(Vatican Radio) The Holy See has told the United Nations it is concerned that economic growth “has not benefited everyone in society equally.” Speaking at a session of the UN’s Commission for Social Development, The Holy See’s Permanent Observer, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, said that “by placing the human person at the center of development and…
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(Vatican Radio) The Holy See has told the United Nations it is concerned that economic growth “has not benefited everyone in society equally.” Speaking at a session of the UN’s Commission for Social Development, The Holy See’s Permanent Observer, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, said that “by placing the human person at the center of development and…
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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis is asking people to take time out of their frenzied lives to visit the sick, spend time with them and learn from their suffering.
Marking the World Day of the Sick this Wednesday, communities, parishes, dioceses and bishops’ conferences around the world will gather in prayer with Pope Francis for the suffering and their careers.
Instituted on May 13, 1992 by Saint John Paul II and celebrated every year on February 11, the commemoration of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Day is a special time of sharing and pastoral outreach to people living with illness.
In his message this year- titled “I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame” (Job 29:15) – Pope Francis calls on Christians and all people of good will to have ‘wisdom of heart’, to go beyond themselves and reach out the sick.
He writes that in the rush of today’s world we can often forget the value of ‘time spent at the bedside of the sick’. He says ‘we forget about giving ourselves freely, taking care of others, being responsible for others’ adding that this masks a ‘lukewarm faith’
Pope Francis also warns against what he describes as ‘a lie’ that lurks behind certain phrases that insist on the importance of “quality of life” and which make people think that lives affected by grave illness are not worth living.
Instead, “the experience of suffering can become a privileged means of transmitting grace and a source for gaining and growing in wisdom of the heart”. This means showing solidarity without judging. “Charity takes time” concludes Pope Francis, “time to care for the sick and time to visit them. Time to be at their side”.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) What does it take to give a good homily? According to a new book entitled “Homiletic Directory”, the ingredients include, being well prepared, no improvisation, a helping of reflection and a text that isn’t boring.
The instruction guide for priests, deacons and bishops, contained in one volume, was presented at the Vatican Press Office on Tuesday morning by the Congregation for the Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
The key speakers included the Prefect of the Congregation, Cardinal Robert Sarah and Secretary Archbishop Arthur Roche.
Listen to Lydia O’Kane’s interview with Archbishop Arthur Roche
The volume comes as part of the response that Pope Benedict XVI made following the Synod on the Word of God.
Pope Francis’ words on the Homily in the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium has also brought the document to the forefront.
Speaking to Lydia O’Kane after the conference, Archbishop Arthur Roche said that the preaching of the homily can be way of bringing the Word of God more alive in the hearts and minds of the faithful.
“The responsibility of the priest is to bring the reality of God’s life into a practical application with the reality of people’s lives.”
The Archbishop also said that “a priest or a preacher really needs to know the people to whom he is preaching.”
On the subject of what the faithful expect from a homily, Archbishop Roche, quipped that the they are usually good at making their feelings known.
The “Homiletic Directory” is available both in English and Italian.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) What does it take to give a good homily? According to a new book entitled “Homiletic Directory”, the ingredients include, being well prepared, no improvisation, a helping of reflection and a text that isn’t boring. The instruction guide for priests, deacons and bishops, contained in one volume, was presented at the Vatican Press…
Read more