The only liturgical
celebration in Bolivia was held on Thursday morning, 9 July, when the Pope
celebrated Mass in the Christ the Redeemer Square in Santa Cruz for the opening
of the 5 th National Eucharistic Congress. In
the large open space dominated by the column on which stands an imposing statue
of Jesus with arms raised to heaven, Francis boarded the popemobile which
struggled to drive due to the crowd. More than 2 million people followed on the
40 large screens placed along the avenues which flow towards the square where
the altar was located. Francisco de los pobres is a expression often
found here. Among those present, the Pope recognized two old acquaintance: a
sister, whom he greeted with affection; and then one of the concelebrating
priests. During the
votive Mass for the Most Holy Eucharist, in the presence of President Morales
and several ecumenical delegates, there were many elements in the liturgy which
recalled local cultures. The stage, beautiful in its simplicity, was made
according to the style of Jesuit missions in
Chiquitania, inhabited by seven peoples who have names of Catholic
saints. The Pontiff used a staff made from the wood of the local
plant soto, on which was carved an angel, Our Lady Undoer of Knots and Christ
the Good Shepherd. The theme of vocation returned that afternoon when, at
the Coliseum of Don Bosco College, the Pope met with priests, religious and
seminarians of the region of Santa Cruz. In the gym of the school run by the Salesians, Francis listened
to the testimonies of a priest, nun and young seminarian, also responding to
their questions, adding many of his personal considerations to his prepared
address. Gianluca Biccini on assignment in Bolivia…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis is expected on Friday in Paraguay for the final leg of his Latin American Apostolic Journey. Linda Bordoni reports from Asuncion on the expectations for the Holy Father’s visit.
Listen to Linda Bordoni’s report from Asuncion:
Each time I have asked someone here in Paraguay what effect he or she hopes the Pope’s visit will have on the nation and on society, I have received an answer that contains a cry for renewal and transformation.
The people of Paraguay are humble and direct; they are proud of their rich cultural heritage, of the natural resources of their beautiful nation, of having overcome the ravages of war and exploitation.
But the memory of Stroessner’s cruel totalitarian regime is fresh in their minds, whilst widespread political corruption, devastating deforestation, large-scale production of “cash crops” that destroy biodiversity and pollute land and water, are cause for deep concern for the future of this “young” nation where 60% of the population is under 40 years old.
That’s why the Catholic University of Asuncion, dedicated to the formation of future leaders and managers, has set up an encounter between the Pope and Paraguayan society.
Representing five crucial sectors of society – those of the indigenous, of farmers, of entrepreneurs, of youth and of public authorities, five real people will have the occasion to sit down with Pope Francis and ask him for answers.
It will be the whole of Paraguay that turns to the Pope – the rector of the University told me – asking him to “point the way as we try to become the persons and the society he calls for in his encyclicals”.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met on Thursday with participants in a World Meeting of Popular Movements that was taking place in the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz. The three day congress brought together organisations of people on the margins of society, including the poor, the unemployed and those who’ve lost their agricultural land. The encounter followed on from a first meeting in the Vatican last October, organised with the support of the Pontifical Justice and Peace Council and the Academy of Social Sciences.
To find out about the most important goals of the congress, Vatican Radio’s Brazilian correspondent, Bianca Fraccalvieri, spoke to one of the English speaking delegates, Franciscan Father Daniel Callahan who serves the multi-ethnic parish of St Joan of Arc in Toronto, Canada
Listen:
Fr Callahan says the congress is trying to lay “a foundation for justice”, so its timing is very important, following the release of the Pope’s new encyclical that has its foundations in Franciscan spirituality and in the social justice movements that began with Pope Leo XIII…
He says that social justice movement is now “being announced in a whole new way” so that economists and business people, plus those in positions of responsibility, will be able to have “a bigger mind about what justice means” in terms of distribution of the resources of the world….
(from Vatican Radio)…