(Vatican Radio) At his General Audience on Wednesday, which was held in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Pope Francis spoke about mercy as the instrument of communion. Listen to Christopher Wells’ report:
Reflecting on the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, taken from the Gospel of St Matthew, the Holy Father focused on Jesus’ compassion for the people who follow after Him. “His compassion is not a vague sentiment,” the Pope said. Jesus “loves us so much, and wants to be close to us.” Jesus’ concern for the crowd is the impetus for the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Jesus, though, does not act alone, but wishes to involve His disciples in the miracle. “He shows them that the few loaves and fishes they have, with the power of faith and of prayer, can be shared by all the people,” the Pope said. “It is a miracle that He does, but it is the miracle of faith, of prayer with compassion and love.” Pope Francis noted that Jesus’ actions in performing the miracle — lifting His eyes to heaven, saying the blessing, breaking the bread, and giving it — are the same actions He performs at the Last Supper — and the same signs performed by every priest when he offers the Sacrifice of the Mass. “The Christian community is born and reborn continually by this Eucharistic communion,” the Pope said. Our communion with Christ, he continued, impels us to go out to the men and women of our day, “to offer them the concrete sign of the mercy” of Christ. In this way, all believers are made “servants of mercy.” Concluding his catechesis, the Holy Father asked us all to pray that the Lord “might always make His Church capable of this holy service,” and might help each of us “to be instruments of communion” in our own relationships, “visible signs of the mercy of God.” (from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) With a Moto Proprio, Pope Francis announced on Wednesday the establishment of a Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life. The Prefect of the new Dicastery will be the Irish-born Bishop Kevin Joseph Farrell, currently serving as Bishop of Dallas.
In his Apostolic Letter the Pope wrote that the new Dicastery will be “governed by special Statues” and all the responsibilities and functions held by the current Pontifical Councils for the Laity and for the Family will be transferred to the new Dicastery from September 1st. After that date the two Councils in question will cease to exist.
As a loving Mother, the Pope wrote, the Church has always throughout the centuries shown her concern for the laity, the family and life, by witnessing our Lord’s merciful love for humanity and we want to ensure that “the riches of Jesus Christ are poured out appropriately and with profusion among the faithful.”
For this reason, we are taking prompt moves so that that “the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia can respond to the situation of our times and adapt to the needs of the universal Church. In particular, our thoughts are turned towards the laity, the family and life to whom we wish to offer our support and help so that they are active witnesses of the Gospel in our times and as a sign of the goodness of the Lord.”
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis held his weekly General Audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican on Wednesday. In his catechesis, the Holy Father reflected on St Matthew’s account of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes.
Below, please find the official English language summary of Pope Francis’ catechesis for the General Audience for 16 August 2016:
Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our continuing catechesis for this Holy Year of Mercy, we now consider the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. In Saint Matthew’s account, Jesus wishes to withdraw and pray, but seeing the multitudes, is moved by compassion and chooses to remain with them. By instructing his disciples to feed the crowd, he teaches them to have faith and invites them to share in his concern for those in need. The miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes is a concrete sign of that merciful concern. Matthew, in telling us that Jesus took the bread, looked up to heaven, then blessed and broke it for the crowds, clearly evokes the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper. Through our partaking of the Eucharist, we not only receive spiritual nourishment, but, conformed ever more fully to the Lord, we become signs of his merciful presence to those around us. May all of us, as members of Christ’s body, seek to bring to our families and communities, and especially to those most in need, the nourishment of God’s closeness, mercy and love.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis over the weekend sent his support to an event taking place in the Italian Diocese of Ugento-S. Maria di Leuca called “Mediterranean: A Sea of Bridges,” which brought together young people from Europe and the countries bordering the Mediterranean to create a Charter which would help stop the Mediterranean from being a “sea of death.”
In a message sent through the Secretary of State, Pope Francis express his wish that the event “enkindle a renewed commitment to promoting a culture of hospitality and solidarity, and thus promote peace and fraternity among peoples.”
The message went on to say the Holy Father encouraged the participants at the meeting to “consider the presence of so many brothers and sisters who are migrants to be an opportunity of human growth, of meeting and dialogue among cultures and religions, and also even an occasion to witness to the Gospel of Charity.”
The meeting, which concluded on Sunday, issued the Charter of Leuca , which pledged the participants’ willingness “to preserve, to reconstruct, and to bring together the bridges linking the countries of the Mediterranean.”
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis sent a letter on Monday to express his sorrow over the loss of life and property in Portugal, where wildfires have killed at least 4 people and caused hundreds to evacuate their homes.
Listen to Devin Watkins’ report:
The letter – addressed to the bishop of Funchal, Antonio Carrilho, and signed by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin – was read out during the celebration of Holy Mass for Our Lady of the Mount, Patroness of Funchal.
In the message, Pope Francis said he is “appalled by the sad news of the terrible fires raging on the island of Madeira” and expressed his “condolences and participation in the pain” of all those affected.
The Holy Father also conveyed “solidarity and spiritual closeness” for those displaced by the wildfires and prayed for the quick healing of the wounded and “courage and consolation in Christian hope” for all involved.
Finally, Pope Francis expressed his gratitude for the more than 2,000 firefighters battling the flames which have killed 5 people: 4 on the Portugese island of Madeira and 1 in neighboring Spain.
During his homily for the celebration of Our Lady of the Mount in which the message was read, Bishop Carrilho repeated the Pope’s message of sorrow.
“We cannot but remember those who have died and express our deepest solidarity to all who have experienced angst and suffering, in particular those who have lost their homes and belongings.”
Bishop Carrilho then praised the many “acts of solidarity” performed in the face of danger and the “strength and courage” of the Portugese people.
(from Vatican Radio)…