Jan

21

Benedict XVI Names 2 Great Tasks for Modern Church

January 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Benedict XVI says he considers evangelization and ecumenism two of the greatest tasks facing the ecclesial community in the modern world.The Pope affirmed this today when he received in audience participants in the 6th Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, who are meeting to prepare the Synod’s General Assembly, scheduled […]

Jan

21

Education and Gender

January 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Renewed Interest in Separating Boys and Girls
By Father John Flynn, LCThere is increasing interest in single-sex education in the United States, with a spate of recent news stories on the issue. Commenting on the planned closure of almost two dozen schools in the nation’s capital, a Jan. 4 article in the Washington Times newspaper suggested […]

Jan

21

Cuba 10 Years After John Paul II’s Visit

January 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Cardinal: He Came as a Missionary
Pope John Paul II arrived in Cuba 10 years ago today, in a visit that Havana’s archbishop said marked the life of the Church in that country and the history of the nation.
Cardinal Jaime Ortega, archbishop of Havana, spoke with the newspaper Espacio Laical (Lay Space) about the 10th anniversary […]

Jan

21

Pro-Lifers March on West Coast

January 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Abortion-Survivor Addresses Crowd in San Francisco
Gianna Jessen’s mother tried to abort her but she survived. She told her story to some 25,000 pro-lifers gathered to mark the 35th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.Jessen was one of four speakers at the 4th Annual Walk for Life West Coast rally held Saturday in […]

Jan

21

Pray Constantly With a Patient Heart

January 21, 2008 | 1 Comment

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 Tuesday, the fifth day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.* * *
“Be patient with all of them” (Thessalonians 5:14)
“Why?” Exodus 17:1-4
“Yield fruit in its season” Psalm […]

Jan

21

Papal Homily on Feast of Christ’s Baptism

January 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Here is a L’Osservatore Romano translation of Benedict XVI’s Jan. 13 homily on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The Pope presided at Mass in the Sistine Chapel during which he baptized 13 infants.* * *
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today’s celebration is always a cause of special joy for me. Indeed, the administration of […]

Jan

21

Apostolic Task of Catholic Universities

January 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment

  This morning in the Vatican, the Pope received participants in the plenary assembly of the Congregation for Catholic Education, to whom he said: “It is highly appropriate that, in our own day, we should reflect on how to render this apostolic task of the ecclesial community incisive and effective”, a task “entrusted to Catholic […]

Jan

21

Word of God, the Focus of the Ecclesial Community

January 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment

  This morning, the Pope received participants in the Sixth Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, who are meeting to prepare the Synod’s General Assembly, due to be held from 5 to 26 October.
  After expressing his thanks for a speech by Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, secretary general of the Synod […]

Jan

21

The Eucharist, the Role of the Virgin and Suffering

January 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment

  The Holy Father’s Message for the World Day of the Sick 2008, was made public today. Its theme is: “The Eucharist, Lourdes and Pastoral Care of the Sick”. The World Day of the Sick is due to be celebrated on February 11, Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
  In the Message, which has been […]

Jan

21

Saint Agnes

January 21, 2008 | 1 Comment

St. Agnes was a Roman girl who died in 304. She was just twelve years old when she suffered martyrdom for her faith. Although few historical details remain, St. Agnes has always been popular. This is especially because St. Ambrose and other well-known early Church saints have written about her. Agnes loved Jesus so much […]

Jan

21

Papal Message for World Day of the Sick

January 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Here is a nonofficial Vatican translation of the Benedict XVI’s message for the 16th World Day of the Sick, which will be celebrate on the diocesan level Feb. 11.
* * *
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
1. On 11 February, the memorial of the Blessed Mary Virgin of Lourdes, the World Day of the Sick will be celebrated, […]