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Notes 2 Principles for Moral Choices
Benedict XVI is encouraging the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to give attention to bioethics.
The Pope received in audience today participants in the plenary session of that dicastery, which is being held this week in the Vatican.
The Holy Father recalled how last year the congregation published “two important […]

Congress to Open on 3rd Anniversary of Polish Pope’s Death
On the third anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s death, the 1st World Congress on Mercy will open in Rome.
In the Vatican press office today, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, archbishop of Vienna, Austria, presented the congress, scheduled for April 2-6.
It is a good sign, said Cardinal Schonborn, […]

Father Marcial Maciel Began Lay Regnum Christi Movement
Father Marcial Maciel, founder of the Legionaries of Christ and the Catholic lay Regnum Christi movement, died Wednesday at age 87.
A communiqué from the Legionaries of Christ reported that Father Maciel died in the United States and that he had “communicated to Father Álvaro Corcuera, general director of […]

Archbishop Celli: Press Should Show Respect for All Men
By Marta Lago
Catholic mass media should not fall into the temptation of being a voice of religious fundamentalism, says the president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communication.
In presenting Benedict XVI’s message for the 42nd World Communications Day, Archbishop Claudio Celli considered the Pope’s proposal of “info-ethics.”
Noting […]

Catholic Identity Jeopardized by “Anti-Discrimination” Bill
The largest provider of charitable and social services in the Denver area is threatened by the draft of a new bill that could force the organization to ignore religious beliefs in hiring personnel.
In an editorial published today, the president of Catholic Charities defended the rights of his organization. Christopher Rose […]

Laity-Council to Host Reflection on Women
By Miriam Díez i Bosch
A Vatican congress commemorating the 20th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s apostolic letter on the dignity of women aims to promote an authentic promotion of femininity.
Rocío Figueroa, director of the section on women for the Pontifical Council of the Laity, affirmed this to ZENIT. The […]

Vatican Aide: Evangelization Not a Choice, But a Mandate
By Gisèle Plantec
If a parish does not evangelize, it is nothing more than a building, said a Vatican official, who offered four practical steps for transforming a parish into a missionary center.
Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith, secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, affirmed this today […]

Offer Firsthand Experience to Promote Dialogue
Caritas staff members who have firsthand experience of war and conflict are appealing to Kenya’s government and civilians to make peace.
The eight signatories issued the appeal through Caritas International. Kenya erupted in violence after disputed Dec. 27 presidential elections.
“Our countries have been ripped apart by political, ethnic and religious violence,” […]

  This morning, Benedict XVI received participants in the plenary session of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which is being held this week in the Vatican.
  The Pope recalled how last year the congregation published “two important documents presenting … certain clarifications necessary for the correct functioning of ecumenical dialogue, and of […]

  In the Holy See Press Office this morning, the First World Apostolic Congress on Mercy was presented. The congress is due to be held in Rome from 2 to 6 April.
  Participating in the press conference were Cardinal Christoph Schonborn O.P., archbishop of Vienna, Austria and president of the congress, Fr. Patrice Chocholski, co-ordinater […]

John Bosco was born in Turin, Italy, on August 16, 1815. His parents were poor farmers. When John was two, his father died. John’s mother struggled to keep the family together. As soon as he was old enough, John, too, worked as hard as he could to help his mother. He was intelligent and full […]

The following prayer request comes from the Trappist (Benedictine Rule) monks of the Abbey of the Genesee in upstate New York. 
Our Trappist brothers of Our Lady of Victory Abbey in Kenya, East Africa find themselves right in the middle of the violence that erupted in that country. The following bulletin was posted on the Order’s […]

Says Neither Military Nor Financial Pretexts Validate Their Use
Both military and financial excuses to defend the use of cluster bombs are unacceptable, the Holy See says.Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Holy See’s permanent observer to the U.N. offices in Geneva, affirmed this during a session for a group of government experts from states that have accepted […]

  In today’s general audience, held this morning in the Paul VI Hall, the Pope again dedicated his catechesis (for the third time) to the figure of St. Augustine.
  The Holy Father recalled how in 1986, for the sixteenth centenary of the conversion of this Doctor of the Church, John Paul II wrote the Apostolic […]

The apostolic nuncio in Mexico said there is something missing in the tourist center of Cancun: a structure to remind people about God.
Archbishop Christophe Pierre welcomed plans for a basilica that will serve as a base for ministry to tourists and locals. On Jan. 23, he blessed a 10,000 square meter (2.5 acre) terrain that […]

The president of Israel visited Nazareth on Monday, welcomed by the Franciscan caretakers of the Holy Land.
Shimon Peres was also received by Nazareth’s mayors and other civil and religious leaders. After the official welcome, Peres visited Nazareth’s basilica and was given an explanation of the sanctuary. He then gave an address.
A visit to the Grotto […]

The provincial superior of the Franciscans in Sarajevo, capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was attacked by robbers but survived the incident.
The international charity organization Aid to the Church in Need reported the Jan. 21 assault on Father Mijo Dzolan, 58.
Two masked men forced their way into the provincial house in Sarajevo and woke Father […]

Catholic University Hosts Contest
Two architecture students at Catholic University designed the altar, ambo and chair Benedict XVI will use to celebrate Mass in the U.S. capitol
John-Paul Mikolajczyk and Ryan Mullen, both candidates in the master’s program at Catholic University’s School of Architecture and Planning, were the winners of the contest to design the structures to […]

Pope’s Lenten Message Focuses on Assisting Poor
Benedict XVI says that Lent is a perfect time for helping the poor, but urges Christians to give alms with the sole intention of seeking God’s glory.
The Pope encouraged almsgiving in his Lenten message, dated Oct. 30 and released today by the Vatican. The theme of the message is […]

Cor Unum President Presents Pope
God looks at the thoughts and intentions of those who give alms, not the amount given, said the president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum.
Cardinal Paul Cordes joined Hans-Peter Rothlin, president of the Catholic association Aid to the Church in Need, to present today Benedict XVI’s message for Lent. The message […]

The Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff today announced that at 6.30 p.m. on Saturday, 2 February, Cardinal Estanislao Esteban Karlic, archbishop emeritus of Parana, Argentina, will take possession of the title of Our Lady of Sorrows in Piazza Buenos Aires, Viale Regina Margherita 81, Rome.  (VIS)

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Here is the text of Benedict XVI’s message for Lent, dated Oct. 30 and released today by the Vatican.Ash Wednesday is Feb. 6.
* * *
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI FOR LENT 2008
 
“Christ made Himself poor for you” (2 Cor 8,9)
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
1. Each year, Lent offers us a providential opportunity to deepen the […]

Urges Roman Rota to Greater Unity of Criteria
The Roman Rota should be increasingly characterized by unity, since the application of law in diverse cultures can tend to become distant from Church teaching, Benedict XVI says.
The Pope affirmed this today when he received in audience officials from the Tribunal of the Roman Rota on the occasion […]

Catholics in the United States have a chance to participate in the reconstruction of the Church in countries formerly under Communist rule.
The Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe will be taken up in most U.S. parishes on Feb. 6, Ash Wednesday, or the First Sunday of Lent, Feb. 10.
“Love Is the Only […]

Quest for Perfection Leads to Selective Killing of Unborn
By Father John Flynn, LC
The quest for a perfect child is leading to the increasing use of techniques to discover possible health problems in the unborn. Normally this is not done with a view to healing, and results in the deaths of embryos considered imperfect.
It Italy court […]

  This morning in the Vatican, the Holy Father received participants in an inter-academic conference entitled “The changeable identity of the individual”, promoted by the “Academie des Sciences de Paris” and by the Pontifical Academy of Science.
  In his address to them, Benedict XVI first expressed his joy and their inter-academic collaboration which, he said, […]

  At midday today, Benedict XVI appeared at the window of his study overlooking St. Peter’s Square, to pray the Angelus with faithful gathered below.
  Before the Marian prayer, the Pope commented today’s Gospel reading, explaining how “it presents the beginning of Christ’s public mission”, a mission that “essentially consisted in preaching the Kingdom of […]

The Holy Father:
 - Archbishop Emil Paul Tscherrig, apostolic nuncio to Korea and Mongolia, as apostolic nuncio to Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway.
 - Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, as a member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
 - Cardinals Roger Michael Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles, U.S.A., […]

  The morning of the 26th in the Vatican, Benedict XVI received the dean, judges, promoters of justice, defenders of the bond, officials and lawyers of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota, for the occasion of the inauguration of the judicial year.
  At the beginning of his address, the Holy Father told his audience that this […]

Latin Lyrics and English translation follow:
CONFUTATIS
Confutatis maledictis,
When the damned are cast away
Flammis acribus addictis,
and consigned to the searing flames,
Voca me cum benedictus.
call me to be with the blessed.
Oro supplex et acclinis,
Bowed down in supplication I beseech Thee,
Cor contritum quasi cinis:
my heart as though ground to ashes:
Gere curam mei finis.
Help me in my final hour.
LACRIMOSA
Lacrimosa dies […]

Thomas lived in the thirteenth century. He was the son of a noble family of Italy. He was very intelligent, but he never boasted about it. He knew that his mind was a gift from God. Thomas was one of nine children. His parents hoped that he would become a Benedictine abbot some day. The […]

Vatican Aide Comments on Message for Media Day
Those working in the media have a moral duty to disseminate the truth, according to a Vatican spokesman.
Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican’s press office, analyzed the theme of Benedict XVI’s message for the 42nd World Communications Day on the most recent episode of the Vatican Television […]

In Letter to Lawmakers Debating Stimulus Plan
The U.S. bishops are asking President George Bush and Congress to make the needs of the poor their number one priority as they debate and pass an economic stimulus package.
The bishops said this in a letter addressed to U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson that urged bipartisan cooperation to “find […]

Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI delivered today before reciting the midday Angelus with several thousand people gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
* * *

Dear Brothers and Sisters!In today’s liturgy the evangelist Matthew, who will accompany us though this whole liturgical year, presents the beginning of Jesus’ public mission. It essentially consists in […]

Christmas Period Marred by Violence
By Father John Flynn, LC
India’s long-suffering Christians were dealt a strong blow in a series of attacks during the Christmas period. Hindu extremists attacked Christian celebrations in eastern India, sacking and burning a number of village churches, the Associated Press reported Dec. 26.
The persecution took place in the state of Orissa, […]

Benedict XVI asked Christians on the World Day for Leprosy to be missionaries of the Good News not only in word, but also in “active charity.”After praying the Angelus today from the window of his study, the Pope greeted those suffering from leprosy, “assuring [them] of a special prayer,” which he extended to “those who, […]

Angela was born in the small Italian town of Desenzano, Italy, around 1474. Her parents died when she was ten. She and her only sister, who was three years older, loved each other very much. A wealthy uncle took the girls into his home. Still suffering from the loss of her parents, Angela was struck […]

“Here is acquired that eye,
by whose serene gaze the Spouse
is wounded with love;
that eye, pure and clean,by which God is seen.”
–Statues of the Carthsian Order 1.6.16

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Can. 303 Associations whose members share in the spirit of some religious institute while in secular life, lead an apostolic life, and strive for Christian perfection under the higher direction of the same institute are called third orders or some other appropriate name.
Can. 307 §1. The reception of members is to be done according to […]

Bishop Aquila on Nonnegotiable Life Issues
Here is an excerpt of the address Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo gave Nov. 15 to Loyola College in Baltimore titled “The Sanctity of Human Life from Conception to Natural Death.” The presentation was part of the Loyola Alive Seamless Garment Series. It can be found in its entirety on […]

Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusievicz has taken ecumenical experience gained in Russia and used it to aid efforts toward Christian unity in his native Belarus. Archbishop Kondrusievicz was appointed to Minsk-Mohilev last September, after five years leading the Mother of God Archdiocese in Moscow. Thursday in Minsk, the archbishop organized a first for Belarus — an ecumenical […]

Gospel Commentary for 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap
The Gospel passage for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time closes with these words: “Jesus went about all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and infirmity of the people.”
About one-third of […]

  Made public today was a communique concerning the sixth meeting of the Eleventh Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops. The meeting, held on 21 and 22 January, was part of preparations for the Twelfth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod, due to take place from 5 to 26 October […]

Only God Can Accomplish Union, Affirms Pontiff
Prayer is the current that — along with the breath of the Holy Spirit — has moved the “ship of ecumenism” out of port, says Benedict XVI.
The Pope affirmed this today at the celebration of vespers in St. Paul Outside the Walls to close the Week of Prayer for […]

Paul lived at the time of Jesus but as far as we know they never met. Paul was first called Saul. As a young man, he was a very bright student of the Hebrew religion. When he grew older, he persecuted the followers of Jesus.
In the Bible’s Acts of the Apostles, we read about Saul’s […]

Benedict XVI named Father Vann Johnston Jr., the chancellor of the Diocese of Knoxville, Tennessee, as bishop of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The 48-year-old priest will succeed Bishop John Leibrecht, 77, who presented his retirement to the Pope. Bishop-designate Johnston, a native of Knoxville, was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Knoxville in 1990.
James Vann […]

Milan’s Archbishop Addresses Letter to Couples
The Church has not forgotten nor rejected those who are divorced and have entered into another union, affirmed Milan’s archbishop.
Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi affirmed this in a pastoral letter directed to the divorced and remarried titled “The Lord Is Close to the Brokenhearted.”
“The fact that these relationships are frequently lived with […]

University Founded for the Pursuit of Wisdom
Last week’s events at Rome’s La Sapienza University have been front-page news everywhere in the free world, and the 67 professors who protested Benedict XVI’s projected visit last Thursday have been left with egg on their face.
The irresponsible protest has drawn nearly universal condemnation, the hypocritical intolerance of a […]

Here is the commentary prepared jointly by the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity and the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches for Friday, the eighth and final day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

* * *

“Be at peace” (1 Thessalonians 5:13b)
“The wolf shall live with the lamb” (Isaiah […]

  Made public today, Feast of St. Francis de Sales, patron saint of journalists, was Benedict XVI’s Message for the World Day of Social Communications, which this year is due to be celebrated on 4 May, and has as its theme: “The Media: At the Crossroads between Self-Promotion and Service. Searching for the Truth in […]

  This morning in the Holy See Press Office Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli and Msgr. Paul Tighe, respectively president and secretary of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, presented the Pope’s Message for the 42nd World Day of Social Communications.
  Noting how the communications media “can be instruments of our hope”, Archbishop Celli stressed that […]

Communication-Council Officials Present Papal Message
Media professionals are called to defend the human person and his dignity, affirmed officials from the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.
The pontifical council president and secretary, respectively Archbishop Claudio Celli and Monsignor Paul Tighe, stated this today, the feast of St. Francis de Sales, patron of journalists.
They were presenting Benedict XVI’s […]

  Today in the Vatican, Benedict XVI received prelates from the Slovenian Episcopal Conference who have just completed their five-yearly “ad limina” visit.
  In his address to them, the Holy Father dwelt on the great changes the country has seen over the last five years, from its entry into the European Union (2004) to its […]

The annual Novena to Our Lady of Good Success begins on this Thursday January 24th and  ends actually on Feb 1 in preparation for the beautiful feast of Candlemas/ Purification and Presentation and Official Feast Day of Our Lady of Good Success on February 2. 

Novena to Our Lady of Good Success through the intercession of […]

 
Inaugration abd Blessing ceremony of Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel Ambleim, Assolna Today.
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Notes They Need Help to Face Life
Young people are demanding a “real education,” one that gives them what they need to face the challenges of life, Benedict XVI says.
The Pope affirmed this in a letter released Monday and directed to the city and the Diocese of Rome. After last Sunday’s midday Angelus, the Holy Father […]

Ten young priests in Baghdad are being offered economic and moral support by a Turin-based campaign, “I Have a New Friend.”
The five-year-old program, designed by Fathers Fredo Olivero and Douglas Dawood, acknowledges the difficult situation of Iraqi Christians. It is sponsored by the Turin Archdiocese’s office of ministry to migrants.
Father Olivero, director of that office, […]

Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI delivered today at the general audience in Paul VI Hall during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.* * *
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We are celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which comes to an end Friday, Jan. 25. This day marks the conversion of […]

  Benedict XVI dedicated his catechesis during today’s general audience to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which began on 18 January and will come to an end on Friday, 25 January, Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul.
  Addressing the thousands of faithful gathered in the Paul VI Hall, the Pope explained that […]

Here is the commentary prepared jointly by the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity and the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches for Thursday, the seventh day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

* * *

“Help the weak” (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
“Hannah prays for a son” (1 Samuel 1:9-20)
“Listen to my […]

  Made public today was a Letter from the Pope to the diocese and the city of Rome on the vital importance of education.
  During last Sunday’s Angelus, for the occasion of the Day of Catholic Schools which the diocese of Rome was celebrating that day, the Holy Father had encouraged administrators, teachers, parents and […]

Pain is the door by which the faithful can enter into the mystery of redemption, and reach with Christ peace and happiness, says Benedict XVI.
The Pope said this in his message for the 16th World Day of the Sick, to be celebrated on the diocesan level Feb. 11, which has as its theme “The Eucharist, […]

Cor Unum Council Sponsoring Event for Charity Workers
A retreat for the Americas is aiming to remind diocesan aid workers that Christian charity is not the same as mere humanitarian work.
The Pontifical Council Cor Unum is sponsoring its first spiritual retreat for leaders of diocesan charity organizations. It will be held June 1-6 in Guadalajara, Mexico, […]

“Roe v. Wade Is Incompatible With Human Dignity; It Will Not Stand”
Here is the homily Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ conference committee on pro-life activities and the archbishop of Philadelphia, delivered at the National Vigil for Life opening Mass on Monday.
The National Vigil for Life, which was held at the Basilica of […]

The Holy Father appointed Fr. Tarcisio Scaramussa S.D.B., general counsellor of the Salesians in Rome, as auxiliary of Sao Paulo (area 1,645, population 7,060,750, Catholics 5,215,000, priests 941, permanent deacons 30, religious 2,825), Brazil. The bishop-elect was born in Prosperidade, Brazil in 1950 and ordained a priest in 1977.

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John was a dedicated Christian nobleman. He used his wealth and position to help poor people. After his wife passed away, John became a priest and bishop. In 608, he was consecrated the patriarch of Alexandria, Egypt. What could people expect of this man who now had such an important position? St. John went to […]

According to a note published today by the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, at 10.30 a.m. on Sunday, 27 January, Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and of the Governorate of Vatican City State, will take possession of the diaconate of St. Mary “Liberatrice” a Monte […]

Here is the commentary prepared jointly by the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity and the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches for Wednesday, the sixth day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
* * *
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5: 16)
“David’s prayer of praise and rejoicing” (2 […]

Bishop Thomas Wenski is pleased to announce the following appointments:
Fracilus Pepit-Homme, S.M.M. is appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Winter Haven, effective December 1.
Father William Zamborsky is appointed Pastor of Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Ormond Beach, effective January 1, 2008.
Father Andrzej Wojtan is appointed Parochial Administrator of Holy Spirit Catholic […]