(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis celebrated Mass in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence in the Vatican on Thursday. In remarks following the readings of the day, the Holy Father focused on the concrete and communicative character of authentic love. True love is real and constant In the Gospel reading, from the Gospel according to…
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Vatican City,7 May 2015 (VIS) – This morning Pope Francis received members of the joint committee of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), whose objective is facilitating ecumenism throughout the continent, where many of the divisions and wars between Christians began. The current situation is very different. Thanks to ecumenical dialogue, ecclesiastic communities have taken great steps on the path to reconciliation and peace, as demonstrated by the recent European Ecumenical Assemblies and the Ecumenical Charter written in Strasbourg, France in 2001. These are landmarks in the collaboration between the CEC and the Council of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe (CCEE) that give rise to the hope of achieving full and visible union between believers in Christ. The Holy Father, who noted that the ecumenical journey, even with all its difficulties, is already an integral part of the process of reconciliation and communion, recalled that the conciliar decree Unitatis Redintegratio affirms that the division between Christians “damages the holy cause of preaching the Gospel to every creature”. “This is evident,” he stated, “when, for example, the European Churches and ecclesiastic communities have different points of view on important anthropological or ethical questions. Nevertheless, I hope that opportunities for common reflection in light of Sacred Scripture and shared tradition will not be lacking and that they will be fruitful … and that we might find common answers to the questions that contemporary society asks of Christians. The closer we are to Christ, the closer we are united among ourselves.” “ Today the European Churches and ecclesiastic communities face new and decisive challenges, that can only be effectively answered by speaking with one voice,” the Pope affirmed. “I am thinking, for example, of the challenges of legislation that, in the name of a misunderstood principle of tolerance wind up blocking citizens from freely expressing and practicing their religious convictions peacefully and legitimately. Moreover, faced with the attitude that Europe seems to have toward the dramatic and often tragic emigration of thousands of persons fleeing war, persecution, and misery, the European Churches and ecclesiastic communities have the duty to promote solidarity and hospitality. European Christians are called upon to intercede with prayer and by actively working to bring dialogue and peace to current conflicts.”…
Vatican City, 7 May 2015 (VIS) – The peaceful coexistence among believers of different religions, the safeguarding of interreligious dialogue, the common commitment of Christians and Muslims in defense of cultural heritage, promotion of women, and the consolidation of the family were some of the topics that Pope Francis addressed in the speech he delivered this morning to the bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Mali, at the end of their “ad Limina” visit. Following are extensive excerpts from the address. “ I would like to direct your attention toward the person of Christ in the delicate situation that your country has faced in recent years, including security challenges. At times, this situation has undermined the coexistence between the various sectors of society as well as the harmony between men and women of different religions present in the land of Mali, which is rich with a glorious past, synonymous with admirable traditions among which are tolerance and cohesion. I thank your Episcopal Conference for knowing how to preserve the spirit of interreligious dialogue in this delicate context. The common commitment of Christians and Muslims to safeguard the Mali’s cultural treasures, especially the large libraries of Timbuktu, patrimony of humanity, is an eloquent example. When you return, I want you to express my nearness, not only to your faithful, but also to your fellow citizens of all social classes and religions, men and women of good will involved in the fight against intolerance and exclusion.” “ In this situation, the Christian communities and their pastors are called to give an even greater witness to their faith based on the unconditional acceptance of the Gospel values. You are already following this path in translating the Bible into local languages because, in order to live the Word of God and to witness to it faithfully, we must first know it, diligently study it, and assimilate it. In this sense, the efforts made in your dioceses to develop new Catechesis manuals are to be welcomed. Thanks to a solid formation, the lives of the faithful will be even more rooted in faith and strengthened to withstand all threats.” “ Despite the serious problems facing it, the Church in Mali shows a beautiful dynamic in its work of evangelization, preserving a profound respect of conscience. Christ’s followers grow in number and fervor. But the Christian witness of the family still needs greater coherence. In your cultural context, also marked by divorce and polygamy, Catholics are called upon to concretely proclaim, through their witness, to the Gospel, life, and the family. I also encourage you to continue your pastoral work, paying particular attention to the situation of women: promoting the role of women in society and fighting against abuse and violence toward women is also a way of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who chose to be born of a woman, the Virgin Mary.” “ If in any particular church the synergy inspired by charity is needed to ensure its credibility, then your context of the charity and unity lived in the Church are among the most important signs of fruitful dialogue with other religions, an expression of authentic Christian witness… It is to be hoped that even nowadays these witnesses of members of other religions toward our Christian communities multiply.” “ Likewise, the Gospel lived in its authentic dimension of charity should inspire social ministry. The Church is present in Mali in the areas of education for peace and your Christian communities actively contribute to promoting genuine national reconciliation. In congratulating you for your pastoral sensitivity in the field of promoting the human person without consideration limited to ethnic or religious affiliation, I would like to pay tribute to the many Christians who spread the culture of solidarity and hospitality, especially in facing the violence of the last years.” “ Dear Brothers in the Episcopate, strengthened by the Lord’s promise to be with his family until the end of time, I am convinced that despite the difficulties on their path, the Church in Mali will continue to be a testament to hope and peace.”…
(Vatican Radio) The sacrifice of one hundred and forty seven Swiss Guards who laid down their lives in defense of Pope Clement VII and the Holy Mother Church during the Sack of Rome in 1527 is commemorated each year on May 6.
Yet again, that important date will be remembered on Wednesday afternoon during the annual swearing-in ceremony for new Swiss Guards which takes place in the Saint Damaso Courtyard of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace.
The Swiss Guard is the oldest standing army in the world and its motto is “Courage and Loyalty”.
2015 sees the swearing in of 32 new Guards who were received in audience by Pope Francis on Monday.
During that audience the Pope told the men who are charged with protecting him that they should pray the rosary during honor guard duty and always carry a small version of the Gospel in their pockets.
“What I tell everyone, I’ll tell you too: always keep a small Gospel close at hand, read it as soon as you have a calm moment. It will help you in your personal prayer, especially the Rosary, during the honor guard,” he said.
The Pope also called the audience an occasion “to nurture a meaningful friendship, because you work so close to me”.
During the ceremony each new guard approaches the flag as his name is called out. Firmly clasping the banner in his left hand, the recruit raises his right hand high and distinctly opens three fingers, a symbol of his faith in the Holy Trinity.
Then, he confirms the oath, proclaiming:
“I, [name of the new guard], swear diligently and faithfully to abide by all that has just been read out to me, so grant me God and so help me his Saints.”
The patron saints of the Guard include St. Martin, St. Sebastian, and St. Nicholas of Flue, “Defensor Pacis et pater patriae.”
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) The Church will soon have three new saints and three new blesseds. Pope Francis has authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate decrees elevating six lay people and religious in the process towards sainthood. Seven people count among the new Venerable, including a married couple from Italy.
On September 23, the canonization of Friar Junipero Serra
Among the future Saints is Junipero Serra, an 18 th century Spanish Friar Minor of California. The Pope will canonize him on September 23 during his apostolic visit to the US.
Among the Saints: Don Vincenzo Grossi and Maria of the Immaculate Conception
Also to become saints are a priest of Cremona, Italy: Vincenzo Grossi, founder of the Institute of the Daughters of the Oratory (Pizzighettone March 9, 1845 – Vicobellignano November 7, 1917) and Maria of the Immaculate Conception (born Maria Isabella Salvat Romero), superior general of the Sisters of the Company of the Cross (Madrid February 20, 1926 – October 31, 1998 Seville).
Two martyrs in Laos and an Italian priest become Blessed
Among the Blesseds are two young martyrs in Laos: the Italian missionary Oblate Mario Borzaga and the Laotian lay catechist Paul Thoj Xyooj, killed in hatred of the faith in 1960. The first was 27 years old, the latter, 19. Don Giacomo Abbondo, an Italian country parish priest (Salomino August 27, 1720 – February 9, 1788 Tronzano) has also been named a blessed.
New Venerable Servants of God
A married Italian couple, Sergio Bernardini (Sassoguidano May 20, 1882 – October 12, 1966 Verica) and Domenica Bedonni (Verica April 12, 1889 – 27 February 1971 Modena) are among the new Venerable Servants of God. Farmers in northern Italy, they educated their 10 children in the faith and service to the poor. 6 became religious and two others, Capuchin friars.
The other new Venerable are: Giacinto Vera, Bishop of Montevideo (born off the Atlantic Ocean July 3, 1813 – May 6, 1881 Pan de Azucar, Uruguay); Antonio Antié, professed priest of the Order of Friars Minor (Prvic Sepurine, Croatia April 16, 1893 – March 4, 1965 Zagreb); Giulia Colbert Falletti di Barolo, a lay widow and founder of the Congregation of the Daughters of Jesus the Good Shepherd (Maulévrier, France June 26, 1786 – January 19, 1864 Turin, Italy); Brigida Maria Postorino, foundress of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (Catona in Reggio Calabria, Italy November 19, 1865 – March 30, 1960 Frascati, Italy); Raffaela Maria Gesu Ostia (born Raffaela Martínez-Cavavate Ballesteros), professed nun of the Order of the Capuchin Sisters of St. Clare (Maracena, Spain March 31, 1915 – May 29, 1991 Chauchina, Spain).
(from Vatican Radio)…