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Pope Francis to religious: obedience key to joy, creativity

February 3, 2015 breaking Comments Off on Pope Francis to religious: obedience key to joy, creativity

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis said Mass in St Peter’s Basilica on Monday afternoon, to mark the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the World Day for Consecrated Life – exactly one year ahead of the close of the Year for Consecrated Life, which opened on the First Sunday of Advent. The blessing of the candles preceded the Mass – the candles that are sign and symbol of that Light, which is Christ, Himself – and then the liturgy began with a candle-light procession into the basilica, as the choir intoned the antiphon: Christ, light unto the Nations, and glory God’s people,  Israel. The focus of the Holy Father’s homily was the virtue of obedience, keystone of the religious…Continue Reading

Pope Francis To Visit Sarajevo

February 2, 2015 breaking Comments Off on Pope Francis To Visit Sarajevo

Pope Francis announced on Sunday that he intends to visit Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina, on June 6. The surprise announcement came as he addressed the crowds in St. Peter’s Square after the recitation of the Angelus prayer.  “God willing” – the Pope said –“On Saturday 6 June I will travel to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina.” And he asked for prayers so his one-day visit would encourage Bosnia’s Catholic population as well as `’give rise to the development of good and contribute to the consolidation of brotherhood and peace, inter-religious dialogue and friendship.” The nation, that was part of the former Yugoslavia, was ravaged by the 1992-95 war which took over 100,000 lives. Thousands of people, including Muslim Bosnians…Continue Reading

Vatican Tribunal Opens New Judicial Year

February 1, 2015 breaking Comments Off on Vatican Tribunal Opens New Judicial Year

(Vatican Radio) The Vatican Tribunal opened its 86th session on Saturday morning. At the Mass to mark the occasion, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said the application of the law must be both rigorous and compassionate. But its application must also be free of vengeance and of popular notions of justice, he told the judges and members of the Vatican Tribunal. The cardinal made reference to the teachings of Saint John Bosco, whose feast the Church celebrated on Saturday. In particular, he referenced John Bosco’s preventive system, which combines formation through reason, an openness to God, and the compassionate treatment of persons. The saint, he said, condemned repressive and vengeful methods. The cardinal then noted that the judicial…Continue Reading

Pope Francis: cultivate and preserve Mother Earth

January 31, 2015 breaking Comments Off on Pope Francis: cultivate and preserve Mother Earth

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Saturday received members of  Italy’s National Federation of Farmers, who are this year celebrating the 70th anniversary of their foundation. Pope Francis told the farmers present in the Clementine Hall  that there is no humanity without the cultivation of the earth, as there is also no life without good food that is produced for men and women of every continent. This shows, underlined the Holy Father, that agriculture has a pivotal role. In his prepared remarks to the farmers, the Pope reflected on as he put it, two critical points. He said, “the Second Vatican Council recalled the universal destination of the goods of the earth,” but, Pope Francis added, “in fact the dominant economic system…Continue Reading

Pope: No To Ecclesial Elites Who Privatize The Faith

January 30, 2015 breaking Comments Off on Pope: No To Ecclesial Elites Who Privatize The Faith

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis says ecclesial elites who form cliques and scorn others are privatizing the faith and not following the way of Jesus.  His words came during his homily at morning Mass on Thursday (29th January) celebrated in the Santa Marta residence. The Pope’s homily was a reflection on the need for Christians to follow Jesus in the way that He wants and not to follow incorrect models such as privatizing our faith. “It’s true, Jesus has saved us all, but not in a general fashion.  All of us, each one with their name and surname.  And this is our personal salvation.  I am truly saved, the Lord looked at me, gave his life for me, opened this door,…Continue Reading

Pope tells Dads to spend time with their children

January 29, 2015 breaking Comments Off on Pope tells Dads to spend time with their children

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis called on fathers to be present in the lives of their children pointing out that the absence of a ‘father figure’ can have grave consequences. Speaking on Wednesday during the weekly General Audience, the Pope continued in his catechesis on the family, choosing to focus on the dignity and role of fathers. He said that teaching us to call God our Father, Jesus gave new depth and richness to this relationship, so fundamental to the life of society. Sadly – Francis said –  in our modern societies, we are experiencing a crisis of fatherhood. In the past it was common practice to perceive the  image of the father as authoritarian and at times even repressive, today…Continue Reading

General Audience: Pope Focuses On Role Of Father In Family Life

January 28, 2015 breaking Comments Off on General Audience: Pope Focuses On Role Of Father In Family Life

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis called on fathers to be present in the lives of their children pointing out that the absence of a ‘father figure’ can have grave consequences. Speaking on Wednesday during the weekly General Audience, the Pope continued in his catechesis on the family, choosing to focus on the dignity and role of fathers. He said that teaching us to call God our Father, Jesus gave new depth and richness to this relationship, so fundamental to the life of society. Sadly – Francis said –  in our modern societies, we are experiencing a crisis of fatherhood. In the past it was common practice to perceive the  image of the father as authoritarian and at times even repressive, today…Continue Reading

Pope’s Morning Homily: Obeying God’s Will is the Path to Holiness

January 27, 2015 breaking Comments Off on Pope’s Morning Homily: Obeying God’s Will is the Path to Holiness

Rome, January 27, 2015 (Zenit.org) Junno Arocho Esteves Obedience to the will of God is the path of holiness. This was the main theme of Pope Francis’ homily during his daily morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta. Today’s first reading from the Letter to the Hebrews explained that the sacrifices of old were not enough “for it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats take away sins.” According to Vatican Radio, the Holy Father said that Christ’s death on the Cross showed that the sacrifice that pleases God is not of an animal but the offering of “one’s own will to do the will of the Father.” The Pope also reflected on today’s responsorial psalm, which stated: “Here…Continue Reading

Pope Francis: Women First And Foremost In Transmitting Faith

January 26, 2015 breaking Comments Off on Pope Francis: Women First And Foremost In Transmitting Faith

(Vatican Radio) The primary and indispensable role of women in transmitting the faith to new generations: this was the focus of Pope Francis’ remarks to the faithful following the readings of the day at Mass on Monday morning in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence in the Vatican. On the day when the Church celebrates the memory of Saints Timothy and Titus – bishops and disciples of St Paul the Apostle, Pope Francis commented in particular on the second letter of Paul to Timothy. Mothers and Grandmothers transmit the faith Paul reminds Timothy of where his “sincere faith” comes from: his faith comes from the Holy Spirit,  “through his mother and grandmother.” Pope Francis went on to say, “Mothers…Continue Reading

Pope Angelus: Jesus Wanted United Christians

January 25, 2015 breaking Comments Off on Pope Angelus: Jesus Wanted United Christians

(Vatican Radio) On Sunday and before the Angelus, the Pope recalled the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and its theme, “Give me a drink”, the sentence uttered by Jesus to the Samaritan woman. He told the faithful gathered that the “desire for unity” of the disciples of Jesus is part of our “thirst not only material for water, but above all our thirst for a full life, free from the slavery of evil and death.” He went on to say that “Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises because it is he who gives to the Holy Spirit, the ‘living water’ that quenches our restless hearts, hungry for life, love, freedom, peace : thirsty for God. Pope Francis continued…Continue Reading