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Blessed John Paul II’s Polish Roots : Courage And Moral Strength

April 22, 2014 Pope Francis Comments Off on Blessed John Paul II’s Polish Roots : Courage And Moral Strength

2014-04-22 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio ) I’m sure you remember John Paul II’s invitation to us not to be afraid . Certainly he himself was not afraid to stand up to the trials of life in defense of others, neither as Pope nor as priest back in Poland. As you’ll discover in a programme presented and produced by Veronica Scarisbrick no one ever doubted the courage of Pope John Paul, certainly not his closest advisors. Among them Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze who specifies how ..”Pope John Paul II put the Church on the map of the world and in the corridors of those who make policies as perhaps no other pope in our time…you know where he stands on major…Continue Reading

Easter ‘Urbi et Orbi’ Message of Pope Francis

April 20, 2014 Pope Francis Comments Off on Easter ‘Urbi et Orbi’ Message of Pope Francis

Dear Brothers and Sisters, a Happy and Holy Easter! The Church throughout the world echoes the angel’s message to the women: “Do not be afraid! I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised… Come, see the place where he lay” (Mt 28:5-6). This is the culmination of the Gospel, it is the Good News par excellence: Jesus, who was crucified, is risen! This event is the basis of our faith and our hope. If Christ were not raised, Christianity would lose its very meaning; the whole mission of the Church would lose its impulse, for this is the point from which it first set out and continues to set…Continue Reading

Pope Francis: In The Cross We See The Monstrosity Of Man And Greatness Of God’s Mercy

April 19, 2014 Pope Francis Comments Off on Pope Francis: In The Cross We See The Monstrosity Of Man And Greatness Of God’s Mercy

2014-04-19 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) “In the Cross we see the monstrosity of man, when we allow ourselves to be guided by evil; but we also see the immensity of God’s mercy who does not treat us according to our sins, but according to His mercy”. This was the message at the heart of Pope Francis’ brief unscripted address Friday evening as he presided at the traditional “Via Crucis”, or Way of the Cross, service at Rome’s ancient Colosseum. Emer McCarthy has this report. Immigrants, the unemployed, the sick, the elderly and prisoners: these were the focus of thousands of pilgrims prayers Friday evening as they gathered in the darkness around the ancient amphitheater, behind a simple wooden Cross. “God…Continue Reading

Pape Francis during Holy Thursday’s Chrism Mass Commemorates The Institution Of The Priesthood

April 18, 2014 Pope Francis Comments Off on Pape Francis during Holy Thursday’s Chrism Mass Commemorates The Institution Of The Priesthood

2014-04-17 L’Osservatore Romano “Anointed with the oil of gladness”. In a few words Pope Francis was able to capture the mission of a priest. This he did in his homily at Holy Thursday’s Chrism Mass, 17 April, in St Peter’s Basilica. The following is the English text of the Pope’s homily, which was delivered in Italian. Dear Brother Priests, In the eternal “today” of Holy Thursday, when Christ showed his love for us to the end (cf. Jn13:1), we recall the happy day of the institution of the priesthood, as well as the day of our own priestly ordination. The Lord anointed us in Christ with the oil of gladness, and this anointing invites us to accept and appreciate this great…Continue Reading

The Chrism Mass Explained

April 17, 2014 Pope Francis Comments Off on The Chrism Mass Explained

2014-04-16 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) In a series of reflections, the Secretary of the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, Archbishop Arthur Roche, walks Vatican Radio through the Holy Week liturgies, explaining their significance, symbolism and place within the history of Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection. He begins with the Chrism Mass, the first of the liturgies Holy Thursday morning, that leads us towards the Holy Triduum. “On the first Holy Thursday when Our Lord in the Upper Room, celebrated the Eucharist with his disciples…he ordained his first bishops, his first priests. On that day every year, in every diocese throughout the world, the bishop together with his priest gather together to celebrate Mass together. It’s…Continue Reading

Pope Francis: Weekly General Audience

April 16, 2014 Pope Francis, Uncategorized Comments Off on Pope Francis: Weekly General Audience

2014-04-16 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis held his weekly General Audience on Wednesday – the Wednesday of Holy Week or “Spy Wednesday” as it is called in many parts of the English-speaking world. The Gospel reading of the day recounts Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, which sets in motion the events of Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection. In his catechetical remarks to pilgrims and tourists gathered in St. Peter’s Square under a brilliant blue April sky, with a crisp spring breeze blowing through the city, Pope Francis spoke of Christ’s free embrace of suffering and death, which he took on for our sake. It was a theme to which he returned in the English-language remarks that were read out following…Continue Reading

Pope to seminarians: Be shepherds like the Good Shepherd

April 15, 2014 Pope Francis Comments Off on Pope to seminarians: Be shepherds like the Good Shepherd

2014-04-14 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday met with members of the Pontifical Leonine College of Anagni, a regional seminary for several of the Diocese around the city of Rome. The College was founded by Pope Leo XIII in 1897. In his address, Pope Francis spoke about the importance of forming seminarians in “a climate of prayer and fraternity.” This atmosphere, he said, allows seminarians to grow closer to “the sentiments of Jesus Christ, His love for the Father and for the Church,” and His dedication to the people of God. The Pope warned the seminarians that they are not preparing to be functionaries, but true shepherds in the image of Jesus the Good Shepherd. Being a “good…Continue Reading

Pope On Palm Sunday: Where Is My Heart Before The Suffering Jesus?

April 14, 2014 Pope Francis Comments Off on Pope On Palm Sunday: Where Is My Heart Before The Suffering Jesus?

2014-04-13 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) In the narrative of Christ’s Passion and Death, who am I? This was the central question of Pope Francis’ homily during Palm Sunday Mass in Saint Peter’s Square, where 100,000 had gathered from around the world, bearing palms and olive branches. The Pope said that while this week begins with a festive procession of welcome and praise of Jesus, it also recalls the mystery of the Lord’s death and resurrection of Holy Week. During this week, he said, “We would do well to ask just one question: who am I? Who am I, before my Lord? Who am I, who enters into Jerusalem in celebration? Am I able to express my joy, to praise Him?…Continue Reading

Pope To Physicians: Never Lose Sight Of The Spiritual Dimension Of Man

April 13, 2014 Pope Francis Comments Off on Pope To Physicians: Never Lose Sight Of The Spiritual Dimension Of Man

2014-04-12 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Saturday received in audience participants in a Congress for Surgeons who work with oncological patients. In his address, he quoted Blessed John Paul II pointing out that when caring for the sick it is essential not to lose sight of the human person, created in the image of God and united in body and spirit. Please find below Vatican Radio’s translation of the Pope’s address: Dear Brothers and Sisters, I extend my welcome to all of you who are participating in the Congress organized by the Italian Society of Oncological Surgery, promoted by the “La Sapienza” University of Rome and by the “Sant’Andrea Hospital”. In welcoming you, my thoughts go to all…Continue Reading

Pope Francis: Satan Exists In The 21st Century And How We Can Fight Him

April 12, 2014 Pope Francis Comments Off on Pope Francis: Satan Exists In The 21st Century And How We Can Fight Him

2014-04-11 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis said Satan exists in our present century and we must learn from the Gospel how to fight against his temptations. This was the core message of his homily at the Mass celebrated on Friday in the Santa Marta residence. Pope Francis said the life of every Christian is a constant battle against evil just as Jesus during his life had to struggle against the devil and his many temptations. And he warned that whoever wants to follow Jesus must be aware of this reality. “We too are tempted, we too are the target of attacks by the devil because the spirit of Evil does not want our holiness, he does not want our…Continue Reading