(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a message to the 24th World Congress of the Apostleship of the Sea which is taking place this week in the Taiwanese port city of Kaohsiung.
In the message, signed by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the pope says he hopes the congress will serve to strengthen all those who support people living and working at sea.
The meeting, from October 1st to 7th , is focused on challenges facing the fishing industries, in particular the plight of migrant fishermen.
The World Congress of the Apostleship of the Sea is held once every four years but this is the first time that it takes place in Taiwan, which has one of the world’s biggest fishing industries.
Please find below the full text of the pope’s message:
President of the XXIV World Congress of the Apostleship of the Sea
His Holiness Pope Francis sends cordial greetings and prayerful best wishes to the participants in the twenty-fourth World Congress of the Apostleship of the Sea. In giving thanks to Almighty God for the many graces received through its work over many years, His Holiness prays that the bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful gathered for this significant Congress, will be strengthened in their support of all those who work at sea.
As you address the particular needs of those who labour in the fishing sector, Pope Francis hopes that Christians may recognize the valuable lesson we can learn from them, “about a Church which makes room for God’s mystery; a Church which harbours that mystery in such a way that it can entice people” and attract them to himself (cf. Address to the Bishops of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, 27 July 2013). In entrusting all seafarers and their families to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Stella Maris and Stella Matutina, His Holiness gladly imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of peace and joy in the Lord
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has released a video message accompanying his monthly prayer intention for October .
This month’s intention is for Workers and the Unemployed : That all workers may receive respect and protection of their rights, and that the unemployed may receive the opportunity to contribute to the common good”
The text of the video message reads:
We should always remember the dignity and rights of those who work, condemn situations in which that dignity and those rights are violated, and help to ensure authentic progress by man and society.
Let us pray that all workers may receive respect and protection of their rights, and that the unemployed may receive the opportunity to contribute to the common good.
The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network of the Apostleship of Prayer developed the “Pope Video” initiative to assist in the worldwide dissemination of monthly intentions of the Holy Father in relation to the challenges facing humanity.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has invited Christians to turn to God to in search of the courage and strength needed to follow Jesus in our lives.
Speaking on Tuesday morning during the homily at Mass in the Casa Santa Marta, the Pope reflected on Jesus’s journey to Jerusalem as the moment of His crucifixion drew near.
Accepting the will of his Father, Jesus – he said – resolutely determined to undertake that journey and announced His intention to the disciples.
Jesus: a model of determination and obedience
“Only once, the Pope recalled, in the Garden of Gethsemane did He ask the Father to ‘remove the cup of wrath He was about to drink’, but each time He submitted to the Father’s will.”
That’s what the Father wants of us, he said, determination and obedience, and He will await with infinite patience.
Francis went on to explain that the disciples did not follow their Master during his journey to Jerusalem.
Jesus was alone
“At times the disciples did not understand what Jesus was saying or did not want to understand because they were afraid; other times they hid the truth or they were distracted by other things; or – as we can read in today’s Gospel: they searched for an alibi so as not to think about what was awaiting the Lord” he said.
He pointed out that Jesus was alone in his decision because no one understood the mystery of Jesus, and noted that the only one that God sent to strengthen and comfort Him in the Garden of Gethsemane was an angel sent from Heaven.
Ask for the grace to follow Jesus
“Let us take some time, the Pope said, to think about Jesus who loved us so much, who walked alone towards the cross: think about Him and thank Him for his obedience and His courage and enter into conversation with Him.”
Speak to Jesus, Francis concluded, acknowledging all the things He has done for us, acknowledging the patience with which he tolerates our sins and our failures.
“Take some time today – five, ten, fifteen minutes – either before the crucifix or with your imagination, to ‘see’ Jesus walking determinately towards Jerusalem and ask for the grace to have the courage to follow him closely” he said.
(from Vatican Radio)…