.
A speaker from Majorca, Spain, held back tears as he shared with the pope his story of how he fell into a life of crime and drug trafficking as a young teen and was later sent to prison. After his release, he ended up homeless.
Vatican Media.
Vatican Media.
“I remained alone, jobless. I lived on the streets. I asked for help from a priest. He welcomed me with a smile. He gazed on me, and he said, ‘I will help you,’” Sebastián del Valle said.
“He brought me to the Caritas [shelter] for homeless people in Toledo, and I felt welcomed there,” he said.
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Karol Wojtyla ; In her book, “Emilia and Karol Wojtyla. Parents of St. John Paul II,” Kindziuk cites the testimony of a midwife, Tatarowa, and the reports of her two friends, Helena Szczepańska and Maria Kaczorowa, as well as the memories of other Wadowice residents. She said that these showed that Emilia Wojtyla was depressed by the insistence of her first doctor, Dr. Jan Moskała, that she have an abortion.
She said that Emilia and Karol Wojtyla “made a bold decision that, regardless of everything, their conceived baby was to be born. And so they started looking for another doctor.”
They ultimately chose Dr. Samuel Taub, a Jewish doctor from Krakow, who had moved to Wadowice after the First World War.
“Emilia's friends have kept memories of that visit. The doctor confirmed that there was a risk of complications during childbirth, including Emilia's death. However, he did not suggest an abortion,” Kindziuk said.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/44565/john-paul-iis-mom-chose-life-after-her-doctor-advised-an-abortion?utm_campaign=CNA%20Daily&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=174046755&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9VmWF3Hh_88LdKfPM4grxpBdJvIH85y7EDsTg_2d_8oz6HZbrgqQ_otNUy3pwXZj4p09h3y1v6wOt_WJLnHPLNvS1CCg&utm_content=174046755&utm_source=hs_email
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The humanitarian agency helps to rescue those who are abandoned in international waters trying to flee wars, persecution and poverty. But it says thousands of them are dying trying to reach a safe shore.
That’s why Pope Francis visited Lampedusa in 2013 shortly after his election. The island off the coast of Sicily is a primary destination for migrants from Africa, the Middle East and Asia seeking entry into Europe.
The Holy Father’s concern for migrants has been at the center of his pontificate ever since. Every year, he celebrates a Mass to commemorate the visit and talk about the conditions refugees face once they make it to shore.
“You can’t imagine the hell they live there in those detention camps,” Pope Francis said. “These people came with only one hope of crossing the sea.”
Seven years after the pontiff’s visit to Lampedusa, a global coalition of non-profits has designated July 8 as “International Day of the Mediterranean Sea” in an effort to raise awareness about the plight of migrants and refugees.
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Reflection
Joseph Show's the Way
St. Joseph’s humble, decisive witness speaks volumes to our culture today
By Soren Johnson 3/1/2018
CNS photo/Dana Smillie St. Joseph is depicted leading Mary and Jesus into Egypt in this mosaic at the Coptic Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary in the Cairo suburb of Maadi. Tradition holds that the Holy Family rested at this site. (CNS photo/Dana Smillie)
As Catholic fathers, one of our main responsibilities is to pass on the faith to our children. We do this best by living the faith in an engaging way and by attending Mass with our family. But we also need to teach our kids the basics of the faith at a young age and make sure their Catholic knowledge grows as they do.
In teaching about Jesus and Mary, a summary of Gospel stories and a review of the mysteries of the rosary provide an excellent primer. What can we say about St. Joseph, the husband of Mary and adoptive father of Jesus, who has no words recorded in the Bible? In our online age in which every stray thought can be texted or tweeted, we can present Joseph as a model for our times — a man of action who goes against the tides and trends of the world.
As we approach St. Joseph’s feast day March 19, consider these five “countercultural” qualities of Joseph that can be instructive to our children, as well as to us.
Attentive. Our kids are bombarded by distracting media, yet they long for peace of heart and mind. As Pope Francis has observed, Joseph was “constantly attentive to God” and responded with courage to heavenly messengers who told him to put aside the opinion of others. St. John Paul II also said that because of his attentiveness, Joseph had the “power of making great decisions.” Our children, too, can do great things with St. Joseph at their side.
Humble. Social media, as forums for idealized personas and perfect images, are not noted for fostering humility. With a little guidance, our children can see through the online posturing and appreciate the value of honesty, the foundation of humility. Setting aside his own plans in order to follow God’s will, Joseph “lowers himself and takes this great responsibility upon his shoulders,” explains Pope Francis. St. Joseph teaches us that humility does not mean passivity. Rather, his hidden life was defined by integrity and strength.
Protective. Our kids can feel vulnerable amid what Pope Francis calls a “throwaway culture,” which does not respect the dignity of the human person — especially the unborn, the poor, the elderly, the sick and others on the periphery. In the face of harmful influences such as cyberbullying and online pornography, we should appeal to our children’s desire for protection. St. Joseph was the guardian, or custos, of Jesus, and he is now the patron of the universal Church. As a father, show your children that you stand strong with Joseph.
Hardworking. Although life today is vastly different than in the time of St. Joseph, the demands of hard work are still essentially the same. “Work was the daily expression of love in the life of the family of Nazareth,” wrote St. John Paul II. While our virtual age seeks pleasure first and is quick to demean or outsource menial labor, Joseph the carpenter rolls up his sleeves and reveals the dignity of human work. He is an example of someone who knows that hard work can be its own reward.
Loving. Our world is filled with distorted images of love that can cause our children great harm and heartache. Joseph is an antidote. Love for him was not red hearts and arrows but self-giving for the good of others. He also expressed a “tenderness,” notes Pope Francis, a “strength of spirit and a capacity for concern, for compassion, for genuine openness to others, for love.” Through St. Joseph, your kids can learn the true nature of love that is rooted in his care for Mary and Jesus.
Presenting St. Joseph with these countercultural virtues, we fathers should seek to imitate him in our own lives. That will be a win for our children, our families and ourselves.
SOREN JOHNSON is associate director of the Saint Thomas More Institute of the Diocese of Arlington and a member of Holy Family Council 6831 in Leesburg, Va.
https://www.kofc.org/en/news-room/columbia/2018/march/joseph-shows-the-way.html
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Saint John XXIII’s Story
Saint of the Day for October 11- (November 25, 1881 – June 3, 1963)
Although few people had as great an impact on the 20th century as Pope John XXIII, he avoided the limelight as much as possible. Indeed, one writer has noted that his “ordinariness” seems one of his most remarkable qualities.
The firstborn son of a farming family in Sotto il Monte, near Bergamo in northern Italy, Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was always proud of his down-to-earth roots. In Bergamo’s diocesan seminary, he joined the Secular Franciscan Order.
After his ordination in 1904, Fr. Roncalli returned to Rome for canon law studies. He soon worked as his bishop’s secretary, Church history teacher in the seminary, and as publisher of the diocesan paper.
His service as a stretcher-bearer for the Italian army during World War I gave him a firsthand knowledge of war. In 1921, Fr. Roncalli was made national director in Italy of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. He also found time to teach patristics at a seminary in the Eternal City.
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-john-xxiii?utm_medium=email&_hsmi=169550050&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-97TizvmdZ1t4oyN2X-vpF_isQIANnVvu10ODbK5Eyz_RN7wnw1LN3itCPUL1Kicb6770X0wUjUTmyxwWaYu4jC_LfmVw&utm_content=169550050&utm_source=hs_email
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Pope Francis on COP26: Sharing, love, respect should shape efforts for better future
By Brenda Drumm|05/10/2021
View Larger Image
Pope Francis met alongside other religious leaders and scientists from around the world in the Vatican on Monday 4 October, to take a common stand for the protection of the environment, ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference scheduled for 1 – 12 November in Glasgow, Scotland.
The day-long meeting themed: “Faith and Science: Towards COP26” is a Vatican initiative born of a proposal of the embassies of Great Britain and Italy to the Holy See. It developed through monthly virtual meetings that began earlier this year, in which religious leaders and scientists were able to share their concerns and wishes for greater responsibility for the planet and for necessary change.
The Pope and the participants also presented a joint declaration to Alok Sharma, the president-designate of the COP26 climate summit, and to Luigi di Maio, Italian minister for foreign affairs.
In his address to the participants at the meeting, Pope Francis expressed gratitude for their presence which shows a “desire for a deepened dialogue among ourselves and with scientific experts” and proposed three concepts to guide their reflection: openness to interdependence and sharing, the dynamism of love, and the call to respect.
Openness to interdependence, sharing
Pope Francis affirmed that “everything is connected in our world”, adding that science, as well as our religious beliefs and spiritual traditions, highlight the connectedness between ourselves and the rest of creation.
Indeed, “we recognize the signs of divine harmony present in the natural world, for no creatures are self-sufficient; they exist only in dependence on each other, complementing one another and in the service of one another,” the Pope said.
Recognizing this interconnectedness, therefore, means not only realizing the harmful effects of our actions “but also identifying behaviors and solutions to be adopted, in an attitude of openness to interdependence and sharing.” More so, this should lead to “an urgently needed change of direction” nurtured also by respective religious beliefs and spirituality, because for Christians, “openness to interdependence springs from the very mystery of the Triune God.”
In this light, the meeting, “which brings together many cultures and spiritualities in a spirit of fraternity,” strengthens our realization that we are members of one human family.
So, “to illumine and direct this openness, let us commit ourselves to a future shaped by interdependence and co-responsibility,” the Pope urged.
Dynamism of love
Pope Francis went on to emphasize that our common commitment must constantly be driven by the dynamism of love for “in the depths of every heart, love creates bonds and expands existence, for it draws people out of themselves and towards others.”
Love’s driving force is not set in motion once for all, but rather needs to be renewed daily, the Holy Father added. “Love is the mirror of an intense spiritual life: a love that extends to all, transcending cultural, political and social boundaries; a love that is inclusive, concerned especially for the poor, who so often teach us how to overcome the barriers of selfishness and to break down the walls of our ego.”
The Pope then highlighted the need to counter the “throwaway culture,” and the “seeds of conflict” which cause serious wounds to the environment and lead to the breaking of “that covenant between human beings and the environment, which should mirror the creative love of God, from whom we come and towards whom we are journeying.”
A challenge that inspires hope
The Holy Father said that the challenge to work for a culture of care for our common home and for ourselves is one that inspires hope because “humanity has never possessed as many means for achieving this goal as it possesses today.”
He recommended that the challenge can be faced on various levels, including two in particular: “example and action” and “education.” He also pointed out that many opportunities present themselves, as the Joint Appeal notes, that point to various educational and training programs that can be developed to promote care for our common home.
Call to respect
Explaining his third idea – the call to respect – the Pope said it is a respect for creation, for our neighbour, for ourselves and for the Creator, but also mutual respect between faith and science, “in order to enter into a mutual dialogue for the sake of protecting nature, defending the poor, and building networks of respect and fraternity.”
In this sense, he continued, respect is more than an abstract and passive recognition of others but is also “an empathetic and active experience of desiring to know others and to enter into dialogue with them, in order to walk together on a common journey.”
Concluding, the Holy Father reiterated the importance of Openness to interdependence and sharing, the dynamism of love and a call to respect as interpretative keys that can shed light on common efforts to care for our common home.
He also noted that COP26 “represents an urgent summons to provide effective responses to the unprecedented ecological crisis and the crisis of values that we are presently experiencing, and in this way to offer concrete hope to future generations.”
ENDS
Source: Vatican News article by Benedict Mayaki, SJ
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PREPARING FOR THE SYNODAL JOURNEY On Sunday next (October 17th ) all the dioceses in Ireland begin the Synodal Pathway -which Pope Francis has asked for worldwide. Pope Francis speaks of ‘Synod’ as ‘journeying together’, truly ‘listening to each other’ and ‘together identifying the path along which Christ is leading us’. Bishop Ray invites you to join him for a liturgy of prayer in St Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney at 3pm on Sunday 17th October to commence our journey. Come to the Cathedral or join by streaming via the cathedral website. Pope Francis has chosen the theme “Communion, Participation and Mission”.
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We cannot but speak..... (Fr. Michael P.O’Sullivan, Intercom October 2021.)
After the first World War, Pope Benedict XV invited Catholics to bring light to a
world devasted by conflict. By virtue of their baptism, all Catholics were called
to be missionary minded, and missionaries needed to be men and women of
God. His successor Pope Pius X1 made the second last Sunday of October a day
dedicated to ‘the missions’, that is a special day to pray for and assist
missionaries in their call to ‘go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good
News’. Over a century has passed since this missionary call gave a fresh impetus
to the Church to ‘go out to the whole world.’
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As for Pius V, he credited the Lord and the intercession of the Blessed Mother, in the dual roles of Our Lady of Victory and Our Lady of the Rosary. As de Mattei details, at the very hour of the victory on Oct. 7, far away from the high seas, Pius V had had an inspiration — something had filled him a certain sense that the Holy League had persevered. “Let us go and thank God,” he told his cardinals assembled, “because at this very moment our armada has obtained victory.”
It had indeed, though official confirmation did not arrive until two weeks later, late at night via courier. Awakened in the middle of the night, the Pope broke out in tears of joy and invoked the words of Simeon: “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace” (Luke 2:29).
Six months later, the 68-year-old Pontiff, only six years into his papacy, departed this life in peace.
The whole ordeal took its toll on the Pope as well as the world. And our world today would look very different if not for what happened at Lepanto 450 years ago this October.
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By CNA Staff
Vatican City, Sep 19, 2021 / 05:15 am
Pope Francis said on Sunday that in God’s eyes, success is measured “not on what someone has, but on what someone gives.”
In his Angelus address on Sept. 19, the pope reflected on the day’s Gospel reading, Mark 9:30-37, in which Jesus declares that “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”
The pope said: “Through this shocking phrase, the Lord inaugurates a reversal: he overturns the criteria about what truly matters. The value of a person does not depend anymore on the role they have, the work they do, the money they have in the bank.”
“No, no, no, it does not depend on this. Greatness and success in God’s eyes are measured differently: they are measured by service. Not on what someone has, but on what someone gives. Do you want to be first? Serve. This is the way.”
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Pope in Budapest
By Courtney Mares
Rome Newsroom, 12 September, 2021 / 11:30 am (ACI Africa).
Pope Francis encouraged Catholics at the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest to spend more time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament to become more like Christ.
“Dear brothers and sisters, let us allow our encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist to transform us, just as it transformed the great and courageous saints you venerate,” Pope Francis said in his homily in Hungary on Sept. 12.
“We do well to spend time in adoration before the Eucharist in order to contemplate God’s weakness. Let’s make time for adoration,” the pope said
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By CNA Staff
London, England, Sep 3, 2021 / 11:00 am
A Church of England bishop said on Friday that he was stepping down to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church.
The Rt. Rev. Jonathan Goodall, the Anglican bishop of Ebbsfleet, explained that he had taken the decision “after a long period of prayer.”
“I have arrived at the decision to step down as Bishop of Ebbsfleet, in order to be received into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, only after a long period of prayer, which has been among the most testing periods of my life,” he said in a statement on Sept. 3, the feast of St. Gregory the Great, the sixth-century pope who launched a mission to convert England to Christianity.
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This is an appropriate time to look again at Pope Francis’ encyclical
“Laudato Si” on the care of God’s gift of creation. Here are some quotes
from the papal encyclical (the full text is available online):
• “I believe that Saint Francis is the example par excellence of care
for the vulnerable and of an integral ecology lived out joyfully and
authentically.” (Paragraph 10)
• “What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after
us, to children who are now growing up? This question not only
concerns the environment in isolation; the issue cannot be
approached piecemeal.” (Paragraph 160)
• “Saint Therese of Lisieux invites us to practise the little way of love,
not to miss out on a kind word, a smile or any small gesture which
sows peace and friendship. An integral ecology is also made up of
simple daily gestures which break with the logic of violence,
exploitation and selfishness.” (Paragraph 230)
• “When we fail to acknowledge as part of reality the worth of a poor
person, a human embryo, a person with disabilities – to offer just a
few examples – it becomes difficult to hear the cry of nature itself;
everything is connected.” (Paragraph 117)
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The Zenit Project
Zenit is a non-profit International News Agency, made up of a team of professionals and volunteers, which transmits the message of the Pope and of the Church.
https://zenit.org/
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St. Andrew Kim Taegon was the first Korean-born Catholic priest. In 1846, at the age of 25, he was tortured and beheaded near Seoul, South Korea. He was canonized in 1984 with 102 other Korean martyrs.
Pope Francis’ words about the Korean saint were read aloud in St. Peter’s Basilica following Mass Aug. 21.
The pope said “even today, in the face of the many manifestations of evil that disfigure the beautiful face of man, created in the image and likeness of God, we need to rediscover the importance of the mission of every baptized person, who is called to be everywhere operator of peace and hope, willing, like the Good Samaritan, to bend over the wounds of those who are eager for love, help, or simply a fraternal gaze.”
https://www.aciafrica.org/news/4121/pope-francis-praises-martyred-korean-priest-as-an-exemplary-witness-of-heroic-faith?utm_campaign=ACI%20Africa&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=151691685&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9GvvhHipIwKaqEKpYoZ5e63dILC7Wp92if2zRojqgrdV3A9ZC1lUMujXbYKPXIr3MZCT-3w0Or_IcIp8s9lJ9A7DoLyQ&utm_content=151691685&utm_source=hs_email
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Aug 2021
To Show Compassion
After The Traumas Of The Last 18 Months, We Need To Be
\4Compassionate With Others And With Ourselves
For a couple of decades, I worked as a social worker. I spent much of that
period working with young people and families who had experienced
trauma. It was a privileged time. I got to meet, talk with and help some
remarkable people who had been through remarkably difficult times. I
worked as a member of teams in different settings. My colleagues were
good and experienced people. Many were highly committed to those
they tried to help and went above and beyond in order to be a healing
presence for them. When we were all working with very sad or complex
life stories or with particularly disturbing examples of how bad people
can be to each other, there was an extra pressure on the staff team.
We became irritable. Arguments broke out, friendships and working re-
lationships became strained, at times to breaking point. In the heat of
the busy times, people were focused on getting the work done and get-
ting by and so it was often only when things were quieter or more settled
that these fractures appeared. We dealt with them by talking to each
other and having outside people come in and help us realise that the
work was not easy and could, in fact, place a heavy burden on us. Small
as that burden was compared to those of the clients we helped, it was no
less a reality. Both in the staff team and when working directly with our
clients, what was needed was compassion.
Beautiful Word: Compassion is a beautiful word. It means, literally, 'to
suffer with.' When we recognise the suffering in each other, we tend to
be able to do what St Paul told the community in Ephesus to do when he
implored them to "bear with one another with patience." Having com-
passion and recognising that we all know suffering in life helps us be
patient, kind, and gentle towards others. The same might also be said
of ourselves. When we recognise our own suffering and hold ourselves
in compassion, we can be more patient and accepting of ourselves. The
whole of our country, indeed the whole world, has experienced great dif-
ficulties and traumas of various kinds through the pandemic.
We think of those who have died or have been very ill as well as their
families and friends. We think of those who have lost jobs. We think of
those who have developed mental health issues or whose underlying
issues have worsened. We think of the general worry and anxiety most
of society has experienced. Now society is beginning to open up again.
Some of the restrictions are being lifted even as I write. How will we
emerge from the trauma? Might we be like some of those teams I used
to work with and see a rise in irritability, arguments and relationship
breakdowns? Or will we be able to hold ourselves and others in compas-
sion and be like the community in Ephesus, bearing with each other with
patience, gentleness and selflessness? I pray it is the latter, and I believe
that God is drawing us to hold each other in compassion. As Jesus said in
Luke 6:36, "Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate."
(A Short Meditation, part of this article, is given on the back page.)
Seeing your life through the Lens of the Gospel
1.The apostles reported to Jesus all that they had done and taught. Per-
haps you have the experience of being able to check in with somebody
and share an experience. What was that like for you?
2.Jesus saw that the apostles needed to rest and eat. What has been
your experience of finding a restful place after a busy day? What kind of
nourishment have you found necessary in order to maintain energy and
enthusiasm? Did your experience of the Covid 19 pandemic give you new
insights about this?
3.When Jesus saw the crowd, he recognised their need and reached out
to them. Who has been a Jesus person for you, someone who recognised
your need and reached out to you?
4.It sometimes can be difficult to strike a balance between responding to
the needs of others and meeting our need for rest and nourishment.
What has helped you to keep the balance right?
(John Byrne, OSA, Intercom, July 2021.)
An Inspiration: She opened what Pope Francis termed ‘windows of
hope’. Daring to do what no one else at the time would risk, she opened
‘gateways of transformation’ for countless people. In championing the
cause of the poor, she became a voice for the voiceless and a hope for
the hopeless. The Nagle family motto, ‘Not words but deeds,’ leapt from
the family plaque and was writ boldly on the canvas of her life.
Anne Lyons, ‘The Story of Nano Nagle: A Life Lived on the Razor’s Edge’
(Dublin: Messenger Publications) P.7.
(Taken from Furrow Magazine, July/August 2021.)
Short Meditation: In order to encourage and support myself and all who
read this in developing a sense of what it is to be compassionate, I have
written a short meditation.
I invite you to take a few minutes to relax and meditate. Prepare by going
to a spot where you can have some quiet and alone time. Perhaps you
could find a comfortable chair or somewhere to lie down. You might read
this through a few times and then practice the meditation with your eyes
closed or you might meditate as you read through these words. If that's
how you're going to do it, read slowly, pausing often.
Take some deliberate and deep breaths. Breathe in through your nose.
Feel the air fill your lungs. Hold each breath for a few seconds. Then let
your breath out by pursing your lips and blowing. Empty your lungs com-
pletely before breathing in deeply again. Repeat for a while until you feel
your body and mind relax.
Bring to mind an area of your life in which you know suffering. Name
it without getting too caught up in the emotion of it for now. Once
named, I invite you to know that you are not alone in that suffering.
God is in it with you. Take a moment to talk to God about this area of
suffering and then listen. In your heart, your soul, your spirit, what do
you sense, feel, or hear? Who might you talk to about this who could be
a compassionate companion for you?
Now call to mind one situation to which you could bring compassion for
another or others in their suffering. Think about how you could express
this compassion. Is it by saying something? Or doing something? Or lis-
tening? Commit now to being the face of compassion in that situation.
Finally, call to mind one way in which you could be more compassionate
with yourself. Perhaps you're very tough on yourself over something/s.
Perhaps you could do with some rest. Perhaps you could make an
empowering decision about your life that you have put off for a while.
Commit to some work of compassion for yourself.
Return now to your breath. Feel it once more. On your in-breath, you
could say, "I am not alone. God suffers with me in my suffering."
On your out-breath, you could say,
"I am the face of compassion to myself and others."
Continue to breathe and repeat these phrases for as long as you wish.
When you're ready, end the meditation and be the expression of God's
compassion in and for the world. (Jim Deeds in Reality, July 2021)
Abbeydorney Letter above
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August 2021
POPE Francis – Tweet: The Gospel is the Good News and the force that changes our lives and hearts for the better. For this I ask you to read the Gospel every day and meditate on a short passage to be nourished from this inexhaustible source of salvation.
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By Joe Bukuras
Denver Newsroom, Jul 23, 2021 / 13:00 pm
Catholic clergy and lay people around the world continue to react passionately to newly imposed restrictions on the use of the Traditional Latin Mass, one week after Pope Francis released his controversial apostolic letter Traditionis Custodes.
In his motu proprio issued July 16, the pope recognized the “exclusive competence” of bishops to authorize or refuse the Latin Mass in their respective dioceses, and he directed bishops to ensure that groups dedicated to the “extraordinary form” do not deny the validity of Vatican II and its liturgical reforms. The pope also declared that Traditional Latin Masses can no longer be offered at “parochial churches,” and he ordered that readings must be in the vernacular.
Expressly aimed at unifying the Church, the document has sparked a week of fractious commentary.
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Donald DeMarco Commentaries
July 13, 2021
In the turbulence and confusion that is going on in America these days, one idea seems to be gaining ascendency — communism. Should we exchange “We the people,” as written in the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution, for “we the masses”? Should we trade democracy for a totalitarian state? Should we extinguish God in favor of self-worship? How did things come to this point? The abysmal failures of communism in Russia, North Korea, China, Cuba and wherever it was employed are not difficult to see.
The United States is in need of a strong, clear voice that has the ring of authority. Nearly 100 years ago, Pope Pius XI told Bishop Fulton Sheen to study Marxism and communism and never to speak in public during his pontificate without exposing their fallacies. Obedient to the Pontiff, Bishop Sheen studied Marxism and did his eloquent best to lay bare its errors both in his talks and in his writings. And he did so with both clarity and passion.
https://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/fulton-sheen-and-the-persistent-specter-of-communism?utm_campaign=NCR%202019&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=140451146&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_ZgE0b_hEJJQtqwfEdcon8fMtzyRBfLRt1tLVImb1Tl_d5yoZEJBIHDvW2nSIYWQWqxIgYrGCFXXEZL_5_PSUX9v9m3A&utm_content=140451146&utm_source=hs_email
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The Tablet
The second morning after undergoing colon surgery, Pope Francis was continuing to recover well and, after a restful night, he had breakfast, read the newspapers and got out of bed to walk, the Vatican press office said July 6. 2021
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Pope
‘Ancient, Ever New’: Read Homilies From Father and Bishop Ratzinger
BOOK PICK: ‘On Love’ highlights how Pope Benedict XVI consistently brought God’s word to his flock in a thoughtful way.
‘On Love’ includes reflections from 1970 to 2003.
‘On Love’ includes reflections from 1970 to 2003. (photo: Ignatius Press)
Father Paul Scalia Books
June 19, 2021
ON LOVE
Selected Writings
By Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict
Ignatius Press, 2021
215 pages, $15.95
To order: ignatius.com
“I knew you were going to say that.”
Those words are not immediately obvious as a compliment. Indeed, they could be taken (or intended) to mean that you’re predictable, hackneyed … always saying the same thing … a one-trick pony.
But that phrase can also be taken (and unwittingly intended) as a compliment. It expresses the quality of a good leader, and especially of a good priest or bishop — namely, that he is predictable, not capriciousness. When people can “predict” what he will say or do, it means that he’s living in a consistent way and behaving fairly toward all his people. He’s consistent in what he says, how he acts, and how he treats people.
This came to mind in reading On Love, Ignatius Press’ latest collection of Joseph Ratzinger’s homilies. Not that I knew everything he was going to say, of course. Rather, I mean that there are no surprises in his words. These homilies are consistent with everything he has taught for decades. And that’s a good thing to say about a priest and bishop.
The homilies included in this little volume span the years 1970 to 2003 (so, all from Father and Bishop Ratzinger, none from Pope Benedict), from his time in Germany and Italy, and to all kinds of congregations (in cathedrals, parishes, monasteries, convents). They show his clear, consistent teaching over many years as a priest and bishop — years that have at the same time been some of the most confused and unpredictable for the Church.
The book arranges his homilies not chronologically but by liturgical season, an ordering that only emphasizes the constancy of Ratzinger’s thought and teaching. If the book didn’t provide the date and place of the homilies, you would be hard-pressed to locate the year of each one. Such is the consistency of thought that Joseph Ratzinger has evidenced throughout his priesthood.
Even better, St. Augustine’s phrase “Ever ancient, ever new” captures the sense one has in reading this compilation. The homilies are “ever ancient” because Ratzinger always draws on the Church’s Tradition. He’s not interested in inflicting clever insights or groundbreaking theology on the People of God. Rather, like a good father, he wants to bring the Church’s perennial teaching to God’s children here and now. He wants to hand on to them their proper inheritance.
The homilies are “ever ancient” also because he returns to certain themes of his ministry again and again: the eyes of the heart, the meaning of freedom, the mixed blessing of technology, the fear of God as a competitor, the loss of reverence for God as Creator … and so on. His returning to certain themes is a matter not of his being constrained in his thought, but of his knowing what the people of his time need to hear.
At the same time, these homilies are “ever new.” They are never dry reflections on Scripture. He is never just repeating himself. He is always applying Scripture to a specific situation, bringing God’s word to bear in a particular setting and/or occasion.
Indeed, this is the proper understanding of “ever new.” When clerics make things “relevant,” it is typically at the cost of the integrity of Scripture and doctrine. In Church-speak, “relevant” usually means brand-new, novel, different than before. Thus it also means time-bound and soon to be irrelevant. Only what is rooted in eternity can really be “ever new.”
The homilies show that Ratzinger (contrary to his reputation) is not only a great mind but a great pastor. He knows both the depth of the Tradition and how it ought to be applied to a particular congregation or occasion. Even such a mundane event as the blessing of tractors elicits from him a beautiful reflection. On such an occasion most of us would slouch into platitudes. But Ratzinger takes the occasion seriously and speaks wonderful words on the meaning of creation and man’s cooperation with the Creator.
He always demonstrates a profound respect for each group he addresses, for the various devotions and occasions. From the above-mentioned words to farmers, to his reflection at Fatima, to his summary of St. Josemaría Escrivá’s life and spirituality, he always shows reverence for the people and the occasion for his preaching.
On Love of course contains great one-liners and turns of phrases that we have come to expect from Ratzinger: “Freedom is a daughter of grace. … When we forget God, things become mute. … A civilization without contemplation cannot last long.” As with Chesterton’s, his lines can stand on their own. But they have even more impact when we read them in context and see how he arrives at them.
This is great spiritual reading for laity and clergy alike. But clergy in particular will benefit not only from the content, but also from the style.
Here is another set of lessons on how to preach, how not to shortchange Scripture or the people in our preaching, how to bring about that happy marriage of God’s word and his children.
Father Paul Scalia
Father Paul Scalia Father Scalia grew up in the Diocese of Arlington and attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. He then studied theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome. Since his ordination in 1996 he has served as parochial vicar at several parishes and as pastor of Saint John the Beloved in McLean. He currently serves as the Episcopal Vicar for Clergy and directs the permanent diaconate program. He has written for various publications and is a frequent speaker on matters of faith and doctrine. Father Scalia is the author of That Nothing May Be Lost: Reflections on Catholic Doctrine and Devotion (Ignatius Press, 2017) and Sermons in Times of Crisis: Twelve Homilies to Stir Your Soul (Saint Benedict Press, 2019).
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There are over 100 people who are formally part of the Vatican’s athletics team, created about two years ago when several employees and citizens of the world’s smallest state literally continued to run into one another on the shore of Rome’s Tiber River or at the magnificent Villa Pamphili.
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Mother Teresa's Lawyer Blasts New Podcast Likening her Order to a Cult
The canonization Mass for Saint Teresa of Calcutta, celebrated by Pope Francis on Sept. 4, 2016 in St. Peter's Square./ CNA photo
By Kate Scanlon
Washington D.C., 29 May, 2021 / 8:30 pm (ACI Africa).
A new podcast that likens St. Teresa of Calcutta to a cult leader is full of “untruths and false accusations,” the former legal counsel for St. Teresa told CNA on Friday.
The podcast, titled “The Turning: The Sisters Who Left,” discusses Mother Teresa and the religious order she founded, the Missionaries of Charity; the podcast asks the question, “What is the line between devotion and brainwashing?”
The podcast features claims of “abuse and betrayal” in the order by former sisters. A recent opinion piece for the New York Times highlighting the podcast was titled: “Was Mother Teresa a Cult Leader?”
According to the Times article, the podcast features a woman named Mary Johnson, who says she sought to “escape” the order but ultimately left “through official channels.”
In response, Jim Towey - the Catholic legal counsel to St. Teresa for the last twelve years of her life - blasted the podcast in a piece for National Review, calling it a “smear campaign.”
He told CNA on Friday that in his view, the podcast is part of “a continued effort by people who are trying to draw attention to themselves by degrading the memory of Mother Teresa, by attacking her sisters, and in so doing, kind of attacking the Catholic Church and its moral teachings and all we stand for.”
He added that “It’s easy to take pot-shots at the Missionaries of Charity, and it’s always by people who don’t do the work.”
The founder and CEO of the group Aging with Dignity, a nonprofit working for the elderly, disabled, and mentally ill, Towey says his nonprofit was inspired by St. Teresa’s work with the poor.
One allegation discussed in the New York Times opinion piece was the poor conditions at homes run by the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta - conditions that Mother Teresa allegedly was responsible for.
“It’s a really cheap shot to go and criticize the Missionaries of Charity for not having sophisticated medical services when you don’t have a clue what the reality is on the ground in Calcutta,” Towey said on Friday.
“And of course these people that make these criticisms aren’t going out there to help the sick, and they’re instead criticizing those who do,” he said.
Towey lamented that an online search of Mother Teresa’s name would yield “posts that are vulgar,” in an attempt to “strike at her reputation.”
The podcast, he said, “is filled with untruths and false accusations, and that’s why the sisters did not agree to interviews, why waste time they could be with the poor?” he said.
Towey said the podcast company behind “The Turning” was looking for controversy to gain listeners.
He also said the podcast accuses St. Teresa “cozying up to dictators,” but called that charge a “distortion of fact.” St. Teresa wanted to serve the poor living within totalitarian regimes and had to seek government approval in some cases, he said.
“At no time did she compromise herself, her values, or the Catholic faith,” Towey said.
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Pope Francis said on Wednesday that the communion of saints means that Christians are never alone in the darkest moments of their lives.
Speaking at his general audience on April 7, the pope noted that whenever people pray they are surrounded by both hidden and canonized saints.
“Prayer is always born again: each time we join our hands and open our hearts to God, we find ourselves in the company of anonymous saints and recognized saints who pray with us and who intercede for us as older brothers and sisters who have preceded us on this same human adventure,” he said.
“There is no grief in the Church that is borne in solitude, there are no tears shed in oblivion, because everyone breathes and participates in one common grace.”
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By Jonah McKeown
Denver Newsroom, 03 April, 2021 / 12:00 pm (ACI Africa).
Pope St. John Paul II— who would have turned 100 years old May 18— was a man of great humility, whose nearly 27-year pontificate nevertheless left a lasting impression on the Catholic Church and the world, according to his biographer and others who knew the man.
“He's the great Christian witness of our time. He's the exemplar of the fact that a life wholly dedicated to Jesus Christ and the Gospel is the most exciting human life possible,” George Weigel, the pope’s biographer, told CNA.
After an upbringing marked by the sadness of losing his mother, father, and brother, he endured the Nazi’s occupation of Poland, working hard as a laborer and eventually clandestinely studied for the priesthood and became cardinal archbishop of Krakow.
He eventually became the most traveled pope in history, and a beloved saint. He died in 2005, and Pope Francis canonized him in 2014.
“This man lived a life of such extraordinary drama that no Hollywood scriptwriter would dare come up with such a storyline. It would just be regarded as absurd,” Weigel added.
Weigel— and a former member of the Swiss Guard who served John Paul II for four years— spoke to CNA about what they think the pope will be remembered for in the next 100— or even the next 1,000— years.
https://www.aciafrica.org/news/3173/the-next-hundred-years-of-st-john-paul-iis-legacy?utm_campaign=ACI%20Africa&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=119498242&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8xbM0vvJzeOI9LU2ep5uDhPg4QUuscmtagoZ1o7JzVYVkdqYd4KtOqGzgxFrp5KQDXcNlOFHLV9hU4QpGpTPTb1-ZY9A&utm_content=119498242&utm_source=hs_email
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By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican, 01 May, 2021 / 6:06 pm (ACI Africa).
Pope Francis prayed a rosary Saturday for an end to the coronavirus pandemic, imploring the Virgin Mary to intercede for healing for the sick, comfort for the grieving, and hope for the future.
"Mother of Help, welcome us under your mantle and protect us, sustain us in the hour of trial, and ignite in our hearts the light of hope for the future," Pope Francis prayed May 1.
"At the beginning of the month dedicated to Our Lady, we unite in prayer with all of the shrines scattered throughout the world, with the faithful, and with all people of good will," he said, "to entrust in the hands of our Holy Mother all of humanity, strongly tried in this period of pandemic."
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Address By Pope Francis at Knock Shrine on March 19th 2021
Good evening, brothers and sisters,
I gladly take advantage of this means of communication in order to be with you at such an important moment in the life of the Shrine.
Ever since the apparition of August 21, 1879, when the Blessed Virgin Mary, together with Saint Joseph and Saint John the Apostle, appeared to some villagers, the Irish people, wherever they have found themselves, have expressed their faith and devotion to Our Lady of Knock. You have been a missionary people. We cannot forget how many priests left their homeland in order to become missionaries of the Gospel. Nor can we forget the many lay people who emigrated to far-away lands but still kept their devotion to Our Lady. How many families in the course of almost a century and a half have handed on the faith to their children and gathered their daily labours around the prayer of the Rosary, with the image of Our Lady of Knock at its centre. The arms of the Virgin, out stretched in prayer, continue to show us the importance of prayer as the message of hope which goes out from this Shrine. As you know, in her apparition at Knock, the Virgin says nothing. Yet her silence is a language; indeed, it is the most expressive language we have. The message which comes from Knock is that of the great value of silence for our faith.
It is this silence in the face of mystery, which does not mean giving up on understanding, but understanding while aided and supported by the love of Jesus who offered himself for all of us as the Lamb sacrificed for the salvation of humanity. It is this silence in the face of the great mystery of a love which cannot be reciprocated unless in trusting abandonment to the will of the merciful Father. And, finally, it is silence which Jesus asks of us when he teaches: “When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:6-8).
My dear brothers and sisters present at Knock, and all of you who may be watching from afar, the elevation of the National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Knock to an International Sanctuary of Special Eucharistic and Marian Devotion is a great responsibility. You accept to always have your arms wide open as a sign of welcome to every pilgrim who may arrive from any part of the world, asking nothing in return but only recognizing him as a brother or a sister who desires to share the same experience of fraternal prayer. May this welcome be joined with charity and become an effective witness to a heart which is open to receiving the Word of God and the grace of the Holy Spirit which gives us strength. May the Eucharistic mystery which unites us in communion with the Risen Lord and with one another always be the rock on which to live out faithfully our vocation to be “missionary disciples”, like the Virgin Mary who made herself a pilgrim of the Gospel of her Son. May she protect us and console us with her merciful countenance.
I greet you all as I implore God’s blessing upon you and I ask you to pray for me.
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The pope also expressed gratitude to all humanitarian organizations who have worked to provide assistance to refugees, internally displaced persons, and worked to meet the basic needs of the poor.
“It is my prayerful hope that the international community will not withdraw from the Iraqi people the outstretched hand of friendship and constructive engagement, but will continue to act in a spirit of shared responsibility with the local authorities, without imposing political or ideological interests,” the pope said.
https://www.ncregister.com/cna/pope-francis-in-iraq-the-name-of-god-cannot-be-used-to-justify-acts-of-murder?utm_campaign=NCR%202019&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=114331067&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9kwOYwDfqmvyQ5GYHmmj0Bzl_MmZpNlHOuwP-CDEuGivInpvVyPEpV-Vfh5UkshHKmcnKJFVKAg2aNSPVwZbSMpLItuA&utm_content=114331067&utm_source=hs_email
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On the first-ever papal visit to Iraq, Pope Francis said, “We know how easy it is to be infected by the virus of discouragement that at times seems to spread all around us.” He was talking to a persecuted people, but he was also talking to every one of us.
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VATICAN CITY , 22 March, 2021 / 4:55 PM (ACI Africa).-
The Vatican marked World Water Day on Monday with a message urging an end to water waste and contamination.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin recorded a video message on behalf of Pope Francis which was sent to United Nations organizations on March 22.
In the video, the Vatican Secretary of State said that “food security and water quality are inextricably linked” and urged collaboration between countries to make clean drinking water available in all parts of the world.
“To guarantee fair access to water, it is vitally urgent to act without delay, to end once and for all its waste, commercialization and contamination. Collaboration between States, the public and private sectors, as well as the multiplication of initiatives by intergovernmental organizations, is more necessary than ever,” Parolin said.
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CNA Vatican
February 22, 2021
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis urged Catholics to ask Christ for the “gift of mercy” in a letter marking the 90th anniversary of the first appearance of Jesus to St. Faustina Kowalska on Monday.
In a letter to Bishop Piotr Libera of Płock, the pope noted that the first apparition took place on Feb. 22, 1931.
“Let us ask Christ for the gift of mercy. Let it engulf us and penetrate us. Let us have the courage to come back to Jesus to meet His love and mercy in the sacraments,” he said in the letter, dated Feb. 15.
“Let us feel His closeness and tenderness, and then we will also be more capable of mercy, patience, forgiveness, and love.”
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Pope Francis Recalls Iraqi Martyrs, Saying Violence Incompatible With Religion
The Tablet
Flanked by the pictures of 48 Iraqi martyrs, Pope Francis defined them as a reminder that inciting war and violence is incompatible with authentic religious teaching.
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgxwLsmhNDbCHBlpLvClDwwGdqfdK
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POPE BENEDICT XVI & CONSCIENCE
There is a new biography of Pope Benedict XVI by Peter Seewald. I like it and indeed it gave me a different and rather pleasant image of a Pope, who up until now, I had question marks over. In 1944, aged 17, Joseph Ratzinger was drafted into a labour unit in his native Germany. In the middle of the night they were lined up still half asleep by an SS Officer who made each of them step forward before the whole troop to get them to ‘volunteer’ for the Nazi Army. Ratzinger like a few others, said he intended to be a Catholic Priest. He was dismissed with abuse, but swallowed it happily because he was
delivered from the ‘voluntary service’ and its consequence. A few months later, shortly before the war ended, he decided to walk out of the barracks and make his way home. This was desertion and could have meant death. When as Pope, he came to Birmingham to beatify John Henry Newman, it was a lovely experience for Benedict. The power of Newman’s understanding of conscience as the voice of God, guided and helped his fellow anti-Nazis during the war. Without a doubt Newman’s teaching filled Benedict with integrity to make brave decisions at the right time. While he had no protection against the SS or of being shot, he was close to God. Joseph Ratzinger was bad at physical games and never obviously robust. Abdicating might have been the best thing he did, but it was undoubtedly brave. It might have seemed like giving up. His conscience shaped and guided him. When one is in tune and honest with one’s conscience God can do great things. May the Lord continue to bless Benedict in the evening time of his life.
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Pope John Paul II established the World Day of the Sick in 1992. It is marked on Feb. 11, the liturgical memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes.
The theme of this year’s observance is “You have but one teacher and you are all brothers” (Matthew 23:8), taken from a Gospel passage in which Jesus criticizes those who fail to practice what they preach.
“Jesus’ criticism of those who ‘preach but do not practice’ is helpful always and everywhere, since none of us is immune to the grave evil of hypocrisy, which prevents us from flourishing as children of the one Father, called to live universal fraternity,” the pope said.
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CARE OF THE EARTH : Laudato Si is the title of a letter from Pope Francis to the people of the world on the care of the earth. It was released five years ago. The Diocese of Limerick is organising a Laudato Si Book Club workshop on Zoom every Tuesday from January 26 – February 16 inclusive. The workshops will begin at 7pm and conclude at 8:15pm. Guest speakers: Jane Mellett; ecological crisis, Betty Baker; future generations, Niamh Brennan; our cosmic story and Donal Dorr; ecological conversion. If you wish to participate you need to register in advance at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LaudatoSiCall*Places are limited, early booking advised.
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Pope Francis' Doctor Since 2015 Succumbs to COVID-19-related Complications
Pope Francis' personal doctor, Fabrizio Soccorsi, has died from health complications related to the coronavirus, according to the Vatican. The 78-year-old physician, who was being treated for an "oncological pathology,"
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Claire-Gilbert/e/B00U9OOR24/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
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SATURDAY JANUARY 2, 2021
"It is true, in every family there are problems, and at times arguments… I would like to say something to you: if you quarrel within the family, do not end the day without making peace… Because cold war, day after day, is extremely dangerous. It does not help. And then, in the family there are three words, three phrases that must always be held dear: “Please”, “Thank you”, and “I am sorry”. “Please”, so as not to be intrusive in the life of others. Please: may I do something? Is it alright with you if I do this?... “Thank you”…Gratitude is the lifeblood of the noble soul. And then, the hardest to say: “I am sorry”. Because we always do bad things and very often someone is offended… Do not forget the three worlds: “please”, “thank you”, and “I am sorry”. If in a family, in the family environment there are these three words, the family is fine."
Pope Francis
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Pope Francis is the 266th Roman Pontiff of the Catholic Church. Formerly Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, he was elected by the conclave of cardinals on March 13, 2013. As Pope Francis maintains an intense schedule as sovereign of Vatican City State and Holy Father to an estimated 1.2 billion Roman Catholics worldwide. https://www.ncregister.com/topic/pope-francis
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"Bearers of gratitude" Make the World a Better Place: Pope Francis at General Audience
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In 1989, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease — a fatal, degenerative condition. This cross marked his final years with patience and humility. In 1984 he had been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, but as he was wasting away, he told his sister he would be happy if his gravestone read, “Here lies Father Al. He tried his best for Jesus.” He died at the Girlstown in Manila on March 16, 1992, and was declared venerable by Pope Francis on Jan. 22, 2015.
https://www.ncregister.com/blog/venerable-aloysius-schwartz?utm_campaign=NCR%202019&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=101965342&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--tK3wgbOmoK_T4XEzVKllkD3zoon3yc7uD91ehpIW1LIU9q2p2wz63N9GHm1ZVcEF5CtBbEduqXJzTsuxYQ4IsFCYucA&utm_content=101965342&utm_source=hs_email
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Apostolic Letter Patris Corde of the Holy Father Pope Francis on the 150th Anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church (8th December 2020). Pope Francis has proclaimed a “Year of Saint Joseph” from 8th December 2020 until 8th December 2021. The Apostolic Penitentiary has issued a Decree granting plenary indulgences for the year.
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VATICAN CITY — One of the distinct Vatican highlights during a year of upheaval was the opening of the Vatican Archives on the pontificate of Venerable Pope Pius XII.
Accessible to scholars for the first time on March 2, the documents in the Vatican Apostolic Archives and other archival departments of the Holy See cover Pius’ entire 1939-1958 pontificate.
Pope Francis’ decision to allow public access, announced a year earlier, came after decades of requests from historians who wished to find out for themselves how much the wartime Pope knew about Nazi Germany’s campaign to exterminate the Jewish people and what action he took to try to halt it. The delays were largely due to the extensive cataloguing required.
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VATICAN CITY — One of the distinct Vatican highlights during a year of upheaval was the opening of the Vatican Archives on the pontificate of Venerable Pope Pius XII.
Accessible to scholars for the first time on March 2, the documents in the Vatican Apostolic Archives and other archival departments of the Holy See cover Pius’ entire 1939-1958 pontificate.
Pope Francis’ decision to allow public access, announced a year earlier, came after decades of requests from historians who wished to find out for themselves how much the wartime Pope knew about Nazi Germany’s campaign to exterminate the Jewish people and what action he took to try to halt it. The delays were largely due to the extensive cataloguing required.
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Message from Pope Christmas 2020
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By Mary Farrow
Lafayette, La., Dec 23, 2020 / 04:00 pm MT (CNA).- Three Cajun Catholics from the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana are on their way to becoming canonized saints after a historic ceremony earlier this year.
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POPE Francis announced a Year of St. Joseph Tuesday in honor of the 150th anniversary of the saint’s proclamation as patron of the universal Church.
The year begins Dec. 8, 2020, and concludes on Dec. 8, 2021, according to a decree authorized by the pope. The decree said that Pope Francis had established a Year of St. Joseph so that “every member of the faithful, following his example, may strengthen their life of faith daily in the complete fulfilment of God’s will.” The Apostolic Penitentiary issues a Decree granting plenary indulgences for the year of St. Joseph proclaimed by Pope Francis on Tuesday.
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Pope Francis to new cardinals: May the cross and resurrection always be your goal
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Pope Francis Marks 500th Anniversary of First Mass in Chile
Pope Francis said that the 500th anniversary was a momentous event not only for Puntas Arenas diocese, but also for the whole Chilean Church.
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Pope John Paul II and Ronald Reagan Were a Match Made in Heaven
COMMENTARY: The providential confluence of the two in 1980 is worth remembering as the US faces similar trials in 2020.
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WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 14, 2020
“We pray that by the virtue of baptism, the laity, especially women, may participate more in areas of responsibility in the Church. No one has been baptized a priest or a bishop. We have all been baptized as lay people. Lay people are protagonists of the Church. Today, it is especially necessary to create broader opportunities for a more incisive female presence in the Church. And we must emphasize the feminine lay presence because women tend to be left aside. We must promote the integration of women, especially where important decisions are made. We pray that by the virtue of baptism, the laity, especially women, may participate more in areas of responsibility in the Church, without falling into forms of clericalism that diminish the lay charism.”
Pope Francis
PRAYER INTENTION FOR OCTOBER 2020
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APOSTOLIC LETTER
Scripturae Sacrae Affectus
OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON THE SIXTEEN HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF SAINT JEROME
Devotion to sacred Scripture, a “living and tender love” for the written word of God: this is the legacy that Saint Jerome bequeathed to the Church by his life and labours. Now, on the sixteen hundredth anniversary of his death, those words taken from the opening prayer of his liturgical Memorial[1]give us an essential insight into this outstanding figure in the Church’s history and his immense love for Christ. That “living and tender love” flowed, like a great river feeding countless streams, into his tireless activity as a scholar, translator and exegete. Jerome’s profound knowledge of the Scriptures, his zeal for making their teaching known, his skill as an interpreter of texts, his ardent and at times impetuous defence of Christian truth, his asceticism and harsh eremitical discipline, his expertise as a generous and sensitive spiritual guide – all these make him, sixteen centuries after his death, a figure of enduring relevance for us, the Christians of the twenty-first century.
http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2020/09/30/0498/01133.html#EN
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has urged consecrated men and women in Brazil to remember that Jesus must be their “first and only love.”
The brother of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, died on Wednesday July 1 2020, at the age of 96, the diocese of Regensburg has confirmed. Benedict XVI visited his brother in Regensburg last month after hearing he was seriously ill, and stayed in the diocese for four days during which the two brothers celebrated Mass together on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, Jun 14, 2020 / 04:00 am MT (CNA).- Christ’s presence in the Eucharist heals wounds and transforms bitter negativity into the joy of Lord, Pope Francis said in his homily for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi Sunday.
The Pope has established this Emergency Solidarity Fund to come to the aid of those people and communities who are being tragically impacted by the spread of COVID-19 in the Pope’s missions, as it supports religious Sisters and Brothers, priests, and lay...
https://www.missio.org/project/17956/Pope-Francis-COVID19-Emergency-Solidarity-Fund-?localization=EN&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=static-ad&utm_campaign=fuz-pope-covid-fund&hsa_acc=2011820629126987&hsa_cam=23844532816600429&hsa_grp=23844532962930429&hsa_ad=23844532962900429&hsa_src=fb&hsa_net=facebook&hsa_ver=3&fbclid=IwAR0pa1o0GdV0gonkuC8iOjOEo-1PVDukdsT8Zan9DTaH2NG3HfFKr4HusgI
Karl Marx "said so many things that, unfortunately, resonate with these radical elements today," said Paul Kengor, professor of political science at Grove City College in Grove City, Pa., and an author of numerous books including "Dupes" and "A Pope and a President."
"One of them at the close of the Communist Manifesto is, 'the Communists [everywhere] support every revolutionary movement against the existing social and political order of things.'"
https://respectliferadio.podbean.com/e/paul-kengor-1592406891/
https://respectliferadio.podbean.com/e/paul-kengor-1592406891/
LETTER OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
to the Faithful for the Month of May 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The month of May is approaching, a time when the People of God express with particular
intensity their love and devotion for the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is traditional in this month to pray the Rosary at home within the family. The restrictions of the pandemic have made us come to appreciate all the more this “family” aspect, also from a spiritual point of view.
For this reason, I want to encourage everyone to rediscover the beauty of praying the Rosary at home in the month of May. This can be done either as a group or individually; you can decide according to your own situations, making the most of both opportunities. The key to doing this is always simplicity, and it is easy also on the internet to find good models of prayers to follow.
I am also providing two prayers to Our Lady that you can recite at the end of the Rosary, and that I myself will pray in the month of May, in spiritual union with all of you. I include them with this letter so that they are available to everyone.
Dear brothers and sisters, contemplating the face of Christ with the heart of Mary our Mother will make us even more united as a spiritual family and will help us overcome this time of trial. I keep all of you in my prayers, especially those suffering most greatly, and I ask you, please, to pray for me. I thank you, and with great affection I send you my blessing.
Rome, Saint John Lateran, 25 April 2020
Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist
FRANCIS
First Prayer
O Mary,
You shine continuously on our journey
as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who, at the foot of the cross,
were united with Jesus’ suffering,
and persevered in your faith.
“Protectress of the Roman people”,
you know our needs,
and we know that you will provide,
so that, as at Cana in Galilee,
joy and celebration may return
after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform ourselves to the will of the Father
and to do what Jesus tells us.
For he took upon himself our suffering,
and burdened himself with our sorrows
to bring us, through the cross,
to the joy of the Resurrection.
Amen.
We fly to your protection,
O Holy Mother of God;
Do not despise our petitions
in our necessities,
but deliver us always
from every danger,
O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.
Second Prayer
“We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God”.
In the present tragic situation, when the whole world is prey to suffering and anxiety, we fly to you, Mother of God and our Mother, and seek refuge under your protection.
Virgin Mary, turn your merciful eyes towards us amid this coronavirus pandemic. Comfort those who are distraught and mourn their loved ones who have died, and at times are buried in a way that grieves them deeply. Be close to those who are concerned for their loved ones who are sick and who, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, cannot be close to them. Fill with hope those who are troubled by the uncertainty of the future and the consequences for the economy and employment.
Mother of God and our Mother, pray for us to God, the Father of mercies, that this great suffering may end and that hope and peace may dawn anew. Plead with your divine Son, as you did at Cana, so that the families of the sick and the victims be comforted, and their hearts be opened to confidence and trust.
Protect those doctors, nurses, health workers and volunteers who are on the frontline of this emergency, and are risking their lives to save others. Support their heroic effort and grant them strength, generosity and continued health.
Be close to those who assist the sick night and day, and to priests who, in their pastoral concern and fidelity to the Gospel, are trying to help and support everyone.
Blessed Virgin, illumine the minds of men and women engaged in scientific research, that they may find effective solutions to overcome this virus.
Support national leaders, that with wisdom, solicitude and generosity they may come to the aid of those lacking the basic necessities of life and may devise social and economic solutions inspired by farsightedness and solidarity.
Mary Most Holy, stir our consciences, so that the enormous funds invested in developing and stockpiling arms will instead be spent on promoting effective research on how to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
Beloved Mother, help us realize that we are all members of one great family and to recognize the bond that unites us, so that, in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, we can help to alleviate countless situations of poverty and need. Make us strong in faith, persevering in service, constant in prayer.
Mary, Consolation of the afflicted, embrace all your children in distress and pray that God will stretch out his all-powerful hand and free us from this terrible pandemic, so that life can serenely resume its normal course.
To you, who shine on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope, do we entrust ourselves, O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.
Pope Francis Invites Faithful to Recite the Rosary To Help Overcome This Time of Trial
In letter to the faithful, the Holy Father urges praying the Rosary and two other prayers at home during this pandemic and the Marian month of May in order to “make us more united as a spiritual family.”
Catholic News World by Jesus Caritas Est - Est.2009 - REAL Breaking News - Millions of Views
https://www.catholicnewsworld.com/2020/04/remembering-saint-pope-john-paul-ii-who.html
Catholics and Corona: No Public Masses in Rome or Italy until APRIL 3 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zD9B6n9rUnM
March 2020
In a dramatic step, Israel to require 14-day quarantine for all travellers from abroad.
Also
The Diocese of Rome has cancelled all public Masses until April 3 in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The announcement by the vicar general of the diocese, published Sunday evening, follows a decree by the Italian government suspending all public religious ceremonies. “The Church of Rome ... assumes an attitude of full responsibility towards the community in the awareness that protection from contagion requires even drastic measures...
Saint Frances of Rome
Saint of the Day for March 9
(1384 – March 9, 1440)
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SODMar09.mp3
Saint Frances of Rome’s Story
Frances’ life combines aspects of secular and religious life. A devoted and loving wife, she longed for a lifestyle of prayer and service, so she organized a group of women to minister to the needs of Rome’s poor.
Pope Francis opens archives of Pius XII
According to the news agency Zenit, Gary Krupp, of Pave the Way Foundation, demonstrated that the pope, was actually responsible for saving the lives of around 800,000 Jewish people.
https://www.dioceseofkerry.ie/catholic-news-article/?ID=2
Vatican City, Feb 24, 2020 / 03:34 am (CNA).- There is an urgent need for personal conversion, without which the temptations of Satan, and the presence of evil, create a “hell here on earth,” Pope Francis said Monday in his 2020 Lenten message.
Saint Colette
Saint of the Day for February 7
(January 13, 1381 – March 6, 1447)
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SODFeb07.mp3
Saint Colette’s Story
Colette did not seek the limelight, but in doing God’s will she certainly attracted a lot of attention. Colette was born in Corbie, France. At 21, she began to follow the Third Order Rule and became an anchoress, a woman walled into a room whose only opening was a window into a church.
After four years of prayer and penance in this cell, she left it. With the approval and encouragement of the pope, she joined the Poor Clares and reintroduced the primitive Rule of St. Clare in the 17 monasteries she established. Her sisters were known for their poverty—they rejected any fixed income—and for their perpetual fast. Colette’s reform movement spread to other countries and is still thriving today. Colette was canonized in 1807.
By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, Jan 24, 2020 / 09:20 am (CNA).- As the March for Life got underway in Washington, DC, Pope Francis and Vice President Mike Pence met in the Vatican Friday to discuss the Church's commitment to the pro-life movement.
"It was a great privilege to spend time with Pope Francis and to be able to do so on a day that literally hundreds of thousands of Americans, including many Catholic Americans, are gathered on our National Mall in Washington D.C. standing up for the right to life, was a particular joy for me,” Pence told EWTN News Jan. 24.
First Things has comprehensively demolished the new Netflix movie The Two Popes, starring Anthony Hopkins as a grumpy Pope Benedict and Jonathan Pryce as a radiant Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, today known as Pope Francis. Netflix is spending huge sums trying to win Oscar nominations for the picture, which was directed by the acclaimed Brazilian Fernando Meirelles. (Netflix is spending huge sums on a lot of things this season.)
If you don’t write about movies for a living, you may be under the impression that filmmakers telling stories about real people make at least some vague gestures in the direction of truth. You would be wrong. The movie is about Bergoglio contemplating retirement but instead being summoned to see Pope Benedict in the Vatican. The two then spend days together becoming friends and Benedict tells Bergoglio he is going to resign and anoint Bergoglio as his successor.
None of this happened. The whole movie is fiction. As John Waters writes in First Things:
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/the-lies-of-the-two-popes/
By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, Dec 25, 2019 / 05:30 am (CNA).- On Christmas, Pope Francis prayed for Christ to bring light to the instability in Iraq, Lebanon, Venezuela, Yemen, Ukraine, Burkina Faso, and other parts of the world experiencing conflict.
By Kevin Jones
Dublin, Ireland, Oct 24, 2017 / 03:11 am ().- Prayer, reparation, and praising God are the focus of a new Benedictine priory in Ireland, which focuses especially on reparation for the sins of priests.
Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions’ Story
Andrew Dung-Lac, a Catholic convert ordained to the priesthood, was one of 117 people martyred in Vietnam between 1820 and 1862. Members of the companions group gave their lives for Christ in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, and received beatification during four different occasions between 1900 and 1951. All were canonized during the papacy of Saint John Paul II.
POPE in Thailand; Thirty-five years after St. John Paul II became the first pope to visit Thailand, Francis is marking the 350th anniversary of the creation of a stable apostolic vicariate in Thailand, then known as Siam, after Dominican missionaries first brought the faith in 1567, followed by members of Francis’ own Jesuit order.
https://apnews.com/cc179ca7e8844d13926b335aeb44ba22
When Melissa Villalobos first heard about Cardinal John Henry Newman, she had no idea the pivotal role he would play in her life, nor the pivotal role she would play in his cause for sainthood. The Catholic wife and mother from Chicago stumbled into a show about Newman on EWTN “just by accident” in 2000, while she was getting ready for work and ironing her clothes. She was struck by what the show had to say about him.
By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, Oct 11, 2019 / 03:01 am (CNA).- Pope Francis will canonize four women alongside John Henry Newman this Sunday. These women -- a stigmatist, a mystic, a Roman orphan, and Nobel Peace prize nominee -- also proclaimed Christ through their lives and their miracles in a unique way.
POPE FRANCIS
Here below is the full text of Pope Francis’ homily delivered today at the canonization of Saints John Henry Newman (1801-1890), Giuseppina Vannini (1859-1911), Mariam Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan (1876-1926), Dulce Lopes Pontes (1914-1992), Margherita Bays (1815-1879):
“Your faith has saved you” (Lk 17:19). This is the climax of today’s Gospel, which reflects the journey of faith. There are three steps in this journey of faith. We see them in the actions of the lepers whom Jesus heals. They cry out, they walk and they give thanks.
http://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/pope-francis-canonization-homily-full-text
Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher’s Story
Canada was one diocese from coast to coast during the first eight years of Marie-Rose Durocher’s life. Its half-million Catholics had received civil and religious liberty from the English only 44 years before.
She was born in a little village near Montreal in 1811, the 10th of 11 children. She had a good education, was something of a tomboy, rode a horse named Caesar,
CANONISATION OF BLESSED JOHN HENRY NEWMAN was on Sunday last 13th Oct 2019: His prayer for perseverance. ‘May Christ support us all day long, Till shades lengthen, And evening comes, And the busy world is hushed, And a fever of life is over and our work is done. Then in His mercy, may He give us a safe lodging A holy rest and peace at last’. Amen.
Saint Gregory the Great’s Story
Gregory was the prefect of Rome before he was 30. After five years in office he resigned, founded six monasteries on his Sicilian estate, and became a Benedictine monk in his own home at Rome.
Ordained a priest, Gregory became one of the pope’s seven deacons, and also served six years in the East as papal representative in Constantinople. He was recalled to become abbot, but at the age of 50 was elected pope by the clergy and people of Rome.
A prayer for our earth
All powerful God,
You are present in the universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with Your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with your peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned
and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in Your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty,
not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank You for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle,
for justice, love and peace.
(By Pope Francis)
Saint of the Day for August 21
(June 2, 1835 – August 20, 1914)
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SODAug21.mp3
Saint Pius X’s Story
Pope Pius X is perhaps best remembered for his encouragement of the frequent reception of Holy Communion, especially by children.
The second of 10 children in a poor Italian family, Joseph Sarto became Pius X at age 68. He was one of the 20th century’s greatest popes.
Ever mindful of his humble origin, Pope Pius stated, “I was born poor, I lived poor, I will die poor.” He was embarrassed by some of the pomp of the papal court. “Look how they have dressed me up,” he said in tears to an old friend. To another, “It is a penance to be forced to accept all these practices. They lead me around surrounded by soldiers like Jesus when he was seized in Gethsemani.”
Interested in politics, Pope Pius encouraged Italian Catholics to become more politically involved. One of his first papal acts was to end the supposed right of governments to interfere by veto in papal elections—a practice that reduced the freedom of the 1903 conclave which had elected him.
In 1905, when France renounced its agreement with the Holy See and threatened confiscation of Church property if governmental control of Church affairs were not granted, Pius X courageously rejected the demand.
While he did not author a famous social encyclical as his predecessor had done, he denounced the ill treatment of indigenous peoples on the plantations of Peru, sent a relief commission to Messina after an earthquake, and sheltered refugees at his own expense.
On the 11th anniversary of his election as pope, Europe was plunged into World War I. Pius had foreseen it, but it killed him. “This is the last affliction the Lord will visit on me. I would gladly give my life to save my poor children from this ghastly scourge.” He died a few weeks after the war began, and was canonized in 1954.
Reflection
His humble background was no obstacle in relating to a personal God and to people whom he loved genuinely. Pius X gained his strength, his gentleness and warmth for people from the source of all gifts, the Spirit of Jesus. In contrast, we often feel embarrassed by our backgrounds. Shame makes us prefer to remain aloof from people whom we perceive as superior. If we are in a superior position, on the other hand, we often ignore simpler people. Yet we, too, have to help “restore all things in Christ,” especially the wounded people of God.
ROME: But what a difference there is between only accepting the authority of Rome negatively, so to speak, and as a condition without which one cannot live, and accepting it as fully alive, really positively with love, like a mother to whom one owes respect and obedience, and whom one tries to anticipate by one’s affection and attentions. Well, that is where I am now, and where I desire to be my whole life long, and that is what I am coming to Rome to seek. The position is clear, I will do what I am told and I will try to do it with submission, humility and fidelity, knowing that God has a thousand means of spreading truth on earth, and that often the most effective means are those on which we counted the least.http://sistersofstlouis.newsweaver.com/Newsletter/1xvxong7h0odxav81nwt7w?email=true&a=2&p=55192740&t=19890255
By Courtney Grogan
Bucharest, Romania, May 31, 2019 / 09:00 am (CNA).- Pope Francis said Friday that Catholics and Orthodox are bonded by a “shared inheritance” of suffering for Christ from the apostles to modern martyrs.
Blogs | Mar. 26, 2018
Here are the Plenary Indulgences Available During Holy Week
We all have the opportunity for receiving a plenary indulgence each day of Holy Week. Then Easter Octave. Here’s how to gain them for ourselves and loved ones in purgatory.
Joseph Pronechen
The plenary indulgences that we can receive on every day of Holy Week actually are of two kinds. Certain ones are specific to Holy Week itself. Certain ones we can actually gain anytime.
They’re listed in the Norms and Grants in the official Manual of Indulgences, fourth edition (1999), the latest and most up-to-date edition of the Manual, or Enchiridion Indulgentiarum, the one that replaces all others.
First, let’s look at the plenary indulgences specific to Holy Week. Next, we’ll look at those also available during Holy Week plus any time of the year. Then we’ll review the basic mandatory conditions that must be fulfilled for any plenary indulgence. Then we’ll check on “extras.”
Holy Week Plenary Indulgences
These are the specific works listed in the Grants in the Manual of Indulgences:
Holy Thursday. “A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who piously recite the verses of the Tantum ergo after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday during the solemn reposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament.”
Good Friday brings two opportunities. “A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who
Devoutly assist at the adoration of the Cross in the solemn liturgical action of Good Friday; or
Personally make the pious Way of the Cross, or devoutly unite themselves to the Way of the Cross while it is being led by the Supreme Pontiff and broadcast live on television or radio.”
Most every parish conducts Stations of the Cross for parishioners on Good Friday.
On Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil brings another opportunity. “A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, at the celebration of the Easter Vigil (or on the anniversary of their own Baptism), renew their baptismal vows in any legitimately approved formula.”
The Easter Vigil includes renewal of baptismal vows.
Early in Holy Week
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week we should try to make Mass and receive Holy Communion. That is a “must” because receiving Holy Communion is one of the basic conditions for any plenary indulgence. Here, we consider those certain plenary indulgences which can be gained all year. These are the ones we can obtain on Monday through Wednesday as long as we fulfill the basic conditions (more on them later) and also perform the work required.
The Manual of Indulgences makes this very clear to us: “Deserving of special mention are grants pertaining to these works by any one of which the faithful can obtain a plenary indulgence each day of the year,” always remembering “a plenary indulgence can be acquired no more than once a day.” The Manual lists them as four:
— Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for at least one half hour
—The pious exercise of the Way of the Cross
— Recitation of the Marian rosary or of the hymn Akathistos, in church or an oratory;
or in a family, a religious community, or a sodality of the faithful or, in general,
when several of the faithful are gathered for any good purpose
— The devout reading or listening to the Sacred Scriptures for at least a half an hour
Any one of these per day, Monday through Wednesday — plus Palm Sunday too — can obtain a plenary indulgence for us for ourselves or to apply to a soul in purgatory.
Basic Mandatory Conditions
“In general, the gaining of indulgences requires certain prescribed conditions and the performance of certain prescribed works,” reminded the Apostolic Penitentiary in 2000. The conditions are not many and are not at all difficult.
First, though, the office initially repeated the definition. “An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church…” The office explained, “Indulgences can always be applied either to oneself or to the souls of the deceased, but they cannot be applied to other persons living on earth.”
The Manual of Indulgences gives these basics conditions for any indulgence, plenary or partial. The person seeking the indulgence must be baptized, not excommunicated, and in the state of grace at least at the time the prescribed work is completed.
The Norms remind of another simple essential: we need to have the general intention of wanting to gain the indulgence as well as carrying out the specific works required, according to the sense of the Grant. That’s simple enough.
This next is important. The Norm states, “To gain a plenary indulgence, in addition to excluding all attachment to sin, even venial sin, it is necessary to perform the indulgenced work and fulfill the following three conditions: sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.”
For simplicity sake, let’s review these simple essentials are presented by the office of the Apostolic Penitentiary in their words:
“To gain indulgences, whether plenary or partial, it is necessary that the faithful be in the state of grace at least at the time the indulgenced work is completed.”
“A plenary indulgence can be gained only once a day. In order to obtain it, the faithful must, in addition to being in the state of grace:
— have the interior disposition of complete detachment from sin, even venial sin;
— have sacramentally confessed their sins;
— receive the Holy Eucharist (it is certainly better to receive it while participating in Holy Mass, but for the indulgence only Holy Communion is required);
— pray for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff.”
The Apostolic Penitentiary in 2000 clarified that One Our Father and one Hail Mary is suggested for the Holy Father’s intentions thought the faithful can chose what prayer, and one sacramental Confession suffices for several plenary indulgences.
As for the Stations of the Cross for a plenary indulgence, the manual details, “The pious exercise must be made before stations of the Way of the Cross legitimately erected…According to the common custom, the pious exercise consists of 14 devotional readings, to which some vocal prayers are added. To make the Way of the Cross, however, it is sufficient to meditate devoutly on the Lord’s Passion and Death, and therefore reflection on the particular mysteries of the individual stations in not necessary…Progression from one station to the next is required.” But if we’re making it publicly such as done for a parish, only the one conducting it has to move while we remain in our place.
Extras and Divine Mercy Sunday
We should not stop after Holy Week. Why not continue during the Easter Octave, from Easter Sunday through Divine Mercy Sunday? Monday through Saturday we have those four everyday possibilities for a plenary indulgence. Go to Mass, receive Communion. Then spend time in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Pray the Rosary in church. Or with family or as listed above. Read Sacred Scripture for at least half an hour. Your choice.
Then Divine Mercy Sunday has a plenary indulgence of its own.
Through private revelation to St. Faustina, Jesus revealed, I want to grant a complete pardon to the souls that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion on the Feast of My mercy (1109). The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion will obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment (699). And we must trust in Divine Mercy.
According to Robert Stackpole, the director of the John Paul II Institute of Divine Mercy, an apostolate of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, “The most special grace promised by our Lord for Mercy Sunday is nothing less than the equivalent of a complete renewal of baptismal grace in the soul: "complete forgiveness (remission) of sins and punishment.” (more explanation here)
St. John Paul II not only declared Divine Mercy Sunday a universal feast of the Church but in 2002 he attached a plenary indulgence to it. This made private revelation’s promise “official” as “the Holy See institutionalized the Promise in the form of an Indulgence.”
First there are the usual or standard three conditions of sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the intentions of Supreme Pontiff.
Next, the specific conditions or “work” required: “On Divine Mercy Sunday
in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy
or, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. “Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!”).”
For those unable to fulfill these conditions, there are explanations of what they can do for indulgences.
From Holy Week through Divine Mercy Sunday — and beyond — we should try not to miss out on these indulgences for ourselves or for any soul in purgatory who might get the chance to reach heaven in time for Easter and well beyond.
http://www.ncregister.com/blog/joseph-pronechen/holy-weeks-plenary-indulgences
Holy Stairs Rome
http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/walking-where-jesus-walked-holy-stairs-reopen-to-pilgrims
The stay-at-home mother’s pregnancy was considered high risk because she was over 40 and had suffered previous miscarriages. As a result, her doctor ordered blood tests on the baby early on and monitored the pregnancy closely.
She started to bleed during the pregnancy and was diagnosed in spring 2013 with a subchorionic hematoma, a blood clot in the fetal membrane. The only thing doctors can do for that condition is prescribe bed rest. If the blood clot ruptures, it can result in a spontaneous miscarriage.
https://www.archbalt.org/illinois-doctor-newman-miracle-depositions-were-spiritual-experiences/
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Dec 2, 2018 / 05:50 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis Sunday lit a candle, a symbol of hope, to pray for the children affected by violence and war in Syria and across the Middle East.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-lights-candle-for-children-in-syria-53330
MISSION: Extraordinary Missionary Month to take place in October 2019
During the Angelus on 22 October 2017, Pope Francis announced that October 2019 will be “Extraordinary Missionary Month”. The theme of the Extraordinary Missionary Month is “Baptised and Sent: the Church of Christ on Mission in the World”.
The official website for the Extraordinary Missionary Month October 2019 was launched last Friday, 30 November marking the 100th anniversary of the promulgation of the Apostolic Letter, Maximum Illud, by Pope Benedict XV, which gave new energy to the missionary responsibility of proclaiming the Gospel in the World.
http://www.october2019.va/en/multimedia/video.html
November 29, 2018
Here’s video of the autistic boy who ran onstage during Wednesday’s papal audience
http://blog.newadvent.org/2018/11/heres-video-of-autistic-boy-who-ran.html
In commemoration of All Souls’ Day, Pope Francis prayed Friday in a cemetery for unborn children called the “Garden of Angels” on the outskirts of Rome.
APOSTOLIC VISIT OF HIS HOLINESS
TO IRELAND ON THE OCCASION OF THE IX WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES
[25-26 AUGUST 2018]
https://www.worldmeeting2018.ie/en/Pope-Francis/Videos
Papal Texts and Homilies from WMOF2018
Read the homilies, speeches and addresses that Pope Francis delivered during his visit to Ireland for WMOF2018 here.
WMOF2018 Blog
A team of volunteer bloggers are sharing the stories & capturing the atmosphere of WMOF2018 here.
https://www.worldmeeting2018.ie/en/
POPE Rome 9 9 2018
Before the Angelus:
Dear Brothers and Sisters, good morning!
This Sunday’s Gospel (Cf. Mark 7:31-37) refers to the episode of the miraculous healing of a deaf mute, wrought by Jesus. They brought a deaf mute to Him and besought Him to lay his hand upon him. He, instead, performs on him different gestures: first of all, He takes him aside far from the crowd. On this occasion, as in others, Jesus acts always with discretion. He doesn’t want to impress the people; He isn’t seeking popularity or success, but He just wants to do good to people. He teaches us with this example that good is done without clamor, without ostentation, without “sounding a trumpet.” It’s done in silence.
When He was aside, Jesus put His fingers into the ears of the deaf mute and touched his tongue with saliva. This gesture refers to the Incarnation. The Son of God is a man fully inserted in the human reality: He was made man, therefore He can understand the painful condition of another man and He intervenes with a gesture that involves His humanity. At the same time, Jesus wants it understood that the miracle takes place due to His union with the Father: so He looked up to Heaven. Then He sighed and said the decisive words: “Ephphatha,” which means, “be opened.” And the man was immediately cured: his ears were opened and his tongue was released. His healing was for him an “opening’ to others and to the world.
This account stresses the need of the double healing: first of all, the healing of the sickness and of physical suffering, to restore the health of the body; even if this end isn’t completely attainable in the earthly horizon, despite the many efforts of science and medicine. However, there is a second healing, perhaps more difficult, and it is the healing of fear; the healing of fear that drives us to marginalize the sick, to marginalize the suffering, the disabled. And there are many ways of marginalizing, also with a pseudo-piety or with the removal of the problem; one remains deaf and dumb in face of the pains of people marked by illnesses, anguishes, and difficulties. Too often the sick and the suffering become a problem, whereas they should be occasions to manifest the solicitude and solidarity of a society in its dealings with the weakest.
Jesus has revealed to us the secret of a miracle that we also can repeat, becoming protagonists of the “Ephphath,” of those words “be opened” with which He gave back the word and hearing to the deaf mute. It’s about opening ourselves to the needs of our suffering brothers in need of help, avoiding egoism and closure of the heart. It is, in fact, the heart, namely, a person’s profound nucleus, that Jesus came to “open,” to liberate, to make us capable of living fully our relationship with God and with others. He became man so that man, rendered interiorly deaf and dumb by sin, is able to listen to the voice of God, the voice of Love that speaks to his heart and thus learn to speak, in turn, the language of love, translating it into gestures of generosity and self-giving.
May Mary, She who “opened” herself totally to the love of the Lord, obtain for us the ability to experience every day in faith, the miracle of the “Ephphatha,” to live in communion with God and with brothers.
© Libreria Editrice Vatican
After the Angelus:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Celebrated yesterday at Loreto, in the Pontifical Shrine of the Holy House, was the Nativity of Mary and the proposal of spirituality for families was launched: the House of Mary, House of every family. We entrust the Shrine’s initiative and all those that will take part in different capacities to the Holy Virgin.
Held today at Strasbourg is the Beatification of Alfonsa Maria Eppinger, Founder of the Sisters of the most Holy Saviour. We thank God for this courageous and wise woman who, suffering, in silence and praying, witnessed God’s love especially to all those who were sick in body and in spirit — an applause all together for the new Blessed!
I greet you all affectionately, Romans and pilgrims from several countries: the families, the parish groups, the Associations.
I greet the faithful of the diocese of Como, the young people participants in the meeting promoted by the Work of the Church <and> the Confirmation candidates of Prevalle.
I wish you all a happy Sunday. And please, don’t forget to pray for me.
Enjoy your lunch and goodbye!
© Libreria Editrice Vatican
https://zenit.org/articles/angelus-address-on-the-miraculous-healing-of-the-deaf-mute/
In a special way, old age is a time of grace, in which the Lord renews his call to us. He calls us to safeguard and transmit the faith. He calls us to pray, especially to intercede. He calls us to be close to those in need…. The elderly, and grandparents, have the ability to understand the most difficult of situations: a great ability! And when they pray for these situations, their prayer is strong; it is powerful!
—from the book The Blessing of Family
Pope Francis in Ireland
Love Freely Given
None of us can live without love. And a bad form of slavery to which we can all fall victim is that of thinking that love must be earned. Perhaps a good part of contemporary man’s anguish comes from this: believing that, if we are not strong, attractive and beautiful, no one will take care of us. Many people nowadays seek visibility only to fill an interior void, as though we were always in need of approval. However, can you imagine a world in which everyone is looking for ways to attract the attention of others, and in which no one is instead willing to freely give love to another person? Imagine a world like this: a world without freely given love! It appears to be a human world but in reality it is hellish. Much of mankind’s narcissism conceals a feeling of loneliness and orphan hood. Behind many forms of behaviour that seem to be unexplainable there lies a question: is it possible that I do not deserve to be called by name, that is, to be loved? Because love always calls [us] by name.
—Pope Francis, as quoted in Believe in Love: Inspiring Words from Pope Francis
https://northkerry.wordpress.com/2018/09/06/pope-francis-in-ireland-august-2018/
VISIT TO ST MARY'S PRO CATHEDRAL
ADDRESS OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral (Dublin) - Saturday, 25 August 2018
Good afternoon!
Dear friends,
I am pleased that we can meet in this historic Pro-Cathedral of Saint Mary’s, which has seen countless celebrations of the sacrament of matrimony over the years. Looking out at you, at your youth, I ask myself: so then it isn’t true what everybody says, that young people don’t want to get married! Thank you. Getting married and sharing one’s life is something beautiful. We have a saying in Spanish: “Sorrow shared by two is half a sorrow; joy shared by two is joy and a half”. That is what marriage is like.
POPE
Opening Ceremonies for World Meeting of Families 2018 will take place simultaneously across all 26 Dioceses of Ireland this evening 21 August, with the lead ceremony taking place in Dublin. The Opening Liturgy, entitled ‘Le chéile le Críost’ (together with Christ), will gather the Church as a family of families, setting the path of celebration for the entire World Meeting of Families that will culminate with the closing Papal Mass on Sunday 26th August. Details of diocesan opening ceremonies can be found on www.worldmeeting2018.ie.
The World Meeting of Families concludes with a Solemn Eucharistic Celebration that will gather individuals and families from all around the world in thanksgiving and communion. The Mass will mark the conclusion of the World Meeting of Families 2018 in Dublin and the next diocese to host the event in conjunction with the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life will be announced.
The main celebrant for the Final Mass will be Pope Francis. At the weekly general audience in St Peter’s Square on 21 March, the Holy Father announced that he will attend WMOF2018 and take part in the Festival of Families in Croke Park (25th August) and the Final Mass in the Phoenix Park (26th August). The Mass will start at 3 pm.
Pope Dublin Streets August 2018
Phoenix Park on Pope’s Visit August 2018
Celebrity priest James Martin, S.J. speaks at the World Meeting of Families in Dublin, Ireland. The topic of his presentation is “Showing Welcome and Respect in our Parishes for ‘LGBT’ People and their families.
https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2018/08/fr-martins-false-comfort
In a major piece entitled “Culture War as Class War”, Darel E. Paul argues persuasively that the culture war is deeply rooted in class distinctions. Paul, who is a professor of political science at Williams College, traces the development of anti-life, anti-family, and pro-sexual liberty values from the academic and WASP establishments that led in the acceptance of artificial contraception in the first half of the twentieth-century to the deadly combination of university, business, and political interests that lead the gay and transgender campaigns today.
https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/otc.cfm?id=1566
Dublin Croke Park and Pope’s Visit
WMOF2018 Office, Holy Cross Diocesan Centre, Clonliffe Road, Dublin 3, Ireland
Tel.: +353 1 567 6800
A number of additional events will run alongside the main WMOF2018 Programme. These events are free of charge and open to all. They are being run by other organisations especially for World Meeting of Families. We are delighted to invite pilgrims to read more and engage with these events:
Join the Limerick Street Party to welcome Pope Francis to Ireland. Kicking off at 3:30pm on Tuesday 21st August in St John's Square, Limerick, and concluding with a celebratory liturgy in St John's Cathedral.
As part of Pope Francis’s visit to Ireland for the ninth World Meeting of Families this month, the Holy Father will join with recently engaged and married couples at Saint Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Dublin on Saturday 24 August.
Email: info@worldmeeting2018.ie
https://www.worldmeeting2018.ie/en/Programme
Knock Shrine has a rich and fascinating history, both in the context of the Apparition and in its local and social history. It is best explored by a visit to the award-winning Knock Museum, which is located in the grounds of Knock Shrine and is open all year round. The remarkable story of Knock is told here in great detail, as well as the stories of all of the ordinary people who witnessed the Apparition in 1879.
The Story of Knock began on the 21st August, 1879 when, at approximately 8 o’clock in the evening, fifteen people from the village of Knock in Co. Mayo, witnessed an Apparition of Our Lady, St. Joseph, St. John the Evangelist, a Lamb and cross on an altar at the gable wall of the Parish Church.The witnesses watched the Apparition in the pouring rain for two hours, reciting the Rosary. Although they themselves were saturated not a single drop of rain fell on the gable or vision. There were fifteen official witnesses to the Apparition, most of whom were from the village of Knock and surrounding areas and ranged in age from just 5 years old to 74 years old. Each of the witnesses gave testimonies to a Commission of Enquiry in October 1879. The findings of the Commission were that the testimonies were both trustworthy and satisfactory.
https://www.knockshrine.ie/history/
Knock Shrine August 2018
The early Jesuit missionaries to China obtained many concessions from the Holy See to adapt Catholic rites and customs to the genius of the Chinese people. Beginning with Pope Paul V’s bull of 1615, permission was granted for a translation of the Roman Missal and Breviary into Chinese, for the continuation of ancestor worship (considered a merely political, social, and cultural practice, not a religious ceremony), and for other unique customs aimed at local inculturation.
http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2018/08/the-chinese-sacrificial-hat-and.html?m=1#.W3YxuZNKj-Z
Blessed Pope Paul VI spoke in English about the preparation of his encyclical "Humanae Vitae" during his general audience July 31, 1968.
http://blog.newadvent.org/2018/07/rare-footage-of-pope-paul-vi-speaking.html
Catholic News Article
Stars gather in Croke Park for launch of WMOF Festival of Families programme
The World Meeting of Families has today released details of the programme and some of the acts and artists who will join Pope Francis at the Festival of Families in Croke Park on Saturday 25 August. The World Meeting of Families is now only 33 days away, opening nationally on Tuesday 21 August.
The Festival of Families will be one of the highlights of the WMOF2018 and is choreographed as a celebration of family life. Families from 116 countries are set to be entertained at the WMOF2018 Festival of Families event in the presence of Pope Francis.
During the Festival Pope Francis will deliver an address to the families in the stadium and will hear five family testimonies. The testimonies will be shared by families from Ireland, Canada, India, Iraq and Africa. The themes of the family testimonies will focus on: forgiveness in family; strength in family; hope in family life; the intergenerational nature of families today and the impact of technology on family life. Pope Francis will meet each of these families and hear their stories.
The line-up announced today includes a cast of thousands and features community-based artists as well as some well-known local and international artists including Nathan Carter, The Riverdance Troupe, Dana Masters, Daniel O’Donnell, The Begley Family, The Priests, The Holy Family Deaf Choir and Deaftones, Celine Byrne, Paddy Moloney, Bridgie and Missy Collins and Moya Brennan.
As well as these artists the cast for the Festival of Families will include an orchestra in excess of 50 musicians; over 700 Irish, Sean Nós and contemporary dancers, including 500 from Irish dance schools across the country; a 1,000 strong choir; 100 community groups, and 300 flag bearers. More acts will be announced closer to the event.
Speaking at today’s launch in Croke Park, the President and Host of WMOF2018, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said, “One of the great attractions of Pope Francis is how he himself shows how the role of Pope can be unique in bringing the Christian message into our complex world. He shows us that he can live in a world where faith seems marginal and yet manages to touch hearts. He finds ways in which he can win hearts for what the teaching of Jesus involves, not through imposing and judging, but through winning and attracting. That is his real talent.”
The selection of themes and artists featured in the event reflect many of the priorities in the ministry of Pope Francis including homelessness and those on the margins; migrants and refugees; care for our common home and the importance of the family. Also unveiled today at the launch was the stage design for the event which will include a circle of encounter space where families will sit with Pope Francis to watch some of the presentations on stage.
Pope Francis will visit Ireland to take part in the ninth World Meeting of Families, which takes place in Dublin from 21–26 August on the theme, ‘The Gospel of the Family: Joy for the World’. The full schedule for the World Meeting of Families and the itinerary for Pope Francis’ visit, as well as information regarding transport and for those with accessibility requirements can be found on www.worldmeeting2018.ie.
This content is provided by www.catholicnews.ie, the news source for the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference. All queries relating to the article should be directed to bdrumm@catholicbishops.ie.
Pope in Ireland; 25-26 AUGUST 2018
Saturday 25 August 2018
ROMA-DUBLIN
08:15 Departure by plane from Rome/Fiumicino for Dublin
10:30 Arrival at Dublin International Airport
OFFICIAL WELCOME
10:45 Transfer to Áras an Uachtaráin
11:15 Arrival at the Presidential Residence
WELCOME CEREMONY in front of the main entrance of the Residence
11:30 COURTESY VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT in the Presidential Residence
12:00 Transfer to Dublin Castle
12:10 Arrival at Dublin Castle
MEETING WITH AUTHORITIES, CIVIL SOCIETY AND DIPLOMATIC CORPS in Dublin Castle - Speech of the Holy Father
15:30 Arrival at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral
https://www.worldmeeting2018.ie/en/Pope-Francis/Papal-Itinerary
Pope Francis has confirmed that he is to visit Ireland this August.
Speaking at his general audience today, the Pope stated that he will visit Ireland for the World Meeting of Families, being held in Dublin over August 21-26, culminating in a ‘Festival of Families’ and a closing Mass to be held in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.
The Pope will be attending the August 25 festival and will celebrate the closing Mass of the gathering of families, but further details of the trip have yet to be released.
https://www.irishcatholic.com/rome-confirms-popes-ireland-trip/
RALLY: Ireland Rally for Life. Now in its 11th Year, the All-Ireland Rally for Life is a
National yearly event. It’s a family-friendly rally that is a celebration of the pro-life message. The day begins with music, song and inspiring talks, and face-painting! This is then followed by the Rally which ends with speeches and music. It is an organised walk through the busy city centre of Dublin or Belfast (and more recently Cork City), witnessing to shoppers and members of the general public. We need you to be involved! The March to Save the 8th is taking place especially this year as our 8th amendment is under attack; its on the 10th March in Dublin City Centre, be there! The Aims of the Rally is to CELEBRATE life and the message of life. To RAISE AWARENESS of the hurt and damage that abortion causes to women, families and society. To UNITE all the pro-life groups and individuals working in Ireland so we can become one voice, as together we are stronger. For further information link on to https://rallyforlife.net/
For the latest Choose Life Newsletter link on to
https://www.catholicbishops.ie/2018/02/07/choose-life-2018-newsletter
Nov. 2017;
POPE: Fr. Séamus Enright, The Rector of the Redemptorists in Limerick, his parents came from Clounleharde, he had many relations in Moyvane area. Fr Séamus recently had an audience with the Pope in Rome.
POPE Francis has inaugurated a “World Day of the Poor”. The First celebration of that
Day occurs on November 19th. Pope Francis wants us already this coming week to reach out to the Poor around us. He writes, “It is my wish that, in the week preceding the World Day of the Poor, which falls this year on 19 November, the Thirty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time, Christian communities will make every effort to create moments of encounter and friendship, solidarity and concrete assistance.”
Pope Francis on November 2, 2017 –the Feast of All Souls — visited the American Cemetery of Nettuno and the site of the Ardeatine Massacre. He celebrated Mass at the site where 7,860 US soldiers are buried, arranged in soft arcs in wide green meadows under rows of Roman pines. The majority of these individuals died in the liberation of Sicily (from July 10 to August 17...
https://zenit.org/articles/holy-fathers-homily-at-american-cemetery-of-nettuno/
Smith's Weekly (Sydney, NSW : 1919 - 1950) Sat 16 Aug 1930 Page 13
PAPAL CONGRATULATIONS CABLED congratulations . from the Pope, sheaves of telegrams, and personal good wishes from Archbishop Mannix down, were received by Father J. J. Gallivan, of-Northcote (Vic.) when he -celebrated the golden jubilee of his ordination recently. Born in County Kerry, he arrived in Melbourne in November, 1880.: Forty-three of the "fifty years- have been passed in the Kllmore district. Three nephews are P.P.s in N.S.W.
Families 2018 Ireland
Pope Francis chose Ireland to host next year’s World Meeting of Families to make sure Irish Catholics would take part in a ‘revolution’ promoting marriage and family life, one of the Pope’s key advisors has said. … Speaking to The Irish Catholic about the Autumn 2018 event, Cardinal Kevin Farrell explained that Pope Francis is under no illusions about how family life in Ireland is changing in line with the rest of Europe. “He understands that – he doesn’t think that Ireland is some miracle,” he said. “Nobody thinks that, but he thinks there’s a great spirit in the Irish people of giving of themselves to others, and of taking leadership roles…”
Read more in an article by Greg Daly in the Irish Catholic.
12 May 2017; (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis’s plane touched down at Monte Real Air Base shortly before 4:30pm local time in Portugal.
http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/05/12/pope_francis_in_fatima_arrival_ceremony/1311840
A Word from Pope Francis
Selfishness leads nowhere and love frees. Those who are able to live their lives as a gift to give others will never be alone and will never experience the drama of the isolated conscience. Jesus says something remarkable to us: “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Love always takes this path: to give one’s life.
To live life as a gift, a gift to be given—not a treasure to be stored away. And Jesus lived it in this manner, as a gift. And if we live life as a gift, we do what Jesus wanted: “I appointed you that you should go and bear fruit.” So, we must not burn out life with selfishness. Judas’s attitude was contrary to the person who loves, for he never understood—poor thing— what a gift is. Judas was one of those people who does not act in altruism and who lives in his own world. On the contrary, when Mary Magdalene washed Jesus’s feet with nard—very costly—it is a religious moment, a moment of thanksgiving, a moment of love.
Pope
Human Trafficking
http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/04/03/pope_%E2%80%98human_trafficking_worsening/1303041
FAST ACTION POINTS FROM POPE FRANCIS
For our final week of Lent 2017 our delightful Pope has a few pointers for us.
“Fast from hurting words, choose kind words.
Fast from sadness and be-filled with gratitude.
Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
Fast from worries and trust in God.
Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.
Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy.
Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.
Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
Fast from words and be silent
–so you can listen.
LADY OF FATIMA CENTENNIAL STATUE FOR EUROPE: will visit the Diocese of Kerry on Saturday 25th March.2017. The Alliance of the Two Hearts commissioned six of these Statues which were blessed by Pope Francis in January, one for each continent. Statue at 9.30am St. John’s Church, Tralee. 7.00pm Church of the Resurrection, Killarney. One of the statues blessed on that day will be brought to Abbeyfeale Church on Friday, March 24. Mass will be celebrated at 7.00pm, there will be an opportunity for people to come and pray before the Centennial Statue prior to the 7.00pm Mass and for a short while afterwards.
VISIT of the international centennial Pilgrim Image
This year marks the 100 anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady in Fatima, On 11 January this year, Pope Francis blessed six statues of Our Lady of Fatima to be brought to each continent, to appeal for prayer and reparation for world peace and to promote the sanctity of family life in our world.
One of the statues blessed on that day will be brought to Abbeyfeale on Friday 24thMarch by representatives of the Alliance of the two Hearts. Mass will be celebrated at 7.00pm, and there
will be an opportunity for people to come and pray before the Centennial Statue prior to the 7.00pm Mass and for a short while afterwards. This year marks the 100th anniversary since Our Lady first appeared in Fatima, Portugal on 13 May 1917. The apparitions continued once until 13 Oct 1917. The Vatican has confirmed that the Holy Father Pope Francis will travel to Fatima to mark the centenary of the apparitions
LADY OF FATIMA CENTENNIAL STATUE FOR
EUROPE: will visit the Diocese of Kerry on Saturday 25th March. The Alliance of the Two
Hearts commissioned six of these Statues which were blessed by Pope Francis in January, one for
each continent. 9.30am St. John’s Church, Tralee. 3.00pm St. Kentigern’s Church, Eyeries.
7.00pm Church of the Resurrection, Killarney.
February 2017
POPE FRANCIS INVITES US TO CELEBRATE ST. VALENTINE’S DAY! In his document on The Joy of Love (Amoris Laetitia), Pope Francis refers directly to Saint Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to make the most of traditional religious practices, invite couples to grow in love and help their children to prepare for their future married life. This is why, as part of the preparations for World Meeting of Families in Ireland in August 2018, we invite you to mark this St. Valentine’s Day in a special way. You are also invited to subscribe to the WMOF2018 newsletter to receive the latest updates on preparations for World Meeting of Families 2018 by email http://www.worldmeeting2018.ie/contact and follow us on: Facebook www.facebook.com/wmof2018 and Twitter www.twitter.com/wmof2018.
Pope Francis
http://www.messenger.ie/pope-francis-at-80/
Pope Francis’ exhortation in the Apostolic Letter to all Consecrated People:
“Don’t be closed in on yourselves
Don’t be stifled by petty squabbles,
Don’t remain a hostage to your own problems.
You will find life by giving life,
Hope by giving hope, love by giving love.”
Pope Francis’ Five- Finger Prayer
Using the fingers on your right hand, start with the thumb and pray these intentions in this order.
( 1) The thumb is the closest finger to you. So start praying for those who are closest to you. They are the people easiest to remember. To pray for our dear ones is a “ Sweet Obligation.”
( 2 ) The next finger is the index. Pray for those who teach you, instruct you and heal you. They need the support and wisdom to show direction to others.
( 3 ) The following finger is the tallest. It reminds us of our leaders, the governors and those who have authority. They need God’s guidance.
( 4 ) The fourth finger is the ring finger. Even though it may surprise you, it is our weakest finger. It should remind us to pray for the weakest, the sick or those plagued by problems.
( 5 ) And finally we have our little finger, the smallest of all. This finger should remind you to pray for yourself. When you have finished praying for others, you will be able to see your own needs but in the proper perspective, and you will be able to pray for your own needs in a better way.
PADRE PIO’S PRAYER AFTER HOLY COMMUNION
Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak, and I need your strength,
Stay with me, Lord, because you are my life, and without you, I am without fervour.
Stay with me, Lord, because you are my light, and without you, I am in darkness.
Stay with me, Lord, so that I may hear your voice and follow you.
Stay with me, Lord, so that I may be faithful to you.
Stay with me, Lord, for it is getting late and the day is coming to a close,
Stay with me, Lord, and let me recognise you in this Holy Communion
as the disciples did at the breaking of bread. Stay with me, Lord, because
at the hour of my death, I want to remain united to you. Stay with me, Lord,
because I love you and ask no other reward but to love you on earth and during all eternity. Amen.
The Papal Visit by the Numbers
(excerpted from Love Is Our Mission: Pope Francis in America)
1,000,000 people at closing Mass in Philadelphia
80,000 tickets distributed to watch pope's drive through New York's Central Park
50,000 people on U.S. Capitol grounds to see the Holy Father
25,000 people at canonization Mass in Washington, D.C.
11,500 miles flown, door-to-door
8,000 pounds of potatoes bagged and delivered to D.C. soup kitchens by members of the Church of the Annuciation
71 inmates addressed by pope at Philadelphia's Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility
7 World Meeting of Family Congresses held before 2015
6 Fiat 500Ls, the pope's humble ride
2 Popemobiles, the pope's parade ride
1 pope
(ANGLELO RONCALLI) Pope John XX111
When Angelo was elected Pope John XX111 in 1958 he described how he felt when he made his first appearance on the balcony in St Peter’s Square. “I remember Jesus’ warning: “LEARN FROM ME, FOR I AM GENTLE AND HUMBLE OF HEART”. Dazzled by the television lights, I could see nothing but an amorphous, swaying mass. I blessed Rome and the world as though I were a blind man. As I came away; I thought of all the cameras and lights that, from now on, at every moment, would be directed at me. I said to myself: If you don’t remain a disciple of the gently and humble master, you’ll understand nothing even of temporal realities. Then Angelo you’ll really be blind!” If we look down our noses at others and don’t look up regularly at God, then we too will be really blind. Be humble and see – if you and I want to keep things in perspective, we have to stay close to the ground Pope John XX111 did that excellently.
NIGHT PRAYERS
Pope Francis told his weekly General Audience in St. Peter’s Square what his last prayer is just before going to bed. “Before going to sleep I pray, Lord if you want, you can purify me. And then I say five Our Father’s; one for each one of Jesus’ wounds, because by His wounds we are healed”. The wounds carried on the body of Jesus two on His Hands, two on His Feet and one on His Side,
POPE FRANCIS’ – THE JOY OF LOVE: The latest publication from Pope Francis on the Joy of Love has been hailed as inspirational and is most uplifting for all who profess to be followers of Christ. There is about 6,000 words in it.
VOCATIONS SUNDAY: This Sunday is Vocations Sunday when we pray for vocations to the Priesthood and religious life. The theme this year is ‘’The Church, Mother of Vocations’ Pope Francis has issued a pastoral message on www.vocations.ie. Full details for vocations for Kerry Diocese see www.dioceseofkerry.ie
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis 02 April 2016
Pope Francis has made a surprise announcement to dioceses around the world, on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday.
Addressing faithful in St. Peter’s Square at a Saturday evening prayer vigil for the Jubilee of Divine Mercy — 11 years to the day after the death of St. John Paul II — the pope announced his wish that, in every diocese, “a hospital, a home for the elderly, for abandoned children, a school where none exists, a home for the recovery of addicts,” or some similar structure be established as “a living memory” of the Year of Mercy.
The Pope said the idea came to him recently during a meeting with directors of a charitable agency. But he thought to himself: “I will share it in the square on Saturday.”
JP publiusnj • a day ago
It should not be forgotten that those Crusaders who did sack Constantinople were excommunicated by Innocent III. Here is a portion of his scathing letter to the Papal Legate who was in the Holy Land:
"How, indeed, will the church of the Greeks, no matter how severely she is beset with afflictions and persecutions, return into ecclesiastical union and to a devotion for the Apostolic See, when she has seen in the Latins only an example of perdition and the works of darkness, so that she now, and with reason, detests the Latins more than dogs? As for those who were supposed to be seeking the ends of Jesus Christ, not their own ends, who made their swords, which they were supposed to use against the pagans, drip with Christian blood, they have spared neither religion, nor age, nor sex. They have committed incest, adultery, and fornication before the eyes of men. They have exposed both matrons and virgins, even those dedicated to God, to the sordid lusts of boys...."
http://www.crisismagazine.com/2016/the-crusades-response-islamic-jihad
Joint Press Release of the Holy See and of the Patriarchate of Moscow
The Holy See and the Patriarchate of Moscow are pleased to announce that, by the grace of God, His Holiness Pope Francis and His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia will meet on February 12 next. Their meeting will take place in Cuba, where the Pope will make a stop on his way to Mexico, and where the Patriarch will be on an official visit. It will include a personal conversation at Havana’s José Martí International Airport, and will conclude with the signing of a joint declaration.
This meeting of the Primates of the Catholic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church, after a long preparation, will be the first in history and will mark an important stage in relations between the two Churches. The Holy See and the Moscow Patriarchate hope that it will also be a sign of hope for all people of good will. They invite all Christians to pray fervently for God to bless this meeting, that it may bear good fruits.
POPE:
PAPAL ENYCLICAL: Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has recently published his Encyclical on the Environment entitled Laudato Si (Praise be to him). This is the first time a pope has devoted one entirely to environmental issues. The pontiff unambiguously accepts the scientific consensus that changes in the climate are largely man-made, and also laments a loss of biodiversity and growing scarcities of safe water.
Francis is especially strong on the link between environmental problems and poverty, arguing that developing nations will bear the brunt of today’s ecological crisis and that poor people are ill-equipped to adapt to a changing climate. It’s essential, he insists, “to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.”
For Christians, Francis says, there’s a special obligation to care for “our common home” rooted in the Biblical idea of nature as God’s creation. Yet he says the message of Laudato Si is intended for all, because no one is exempt from the consequences when, as he puts it, the Earth begins “to look more and more like an immense pile of filth.” Fr. Donal Dorr, will be speaking on the Pope’s Encyclical in Killarney on the evening of 28th September 2015.
Pope to Knights of Columbus: Seek new ways of being a leaven in society
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met today with the Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, and later addressed the organization’s Board of Directors.
In his remarks, Pope Francis recalled the vision of the founder of the Knights of Columbus, Venerable Father Michael McGivney. He called on the Knights to “continue to seek new ways of being a leaven of the Gospel and a force for the spiritual renewal of society.”
The Pope expressed his gratitude “for the unfailing support which your Order has always given to the works of the Holy See.” In particular, he drew attention to the Knights’ Vicarius Christi Fund, which provides aid for the Pope’s personal charities. The Holy Father described the Fund as “an eloquent sign of your solidarity with the Successor of Peter in his concern for the universal Church” . . . a solidarity that “also seen in the daily prayers, sacrifices and Apostolic works” of the Knights of Columbus throughout the world.
“As the present Year of Faith draws to its close,” Pope Francis concluded, “I commend all of you in a special way to the intercession of Saint Joseph, the protector of the Holy Family of Nazareth, who is an admirable model of those manly virtues of quiet strength, integrity and fidelity which the Knights of Columbus are committed to preserving, cultivating and passing on to future generations of Catholic men.”
Text from page http://en.radiovaticana.va/articolo.asp?c=736036
of the Vatican Radio website
Vatican City, Sep 27, 2013 / 06:54 am (CNA/EWTN News).- During his daily homily Pope Francis reflected on the nature of what it means to be a Christian, saying that an authentic follower of Christ is able to endure difficulties with a positive attitude.
The Pope imparted his message to those gathered in the Vatican’s Santa Marta guesthouse for his daily Mass on Sept. 27.
Stressing the need and importance of sacrifice in the Christian’s life of faith, the Pope began his homily by reflecting on the Gospel reading from St. Luke where Jesus asks his disciples who they think he is.
Pope Francis recounted how it was after this question that Peter replies with his declaration that Jesus is the Christ, but that once Jesus warns of his upcoming passion and death, “Peter was frightened and scandalized.”
This attitude, said the pontiff, is “just like many Christians” who declare that “this will never happen to you, I will follow you up to this point.”
“This is the temptation of a spiritual wellbeing.”
Just like the rich young man from the gospel, “who wanted to follow Jesus but only up to a certain point,” the Pope explained that “the scandal of the Cross continues to block many Christians” who complain about the wrongdoings and insults they suffer, rather than following the way of the cross.
“The proof if somebody is a true Christian is his or her ability to endure humiliations with joy and patience.”
Concluding his homily, the Holy Father emphasized that it is our own choice “whether to be a Christian of well-being or a Christian close to Jesus,” who walks with him along the path of the cross.
(Vatican Radio) He who speaks ill of his neighbor is a hypocrite who lacks the courage to look to his own shortcomings. Speaking during his homily at morning Mass at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Pope Francis focused on the fact that gossip has a “criminal” side to it, because every time we speak ill of our brothers, we imitate Caine’s homicidal gesture.
The seed of Pope Francis’ homily on Friday was Jesus’s thought provoking query when he asked: “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” After having spoken about humility – he said – Jesus speaks to us of its opposite: “of that hateful attitude towards one’s neighbor when one becomes a “judge” of his brother”. In this context – the Pope points out – Jesus uses a strong word: “hypocrite”.
“Those who live judging their neighbor, speaking ill of their neighbor, are hypocrites, because they lack the strength and the courage to look to their own shortcomings. The Lord does not waste many words on this concept. Further on he says that he who has hatred in his heart for his brother is a murderer. In his first letter, John the Apostle also says it clearly: anyone who has hatred for his brother is a murderer, he walks in darkness, he who judges his brother walks in darkness”.
And so – Pope Francis continued – every time we judge our brothers in our hearts – or worse still when we speak ill of them with others, we are Christian murderers:
“A Christian murderer…. It’s not me saying this, it’s the Lord. And there is no place for nuances. If you speak ill of your brother, you kill your brother. And every time we do this, we are imitating that gesture of Caine, the first murderer in History”:
And the Pope added that in this time in history when there is much talk of war and so many pleas for peace, “a gesture of conversion on our own behalf is necessary”. “Gossip – he warned – always has a criminal side to it. There is no such thing as innocent gossip”. And quoting St. James the Apostle, the Pope said the tongue is to be used to praise God, “but when we use our tongue to speak ill of our brother or sister, we are using it to kill God”, “the image of God in our brother”. Some may say – the Pope commented – that there are persons who deserve being gossiped about. But it is not so:
“Go and pray for him! Go and do penance for her! And then, if it is necessary, speak to that person who may be able to seek remedy for the problem. But don’t tell everyone! Paul had been a sinner, and he says of himself: I was once a blasphemer, a persecutor, a violent man. But I have been mercifully treated”. Perhaps none of us are blasphemer – perhaps… But if we ever gossip we are certainly persecutors and violent. We ask for grace so that we and the entire Church may convert from the crime of gossip to love, to humility, to meekness, to docility, to the generosity of love towards our neighbor”.
Text from page http://en.radiovaticana.va/articolo.asp?c=728214
of the Vatican Radio website
POPE: The Pope called for a day of solidarity on Sat. Sept. 7th with the people of Syria through prayer and fasting.
8.4 million are in urgent need of humanitarian aid. 5.8 million forced to abandon their homes. 2 million seeking shelter in neighbouring countries.
The second part of Pope Francis’ in-flight press conference given on the papal plane from Brazil has been published in English by ZENIT
This isn’t the official translation which is yet to appear, though the Secretariat of State is said to be working on it.
Like the first part, the Holy Father’s words are revelatory. As reported widely elsewhere, he discusses the subject of homosexuality and “gay lobbies”; his wish to visit Asia, and travel to Jerusalem where he hopes to meet Patriarch Bartholomew; his call for a “profound theology of woman”; John Paul II’s definitive “no” to women priests; the canonization date for John XXIII and John Paul II; and his desire for a review of "matrimonial ministry."
But he also makes some other interesting remarks which have gained less attention:
• He says that once a bishop, there is “always the danger of thinking oneself superior to others, not as others, somewhat as a prince. These are dangers and sins.” But he adds that the work of a bishop is a good thing and he likes it; the bishop, he says, helps the faithful to go forward and aids communion. Pressed if he likes being Pope, he replies that he does – “if you do what the Lord wants, you are happy,” he says. “This is my sentiment, what I feel.”
• He talks about his wish to be walking the streets but understands it’s not possible. He says he was a “street priest” in Buenos Aires.
• He recalls how he “couldn’t stand” the charismatic renewal movement in the 1970s and 1980s, saying at the time that they confused “a liturgical celebration with a samba school.” But he says he repented of this when he got to know them better, and believes that now the movement has done so much good for the Church. Charismatic movements are a “grace” he says that not only prevent Catholics from joining Pentecostal sects, but serve the Church and renew her.
• Pope Francis speaks effusively of Benedict XVI, saying: “I love him so much. I’ve always loved him,” and that his resignation was an “example of [his] greatness.” He says he was aware of concerns that his predecessor might “encumber him”, or make a “revolution” against him, but says instead Benedict is like a “wise grandfather” to him. “When a grandfather is at home with a family, he is venerated, loved, listened to. He is a man of prudence! He doesn’t meddle,” he says, and reveals that he has telephoned Benedict when he has had a “difficulty or something I didn’t understand.” Again he repeats: “He [Benedict] is a great man, he is great!”
• In answer to another question, he insists his spirituality remains that of a Jesuit, not a Franciscan.
• Asked about the best and worst moments of being Pope so far, he highlights a recent meeting with Italian bishops at the end of their ad limina visit, his visit to Lampedusa (“something to weep about” but which “did me good”), his meetings with students of the Jesuit colleges, and his encounters with seminarians and women religious which was “very lovely.” The worst thing: he had “very painful sciatic” in the first month after his election which he doesn't “wish on anyone!”
• What surprised him most? “The good people I’ve met…so many good people, so many good people, but good, good, good!”
• The Pope tells the reporters he misses Buenos Aires “at times” but that it is a “serene missing.”
• Asked about the Orthodox Churches, Pope Francis says they keep a “pristine liturgy, so beautiful” and that in contrast “we have lost a bit the sense of adoration.” God is at the center of the Orthodox Church, he affirms, and they have a “richness.” Consumerism has done us “much harm”, he says, adding: “so many times the ‘luxus’ of the West makes us lose the horizon.” He says we must all “read and reread” Dostoyevksy because “he has wisdom” and one can perceive “what the Russian spirit is.”
Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/english-translation-of-second-part-of-papal-press-conference#ixzz2bD3eJGzs
Lumen Fidei: A Summary on Pope Francis' First Encyclical
http://www.focus.org/blog/posts/lumen-fidei-a-summary.html
Prayer of St. Francis
in celebration of the inauguration of Pope Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
HOMILY OF POPE FRANCIS
THE EASTER VIGIL IN THE HOLY NIGHT
ST PETER'S BASILICA
30 MARCH 2013
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
1. In the Gospel of this radiant night of the Easter Vigil, we first meet the women who go the tomb of Jesus with spices to anoint his body (cf. Lk 24:1-3). They go to perform an act of compassion, a traditional act of affection and love for a dear departed person, just as we would. They had followed Jesus, they had listened to his words, they had felt understood by him in their dignity and they had accompanied him to the very end, to Calvary and to the moment when he was taken down from the cross. We can imagine their feelings as they make their way to the tomb: a certain sadness, sorrow that Jesus had left them, he had died, his life had come to an end. Life would now go on as before. Yet the women continued to feel love, the love for Jesus which now led them to his tomb. But at this point, something completely new and unexpected happens, something which upsets their hearts and their plans, something which will upset their whole life: they see the stone removed from before the tomb, they draw near and they do not find the Lord’s body. It is an event which leaves them perplexed, hesitant, full of questions: “What happened?”, “What is the meaning of all this?” (cf. Lk 24:4). Doesn’t the same thing also happen to us when something completely new occurs in our everyday life? We stop short, we don’t understand, we don’t know what to do. Newness often makes us fearful, including the newness which God brings us, the newness which God asks of us. We are like the Apostles in the Gospel: often we would prefer to hold on to our own security, to stand in front of a tomb, to think about someone who has died, someone who ultimately lives on only as a memory, like the great historical figures from the past. We are afraid of God’s surprises; we are afraid of God’s surprises! He always surprises us!
Dear brothers and sisters, let us not be closed to the newness that God wants to bring into our lives! Are we often weary, disheartened and sad? Do we feel weighed down by our sins? Do we think that we won’t be able to cope? Let us not close our hearts, let us not lose confidence, let us never give up: there are no situations which God cannot change, there is no sin which he cannot forgive if only we open ourselves to him.
2. But let us return to the Gospel, to the women, and take one step further. They find the tomb empty, the body of Jesus is not there, something new has happened, but all this still doesn’t tell them anything certain: it raises questions; it leaves them confused, without offering an answer. And suddenly there are two men in dazzling clothes who say: “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; but has risen” (Lk 24:5-6). What was a simple act, done surely out of love – going to the tomb – has now turned into an event, a truly life-changing event. Nothing remains as it was before, not only in the lives of those women, but also in our own lives and in the history of mankind. Jesus is not dead, he has risen, he is alive! He does not simply return to life; rather, he is life itself, because he is the Son of God, the living God (cf. Num 14:21-28; Deut 5:26; Josh 3:10). Jesus no longer belongs to the past, but lives in the present and is projected towards the future; he is the everlasting “today” of God. This is how the newness of God appears to the women, the disciples and all of us: as victory over sin, evil and death, over everything that crushes life and makes it seem less human. And this is a message meant for me and for you, dear sister, dear brother. How often does Love have to tell us: Why do you look for the living among the dead? Our daily problems and worries can wrap us up in ourselves, in sadness and bitterness… and that is where death is. That is not the place to look for the One who is alive!
Let the risen Jesus enter your life, welcome him as a friend, with trust: he is life! If up till now you have kept him at a distance, step forward. He will receive you with open arms. If you have been indifferent, take a risk: you won’t be disappointed. If following him seems difficult, don’t be afraid, trust him, be confident that he is close to you, he is with you and he will give you the peace you are looking for and the strength to live as he would have you do.
3. There is one last little element that I would like to emphasize in the Gospel for this Easter Vigil. The women encounter the newness of God. Jesus has risen, he is alive! But faced with empty tomb and the two men in brilliant clothes, their first reaction is one of fear: “they were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground,” Saint Luke tells us – they didn’t even have courage to look. But when they hear the message of the Resurrection, they accept it in faith. And the two men in dazzling clothes tell them something of crucial importance: “Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee… And they remembered his words” (Lk 24:6,8). They are asked to remember their encounter with Jesus, to remember his words, his actions, his life; and it is precisely this loving remembrance of their experience with the Master that enables the women to master their fear and to bring the message of the Resurrection to the Apostles and all the others (cf. Lk 24:9). To remember what God has done and continues to do for me, for us, to remember the road we have travelled; this is what opens our hearts to hope for the future. May we learn to remember everything that God has done in our lives.
On this radiant night, let us invoke the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who treasured all these events in her heart (cf. Lk 2:19,51) and ask the Lord to give us a share in his Resurrection. May he open us to the newness that transforms. May he make us men and women capable of remembering all that he has done in our own lives and in the history of our world. May he help us to feel his presence as the one who is alive and at work in our midst. And may he teach us each day not to look among the dead for the Living One. Amen.
POPE Francis told thousands of journalists 16 March 2013, “I love you so much and I thank you for all that you have done,” Pope Francis told over 5,000 journalists today at Paul VI Hall in the Vatican. “We aren’t called to communicate about ourselves, but on this trinity of truth, goodness and beauty,”
"This is the first lesson of Catholics in Asia. For us, the vitality of the Church is not measured by how many Catholics there are but by the quality of faith," Manila archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle.
COLUMBAN: The year 2015 sees the 1400th anniversary of the death of St Columban (Columbanus)
The project Columbanus' Life & Legacy seeks to explore the connections between Ireland and Europe resulting from the life and legacy of St. Columbanus (c. 540-615).
On Saturday morning, 9 March 2013, a mob of about 7,000 looted and set fire to Joseph Colony, a Christian residential area near Badami Bagh in central Lahore. At least 160 houses belonging to Christian families, 18 shops and two churches, one Catholic and the other Seventh day Adventist, were burnt.
The immediate reason was that a Christian man in his 20s, Sawan Masih, was accused of blasphemy against Muhammad which is punishable by death under 295-C [Blasphemy Laws] of the Penal Code of Pakistan. Sawan was arrested by police on Friday 8 March 2013 and sent to jail by the magistrate.
Home Far East Magazine Jan-Feb 2013 Montesino’s Denunciation
Montesino’s Denunciation
By Fr Cyril Lovett
One Eventful Sunday
On 21 December 1511, on the island of Española (today divided between the Dominican Republic and Haiti) an extraordinary event took place. A small group of Dominican Missionaries were about to change history by means of a homily. During Mass on that particular Sunday, Friar Antonio de Montesinos, made a statement on behalf of the whole Dominican community to the Spanish authorities of the New World. He declared that the indigenous people were true human beings, that they had ‘rational souls’, and that the Spaniards were obliged to love them as they loved their equals. This key moment has been regarded by many as the birth of today’s struggle for human rights. The Background
Friar Antonio and his three companions had arrived barely one year before. They had been horrified at the way their fellow-Spaniards were treating the indigenous people. Pope Alexander VI had given over the whole of Latin America to the Spaniards on condition that they would evangelise those peoples. King Ferdinand and Queen Isobela of Spain had threatened to punish those who did not ‘treat these people well and in a loving manner’. Royal mandates were one thing, what happened on the ground on the other side of the known world, was something very different.
The astonished congregation on that Sunday morning could not believe what they were hearing. “How can you dare treat these unfortunate people so badly?” asked Friar Antonio. “How can you so oppress and overwork them without giving them sufficient food, or curing their ills, so that you are in fact killing them for the sake of gold every day? Have they not got souls? Are you not bound to love them as much as yourselves?” The authorities could hardly wait for Mass to finish. The Royal officials immediately visited the Governor and then went to the Dominican house to apprehend the preacher and demand that he be punished “as a scandal, a preacher of an unheard of doctrine”.
The Follow-up
Then the Superior, Friar Pedro de Cordoba, revealed that the homily had been prepared by the whole community, and that the homily was more than merited because Spaniards were treating the Indians “as if they were the beasts of the field”. The authorities replied with a threat: either the friar would recant all that he had said on the following Sunday, or else the whole Dominican community could pack its bags.
One week later Friar Antonio again climbed the pulpit, but far from retracting anything he had said, he declared that the Dominicans would not absolve anyone who continued to treat the Indians in such a tyrannical manner. They were free to write to whomsoever they wished in Spain to complain. As he finished his homily, the whole congregation turned against the friars.
Why Such a Strong Reaction?
You may well ask why did Friar Antonio’s homily cause such a reaction? Despite Pope Paul III’s Bull Sublime Deus, which had clearly declared the indigenous peoples of the New World fully human beings with all the rights of Christians, the conquerors had argued for a ‘just war’ against the Indians on the grounds that they were clearly inferior. They argued that because the Indians practiced polygamy, idolatory, or ‘other sins against nature’ they had lost the right to liberty, to hold property, to embrace Christianity etc. People were still following Aristotle's opinion that slavery was ‘the natural condition of some human beings’.
And, in fact the lack of manpower to work the mines and cane-fields would give rise to the shameful commerce of African slaves to both North and South America until the late 19th century, at the cost of millions of human lives.
The Consequences
As for the Dominicans of Española, how did their story end? The authorities denounced them to King Ferdinand who told their Provincial in Spain to order the friars to be silent. Three letters were sent ordering them to stop preaching such a doctrine or else return to Spain. Antonio de Montesinos and his superior Pedro de Cordoba returned to Spain to make their case before the King. They had some success because by 1512, 35 laws and ordinances were issued concerning the indigenous: they were free in principle, had the right to own houses and lands, had the right to just remuneration for their labours, and the right to rest for forty days after every five months of work. The Dominicans were not satisfied with these measures. Friar Pedro died of tuberculosis in Santo Domingo in 1521. Friar Antonio, died at the age of 55, in 1540, after evangelising Puerto Rico and Venezuela.
One Happy Result
One Spaniard converted by the famous sermon was Bartolomé de las Casas, who freed his slaves, shared his lands among them, and became a Dominican. Later as Bishop of Chiapas, Mexico, he became the most famous defendant of the indigenous peoples of Latin America. It was extremely difficult to change the mode of action of the Spaniards in the New World, particularly when changing their attitudes to the indigenous involved loss of profits. Proof of this is that almost 40 years later, in 1550, las Casas was still fighting the same battles back in Spain in a series of celebrated debates with Juan Ginés de Sepulveda. And almost five hundred years later, another prophetic Spaniard, Bishop of San Cristobal de las Casas, Dom Samuel Ruiz (1924-2011), was still fighting for justice for the indigenous peoples.
Pope Lebanon
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/15/us-pope-lebanon-idUSBRE88E07720120915
Reuters) - Pope Benedict urged multi-faith Lebanon on Saturday to be a model of religious peace for the Middle East, as a civil war raged in neighboring Syria, deepening sectarian divisions.
"Lebanon is called, now more than ever, to be an example," he told political and religious leaders on the second day of a visit that coincided with violent protests across the Muslim world against a U.S.-made film insulting Islam.
Lebanon - torn apart by a 1975-1990 sectarian civil war - is a religious mosaic of over four million people whose Muslim majority includes Sunnis, Shi'ites and Alawites. Christians, over one-third of the population, are divided into more than a dozen churches, six of them linked to the Vatican.
The German-born pontiff, 85, delivered his morning speech in French at the presidential palace after meeting President Michel Suleiman, a Maronite Christian, Sunni Prime Minister Najib Mikati and parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri, a Shi'ite.
At a rally later in the day, he told thousands of cheering young people not to let discrimination, unemployment and instability drive them abroad and reminded young Syrian Christians in the crowd that "the pope has not forgotten you."
Addressing young Muslims also there, he said "together with young Christians, you are the future of this fine country and of the Middle East in general. Seek to built it up together!"
Peace between warring factions and among the many religious groups in the Middle East has been a central theme of Benedict's visit, along with his call to Christians not to leave the region despite war and growing pressure from radical Islamists.
Amira Chabchoul, a Muslim onlooker outside the palace said: "We came to support the pope and also get support from him, because our experience has been that when we listen to him, we are touched and we are helped in our lives."
CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS
On Friday, protesters against the anti-Islam film dodged gunfire and tear gas to hurl stones at security forces in Lebanon's Tripoli where one demonstrator was killed. Protesters chanted "We don't want the pope" and "No more insults"
A Vatican spokesman said the pope was being kept informed of protests against the film, circulated on the Internet under several titles including "Innocence of Muslims".
Benedict began his visit on Friday with a call for an end to all arms supplies to Syria, where the tiny Christian minority fears reprisals if Islamists come to power at the end of the bloody insurgency against President Bashar al-Assad.
He also described the Arab Spring movement as a "cry for freedom" that was a positive development as long as it ensured tolerance for all religions.
Coptic Christians, about 10 percent of Egypt's population, have come under repeated attack by Islamists since the overthrow of former President Hosni Mubarak. They worry the new government will strengthen Islamic law in the new constitution.
In Egypt, Libya and Tunisia, hardline Salafis have brought a new religious intolerance against fellow Muslims such as Sufis, whose shrines they are destroying as heretical.
"If we want peace, let us defend life," Benedict said. "This approach leads us to reject not only war and terrorism, but every assault on innocent human life."
FATEFUL CIRCUMSTANCES
The pope held a private meeting with leaders of the Sunni, Shi'ite and Alawite Muslim communities and of the Druze, an offshoot of Shi'ism with other influences.
Chief Mufti Mohammad Rashid Qabbani, the supreme Sunni leader, praised him for visiting "in these fateful circumstances that Lebanon and the region are living through" and stressed the common goals of both faiths "in the whole Arab world".
"The flight of Christians hurts us Muslims because it means we cannot live with others," he said. Emigration, wars and a low birth rate have cut Christian ranks to 5 percent of the Middle Eastern population compared with 20 percent a century ago.
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai told the pope that young Christians in the Middle East were suffering political and social crises that tested their faith.
"Their concerns grow in the face of ... rising religious fundamentalism that believes neither in the right to be different nor in the freedom of conscience or religion, and that resorts to violence as the only way to reach its goals," he said.
At a youth rally outside the Maronite Patriarchate on a mountaintop overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, Benedict said Middle Eastern Christians had the honor of living in the region where Jesus was born and Christianity began.
Benedict urged the region's young Christians not to "taste the sweet bitterness of emigration".
About 250 Chaldean and Syriac Christians from Iraq waved Iraqi and Kurdish flags as the pope arrived with Rai in his gleaming white popemobile. A giant rosary made of balloons floated above the waiting crowd.
"We flew here three days ago to see him," said Nuhaya Bassam, 33, from Baghdad. "It's definitely worth the hassle, to us, he's God's representative on Earth."
"If anyone needs him right now, it's the Christians of the Middle east," said an Irbil man named Hani, 24.
A Syrian student priest, Khudr Samaan, said he was thrilled to see the pope and he wanted to tell fellow Syrians not to be afraid.
"My family couldn't make it here because of the difficult conditions," he said. "I don't think I could make it back to them if I tried, either, so I'm stuck here a while."
(Writing by Tom Heneghan; Additional reporting by Laila Bassam; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)
SAVED Jews from Hitler http://www.romereports.com/palio/a-priest-who-saved-hundreds-of-jews-during-wwii-by-disguising-them-as-seminarians-english-7439.html#.UB6_EqDHlc1 August 5, 2012. (Romereports.com) In 1943, in the midst of the Second World War, Pius XII urged Catholic institutions to help Jews who were being persecuted by Hitler's Nazi regime.
Here in Rome, one of the many people who risked their lives was Francesco Bertoglio, who back then served as the rector of the Pontifical Lombard Seminary. The current president says that hundreds of Jews were sneaked in. They were dressed as seminarians to make them blend in. But even so, there were people, who were spying from the outside the seminary.
TULLIO CITRINI
Rector, Pontifical Lombard Seminary
“One night, just before Christmas in 1943, Hitler supporters came in and took away several of the Jews. Not many really, because they were well hidden.”
The former rector tried to stop it. He said the seminary was a neutral zone and German troops were forbidden to enter. However, his resistance only led to his arrest.
TULLIO CITRINI
Rector, Pontifical Lombard Seminary
“That night, they also took the rector. He was later set free because Monsignor Montini, from the Vatican's Secretariat of State, sent someone on his behalf, so that German troops, would release him.”
Others managed to escape by taking a tram in this plaza and then hiding in Rome's St. Mary Major Basilica.
Still, more than 70 years later, the courage of this priest, in risking his life to save the life of persecuted Jews, is still recognized. When he was ordained a bishop, he wore this cross, which is actually a gift that was given to him, by the Jews he saved.
Francesco Bertoglio, died in 1970. Thirty one years later, the State of Israel issued the “Righteous Among the Nations” honor for risking his life for the Jewish people.
God bless our Pope!
For like the sparks of unseen fire
That spark along the magic wire,
From home to home, from heart to heart,
These words of countless children dart:
God bless our Pope!
God bless our Pope!
God bless our Pope!
The great, the good!
Saint Oliver Plunkett
Saint Oliver Plunkett (1 November 1625 - 1 July 1681) was the Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland. He maintained his duties in Ireland in the face of English persecution and was eventually arrested and tried for treason in London. He was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn on 1 July 1681, and became the last Roman Catholic martyr to die in England. Oliver Plunkett was beatified in 1920 and canonised in 1975, the first new Irish saint for almost seven hundred years.
http://www.saintoliverplunkett.com/gallery.html
POPE Pius xi
Andrea Tornielli
Rome
It was October 2, 1931, eighty years ago. Pius XI published an encyclical, Nova impendet, of amazing relevance in this time of crisis and unemployment. SIR, the Religious Information Service run by Paolo Bustaffa, remembers him recalling a document issued by Pope Ratti. I submit here a few excerpts from the encyclical.
"A new scourge threatens - indeed, it has already in large measure smitten - the flock entrusted to Us. It strikes most heavily at those who are the most tender and are Our most dearly beloved; upon the children, the proletariat, the artisans and the "have-nots". We are speaking of the grave financial crisis which weighs down the peoples and is accelerating the frightful increase in unemployment in every land. We behold multitudes of honest workers condemned to idleness and want, when all they desire is an opportunity to earn for themselves and their families that daily bread which the divine command bids them ask of their Father Who is in heaven. Their cry is in Our ears."
"These things Our fatherly heart cannot behold without anxiety. Therefore, as Our predecessors have done in like circumstances, especially Our immediate predecessor, Benedict XV, of holy memory, We raise Our voice and direct Our appeal to all those in whom Faith and Christian charity are lively: Our call is to a Crusade of charity and of succour. Which, by caring for bodies and comforting souls, will bring to pass a re-birth of quiet confidence, will put to flight the deadly counsels which misery engenders, and will quench the flames of hatred and passion putting in their place the ardours of love and of concern to the end that the peoples, linked in the noble bond of peace, may move forward towards individual and collective prosperity."
"It is then to a crusade of piety and love – and certainly of sacrifice too - that we rally all the sons of the one Father, all the members of the one great family, which is the family of God himself. It belongs to the sons and to those members of the one family to share not only in the common joys, but also in the common sorrows."
"To this Crusade we summon all, as to a sacred duty. For Charity is a formal commandment of the evangelical law which Jesus Himself proclaimed as the first and greatest commandment, including and summing up all the others. In days of War and of implacable hatred, Our immediate predecessor so strongly and so often inculcated Charity that it became the mark of his pontificate."
“As an effect of rivalry between peoples, there is an insensate competition in armaments which, in its turn, becomes the cause of enormous expenditure, diverting large sums of money from public welfare; and this makes the present crisis more acute. Therefore We cannot refrain from renewing and from making Our own the solemn warnings of Our predecessor, which have, alas! not been heeded, as well as our own words, We exhort you all, Venerable Brethren, to busy yourselves with the work of enlightening public opinion in this matter, by all the means at your disposal, including both pulpit and press, so that the hearts of men may be turned towards the dictates of right reason, and, still more, to the laws of Christ.”
POPE intentions; Teachers. That all teachers may know how to communicate the love of truth and instill authentic moral and spiritual values. Church in Asia. That the Christian communities of Asia may proclaim the Gospel with fervor, witnessing to its beauty with the joy of faith.
VOCATIONS: Sunday, September 25th is Priesthood Sunday. contact Vocations Director, Fr Liam Lovell on 087 1640967 or
e-mail: liam.lovell@yahoo.ie
Prayer of the Month
Heavenly Father, you promised that
those who instruct others in the ways of
wisdom will shine like the stars for all
eternity. Fill the hearts and minds of
teachers with true knowledge and give
the very existence of true and lasting
them the ability to share the truth with
their students. May the Holy Spirit open
the minds of all people so that they may
more readily recognize the truth and hold
fast to it in the midst of a world that denies
values. Amen.
Georges Danton, he converted to the Catholic Faith thanks in part to his wife. He was arrested by the revolution for daring to demand that the continued massacre of people end. So on April 5, 1794 he was guillotined, He said:
I leave it all in a frightful welter; not a man of them has an idea of government. Robespierre will follow me; he is dragged down by me. Ah, better be a poor fisherman than meddle with the government of men!
Pope speaks at Seminarians Mass, Spain, Aug. 20th 2011.
I am very pleased to celebrate Holy Mass with you who aspire to be Christ’s priests for the service of the Church and of man, and I thank you for the kind words with which you welcomed me. Today, this holy cathedral church of Santa María La Real de la Almudena is like a great Upper Room, where the Lord greatly desires to celebrate the Passover with you who wish one day to preside in his name at the mysteries of salvation.
Looking at you, I again see proof of how Christ continues to call young disciples and to make them his apostles, thus keeping alive the mission of the Church and the offer of the Gospel to the world. As seminarians you are on the path towards a sacred goal: to continue the mission which Christ received from the Father. Called by him, you have followed his voice and, attracted by his loving gaze, you now advance towards the sacred ministry. Fix your eyes upon him who through his incarnation is the supreme revelation of God to the world and who through his resurrection faithfully fulfills his promise. Give thanks to him for this sign of favour in which he holds each one of you.
The first reading which we heard shows us Christ as the new and eternal priest who made of himself a perfect offering. The response to the psalm may be aptly applied to him since, at his coming into the world, he said to the Father, “Here I am to do your will” (cf. Ps 39:8). He tried to please him in all things: in his words and actions, along the way or welcoming sinners. His life was one of service and his longing was a constant prayer, placing himself in the name of all before the Father as the first-born son of many brothers and sisters. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews states that, by a single offering, he brought to perfection for all time those of us who are called to share his sonship (cf. Heb 10:14).
The Eucharist, whose institution is mentioned in the Gospel just proclaimed (cf. Lk 22:14-20), is the real expression of that unconditional offering of Jesus for all, even for those who betrayed him. It was the offering of his body and blood for the life of mankind and for the forgiveness of sins. His blood, a sign of life, was given to us by God as a covenant, so that we might apply the force of his life wherever death reigns due to our sins, and thus destroy it. Christ’s body broken and his blood outpoured – the surrender of his freedom – became through these Eucharistic signs the new source of mankind’s redeemed freedom. In Christ, we have the promise of definitive redemption and the certain hope of future blessings. Through Christ we know that we are not walking towards the abyss, the silence of nothingness or death, but are rather pilgrims on the way to a promised land, on the way to him who is our end and our beginning.
Dear friends, you are preparing yourselves to become apostles with Christ and like Christ, and to accompany your fellow men and women along their journey as companions and servants.
How should you behave during these years of preparation? First of all, they should be years of interior silence, of unceasing prayer, of constant study and of gradual insertion into the pastoral activity and structures of the Church. A Church which is community and institution, family and mission, the creation of Christ through his Holy Spirit, as well as the result of those of us who shape it through our holiness and our sins. God, who does not hesitate to make of the poor and of sinners his friends and instruments for the redemption of the human race, willed it so. The holiness of the Church is above all the objective holiness of the very person of Christ, of his Gospel and his sacraments, the holiness of that power from on high which enlivens and impels it. We have to be saints so as not to create a contradiction between the sign that we are and the reality that we wish to signify.
Meditate well upon this mystery of the Church, living the years of your formation in deep joy, humbly, clear-mindedly and with radical fidelity to the Gospel, in an affectionate relation to the time spent and the people among whom you live. No one chooses the place or the people to whom he is sent, and every time has its own challenges; but in every age God gives the right grace to face and overcome those challenges with love and realism. That is why, no matter the circumstances in which he finds and however difficult they may be, the priest must grow in all kinds of good works, keeping alive within him the words spoken on his Ordination day, by which he was exhorted to model his life on the mystery of the Lord’s cross.
To be modeled on Christ, dear seminarians, is to be identified ever more closely with him who, for our sake, became servant, priest and victim. To be modeled on him is in fact the task upon which the priest spends his entire life. We already know that it is beyond us and we will not fully succeed but, as St Paul says, we run towards the goal, hoping to reach it (cf. Phil 3:12-14).
That said, Christ the High Priest is also the Good Shepherd who cares for his sheep, even giving his life for them (cf. Jn 10:11). In order to liken yourselves to the Lord in this as well, your heart must mature while in seminary, remaining completely open to the Master. This openness, which is a gift of the Holy Spirit, inspires the decision to live in celibacy for the sake of the kingdom of heaven and, leaving aside the world’s goods, live in austerity of life and sincere obedience, without pretence.
Ask him to let you imitate him in his perfect charity towards all, so that you do not shun the excluded and sinners, but help them convert and return to the right path. Ask him to teach you how to be close to the sick and the poor in simplicity and generosity. Face this challenge without anxiety or mediocrity, but rather as a beautiful way of living our human life in gratuitousness and service, as witnesses of God made man, messengers of the supreme dignity of the human person and therefore its unconditional defenders. Relying on his love, do not be intimidated by surroundings that would exclude God and in which power, wealth and pleasure are frequently the main criteria ruling people’s lives. You may be shunned along with others who propose higher goals or who unmask the false gods before whom many now bow down. That will be the moment when a life deeply rooted in Christ will clearly be seen as something new and it will powerfully attract those who truly search for God, truth and justice.
Under the guidance of your formators, open your hearts to the light of the Lord, to see if this path which demands courage and authenticity is for you. Approach the priesthood only if you are firmly convinced that God is calling you to be his ministers, and if you are completely determined to exercise it in obedience to the Church’s precepts.
With this confidence, learn from him who described himself as meek and humble of heart, leaving behind all earthly desire for his sake so that, rather than pursuing your own good, you build up your brothers and sisters by the way you live, as did the patron saint of the diocesan clergy of Spain, St John of Avila. Moved by his example, look above all to the Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests. She will know how to mould your hearts according to the model of Christ, her divine Son, and she will teach you how to treasure for ever all that he gained on Calvary for the salvation of the world. Amen.
Announcement of the Holy Father
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
With great joy, here in this Cathedral Church of Santa María La Real de la Almudena, I announce to the People of God that, having acceded to the desire expressed by Cardinal Antonio María Rouco Varela, Archbishop of Madrid and President of the Bishops’ Conference of Spain, together with the members of the Spanish episcopate and other Archbishops and Bishops from throughout the world, as well as many of the lay faithful, I will shortly declare Saint John of Avila a Doctor of the universal Church.
In making this announcement here, I would hope that the word and the example of this outstanding pastor will enlighten all priests and those who look forward to the day of their priestly ordination.
I invite everyone to look to St John of Avila and I commend to his intercession the Bishops of Spain and those of the whole world, as well as all priests and seminarians. As they persevere in the same faith which he taught, may they model their hearts on that of Jesus Christ the good Shepherd, to whom be glory and honour for ever. Amen.
Pope Benedict XVI attends the Via Crucis in the Plaza de Cibeles Aug 2011.
Dear young people, we have celebrated this Way of the Cross with fervour and devotion, following Christ along the path of his passion and death. The commentaries of the Little Sisters of the Cross, who serve the poor and most needy, have helped us enter into the mystery of Christ’s glorious Cross, wherein is found God’s true wisdom which judges the world and judges those who consider themselves wise (cf. 1 Cor 1:17-19).
We have also been assisted on this journey to Calvary by our contemplation of these wonderful images from the religious patrimony of the Spanish dioceses. In these images, faith and art combine so as to penetrate our heart and summon us to conversion. When faith’s gaze is pure and authentic, beauty places itself at its service and is able to depict the mysteries of our salvation in such a way as to move us profoundly and transform our hearts, as St Teresa of Jesus herself experienced while contemplating an image of the wounded Christ (cf. Autobiography, 9:1).
As we were making our way with Jesus towards the place of his sacrifice on Mount Calvary, the words of Saint Paul came to mind: “Christ loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20). In the face of such disinterested love, we find ourselves asking, filled with wonder and gratitude: What can we do for him? What response shall we give him? Saint John puts it succinctly: “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 Jn 3:16). Christ’s passion urges us to take upon our own shoulders the sufferings of the world, in the certainty that God is not distant or far removed from man and his troubles. On the contrary, he became one of us “in order to suffer with man in an utterly real way — in flesh and blood … hence in all human suffering we are joined by one who experiences and carries that suffering with us; hence con-solatio is present in all suffering, the consolation of God’s compassionate love — and so the star of hope rises” (Spe Salvi, 39).
Dear young friends, may Christ’s love for us increase your joy and encourage you to go in search of those less fortunate. You are open to the idea of sharing your lives with others, so be sure not to pass by on the other side in the face of human suffering, for it is here that God expects you to give of your very best: your capacity for love and compassion. The different forms of suffering that have unfolded before our eyes in the course of this Way of the Cross are the Lord’s way of summoning us to spend our lives following in his footsteps and becoming signs of his consolation and salvation. “To suffer with the other and for others; to suffer for the sake of truth and justice; to suffer out of love and in order to become a person who truly loves — these are fundamental elements of humanity, and to abandon them would destroy man himself” (ibid.).
Let us eagerly welcome these teachings and put them into practice. Let us look upon Christ, hanging on the harsh wood of the Cross, and let us ask him to teach us this mysterious wisdom of the Cross, by which man lives. The Cross was not a sign of failure, but an expression of self-giving in love that extends even to the supreme sacrifice of one’s life. The Father wanted to show his love for us through the embrace of his crucified Son: crucified out of love. The Cross, by its shape and its meaning, represents this love of both the Father and the Son for men. Here we recognize the icon of supreme love, which teaches us to love what God loves and in the way that he loves: this is the Good News that gives hope to the world.
Let us turn our gaze now to the Virgin Mary, who was given to us on Calvary to be our Mother, and let us ask her to sustain us with her loving protection along the path of life, particularly when we pass through the night of suffering, so that we may be able to remain steadfast, as she did, at the foot of the Cross.
The United States is not necessarily "a nation in decline or struck to the core" according to the head of the Vatican Bank. "The United States remains the most technologically advanced country in the world, with the highest GDP, surpassing one and a half times that of Europe, four times that of China, and ten times that of Italy,"
World Youth Day is cooperating with Caritas to build a residential complex in Madrid for families at risk of social exclusion. The complex will house 127 families. Likewise, in Brazil, opportunities are being made available for youth affected by poverty and violence. Both projects will be presented to WYD participants, encouraging them to assist through financial donations and social networking.
“The formative aspect of World Youth Day would be incomplete if we failed to remind young people that their faith remains incomplete unless they help others, unless they are generous, unless they try to do something about changing what they see is wrong,” said Yago de la Cierva, executive director of World Youth Day.
Furthermore, many of the hundreds of thousands of youth in Madrid over the course of WYD will be engaged in charitable work. Madrid’s Highland School held a fundraiser and sent 2,500 Euro to missions in Mexico. WYD’s Solidarity Fund is making it possible for those in poor countries to attend WYD.
Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/the-press-doesnt-get-wyd#ixzz1UkfFHQqA
There is the belief "that, because there is no universal moral standard by which to judge others, we ought to tolerate the behaviour of others.
The late Pope John Paul's wooden coffin was exhumed from its resting place in a crypt under Saint Peter's Basilica Friday, ahead of a beatification ceremony that will put him one step from sainthood.
Church officials including Kraków Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz, the former secretary to the late pope, prayed and held a brief ceremony in front of the coffin. It was then carried a short distance to the tomb of Saint Peter.
Following Sunday's beatification Mass in the basilica, thousands of pilgrims are expected to file past the wooden coffin to pay their respects. Afterwards the coffin will be moved to a new crypt in the basilica, near the Michelangelo statue of the Pieta.
The marble slab that covered his first burial place will be sent to Poland, where the late Pope was born.
Among the thousands expected to attend the ceremony is controversial President Robert Mugabe. The Zimbabwean leader has been banned from travel to the European Union, but the Vatican is a sovereign state and not part of the political bloc.
PILGRIMAGE to Rome for Beatification of Pope John Paul on 29th April, details from 087 2618 412.
By Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday, 25 December 2010
“Verbum caro factum est” – “The Word became flesh” (Jn 1:14).
Dear brothers and sisters listening to me here in Rome and throughout the
world, I joyfully proclaim the message of Christmas: God became man; he came
to dwell among us. God is not distant: he is “Emmanuel”, God-with-us. He is
no stranger: he has a face, the face of Jesus.
This message is ever new, ever surprising, for it surpasses even our most
daring hope. First of all, because it is not merely a proclamation: it is an
event, a happening, which credible witnesses saw, heard and touched in the
person of Jesus of Nazareth! Being in his presence, observing his works and
hearing his words, they recognized in Jesus the Messiah; and seeing him
risen, after his crucifixion, they were certain that he was true man and
true God, the only-begotten Son come from the Father, full of grace and
truth (cf. Jn 1:14).
“The Word became flesh”. Before this revelation we once more wonder: how can
this be? The Word and the flesh are mutually opposed realities; how can the
eternal and almighty Word become a frail and mortal man? There is only one
answer: Love. Those who love desire to share with the beloved, they want to
be one with the beloved, and Sacred Scripture shows us the great love story
of God for his people which culminated in Jesus Christ.
God in fact does not change: he is faithful to himself. He who created the
world is the same one who called Abraham and revealed his name to Moses: “I
am who I am … the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob … a God merciful and
gracious, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (cf. Ex 3:14-15;
34:6). God does not change; he is Love, ever and always. In himself he is
communion, unity in Trinity, and all his words and works are directed to
communion. The Incarnation is the culmination of creation. When Jesus, the
Son of God incarnate, was formed in the womb of Mary by the will of the
Father and the working of the Holy Spirit, creation reached its high point.
The ordering principle of the universe, the Logos, began to exist in the
world, in a certain time and space.
“The Word became flesh”. The light of this truth is revealed to those who
receive it in faith, for it is a mystery of love. Only those who are open to
love are enveloped in the light of Christmas. So it was on that night in
Bethlehem, and so it is today. The Incarnation of the Son of God is an event
which occurred within history, while at the same time transcending history.
In the night of the world a new light was kindled, one which lets itself be
seen by the simple eyes of faith, by the meek and humble hearts of those who
await the Saviour. If the truth were a mere mathematical formula, in some
sense it would impose itself by its own power. But if Truth is Love, it
calls for faith, for the “yes” of our hearts.
And what do our hearts, in effect, seek, if not a Truth which is also Love?
Children seek it with their questions, so disarming and stimulating; young
people seek it in their eagerness to discover the deepest meaning of their
life; adults seek it in order to guide and sustain their commitments in the
family and the workplace; the elderly seek it in order to grant completion
to their earthly existence.
“The Word became flesh”. The proclamation of Christmas is also a light for
all peoples, for the collective journey of humanity. “Emmanuel”,
God-with-us, has come as King of justice and peace. We know that his Kingdom
is not of this world, and yet it is more important than all the kingdoms of
this world. It is like the leaven of humanity: were it lacking, the energy
to work for true development would flag: the impulse to work together for
the common good, in the disinterested service of our neighbour, in the
peaceful struggle for justice. Belief in the God who desired to share in our
history constantly encourages us in our own commitment to that history, for
all its contradictions. It is a source of hope for everyone whose dignity is
offended and violated, since the one born in Bethlehem came to set every man
and woman free from the source of all enslavement.
May the light of Christmas shine forth anew in the Land where Jesus was
born, and inspire Israelis and Palestinians to strive for a just and
peaceful coexistence. May the comforting message of the coming of Emmanuel
ease the pain and bring consolation amid their trials to the beloved
Christian communities in Iraq and throughout the Middle East; may it bring
them comfort and hope for the future and bring the leaders of nations to
show them effective solidarity. May it also be so for those in Haiti who
still suffer in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and the recent
cholera epidemic. May the same hold true not only for those in Colombia and
Venezuela, but also in Guatemala and Costa Rica, who recently suffered
natural disasters.
May the birth of the Saviour open horizons of lasting peace and authentic
progress for the peoples of Somalia, Darfur and Côte d’Ivoire; may it
promote political and social stability in Madagascar; may it bring security
and respect for human rights in Afghanistan and in Pakistan; may it
encourage dialogue between Nicaragua and Costa Rica; and may it advance
reconciliation on the Korean peninsula.
May the birth of the Saviour strengthen the spirit of faith, patience and
courage of the faithful of the Church in mainland China, that they may not
lose heart through the limitations imposed on their freedom of religion and
conscience but, persevering in fidelity to Christ and his Church, may keep
alive the flame of hope. May the love of “God-with-us” grant perseverance to
all those Christian communities enduring discrimination and persecution, and
inspire political and religious leaders to be committed to full respect for
the religious freedom of all.
Dear brothers and sisters, “the Word became flesh”; he came to dwell among
us; he is Emmanuel, the God who became close to us. Together let us
contemplate this great mystery of love; let our hearts be filled with the
light which shines in the stable of Bethlehem! To everyone, a Merry
Christmas!
POPE in England
Thursday, September 16, 2010
"Search For Him, Know Him and Love Him, and He Will Set You Free"
HOMILY OF POPE BENEDICT XVI
MASS OF ST NINIAN, APOSTLE OF SCOTLAND
BELLAHOUSTON PARK
GLASGOW
16 SEPTEMBER 2010
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“The Kingdom of God is very near to you!” (Lk 10:9). With these words of the Gospel we have just heard, I greet all of you with great affection in the Lord. Truly the Lord’s Kingdom is already in our midst! At this Eucharistic celebration in which the Church in Scotland gathers around the altar in union with the Successor of Peter, let us reaffirm our faith in Christ’s word and our hope – a hope which never disappoints – in his promises! I warmly greet Cardinal O’Brien and the Scottish Bishops; I thank in particular Archbishop Conti for his kind words of welcome on your behalf; and I express my deep gratitude for the work that the British and Scottish Governments and the Glasgow city fathers have done to make this occasion possible.
Today’s Gospel reminds us that Christ continues to send his disciples into the world in order to proclaim the coming of his Kingdom and to bring his peace into the world, beginning house by house, family by family, town by town. I have come as a herald of that peace to you, the spiritual children of Saint Andrew and to confirm you in the faith of Peter (cf. Lk 22:32). It is with some emotion that I address you, not far from the spot where my beloved predecessor Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass nearly thirty years ago with you and was welcomed by the largest crowd ever gathered in Scottish history.
Much has happened in Scotland and in the Church in this country since that historic visit. I note with great satisfaction how Pope John Paul’s call to you to walk hand in hand with your fellow Christians has led to greater trust and friendship with the members of the Church of Scotland, the Scottish Episcopal Church and others. Let me encourage you to continue to pray and work with them in building a brighter future for Scotland based upon our common Christian heritage. In today’s first reading we heard Saint Paul appeal to the Romans to acknowledge that, as members of Christ’s body, we belong to each other (cf. Rom 12:5) and to live in respect and mutual love. In that spirit I greet the ecumenical representatives who honour us by their presence. This year marks the 450th anniversary of the Reformation Parliament, but also the 100th anniversary of the World Missionary Conference in Edinburgh, which is widely acknowledged to mark the birth of the modern ecumenical movement. Let us give thanks to God for the promise which ecumenical understanding and cooperation represents for a united witness to the saving truth of God’s word in today’s rapidly changing society. Among the differing gifts which Saint Paul lists for the building up of the Church is that of teaching (cf. Rom 12:7).
The preaching of the Gospel has always been accompanied by concern for the word: the inspired word of God and the culture in which that word takes root and flourishes. Here in Scotland, I think of the three medieval universities founded here by the popes, including that of Saint Andrews which is beginning to mark the 600th anniversary of its foundation. In the last 30 years and with the assistance of civil authorities, Scottish Catholic schools have taken up the challenge of providing an integral education to greater numbers of students, and this has helped young people not only along the path of spiritual and human growth, but also in entering the professions and public life. This is a sign of great hope for the Church, and I encourage the Catholic professionals, politicians and teachers of Scotland never to lose sight of their calling to use their talents and experience in the service of the faith, engaging contemporary Scottish culture at every level. The evangelization of culture is all the more important in our times, when a “dictatorship of relativism” threatens to obscure the unchanging truth about man’s nature, his destiny and his ultimate good. There are some who now seek to exclude religious belief from public discourse, to privatize it or even to paint it as a threat to equality and liberty. Yet religion is in fact a guarantee of authentic liberty and respect, leading us to look upon every person as a brother or sister.
For this reason I appeal in particular to you, the lay faithful, in accordance with your baptismal calling and mission, not only to be examples of faith in public, but also to put the case for the promotion of faith’s wisdom and vision in the public forum. Society today needs clear voices which propose our right to live, not in a jungle of self-destructive and arbitrary freedoms, but in a society which works for the true welfare of its citizens and offers them guidance and protection in the face of their weakness and fragility. Do not be afraid to take up this service to your brothers and sisters, and to the future of your beloved nation.
Saint Ninian, whose feast we celebrate today, was himself unafraid to be a lone voice. In the footsteps of the disciples whom our Lord sent forth before him, Ninian was one of the very first Catholic missionaries to bring his fellow Britons the good news of Jesus Christ. His mission church in Galloway became a centre for the first evangelization of this country. That work was later taken up by Saint Mungo, Glasgow’s own patron, and by other saints, the greatest of whom must include Saint Columba and Saint Margaret. Inspired by them, many men and women have laboured over many centuries to hand down the faith to you. Strive to be worthy of this great tradition! Let the exhortation of Saint Paul in the first reading be your constant inspiration: “Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering and persevere in prayer” (cf. Rom 12:11-12).
I would now like to address a special word to the bishops of Scotland. Dear brothers, let me encourage you in your pastoral leadership of the Catholics of Scotland. As you know, one of your first pastoral duties is to your priests (cf. Presbyterorum Ordinis, 7) and to their sanctification. As they are alter Christus [another Christ] to the Catholic community, so you are to them. Live to the full the charity that flows from Christ, in your brotherly ministry towards your priests, collaborating with them all, and in particular with those who have little contact with their fellow priests. Pray with them for vocations, that the Lord of the harvest will send labourers to his harvest (cf. Lk 10:2).
Just as the Eucharist makes the Church, so the priesthood is central to the life of the Church. Engage yourselves personally in forming your priests as a body of men who inspire others to dedicate themselves completely to the service of Almighty God. Have a care also for your deacons, whose ministry of service is associated in a particular way with that of the order of bishops. Be a father and a guide in holiness for them, encouraging them to grow in knowledge and wisdom in carrying out the mission of herald to which they have been called.
Dear priests of Scotland, you are called to holiness and to serve God’s people by modelling your lives on the mystery of the Lord’s cross. Preach the Gospel with a pure heart and a clear conscience. Dedicate yourselves to God alone and you will become shining examples to young men of a holy, simple and joyful life: they, in their turn, will surely wish to join you in your single-minded service of God’s people. May the example of Saint John Ogilvie, dedicated, selfless and brave, inspire all of you. Similarly, let me encourage you, the monks, nuns and religious of Scotland to be a light on a hilltop, living an authentic Christian life of prayer and action that witnesses in a luminous way to the power of the Gospel.
Finally, I would like to say a word to you, my dear young Catholics of Scotland. I urge you to lead lives worthy of our Lord (cf. Eph 4:1) and of yourselves. There are many temptations placed before you every day – drugs, money, sex, pornography, alcohol – which the world tells you will bring you happiness, yet these things are destructive and divisive.
There is only one thing which lasts: the love of Jesus Christ personally for each one of you. Search for him, know him and love him, and he will set you free from slavery to the glittering but superficial existence frequently proposed by today’s society. Put aside what is worthless and learn of your own dignity as children of God. In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks us to pray for vocations: I pray that many of you will know and love Jesus Christ and, through that encounter, will dedicate yourselves completely to God, especially those of you who are called to the priesthood and religious life. This is the challenge the Lord gives to you today: the Church now belongs to you!
Dear friends, I express once more my joy at celebrating this Mass with you. I am happy to assure you of my prayers in the ancient language of your country: Sìth agus beannachd Dhe dhuibh uile; Dia bhi timcheall oirbh; agus gum beannaicheadh Dia Alba.
God’s peace and blessing to you all; God surround you; and may God bless the people of Scotland!
MORE
Edinburgh, United Kingdom, Sep 16, 2010 / 11:56 am (CNA/EWTN News).- “We couldn't desire a better start” for the Pope's visit to the U.K., said Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi, referring to the great crowds in Edinburgh. The Pope spent the morning at the queen's residence, but the thousands were able to see him traveling to and from the palace.
Pope Benedict XVI was met by what locals estimated to be 100,000 people on Princes St. in central Edinburgh as he made his way to the queen's residence on Thursday morning. Among the throng were 1,000 bagpipers who accompanied the Holy Father in a parade.
Upon arriving at the palace, the Pope gave his state welcome, encouraging British leaders to be a force for good. In her speech, Queen Elizabeth II highlighted points of cooperation between the Holy See and the U.K., hoping for mutually better understanding through dialogue so that “old suspicions can be transcended and a greater mutual trust established.”
At a press conference following the occasion, the Vatican spokesman described the encounter between the two heads of state as a meeting between families due to the warm atmosphere in the Palace of Holyrood House. Their time together consisted of a private meeting along with the queen's husband Prince Philip, introductions to other members of the royal family, a gift exchange and a reception with around 400 guests representing different areas of British life.
Of the mix of members of parliament, education, healthcare and other British officials who were invited, around 120 were able to personally meet the Holy Father as he greeted them one by one.
Following the final reception in the back garden of the expansive estate, which is a former Augustinian monastery, the Holy Father made his way to Cardinal Keith O'Brien's house for lunch as the first scarce raindrops of a cool, but otherwise dry morning began to fall.
Speaking to journalists in the frenetically busy makeshift press office on site, Fr. Lombardi reflecting on the numbers of cheering people in the streets, saying, “We couldn't desire a better beginning for this trip ...”
Yesterday, on the EWTN "Open Line" radio broadcast, I received a question from a mother whose adult sons have left the Catholic Church and gone into "non-denominational" Protestantism. Concerned about maintaining a good relationship with them while telling them that they've made a big mistake in leaving the Faith, she asked what practical things she can do to help them come home.
Posted by Patrick Madrid
Reactions:
Deborah said
I heard it once said, that those who leave the Catholic church leave cause' they are not fed, or they don't know much and can learn more elsewhere... Coincidentally as soon as they leave and get to a non-denominational church, with the anti-Catholic indoctrination taught by many of these so called churches, (I've experienced this myself when I left the one true Catholic church) these new ex-Catholic Protestants seem to now know "EVERYTHING" about the Catholic church...But as I learned... ironically, I was being fed at the Catholic church...you see I was getting the actual Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist every time I attended mass, and I couldn't get that at the protestant church...
Concerned Mom, I would just make yourself ready for when your son comes to you, because he will, with those typical talking points that they are taught in opposition of the Catholic church...Like...Why do you baptize infants, and The Pope is not who you say he is...and The authority is the bible alone, and once saved always saved, and Faith alone. and so on... You be prepared to apologise, (And I don't mean say sorry) I mean to defend the Church and her teachings, brush up on APOLOGETICS, and know how to use apologetics because you can win him back...Truth, when one hears the truth, it resonated through your heart mind body and soul...You plant the seed and it will grow, and with lost and lots of prayer, he will come back...I did, and thank God for all those who prayed for me, and all those who had patience, wisdom and knowledge to correct me and educate me on the truth. Without them I'd still be lost.
Anonymous said...
This may not help but I'm going to put it anyways... the RCC has a very glorios history. There is a link below of 13 episodes from Dr. Thomas E. Woods about the "unheard story of the RCC" (since our public schools tend to be biased against the church) in various fields such as the sciences and universities and priest's achievements.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWPrTdK3EN0
meg said...
How about reading Catholicism and Fundamentalism in preparation - it's been years but it's a good source if memory serves.
Mostly pray, pray, pray, and fast, too, for your children. Daily rosary. My mother got 3 out of 4 of us back that way.
Maria said...
I would think that she would have to speak to her sons about the gravity of their decision to turn their back on Jesus in Holy Eucharist for "the teachings of men." Protestants can obviously be saved by being protestant -- but what of the salvation of Catholics who possessed the fullness of Truth and left?
By PATSY McGARRY and MARK HENNESSY in London, www.irishtimes.com, Updated: 18/09/2010
Pope talks of 'shame and humiliation' of abuse scandals
Irish Times Latest News
Pope Benedict XVI today spoke of the "shame and humiliation" brought by child abuse allegations against the Catholic Church.
Speaking during a televised service at London's Westminster Cathedral, he acknowledged the "immense suffering" inflicted by ministers. "I think of the immense suffering caused by the abuse of children, especially within the church and by her ministers," the Pope said.
"Above all, I express my deep sorrow to the innocent victims of these unspeakable crimes, along with my hope that the power of Christ's grace, his sacrifice of reconciliation, will bring deep healing and peace to their lives.
The vigil will be the climax of the third day of the Pontiff's historic visit.
Benedict XVI's itinerary has not changed as a result of a police investigation which resulted in six arrests on Friday and this morning is meeting the British prime minister David Cameron
Mr Cameron missed the Pope's address to MPs in Parliament's Westminster Hall on Friday because he was attending the funeral of his father, Ian, who died last week.
The Pope will greet Mr Cameron at Archbishop's House, in central London, before welcoming Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and then Harriet Harman, the acting leader of the Opposition.
He will attend Mass at Westminster Cathedral at 10am.
Spectators will be able to catch a glimpse of the Pontiff as he travels by Popemobile along Horse Guards Road, The Mall, Constitution Hill and Hyde Park Corner from 6pm on his way to the Hyde Park prayer vigil.
It is intended as a celebration of the vitality of the Catholic Church in England and Wales and will include music, readings and drama as well as prayer and contemplation.
The event will be compered by television presenter Carol Vorderman and writer Frank Cottrell-Boyce and teenage Britain's Got Talent star Liam McNally will sing.
Representatives from every Catholic diocese in England, Scotland and Wales will take part in a procession.
Speakers will include Barry and Margaret Mizen, the parents of murdered schoolboy Jimmy Mizen, who will talk about their son's death and how their faith has helped them through the past two years.
The couple said it was "a privilege" to be asked to take part.
During his visit, the Pope has warned of the faith's "increasing marginalisation" and repeatedly argued religion should be recognised for its "vital" contribution to the nation.
Last night Pope Benedict expressed fears for the future of religion as his historic visit to Britain continued despite six arrests over an alleged plot against him.
On a day that saw him make first visits by a pontiff to Lambeth Palace and Westminster Abbey, the pontiff expressed concerns “at the increasing marginalistion of religion, particularly of Christianity” and pointed to “worrying signs” that believers’ rights to freedom of religion and of conscience were under threat.
In a powerful address last night to leaders of British society at Westminster Abbey, where he took part in an ecumenical celebration, Pope Benedict said: “There are those who would advocate that the voice of religion be silenced, or at least relegated to the purely private sphere.
“There are those who argue that the public celebration of festivals such as Christmas should be discouraged, in the questionable belief that it might somehow offend those of other religions or none.
“And there are those who argue – paradoxically with the intention of eliminating discrimination – that Christians in public roles should be required at times to act against their conscience and freedom of religion.”
He also told his audience – who included former British prime ministers Gordon Brown, Tony Blair, John Major and Margaret Thatcher – that moral failure was to blame for the global crisis.
As crowds of the faithful – and protesters – thronged the streets of Westminster, the pontiff called for a strong role for religion in politics. Religion, he argued, should be recognised for its “vital” contribution to the nation.
Earlier, at a meeting with Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, the pope gave thanks for “the remarkable progress” made in ecumenical relations in recent decades. But he continued, “we recognise that the church is called to be inclusive, yet never at the expense of Christian truth”.
Later at Westminster Abbey, he acknowledged the progress made on the ecumenical journey but said, “We must also recognise the challenges which confront us, not only on the path to Christian unity, but also in our task of proclaiming Christ in our day.”
The pope began the day with a reference to the child abuse scandal, saying schools must provide a “safe environment” for children. Speaking to religious leaders in St Mary’s College Twickenham, he said: “I wish to add a particular word of appreciation for those whose task it is to ensure that our schools provide a safe environment for children and young people. Our responsibility towards those entrusted to us for their Christian formation demands nothing less.”
Last night the National Secular Society, which has strongly opposed the state visit and the pope’s handling of child sex abuse cases and his views on homosexuality and other issues, called on protesters to join a march taking place near Hyde Park this afternoon.
The call came as six north African men, five employed as London street-cleaners, were being questioned by police last night under anti-terrorism legislation, following a dawn raid by armed officers. So far, however, nothing has been found to show they were involved in any plot to harm the pope, though police acted on information received late on Thursday night.
Security remained tight for the visit, but no changes were made to the pope’s plans for his busy day of engagements.
B 16 in Scotland
Written by Sherry
Thursday, 16 September 2010 06:08
I got up at 3:30 am to see the Pope's arrival in Scotland. I quickly got
frustrated with the EWTN coverage. (Raymond Arroyo talking about Elizabeth I
and the Scottish Reformation occurring 600 years ago. Ray. Baby. "Good
Queen Bess" died just over 400 years ago and the Scots are celebrating the
450th anniversary of their Reformation this year. Try again.)
It was a real relief to listen to the cheery, professional commentary of the
BBC's Scottish talking heads, who were well informed, remarkably positive,
and sounded genuinely surprised and pleased with the Pope, regularly using
language like "warm" to describe his interactions with the Queen. Besides,
listening to their accents (Scottish and Welsh) was such fun. And may I say
that listening to their accents goes very well with a big, strong mug of
Yorkshire Gold tea.
It was lovely to see Edinburgh again. Prince's Street, the National Gallery
of Art, and of course, Edinburgh Castle with its 11th century chapel. My
sister and I visited as part of a victory celebration when I finished grad
school. It was May and like today, reasonably good weather - but c-o-l-d!
O-o-o-o-o . . . how that wind whips down the Royal Mile.
It was touching to watch an English Queen named Elizabeth stand side by side
with the Pope at Holyrood Palace where long ago, a a pregnant Catholic Queen
named Mary watched her secretary be stabbed to death by her husband's
agents. It was fun to contemplate John Knox - whose home was only a couple
blocks away and whose stern visage is still visible about the city - rolling
in his grave and thundering in his righteous rage, for he was not the sort
of man who let worldly things like a sense of occasion silence him.
For four centuries, a stern and very anti-Catholic Reformation identity
dominated Scotland, and suddenly, within two generations, it has vanished.
The historic enemies have rapidly become co-belligerents in many areas
including defending the value of religion against an aggressive
anti-religious secularism as Pope Benedict's speech made clear.
Those who came seemed very happy to be there. The crowds were, I
understand, considerably smaller than when Pope John Paul II came in 1982.
(Update: I see that the BBC has estimated that 125,000 gathered to see the
Pope in Edinburgh. That's respectable in a country that only has 700,000
Catholics. Approximately 250,000 came to see John Paul II. ) That would be
just after JPII had survived an assassination attempt the year before, so
security was considerably bulked up, I'm sure. But I would guess the
security for this papal journey is even tighter.
One of the fun things about this work are the amazing people you get to
meet. I once interviewed a man who had been part of both Presidential and
papal security details.
Update:
I love it. There is a sharp 106 year old Scottish women attending the papal
Mass in Glasgow. She was glowing in her beautiful maroon hat and scarf as
she spoke of what it meant to her.
They estimate the crowd at the Glasgow Mass to be about 70,000. It
certainly looked impressive in the wide angle shots. About 300,000 attended
Mass at the same venue with Pope John Paul II in 1982. Where would they
have put them?
Whispers in the Loggia
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
For the Pope, Parliament Goes Dry
As has been well noted over the run-up to the UK PopeTrip, no shortage of
unprecedented measures are being taken across the board to ensure the
weekend pilgrimage's safe and smooth operation.
Of all the firsts set to roll starting tomorrow morning, however, one
particularly stands out: drunkenness being a celebrated tradition in the
Mother of Parliaments, the Telegraph reports that the roughly 20
taxpayer-subsidized bars in the Palace of Westminster will be shuttered on
Friday in deference to B16's visit and speech in Westminster Hall -- site of
the trial of St Thomas More on charges of high treason in 1535.
Speaking of which engagement (just on a more serious note), the Catholic
Herald's man in Rome, Edward Pentin -- who memorably scored the Coup of the
Century (well, the first one) early last year -- relays word from the
Vatican Palace that the pontiff's Westminster address before an audience of
parliamentarians, diplomats, academic and business leaders is being
considered by papal aides as among Benedict's "most important speeches
ever."
Built in the late 11th century, the site of the talk is the only remaining
part of the first royal residence raised along the banks of the Thames, the
bulk of its most recent incarnation dating to the mid-1800s following its
16th century predecessor's destruction in an 1834 fire. (Much of the "New
Palace" had to be rebuilt again following heavy damage taken by bombings
during World War II.)
The speech to be followed by a historic Evensong at Westminster Abbey
alongside the archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, the Pope's
Whitehall programme gets underway just after 5pm London time Friday
In the Crucifix of Westminster, the Pope Sees the Suffering of Those Children
The complete text of the homily at the cathedral of London, with a touching tribute to the victims of sexual abuse. "In the life of the Church, in her trials and tribulations, Christ continues to be in agony until the end of the world"
by Benedict XVI
Dear Friends in Christ,
I greet all of you with joy in the Lord and I thank you for your warm reception. I am grateful to Archbishop Nichols for his words of welcome on your behalf. Truly, in this meeting of the Successor of Peter and the faithful of Britain, "heart speaks unto heart" as we rejoice in the love of Christ and in our common profession of the Catholic faith which comes to us from the Apostles. I am especially happy that our meeting takes place in this Cathedral dedicated to the Most Precious Blood, which is the sign of God’s redemptive mercy poured out upon the world through the passion, death and resurrection of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. In a particular way I greet the Archbishop of Canterbury, who honours us by his presence.
The visitor to this Cathedral cannot fail to be struck by the great crucifix dominating the nave, which portrays Christ’s body, crushed by suffering, overwhelmed by sorrow, the innocent victim whose death has reconciled us with the Father and given us a share in the very life of God. The Lord’s outstretched arms seem to embrace this entire church, lifting up to the Father all the ranks of the faithful who gather around the altar of the Eucharistic sacrifice and share in its fruits. The crucified Lord stands above and before us as the source of our life and salvation, "the high priest of the good things to come", as the author of the Letter to the Hebrews calls him in today’s first reading (Heb 9:11).
It is in the shadow, so to speak, of this striking image, that I would like to consider the word of God which has been proclaimed in our midst and reflect on the mystery of the Precious Blood. For that mystery leads us to see the unity between Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, the Eucharistic sacrifice which he has given to his Church, and his eternal priesthood, whereby, seated at the right hand of the Father, he makes unceasing intercession for us, the members of his mystical body.
Let us begin with the sacrifice of the Cross. The outpouring of Christ’s blood is the source of the Church’s life. Saint John, as we know, sees in the water and blood which flowed from our Lord’s body the wellspring of that divine life which is bestowed by the Holy Spirit and communicated to us in the sacraments (Jn 19:34; cf. 1 Jn 1:7; 5:6-7). The Letter to the Hebrews draws out, we might say, the liturgical implications of this mystery. Jesus, by his suffering and death, his self-oblation in the eternal Spirit, has become our high priest and "the mediator of a new covenant" (Heb 9:15). These words echo our Lord’s own words at the Last Supper, when he instituted the Eucharist as the sacrament of his body, given up for us, and his blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant shed for the forgiveness of sins (cf. Mk 14:24; Mt 26:28; Lk 22:20).
Faithful to Christ’s command to "do this in memory of me" (Lk 22:19), the Church in every time and place celebrates the Eucharist until the Lord returns in glory, rejoicing in his sacramental presence and drawing upon the power of his saving sacrifice for the redemption of the world. The reality of the Eucharistic sacrifice has always been at the heart of Catholic faith; called into question in the sixteenth century, it was solemnly reaffirmed at the Council of Trent against the backdrop of our justification in Christ. Here in England, as we know, there were many who staunchly defended the Mass, often at great cost, giving rise to that devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist which has been a hallmark of Catholicism in these lands.
The Eucharistic sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Christ embraces in turn the mystery of our Lord’s continuing passion in the members of his Mystical Body, the Church in every age. Here the great crucifix which towers above us serves as a reminder that Christ, our eternal high priest, daily unites our own sacrifices, our own sufferings, our own needs, hopes and aspirations, to the infinite merits of his sacrifice. Through him, with him, and in him, we lift up our own bodies as a sacrifice holy and acceptable to God (cf. Rom 12:1). In this sense we are caught up in his eternal oblation, completing, as Saint Paul says, in our flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, the Church (cf. Col 1:24). In the life of the Church, in her trials and tribulations, Christ continues, in the stark phrase of Pascal, to be in agony until the end of the world (Pensées, 553, éd. Brunschvicg).
We see this aspect of the mystery of Christ’s precious blood represented, most eloquently, by the martyrs of every age, who drank from the cup which Christ himself drank, and whose own blood, shed in union with his sacrifice, gives new life to the Church. It is also reflected in our brothers and sisters throughout the world who even now are suffering discrimination and persecution for their Christian faith. Yet it is also present, often hidden in the suffering of all those individual Christians who daily unite their sacrifices to those of the Lord for the sanctification of the Church and the redemption of the world. My thoughts go in a special way to all those who are spiritually united with this Eucharistic celebration, and in particular the sick, the elderly, the handicapped and those who suffer mentally and spiritually.
Here too I think of the immense suffering caused by the abuse of children, especially within the Church and by her ministers. Above all, I express my deep sorrow to the innocent victims of these unspeakable crimes, along with my hope that the power of Christ’s grace, his sacrifice of reconciliation, will bring deep healing and peace to their lives. I also acknowledge, with you, the shame and humiliation which all of us have suffered because of these sins; and I invite you to offer it to the Lord with trust that this chastisement will contribute to the healing of the victims, the purification of the Church and the renewal of her age-old commitment to the education and care of young people. I express my gratitude for the efforts being made to address this problem responsibly, and I ask all of you to show your concern for the victims and solidarity with your priests.
Dear friends, let us return to the contemplation of the great crucifix which rises above us. Our Lord’s hands, extended on the Cross, also invite us to contemplate our participation in his eternal priesthood and thus our responsibility, as members of his body, to bring the reconciling power of his sacrifice to the world in which we live. The Second Vatican Council spoke eloquently of the indispensable role of the laity in carrying forward the Church’s mission through their efforts to serve as a leaven of the Gospel in society and to work for the advancement of God’s Kingdom in the world (cf. Lumen Gentium, 31; Apostolicam Actuositatem, 7). The Council’s appeal to the lay faithful to take up their baptismal sharing in Christ’s mission echoed the insights and teachings of John Henry Newman. May the profound ideas of this great Englishman continue to inspire all Christ’s followers in this land to conform their every thought, word and action to Christ, and to work strenuously to defend those unchanging moral truths which, taken up, illuminated and confirmed by the Gospel, stand at the foundation of a truly humane, just and free society.
How much contemporary society needs this witness! How much we need, in the Church and in society, witnesses of the beauty of holiness, witnesses of the splendour of truth, witnesses of the joy and freedom born of a living relationship with Christ! One of the greatest challenges facing us today is how to speak convincingly of the wisdom and liberating power of God’s word to a world which all too often sees the Gospel as a constriction of human freedom, instead of the truth which liberates our minds and enlightens our efforts to live wisely and well, both as individuals and as members of society.
Let us pray, then, that the Catholics of this land will become ever more conscious of their dignity as a priestly people, called to consecrate the world to God through lives of faith and holiness. And may this increase of apostolic zeal be accompanied by an outpouring of prayer for vocations to the ordained priesthood. For the more the lay apostolate grows, the more urgently the need for priests is felt; and the more the laity’s own sense of vocation is deepened, the more what is proper to the priest stands out. May many young men in this land find the strength to answer the Master’s call to the ministerial priesthood, devoting their lives, their energy and their talents to God, thus building up his people in unity and fidelity to the Gospel, especially through the celebration of the Eucharistic sacrifice.
Dear friends, in this Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood, I invite you once more to look to Christ, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection (cf. Heb 12:2). I ask you to unite yourselves ever more fully to the Lord, sharing in his sacrifice on the Cross and offering him that "spiritual worship" (Rom 12:1) which embraces every aspect of our lives and finds expression in our efforts to contribute to the coming of his Kingdom. I pray that, in doing so, you may join the ranks of faithful believers throughout the long Christian history of this land in building a society truly worthy of man, worthy of your nation’s highest traditions.
Westminster Cathedral, September 18, 2010
ope's 'Astonishing' Visit to Britain
Share by Edward Pentin Saturday, September 18, 2010 8:35 AM Comments (3)
A nun laughs as she chats with a police officer while she waits to see Pope Benedict XVI's popemobile cross Lambeth Bridge in central London Sept. 17. (CNS photo/Andrew Winning, Reuters)
Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster described the events of yesterday in which the Pope gave addresses in Westminster Hall, Westminster Abbey, and Lambeth Palace as “astonishing.”
It was the first time the Successor of Peter had ever set foot in any of these historic buildings which have been pillars of Church and State in Britain for the past two millennia.
In his first briefing of the visit to journalists today, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said the welcome the Pope received at Westminster Hall and Abbey were “extraordinary”. He added that the Pope was “very impressed” by the richness of the Anglican liturgy in Westminster Abbey.
The Vatican spokesman said the Holy Father has was “obviously grateful” for the kind hospitality that has been shown him during his four day visit. Summaries of all of yesterday’s historic speeches can be found here.
Benedict XVI made a second reference on this trip to the sexual abuse scandal today, during his homily during Mass at Westminster Cathedral. He expressed “deep sorrow” for sexual abuse by priests, and called them “unspeakable crimes”. But he also spoke about it in the context of Christ’s suffering which has been imitated through the history of Christian martyrdom.
Some commentators were wondering whether the Pope was equating being a victim of child abuse to being a martyr, but Fr. Lombardi said there was no parallel. Although both clearly involve suffering, they are of “different” kinds, he said.
Fr. Jonathan How, a spokesman for the bishops conference, told me the Pope was simply placing the “humiliation and shame” of Christ in the context of the abuse scandal. “If we feel shamed and humiliated by [the abuse],” he said, “we are only sharing in what the victims and Christ experienced.”
At the briefing with Fr. Lombardi, a journalist pointed out that the Pope looked tired but happy during the visit. Fr. Lombardi responded by stressing that the Pope is 83 years old, but has a “profound spirit and serenity” on this visit. He said the Holy Father’s attitude on these visits, ones which are preceded by a good deal of controversy, is that they always work out well.
“He is perhaps more in touch with the reality than the media,” he said, adding that the general attitudes of society and the faithful are always more favourable than hostile. Fr. Lombardi said he himself is “not surprised or shocked” by protestors who are marching near Hyde Park this afternoon.
“We know there are groups that criticize and have the right to express their views – something the Pope has said is a positive tradition in the United Kingdom,” he said. “We recognize what the reality is and that large numbers want to meet the Pope.”
Later today, the Pope will visit an old people’s home during which he will probably address issues related to marriage, life and the family. Afterwards he will lead a prayer vigil in Hyde Park on the eve of the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman.
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Posted by T Pitt Green on Saturday, Sep 18, 2010 9:48 AM (EST):There’s so much hope in leaving the false boundaries between us in the past - and to be all the better known by our Love.
Posted by peter gerard on Saturday, Sep 18, 2010 10:24 AM (EST):As a Briton, I have been concerned by the intensely negative media approach to the Papal visit, but the faithful have now spoken and from Edinburgh to Glasgow and London, the Pope has been given the kind of welcome that is rightly associated with his status. Those who would portray these islands as secular should look at the reception the Pope has received from Catholics and non-Catholics.
JOHN HENRY NEWMAN GETS CANONIZED.
Pope Benedict XVI is in England 19th Sept. 2010 to canonize John Henry
Newman. Born in London in February 1801 to John Newman, a banker and his
wife, John Jnr. was brought up in the Protestant Faith. He was a brilliant
student who delighted in reading the Bible and went to Oxford University in
1825 where he was a brilliant student and was ordained into the Anglican
priesthood. He read widely, did parochial work while he taught at Oxford
University. He also did deep research into the Christian Church. He saw the
Catholic Church as being in error and the Pope as anti Christ. Worried about
the lax nature of the Anglican faith, John was involved in the Oxford
Movement which sought to reform Anglicanism. Going on a European tour in
1832 he was impressed with Rome, but saw the Catholic Faith as “degrading
and idolatrous”. He wrote Tracts aiming to make the Church of England more
disciplined and more sound in its doctrine. He had a huge influence because
of his writing and preaching, but was much criticized by the Anglican
establishment. In 1842 John withdrew to live a monastic life, writing and
reflecting, until finally in 1845 he was received into the Catholic Church.
He was ordained a Catholic priest in Rome in 1846. Joining an order of
priests devoted to reflection and meditation he wrote many articles, books
and poems including The Sacred Spring, his autobiography, The Dream of
Gerontius, and Idea of a University. At the invitation of the Irish Bishops
John was invited to Dublin where he spent four years trying to found a Irish
University. He was very involved in education and founded a school for boys
as well as being involved in publishing and writing. He was very influential
in England defending the Catholic Church, its doctrine and social justice.
John’s credibility and popularity as well as his sincerity helped to make
the Catholic Church respectable and influential in England after the dark
days of the Penal Laws and persecution. His writings reflect his deep
spiritual life and he is the author of many hymns including Lead Kindly
Light. Finally, in 1879 John was elevated to the rank of Cardinal by Pope
Leo XIII, an honour which was very well received by all Catholics and non
Catholics in England. He died in 1890. In 1991 a miracle was attributed to
him and John was declared Venerable. Pope Benedict canonized him in
Birmingham.
From
Fr. Kevin. St. Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney
The last four days began in anxiety, but ended in euphoria
By William Oddie on Monday, 20 September 2010
The visit was a personal triumph for the Holy Father himself (Photo: PA)
How does one sum up the papal visit in a few words? A survey of the four days, event by event – four days which began (so far as I am concerned) in anxiety which quickly turned to relief and ended finally in euphoria – simply can’t be done in less than the length of a short book, and I have only 400 or 500 words for this post, though in the print edition of the paper which appears later this week I shall be given more than double the space for an extended version of it, in which I shall look also at the very interesting coverage of the visit by the secular media. That aspect of the visit will have to be briefly summarised here by the words of Dr George Carey in the News of the World: “he came, he saw, he conquered”.
The richness, volume and sheer variety of the teaching the Pope gave us, and its perfect suitability for each of its many very different audiences, ranging from his intellectually hugely impressive address to the leaders of civil society in Westminster Hall to his call to that enthusiastic audience of schoolchildren to aim at becoming saints, was astonishing. And perhaps the first thing that needs to be said is that this was above all a personal triumph for the Holy Father himself. What came over consistently was the huge warmth, the seemingly inexhaustible loving kindness of the Pope’s gentle but nevertheless powerful personality. After all the caricatures, the man emerged.
Despite his intellectual impressiveness, which was evident throughout, everyone now knows that this is no withdrawn, scholarly rigorist, incapable of relating to people or understanding their lives: this alleged coldness, it was widely claimed, was what explained the supposed lack of enthusiasm about the visit, even among Catholics.
Well, we will hear no more now about his purported lack of charisma, an assessment invariably followed with a comparison, to Pope Benedict’s disadvantage, with John Paul II. Pope Benedict is, we have now all seen, hugely charismatic: but his charisma is of a different kind, less dramatic, less forcefully energetic than that of Pope John Paul.
Of course; they were always very different men: but Pope Benedict has all the charisma he needs, and in both the senses given by the Oxford Dictionary: 1) “a compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others” and 2) “a divinely conferred power or talent”. For, in the end, let us never forget that what we have witnessed has come from God, whose presence has been very close throughout not only to the Pope himself but also to all who were praying for his success – protecting, inspiring, allaying our fears and in the end fulfilling all our hopes.
The Pope's Last Wishes in the United Kingdom
He has gathered from his journey "how deep a thirst there is among the British people for the Good News of Jesus Christ." And therefore he has urged the bishops to preach the Gospel in its entirety: "including those elements which call into question the widespread assumptions of today’s culture"
by Sandro Magister
ROME, September 19, 2010 – On this, his fourth and last day in the United Kingdom, Benedict XVI has elevated to the honors of the altar Blessed John Henry Newman, during the Mass celebrated in Cofton Park in Birmingham (in the photo).
In the homily, the pope again brought to light the relevance of Newman's vision, in particular for teachers and priests.
In the afternoon, also in Birmingham, in the chapel of the Francis Martin House of Oscott College, Benedict XVI met with the bishops of England, Scotland, and Wales.
In the speech he addressed to them, he insisted on the revival of evangelization, on the fight against pedophilia, and on a more devout celebration of the Eucharist with the new English translation of the missal.
The pope also urged the bishops to be "generous" in welcoming the Anglican communities that want to enter the Catholic Church: "a prophetic gesture that... helps us to set our sights on the ultimate goal of all ecumenical activity."
Below are the final part of the homily and the salient passages of the speech to the bishops.
__________
1. FROM THE HOMILY FOR THE BEATIFICATION OF NEWMAN, "MOST BELOVED FATHER OF SOULS"
[...] The definite service to which Blessed John Henry was called involved applying his keen intellect and his prolific pen to many of the most pressing "subjects of the day". His insights into the relationship between faith and reason, into the vital place of revealed religion in civilized society, and into the need for a broadly-based and wide-ranging approach to education were not only of profound importance for Victorian England, but continue today to inspire and enlighten many all over the world.
I would like to pay particular tribute to his vision for education, which has done so much to shape the ethos that is the driving force behind Catholic schools and colleges today. Firmly opposed to any reductive or utilitarian approach, he sought to achieve an educational environment in which intellectual training, moral discipline and religious commitment would come together. The project to found a Catholic University in Ireland provided him with an opportunity to develop his ideas on the subject, and the collection of discourses that he published as "The Idea of a University" holds up an ideal from which all those engaged in academic formation can continue to learn. And indeed, what better goal could teachers of religion set themselves than Blessed John Henry’s famous appeal for an intelligent, well-instructed laity: "I want a laity, not arrogant, not rash in speech, not disputatious, but men who know their religion, who enter into it, who know just where they stand, who know what they hold and what they do not, who know their creed so well that they can give an account of it, who know so much of history that they can defend it" ("The Present Position of Catholics in England", IX, 390). On this day when the author of those words is raised to the altars, I pray that, through his intercession and example, all who are engaged in the task of teaching and catechesis will be inspired to greater effort by the vision he so clearly sets before us.
While it is John Henry Newman’s intellectual legacy that has understandably received most attention in the vast literature devoted to his life and work, I prefer on this occasion to conclude with a brief reflection on his life as a priest, a pastor of souls. The warmth and humanity underlying his appreciation of the pastoral ministry is beautifully expressed in another of his famous sermons: "Had Angels been your priests, my brethren, they could not have condoled with you, sympathized with you, have had compassion on you, felt tenderly for you, and made allowances for you, as we can; they could not have been your patterns and guides, and have led you on from your old selves into a new life, as they can who come from the midst of you" ("Men, not Angels: the Priests of the Gospel", in "Discourses to Mixed Congregations", 3).
He lived out that profoundly human vision of priestly ministry in his devoted care for the people of Birmingham during the years that he spent at the Oratory he founded, visiting the sick and the poor, comforting the bereaved, caring for those in prison. No wonder that on his death so many thousands of people lined the local streets as his body was taken to its place of burial not half a mile from here. One hundred and twenty years later, great crowds have assembled once again to rejoice in the Church’s solemn recognition of the outstanding holiness of this much-loved father of souls. What better way to express the joy of this moment than by turning to our heavenly Father in heartfelt thanksgiving, praying in the words that Blessed John Henry Newman placed on the lips of the choirs of angels in heaven: "Praise to the Holiest in the height / And in the depth be praise; / In all his words most wonderful, / Most sure in all his ways!" ("The dream of Gerontius").
2. TO THE BISHOPS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM: "TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL AGAIN IN A HIGHLY SECULARIZED CONTEXT'
[...] In the course of my visit it has become clear to me how deep a thirst there is among the British people for the Good News of Jesus Christ. You have been chosen by God to offer them the living water of the Gospel, encouraging them to place their hopes, not in the vain enticements of this world, but in the firm assurances of the next. As you proclaim the coming of the Kingdom, with its promise of hope for the poor and the needy, the sick and the elderly, the unborn and the neglected, be sure to present in its fulness the life-giving message of the Gospel, including those elements which call into question the widespread assumptions of today’s culture. As you know, a Pontifical Council has recently been established for the New Evangelization of countries of long-standing Christian tradition, and I would encourage you to avail yourselves of its services in addressing the task before you. Moreover, many of the new ecclesial movements have a particular charism for evangelization, and I know that you will continue to explore appropriate and effective ways of involving them in the mission of the Church. [...]
Another matter which has received much attention in recent months, and which seriously undermines the moral credibility of Church leaders, is the shameful abuse of children and young people by priests and religious. I have spoken on many occasions of the deep wounds that such behaviour causes, in the victims first and foremost, but also in the relationships of trust that should exist between priests and people, between priests and their bishops, and between the Church authorities and the public. I know that you have taken serious steps to remedy this situation, to ensure that children are effectively protected from harm and to deal properly and transparently with allegations as they arise. You have publicly acknowledged your deep regret over what has happened, and the often inadequate ways it was addressed in the past. Your growing awareness of the extent of child abuse in society, its devastating effects, and the need to provide proper victim support should serve as an incentive to share the lessons you have learned with the wider community. Indeed, what better way could there be of making reparation for these sins than by reaching out, in a humble spirit of compassion, towards children who continue to suffer abuse elsewhere? Our duty of care towards the young demands nothing less.
As we reflect on the human frailty that these tragic events so starkly reveal, we are reminded that, if we are to be effective Christian leaders, we must live lives of the utmost integrity, humility and holiness. As Blessed John Henry Newman once wrote, "O that God would grant the clergy to feel their weakness as sinful men, and the people to sympathize with them and love them and pray for their increase in all good gifts of grace" (Sermon, 22 March 1829). [...]
Finally, I should like to speak to you about two specific matters that affect your episcopal ministry at this time. One is the imminent publication of the new translation of the Roman Missal. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for the contribution you have made, with such painstaking care, to the collegial exercise of reviewing and approving the texts. This has provided an immense service to Catholics throughout the English-speaking world. I encourage you now to seize the opportunity that the new translation offers for in-depth catechesis on the Eucharist and renewed devotion in the manner of its celebration. "The more lively the eucharistic faith of the people of God, the deeper is its sharing in ecclesial life in steadfast commitment to the mission entrusted by Christ to his disciples" (Sacramentum Caritatis, 6).
The other matter I touched upon in February with the Bishops of England and Wales, when I asked you to be generous in implementing the Apostolic Constitution "Anglicanorum coetibus." This should be seen as a prophetic gesture that can contribute positively to the developing relations between Anglicans and Catholics. It helps us to set our sights on the ultimate goal of all ecumenical activity: the restoration of full ecclesial communion in the context of which the mutual exchange of gifts from our respective spiritual patrimonies serves as an enrichment to us all. Let us continue to pray and work unceasingly in order to hasten the joyful day when that goal can be accomplished. [...]
__________
The program and texts of Benedict XVI's trip:
> Apostolic Journey to the United Kingdom, 16-19 September 2010
__________
The latest three articles from www.chiesa:
18.9.2010
> Newman spoke this evening in Hyde Park
The teaching of the great convert, in the pope's meditation on the eve of his beatification. "Passion for the truth is costly: it often involves being dismissed out of hand, ridiculed or parodied"
18.9.2010
> In the Crucifix of Westminster, the Pope Sees the Suffering of Those Children
The complete text of the homily at the cathedral of London, with a touching tribute to the victims of sexual abuse. "In the life of the Church, in her trials and tribulations, Christ continues to be in agony until the end of the world"
17.9.2010
> "Unam Sanctam." The Church of Peter in London
Benedict XVI invites young people to become saints. He calls for unity among Christians and religious men. And to politicians and men of culture, he proposes reciprocal "purification" between reason and faith
Monday, September 20, 2010
An insider's view of the papal trip to Britain
I met Paul Burnell, a UK-based Catholic journalist, at "The Church Up Close" program in Rome earlier this month. Paul checked out of the newsroom to attend the beatification Mass for Cardinal John Henry Newman as a regular member of the faithful this weekend. I asked him if he would be willing to share his experience with OSV Daily Take. Thank you, Paul, for giving us this exclusive insider's view:
By Paul Burnell
Pope Benedict came to Britain to beatify John Henry Cardinal Newman – one shy intellectual Catholic genius honouring another. But in a certain sense the pope’s visit resembled that of the forgotten hero in the Newman story – Blessed Dominic Barberi, the Italian Passionist who received Newman into the Church.
Pronouncing the Church’s latest Blessed at the massive outdoor Mass in Birmingham on September 19, the Pope revealed that his feast day would be October 9, the day when Blessed Dominic arrived soaked to the skin and freezing at Littlemore near Oxford after traveling on top of a stage coach to Oxford from the North of England. Blessed Dominic believed in the conversion of England, a vision that had inspired his order’s founder, St Paul of the Cross. Little did he know how profound – yet unsung -- his role would be in English Catholicism’s Second Spring.
Like Dominic I arrived freezing and soaked to the skin for the outdoor Mass in a park close to Newman’s grave and the hills where he sought R and R. We were delivered by our coaches – the police decreed no pilgrim could travel on their own – to a post industrial wasteland, the site of one of the UK’s biggest ever car plant.
Now we marched carrying our food blanket and chairs for what seemed like an eternity to the park but nobody complained. The love, joy and unity was there for all to see, and when we arrived just after dawn with three hours to go until Mass it was like being bathed in grace. There was peace despite the cold, fatigue and rain. Then the Pope arrived and literally the rain stopped, the sun shone and the wind dropped. Even the media thought this was providential timing.
The beauty and power of Holy Mass combined with the sense of history and joy at this momentous raising of John Henry Newman, the world's most famous convert from Anglicanism to the RC faith. This pilgrim tried valiantly to sing Newman’s hymns during Mass -- "Firmly I believe...Praise to the holiest in the height..." – but those pesky tears wouldn’t stop. I sobbed tears of joy. I was not alone.
Four days earlier there had been trepidation talks of protests, terror attacks and pretty virulent prose and comments in the media and on the airwaves – even snide jokes about abuser priests in the office. It reminded me of Blessed Dominic’s first years in the UK, like Benedict, a foreigner who suffered all kinds of calumny. He was even pelted with mud and rocks as he walked through the streets. Mercifully for the Pope the only missiles were verbal but the hatred was the same.
When Dominic died, however, the streets of Protestant England were lined by thousands wanting to honour this saintly priest, who is buried near Liverpool in a shrine which also includes Mother Mary Prout, founder of the Passionist Sisters, and Father Ignatius Spencer, a Passionist priest and ancestor of Princess Diana.
By the time the Pope left, there was a similar change in public mood this humble and holy genius of a pontiff had even won over the country’s notorious tabloids. “Benes from Heaven and the People’s Pontiff,” said one headline. Prime Minister Cameron, who was comforted by the pope over the recent death of his father, said the pope had made the people of Britain “sit up and think.”
The protesters could only muster 10,000; more than 200,000 lined the streets of London to cheer the pope – unheard of on a Saturday night – for a massively successful youth rally in London’s Hyde Park where he received a pop star welcome.
The Pope said so many pungent and telling remarks on the journey, but for me the tone was set in Scotland when he arrived in Edinburgh. “As we reflect on the sobering lessons of the atheist extremism of the 20th century, let us never forget how the exclusion of God, religion and virtue from public life leads ultimately to a truncated vision of man and of society,” he said.
Or as he told young people at the papal Mass in Glasgow: “There are many temptations placed before you every day -- drugs, money, sex, pornography, alcohol -- which the world tells you will bring you happiness, yet these things are destructive and divisive. There is only one thing which lasts: the love of Jesus Christ personally for each one of you. Search for him, know... him and love him, and he will set you free from slavery.”
Back in Birmingham, as we rejoiced at the beatification, I felt a strong sense of the Lord’s hand in reclaiming my native land. Somehow in a mysterious way a lot of threads were woven together on this papal visit. The first great evangelization of England came when Pope Gregory sent
Benedictine monks led by St Augustine of Canterbury. The next wave came in the 19th Century, described by Newman as the "Second Spring." Many of the key figures ministered from Birmingham, most notably Newman, and elsewhere the Benedictines were reestablishing parish life in small mission churches, after the rupture caused by the Reformation.
Is it too much to hope that the combination of a pope inspired by St. Benedict, beatifying Newman in Birmingham, and suffering like Blessed Dominic might be heralding a new flourishing of the faith? Blessed John Henry Newman and Blessed Dominic Barberi pray for us.
PIUS X11
Pius XII and the Distorting Ellipsis
Sep 16, 2010
Ronald J. Rychlak and William Doino, Jr.
As charge after charge that Pope Pius XII failed to resist the Germans or
even that he was indeed “Hitler’s Pope” has been refuted, the critics have
advanced new and more remote accusations. First, critics attacked him for
what he said or did (or failed to say or do) during the war. When those
accusations were proved to be without merit, they charged him with failures
after the war.
When those were refuted, they shifted to the pope’s actions before he was
pope. John Cornwell, the author of Hitler’s Pope, based his case on two
letters, one written in 1917 and the other in 1919. On The O’Reilly Factor,
he agreed that action to thwart Hitler would have to have been taken by
1933, and that the pope could have done nothing in 1938 or 1939. Pius XII
did not become pope until 1939.
The current charge claims that in a presentation Pius XII gave at an
International Eucharistic Congress in Hungary in 1938—when he was still
Eugenio Pacelli, Vatican Secretary of State—he referred to Jews as enemies
of Christ and the Catholic Church. (It should be noted that the Germans had
refused to send a delegation to the congress when they learned that Pacelli
would be there, and permitted no news of it to be transmitted in Germany.
Pacelli had, after all, berated them the year before when he went to France
for the Pope.)
The critics claim that on May 25, 1938, just after the Anschluss (the German
annexation of Austria), but before the Shoah or even the outbreak of World
War II, Pacelli said:
Jesus conquers! He who so often was the recipient of the rage of his
enemies, he who suffered the persecutions of those of whom he was one, he
shall be triumphant in the future as well. . . . As opposed to the foes of
Jesus, who cried out to his face, “Crucify him!” we sing him hymns of our
loyalty and our love. We act in this fashion, not out of bitterness, not out
of a sense of superiority, not out of arrogance toward those whose lips
curse him and whose hearts reject him even today.
One major critic of Pius, Moshe Y. Herczl, claimed that Pacelli was clearly
assailing Jews: “Pacelli relied on his audience, realizing that hints would
suffice. . . . He was sure that his audience understood him well.” Cornwell
concurred: “Pacelli, representative of the Pope at the Eucharistic congress,
was making it clear that the ‘comprehensive love’ he preached at the meeting
did not include the Jews.” Michael Phayer added that Pacelli, was “making
reference to Jews ‘whose lips curse [Christ] and whose hearts reject him
even today.’”
There is reason to be suspicious of this quotation, and the anti-Semitic
interpretation applied to it.
First, no one at the time thought that Pacelli was speaking of Jews. He
spoke of the “military godless” and those who wanted to “impose a new
Christianity,” statements applicable only to the Communists and Nazis. Time
magazine reported on the Eucharistic Congress and noted that while the host
cardinal’s opening speech had “contained no hint of the fact that he is
firmly anti-Nazi,”
Papal Legate Pacelli, without descending from the high religious plane of
the Congress, was more specific about Catholicism’s enemies “the lugubrious
array of the militant godless, shaking the clenched fist of anti-Christ.”
Cried he: “Where now are Herod and Pilate, Nero and Diocletian, and Julian
the Apostate, and all the persecutors of the First Century? St. Ambrose
replies: ‘The Christians who have been massacred have won the victory; the
vanquished were their persecutors.’ Ashes and dust are the enemies of
Christianity; ashes and dust are all that they have desired, pursued perhaps
even tasted for a short moment of power and terrestrial glory.”
Second, look at the quotation the papal critics use. One has to wonder what
the ellipsis is replacing. Despite the importance of this quotation to the
argument of many papal critics, it seems that none of them traced it back to
its origin.
Recently on the Australian blog Galus Australis, for example, Gabriel
Wilensky wrote: “[W]ho cares if the conference was about atheist Nazis or
the health benefits of eating spinach?” Wilensky, author of a book titled
Six Million Crucifixions, continued: “The pope was talking about the Jews.
The pope was not referring to Nazi lips that curse Christ and Nazi hearts
who still reject Christ even today. He was referring to the Jews. You know
this.”
A defender of Pius, Gary Krupp, asked Wilensky whether he had reviewed the
original text of the speech. Wilensky admitted that he did not have “the
entire speech . . . nor do I have the original quotes in French. I assume
you ask for the original in French for the sake of archival completeness,
and not because you suspect the paragraph I quoted is mistranslated and/or
is a misrepresentation of the original?”
Krupp, of course did suspect a mistranslation (or worse), and he was right.
With the assistance of Vatican historian (and relator of Pope Pius XII’s
sainthood cause) Fr. Peter Gumpel, we reviewed the text of the speech as it
was published in Discorsi e Panegirici. The quote as given by the critics
does not appear therein. The ellipsis was used to link very diverse passages
from different pages of Pacelli’s speech, producing a complete distortion of
Pacelli’s words. (To be certain that we were not overlooking anything, we
reviewed transcripts from all seven of the talks he gave in Hungary.)
Early in the talk, Pacelli spoke about biblical history. He recalled the
Passion of Christ, and he mentioned the defiance of disciples, the solitude
of Gethsemane, the crowning of thorns, the cynicism of Herod, and the
opportunism of Pilate.
He referred to the masses that called for the Crucifixion and said they had
been “deceived and excited by propaganda, lies, insults and imprecations at
the foot of the Cross.” Those identified as enemies of Christ included
Pontius Pilate, Herod, the Roman soldiers, the Sanhedrin, and their
followers. He did not call out “all Jews” or “the Jews.”
About two pages later in the manuscript, Pacelli referred to those who were
persecuting the Church at that time by doing things like expelling religion
and perverting Christianity. Jews were not doing this, but Nazi Germany
certainly was. The future pope was clearly equating the Nazis, not Jews, to
those who persecuted the Church at earlier times.
Pacelli then returned to the theme of Christ’s sufferings during the Passion
which were being repeated against the Mystical Body of Christ in modern
times contrasting them with the Church’s offering of love: “Let us replace
the cry of ‘Crucify’ made by Christ’s enemies, with the ‘Hosanna’ of our
fidelity and our love.” Pacelli was rebuking the totalitarians of his day,
not the Jews of earlier times.
Nowhere in the address did he mention or single out Jews as the specific,
much less sole, enemies of Jesus Christ, past or present. Nowhere did he
depict them as speaking “ out to his face,” or cite any passages from
Scripture (e.g., Mathew 27: 26: “His blood be on us, and our children”) that
have been misread for centuries to foment anti-Semitism. There is no
legitimate way to argue that Pacelli was blaming Jews when he spoke about
the enemies of Christ.
Where did the distorted quotation come from? The first use in English was by
Herczl, in his Christianity and the Holocaust of Hungarian Jewry (1993).
Perhaps Herczl himself or the people who helped with the book falsified the
quotation, but that seems unlikely. All are or were successful professionals
who had no logical reason to manipulate the quotation. He, and those who
have used the quote since, however, accepted too uncritically a very
unreliable source.
Herczl was not present at the speech and did not even look at Pacelli’s
script which can be found in Discorsi e Panegirici, a collection of Pius’s
early writings first published in 1939, or even the Italian version that
appeared in the Vatican newspaper. In his book, he cited a Hungarian
newspaper, Nemzeti Ujsag (National Journal), with a long and controversial
history as a political outlet.
According to Herczl, at the time in question Nemzeti Ujsag called itself
“The Political Christian Daily Newspaper,” and he described it as “the
semi-official newspaper of the Catholic Church.” That is in keeping with
what National Socialists claimed at that time, which was the kind of lie
Pacelli complained about in his talk.
The evidence is against Herczl. As its name implies and as numerous articles
in the newspaper itself attest, Nemzeti Ujsag was a political journal, not a
religious one. It was, at least in the relevant years, overtly anti-Semitic
and truly despicable. Randolph L. Braham, a noted scholar in the field,
called it a voice of National Socialism. Herczl himself notes that the
newspaper could be considered as part of an anti-Semitic coalition, along
with the “Awakening Hungarians,” an early fascist group, and the Christian
Socialists, which were in Hungary strongly anti-Semitic.
It is likely that the newspaper manufactured the quotation to support its
anti-Semitic position. Pacelli, after all, was criticizing the exact
political position the paper held. Then as now, Vatican support was a very
useful thing to claim.
Herczl and those who followed him should have been skeptical of this source.
Neither he nor anyone else would have accepted what that paper said about
Jews, yet with several other reliable sources available, why did he turn to
an unreliable source for this crucial information about Pacelli? More
importantly, why have critics like Phayer and Cornwell simply repeated the
charge, relying upon this English translation of a Hebrew translation from a
Hungarian translation of a speech originally made in French by a native
Italian speaker?
The manufactured quotation blatantly distorted the words of the future pope.
Inasmuch that quote was inconsistent with so much other evidence of Pacelli’s
character, it should have been strictly scrutinized. Instead it was readily
accepted and insufficiently analyzed by critics eager to discredit the
papacy and the Catholic Church. They should be ashamed.
Ronald J. Rychlak is the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor
of Law at the University of Mississippi School of Law. His most recent book
is a revised and expanded edition of Hitler, the War, and the Pope (OSV).
William Doino, Jr., is a contributor to The Pius War: Responses to the
Critics of Pius XII (Lexington Books).
RESOURCES
The Time magazine report on the Eucharistic Congress, Religion: Eucharist in
Budapest.
The exchange between Wilensky and Krupp.
Ronald L. Braham The Christian Churches of Hungary and the Holocaust.
William Doino’s Pius XII Did Help the Jews from The Times.
William Doino’s The Silence of Saul Friedlander from “On the Square."
For an extensive collection of articles on the subject from all sides, see
Pius XII and the Holocaust.
Comments:9.16.2010 | 8:04am
Gary Krupp says:
Thank you Professor Rychlak and Bill Doino for helping to clarify this
issue. As the document search of Pave the Way Foundation has proven, Pope
Pius XII was not an anti-Semite and in fact was a passionate defender of the
Jewish people. The "baby boomer" critics, who did not live through the war,
conveniently use the mistranslation of this speech to justify their charges
of anti-Semitism, which our documents prove is absolutely untrue.
As a Jew who grew up hating Pope Pius XII, our work has been directed
towards finding in the truth. After acquiring and posting on our site over
40,000 pages of original documents and original eyewitness videos since
2006, I can now only quote Albert Einstein when he was quoted in Time
Magazine in December 1940. He said of the Church under Pius XII, “I am
forced to confess, that I once despised, I now praise unreservedly.”
Gentlemen, your dedicated research is very much appreciated.
Gary Krupp
9.16.2010 | 8:34am
cricket says:
Well I've learned my lesson! I'm done with ellipses. Done!
9.16.2010 | 12:24pm
Bill Loughlin says:
Professor Rychlak and Mr. Doino are to be applauded for their diligent
efforts to restore Pius' reputation. It ain't easy. I've fired off two
emails in recent weeks to one of the Los Angeles Times columnists in the
vain hope of interesting him in making some effort to counterbalance the
propaganda his paper has spread unrelentingly for years.Indeed I suggested
he utilize Mr. Krupp's Pave the Way Foundation's power point presentation as
a starting point. Nothing happened. The legacy of the Times' propaganda is
that its readers still believe Pius was silent, that he cared nothing about
the plight of European Jews, and that the Vatican to this day refuses to
open its archives.
Having said all that, I can only hope that this article in First Things will
receive the prominence it truly deserves.
9.16.2010 | 12:26pm
patricksarsfield says:
Gary Krupp writes:
"The "baby boomer" critics, who did not live through the war, conveniently
use the mistranslation of this speech to justify their charges of
anti-Semitism, which our documents prove is absolutely untrue."
It is interesting to note that the attack on Pope Pius XII did not begin
until about 1962 when he was dead four years and his successor had just
launched a worldwide effort to unite christians through Vatican II. The
attackers, whose connections to the KGB have by now come to light, launched
Hochuth's The Deputy at a time when their target was a "dead man who could
tell no tales."
Those original charges were refuted in time (e.g., "Three Popes and the
Jews" by an Israeli diplomat who established that the Pope had done more to
save jews of Europe than anyone else), so the charges just transmogrified
into less specific charges. And so, this article had to be written to refute
the latest charges. The one thing that doesn't change is that when a charge
is refuted, the attackers don't give up, they just find another way to tweak
the charges. So this was good work but there will always be anothe rattacker
who will come along.
My question for the attackers is: if the Pope, who was a prisoner of the
surrounding Nazis until June 5, 1944, can be faulted for not making clearer
and more pointed attacks on the Shoah in the "public square" of
Nazi-controlled Europe, why are the attackers not accusing such movers and
shakers of the World--who were not within the grasp of the Nazis--such as
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the New York Times, Joe Stalin and Winston
Churchill of equivalent "anti-Semitic" passivity in the same fora?
Madrid, Spain, Sep 24, 2010 / 03:27 am (CNA).- Bernard-Henri Lévy, a well-known atheist associated with what is considered to be the European left, said in an interview that Catholicism is by far the most attacked religion in Europe. The prominent intellectual also noted it was unfortunate that so many injustices are committed against Benedict XVI.
“The Pope’s voice is extremely important,” Levy told Spanish newspaper ABC this week. “And we are very unjust to this Pope. I am not Catholic, but I think there is prejudice and especially major anti-clericalism that is taking on enormous proportions in Europe.”
“In France there is much talk about the desecrations of Jewish and Muslim cemeteries, but nobody knows that the tombs of Catholics are continually desecrated,” he added. “There is a sort of anti-clericalism in France that is not healthy at all. We have the right to criticize religions, but the most attacked religion today is the Catholic religion.”
Levy said he supports the construction of the mosque at Ground Zero and is opposed to the use of burkas, but he said Catholicism suffers more attacks than Islam. “Muslims are defended in the intellectual world, but Catholics much less,” he underscored.
“Dear children”, said the Pope in his remarks, “you go to school and you
learn naturally, and I am recalling that seventy-seven years have now passed
since I began school. I lived in a small village of three hundred
inhabitants, … yet we learned the essential things. Most importantly, we
learned to read and write. I think it is a great thing to be able to read
and write, because in this way we can know other people’s ideas, read
newspapers and books. We can also know what was written two thousand or more
years ago; we can know the spiritual continents of the world and communicate
with one another. Above all there is one extraordinary thing: God wrote a
book, He spoke to us human beings, finding people to write the book
containing the Word of God. Reading that book, we can read what God says to
us”.
The Holy Father went on: “At school you learn everything you need for life.
You also learn to know God, to know Jesus and thus you learn how to live
well. At school you make a lot of friends and this is a beautiful thing
because in this way you form one big family, but among our best friends, the
first we meet and know should be Jesus Who is a friend to everyone and truly
shows us the path of life.”