Jun

19

Director General Named for Vatican Bank

June 19, 2007 | Leave a Comment

A commission of cardinals approved the appointment of Paolo Cipriani as the director general of the Institute for the Works of Religion. Cipriani is currently the vice director general of the institute, sometimes called the Vatican bank. The commission appointing Cipriani was comprised of Cardinals Angelo Sodano, Tarcisio Bertone, Juan Sandoval Íñiguez and Attilio Nicora. […]

Jun

19

Mexico Introduces Euthanasia Legislation

June 19, 2007 | Leave a Comment

The archbishop of Mexico reiterated the Church’s respect for life from conception till natural death, in response to legislation introduced to legalize passive euthanasia in Mexico’s federal district. Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera confirmed the Church’s opposition to euthanasia in his homily on Sunday. “Euthanasia is one thing,” the cardinal said, “dying well is another.” The […]

Jun

19

Blessed Paul Giustiniani’ s doctrine on prayer

June 19, 2007 | Leave a Comment

The hermit’s principal ideal, aim, or task is continual prayer (Lk 18:1), that is, constant union with God. There is no fixed time for mental prayer in the eremitic life, unlike other religious institutes, because prayer is to be unceasing, a kind of spiritual equivalent to breathing. How can one enter into this prayer? Blessed […]

Jun

19

Saint Romuald’s Brief Rule

June 19, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Here is the hundred-word Latin text of this bright gem of eremitical spirituality, recorded about 1006 twenty years before Romuald’s death by Saint Bruno of Querfurt in his Life of the Five Brothers. It was as reported to him by one of those martyrs named John, who, like Bruno, knew Romuald well.
 Et hanc brevem regulam […]

Jun

19

Saint Romuald — Saint of the Day

June 19, 2007 | 2 Comments

Romuald, an Italian nobleman, was born around 951 in Ravenna, Italy. When he was twenty, he was shocked to see his father kill a man in a duel. Romuald went to a Benedictine monastery. He wanted to set his own life straight. He also wanted to do penance for his father’s drastic deed. The monastery […]

Jun

19

Meeting with Priests, Deacons and Religious

June 19, 2007 | Leave a Comment

(VIS) - At 4.30 p.m. today, Benedict XVI travelled to Assisi’s cathedral of San Rufino where he met with priests, deacons, religious, superiors and students of the pontifical seminary of Umbria.
  In his talk to them, the Holy Father insisted that “it is not enough” for the millions of faithful who come to Assisi to […]

Jun

19

Joint Declaration by the Pope and Chrysostomos II

June 19, 2007 | Leave a Comment

(VIS) - Following this morning’s private meeting, and their exchange of speeches, the Pope and His Beatitude Chrysostomos II, signed a Joint declaration in the presence of the Catholic and Cypriot Orthodox delegations.
  In the declaration, Benedict XVI and the archbishop of New Justiniana and All Cyprus declare their “sincere and firm desire, in obedience […]

Jun

19

Cardinal Felici Dies at the Age of 87

June 19, 2007 | 1 Comment

At 5 p.m. today Tuesday, June 19, at the altar of the Cathedra in St. Peter’s Basilica, Benedict XVI will preside at the funeral of Cardinal Angelo Felici, who died two days ago at the age of 87. The Italian cardinal was prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and president emeritus of the Pontifical […]

Jun

19

Francis: Enamoured of Christ and an Archhitect of Peace

June 19, 2007 | Leave a Comment

(VIS) - Departing from the cathedral of San
Rufino, Benedict XVI travelled by car to the basilica of St. Mary of the
Angels. Along the route he blessed disabled people from Assisi’s Seraphic
Institute.
  At 5.45 reached the square in front of the basilica. There he was greeted
by the custodian, the rector and the pastor before going on […]