(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis said on Sunday that “No human condition constitutes grounds for exclusion from the heart of the Father.”
The Pope was speaking during the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square on the day upon which we mark the International Day of Leprosy.
The only privilege in the eyes of God – Pope Francis told the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square – is to have no privileges and to be abandoned in His hands.”
And calling on all men and women to guard themselves against the temptation of treating religion as a human investment and of thinking they can “bargain” with God seeking to obtain their own interests, the Pope urged the faithful to open their hearts to the Lord and to his Revelation.
Pope Francis reflected on the Gospel reading of the day in which Jesus, speaking at the Synagogue, mentions great prophets like Elijah and Elisha who were not given credit, and then he himself is driven out of town “but passed through the midst of them and went away”.
He said that the Scripture passage is fulfilled today as it was during the time of Jesus.
And he reminded the faithful that God the Father cares for all his creatures, even the smallest and the most insignificant in the eyes of men and that it is always He who takes the first step: “comes to visit us with his mercy, raises us from the dust of our sins”.
God – Pope Francis said – “holds out His hand to draw us back from the abyss into which we have been driven by our pride, and invites us to welcome the consoling truth of the Gospel and to walk on the right paths: He always comes to looking for us” and no human condition constitutes grounds for exclusion from His heart.
After the Marian prayer, the Pope turned his attention to the World Day of Leprosy.
A “disease – he said – that while being in regression, unfortunately still affects the poorest and most marginalized.”
And stressing the fact that it is important to show solidarity to these brothers and sisters who are disabled as a result of this disease, the Pope assured them of his prayers and pledged his support to those who assist them.
Pope Francis also had a special greeting for a group of boys and girls of the Italian Catholic Action movement from the Diocese of Rome.
Commending them for having just passed through the Holy Door of Mercy, he encouraged them to be instruments of peace and mercy among their peers.
Finally, the launch of coloured balloons symbolizing peace and a request that has become customary from Pope Francis but that never fails to touch one’s heart: “Please do not forget to pray for me.”
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a video-message for the conclusion of the International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu, Philippines. To the participants of the 51st IEC who have just wrapped up weeklong event which focussed and reflected upon the Eucharist, Pope Francis revealed that the next such Congress will take place in Budapest, Hungary in 2020. Listen to the Pope’s message:
Dear Brothers and Sisters, I greet all of you gathered in Cebu for the Fifty-first International Eucharistic Congress. I thank Cardinal Bo, who is my representative among you, and I offer a special greeting to Cardinal Vidal, Archbishop Palma and the bishops, priests and faithful in Cebu. I also greet Cardinal Tagle and all the Catholics of the Philippines. I am particularly happy that this Congress has brought together so many people from the vast continent of Asia and from throughout the world. Just one year ago, I visited the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Yolanda. I was able to witness at first hand the deep faith and resilience of its people. Under the protection of Santo Niño, the Filipino people received the Gospel of Jesus Christ some five hundred years ago. Ever since, they have given the world an example of fidelity and deep devotion to the Lord and his Church. They have also been a people of missionaries, speading the light of the Gospel in Asia and to the ends of the earth. The theme of the Eucharistic Congress – Christ in You, Our Hope of Glory – is very timely. It reminds us that the risen Jesus is always alive and present in his Church, above all in the Eucharist, the sacrament of his Body and Blood. Christ’s presence among us is not only a consolation, but also a promise and a summons. It is a promise that everlasting joy and peace will one day be ours in the fullness of his Kingdom. But it is also a summons to go forth, as missionaries, to bring the message of the Father’s tenderness, forgiveness and mercy to every man, woman and child. How much our world needs this message! When we think of the conflicts, the injustices and the urgent humanitarian crises which mark our time, we realize how important it is for every Christian to be a true missionary disciple, bringing the good news of Christ’s redemptive love to a world in such need of reconciliation, justice and peace. So it is fitting that this Congress has been celebrated in the Year of Mercy, in which the whole Church is invited to concentrate on the heart of the Gospel: Mercy. We are called to bring the balm of God’s merciful love to the whole human family, binding up wounds, bringing hope where despair so often seems to have the upper hand. As you now prepare to “go forth” at the end of this Eucharistic Congress, there are two gestures of Jesus at the Last Supper which I would ask you to reflect on. Both have to do with the missionary dimension of the Eucharist. They are table fellowship and the washing of feet. We know how important it was for Jesus to share meals with his disciples, but also, and especially, with sinners and the outcast. Sitting at table, Jesus was able to listen to others, to hear their stories, to appreciate their hopes and aspirations, and to speak to them of the Father’s love. At each Eucharist, the table of the Lord’s Supper, we should be inspired to follow his example, by reaching out to others, in a spirit of respect and openness, in order to share with them the gift we ourselves have received. In Asia, where the Church is committed to respectful dialogue with the followers of other religions, this prophetic witness most often takes place, as we know, through the dialogue of life. Through the testimony of lives transformed by God’s love, we best proclaim the Kingdom’s promise of reconciliation, justice and unity for the human family. Our example can open hearts to the grace of the Holy Spirit, who leads them to Christ the Savior. The other image which the Lord offers us at the Last Supper is the washing of feet. On the eve of his passion, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as a sign of humble service, of the unconditional love with which he gave his life on the Cross for the salvation of the world. The Eucharist is a school of humble service. It teaches us readiness to be there for others. This too is at the heart of missionary discipleship. Here I think of the aftermath of the typhoon. It brought immense devastation to the Philippines, yet it also brought in its wake an immense outpouring of solidarity, generosity and goodness. People set about rebuilding not just homes, but lives. The Eucharist speaks to us of that power, which flows from the Cross and constantly brings new life. It changes hearts. It enables us to be caring, to protect the poor and the vulnerable, and to be sensitive to the cry of our brothers and sisters in need. It teaches us to act with integrity and to reject the injustice and corruption which poison the roots of society. Dear friends, may this Eucharistic Congress strengthen you in your love of Christ present in the Eucharist. May it enable you, as missionary disciples, to bring this great experience of ecclesial communion and missionary outreach to your families, your parishes and communities, and your local Churches. May it be a leaven of reconciliation and peace for the entire world. Now, at the end of the Congress, I am happy to announce that the next International Eucharistic Congress will take place in 2020 in Budapest, Hungary. I ask all of you to join me in praying for its spiritual fruitfulness and for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all engaged in its preparation. As you return to your homes renewed in faith, I gladly impart my Apostolic Blessing to you and your families as a pledge of abiding joy and peace in the Lord. God Bless you: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. (from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) The 51st International Eucharistic Congress has ended in Cebu, Philippines.
As Vatican Radio’s Seàn-Patrick Lovett reports from Cebu, the week long event that saw the participation of faithful and clergy from across the globe concluded in style with a personal video-message from Pope Francis himself who also announced that the next such Congress will take place in 2010 in Budapest, Hungary:
So what exactly do you have to do to get front page news coverage of your international Catholic spiritual festival that brings together over 15,000 delegates from over 70 countries in an exotic location and a context of impeccable organization and style in order to listen to some of the most inspired and inspiring speakers in the world today addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time and that includes a celebration during which 5,000 children receive their First Holy Communion as well as an evening torch-light procession stretching over 5 kilometres and witnessing the participation of nearly 2 million people representing all ages and social groups and that culminates in an open-air Mass attended by approximately the same number of devout and devoted faithful and that concludes with a video message by no one less than the Pope himself?
Apart from using shorter sentences, you could start by avoiding any reference to the word “Eucharist”. In fact, if you were listening, you might have noticed my reference to the event as a “Catholic spiritual festival”, rather than an “International Eucharistic Congress” – which it was. But then, I’m only trying to help.
The fact is that, with numbers like those, any other political, sporting or entertainment event anywhere else in the world, would have attracted the kind of attention that it deserved. Evidently, the Eucharist doesn’t deserve it. At least as far as mainstream media is concerned. Fortunately, every single person who was here in Cebu (man, woman, child, secular or religious, Catholic and non) – would disagree.
To put it bluntly (and with no disrespect): we had a blast. And to be honest (with the utmost respect): it was more fun because it was in the Philippines. In the words of their own Pastors (and I quote): Filipinos do three things really well: sing, eat and enjoy celebrating their Faith. Of course they do so much more than that. Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York publicly expressed his gratitude to the many Filipino priests who have taken over parishes in Europe and America that were in crisis due to a lack of local vocations. And what about the Filipino care-givers and computer programmers and artists and engineers who have brought the joyfully exuberant expression of their faith tradition to worn-out and lack-lustre Catholic communities on five continents?
So, by way of conclusion, and since I know you didn’t read or hear about it anywhere else, you need to know that for the past week here in Cebu we have been singing, eating, and celebrating the Catholic Faith the Filipino way: joyfully.
Here in Cebu, singing, eating, and covering the 51st Eucharistic Congress I’m Seàn-Patrick Lovett
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Saturday spoke of his sadness at the death of one of the workers at his residence at the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican. The Holy Father said the woman, whom he called Elvira, had been sick for some time. He was speaking at the conclusion of his first Jubilee audience during this Year of Mercy in St Peter’s Square and he asked the pilgrims present to pray a Hail Mary for the woman and her family. The Pope described the Casa Santa Marta as big house, where he said about forty priests, and some bishops who are working in the Curia live. There are also, he added, guests who stay, such as cardinals, bishops and lay people who come to Rome for meetings. Elvira was just one of a group of men and women, who work at the residence cleaning and working in the kitchen and dining room. Pope Francis said these people were not just employees, they formed part of a family in the house. (from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) The 51st International Eucharistic Congres s is taking place in Cebu, Philippines drawing thousands of delegates from around the globe to reflect on the central role of the Eucharist in the life of the Church.
One of Saturday’s presenters at the event was Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York , whose theme was ‘The Eucharist and Mary’. In the presentation, he returned to the theology of suffering, giving moving examples of a priest celebrating Mass on his deathbed and a dying girl’s wish that Cardinal Dolan speak her name into the Chalice during the sacrifice of the Mass.
He spoke to the head of Vatican Radio’s English Section, Seàn-Patrick Lovett, about the importance of the theology of suffering and the Eucharist.
Listen to the full interview:
Redemptive suffering
“John Paul II used to speak about redemptive suffering. When I was a parish priest, and now that I’m a bishop, so many people will pour out their heart and soul and tell me about their suffering. You wouldn’t know it to look at them – it’s not like their on crutches or a wheelchair, sometimes they are – but sometimes it’s emotion suffering, sometimes it’s spiritual suffering. They are just eaten alive with worry.”
“It’s like the people who ran up to Jesus; they just wanted to touch him, they wanted to pour out their heart and soul. That’s what we mean by a Saviour: we have certain things we need saving from! And one of the things we need to be saved from is our worries, our sufferings, our sorrows. I’ve never met a person who didn’t have them.”
“But today we tend to deny that, we almost tend to say ‘Ah, we don’t need a Saviour; I can do it by myself’. Well, if we don’t need a Saviour, then we are the saddest people. I don’t know about you, but I sure need one, and the people that I meet need one. And we have to show them the Saviour.”
Theology of suffering in Eucharist
Turning to the reason why many Catholics tend to shy away from proclaiming a theology of suffering, Cardinal Dolan said, “Why do think? Is it because people will think we are kind of negative or depressed or because we’re down on humanity or Creation? Are you kidding? We are the ones who exalt Creation!”
“We are the ones who know the dignity and beauty of the human person. But we also know the suffering there, we also know the dark side, the unredeemed side. And that’s where faith and religion, that’s where the Saviour comes in! And that’s what the Mass is all about.”
He then went on to give some examples of the shakers and movers who frequent the Cathedral of New York, St. Patrick’s. “When I look out there, I know them well enough now to know that every one of them has a special intention. I know every one of them is eaten up inside with something bothering them. […] And what do they do? Where do they go? That’s why they come to Mass, because they know they are close to Jesus and the Cross there. We can’t lose that.”
Power of Eucharist: Christian community
The power of the Eucharistic Congress, Cardinal Dolan said, is “the power of other people, the power of example. It’s the power of seeing them trying their best to live their faith. And I think that’s the genius of Catholicism: we’re not in this alone.”
“That’s something really important for us in the United States, because the Calvinist Puritan ethic would be that ‘it’s God and me, it’s between Jesus and me’. Mostly it’s very personal. We Catholics tend to believe – yes, our faith is personal – but it’s received and lived out together, in a community, with other people that we call the Church. And that’s where examples come in; that’s what the Communion of Saints [is about]: good examples for us.”
(from Vatican Radio)…