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  April 2008

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Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Bishop Donald Pelotte, who has been on a medical leave of absence, from the pastoral care of the Diocese of Gallup.The Pope accepted the resignation of the 63-year-old prelate in accordance with Canon 401.2 of the Code of Canon Law. Canon 401.2 relates to the resignation of a bishop […]

The Vatican clarified the celebration of holy days of obligation when celebrating the extraordinary form of the Roman rite according to the 1962 Missal, reported the bishops’ conference of England and Wales.The episcopal conference submitted a query to the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, which confirmed that in the Roman rite, whichever form of the liturgy […]

Benedict XVI appointed Cardinal Walter Kasper as his envoy to the celebrations marking the 800th anniversary of the transfer of St. Andrew’s relics to Amalfi, Italy.The Pope’s April 4 Latin-language letter announcing the appointment was made public today. The cardinal is the president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
The celebrations are scheduled for […]

“Son why have you treated us so? ” Mary quesions Christ.
How many times do those following the contemplative path face
the same question from different people?
Family and friends who feel rejected. On a human level separations
are always painful.
Even those in the church question.
You must understand that when Gods love realy touches a soul it is […]

The patron saint of pharmacists has found a niche at the Vatican, complete with the blessing of Benedict XVI.
The Pope today blessed a 27-ton, 5.4-meter-tall (17.7 feet) statue of St. John Leonardi, which was placed in an outside lateral niche of St. Peter’s Basilica. The statue is the work of Italian artist Paolo Cavallo.
John Leonardi […]

The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Gallup, U.S.A. presented by Bishop Donald E. Pelotte S.S.S., in accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.

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  Made public today was a Letter, written in Latin and dated 4 April, in which Benedict XVI appoints Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, as his special envoy to celebrations marking the eighth centenary of the translation of the relics of the Apostle Andrew to Amalfi, Italy. The […]

  Pope Benedict’s general prayer intention for May is: “That Christians may use literature, art and the mass media to greater advantage in order to favour a culture which defends and promotes the values of the human person”.
  His mission intention is: “That the Virgin Mary, Star of evangelisation and Queen of the Apostles, may […]

  Following today’s general audience, Benedict XVI received participants in the sixth meeting of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue and the Islamic Culture and Relations Organisation of Tehran, Iran. They have been meeting to study the theme of: “Faith and Reason in Christianity and Islam”.
  The participants in the meeting, led by Cardinal Jean-Louis […]

Given below is the calendar of liturgical celebrations due to be presided over by the Holy Father between the months of May and August.
MAY
 - Saturday 3: At 6 p.m. in the Roman basilica of St. Mary Major, recitation of the Rosary
 - Sunday 11: Pentecost Sunday. Mass at 10 a.m. in the Vatican Basilica.
 - Saturday 17 […]

Antonio Chisliere was born in 1504 at Bosco, in Piedmont, Italy. At the age of fourteen he entered the Dominican Order and took the name Michaele. He taught theology and held several positions of responsibility, first as prior of several communities, then as Commissary General of the Roman Inquisition. In 1556 he was named bishop […]

  In today’s general audience, which was held in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope dedicated his remarks to his recent apostolic trip to the U.S.A. and the headquarters of the United Nations, from 15 to 21 April.
  After recalling how the motive for his U.S. visit was the bi-centenary of the elevation of the country’s […]

Hermit Thoughts from Hermits of St. Bruno, 2005
To be called to life in the desert is a very generous calling…indeed, a certain revelation of just how much one is loved. How would it be possible to not be moved at the realization that God would want to draw us close to Himself? Such an expression […]

The archbishop of New York said the city’s former pro-abortion mayor should not have received the Eucharist during Benedict XVI’s trip to the United States. In a statement released Monday, Cardinal Edward Egan recalled the Church’s position on abortion, noting that it “is a grave offense against the will of God.”
“Throughout my years as archbishop […]

Changes to Regulations Force Ministers Away From Faithful
Changes implemented to Russia’s visa system in October have caused problems for the nation’s religious workers.
A decree mandating that foreign citizens with either business or humanitarian visas can only spend half their time abroad in Russia has forced priests and other pastoral workers to spend more time away […]

Though Benedict XVI will not personally attend the Eucharistic congress in Canada, he will be present via satellite to give the homily at the closing Mass.
Cardinal Marc Ouellet, archbishop of Quebec, announced that the Pope will thus participate in the June 15-22 congress, focused on “The Eucharist, Gift of God for the Life of the […]

Benedict XVI’s general prayer intention for May is for a culture that defends and promotes the values of the human person.
The Apostleship of Prayer announced the general intention chosen by the Pope, “That Christians may use literature, art and the mass media to greater advantage in order to favor a culture which defends and promotes […]

Born about the year 1029, at Champagne, France, of noble parents who bore the names of Thierry and Ermengarde; d. at Molesme, 17 April, 1111. When fifteen years of age, he commenced his novitiate in the Abbey of Montier-la-Celle, or St. Pierre-la-Celle, situated near Troyes, of which he became later prior. In 1068 he succeeded […]

Cardinal Arinze’s Homily on Christendom’s 30th
Here is the homily Cardinal Francis Arinze, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, gave April 20 at the closing Mass of the 30th anniversary celebrations of Christendom College.
* * *
1. A Day of Grace
The Eucharistic Celebration is our supreme act of worship of God. It is […]

What God has begun He will go on doing .
He will forever continue to give Himself to us and desire
we live in intimate union with Him in return .
Saint Augustine understood this so well ” O Lord thou
has made us for Thyself and our hearts are restless until
they rest in you .”
” Thou has made […]

UK Prelate Urges Prayer for Suffering Nation
The people of Zimbabwe have responded to “intense suffering” with “a dignified and quiet heroism,” said an English bishop who visited the country earlier this year.
Bishop Crispian Hollis, chairman of the International Affairs department for the episcopal conference of England and Wales, published a statement Friday appealing for prayer […]

Says Educational Task Is Not Easy
Parents should support the educational endeavours of educators in Christian schools, affirmed a Spanish cardinal.
Cardinal Agustín García-Gasco, archbishop of Valencia, wrote of the “urgency” of rediscovering “the importance and the beauty of the mission to educate” in his most recent weekly message.
The cardinal dedicated his message to the theme of […]

The French episcopal conference confirmed today the dates for Benedict XVI’s trip to France marking the 150th anniversary of the Lourdes apparitions.
The Pope will arrive in Paris on Sept. 12. He is scheduled to meet with civil leaders, including President Nicolas Sarkozy. Later on, he will give a discourse directed to the world of culture.
That […]

Says Following God’s Call Never Brings Disappointment
A “yes” to God opens the font of happiness, says Benedict XVI.
The Pope affirmed this in a letter made public Saturday, addressed to Cardinal André Vingt-Trois, archbishop of Paris. The papal message marked the 100th anniversary of an annual youth pilgrimage from the province of Paris.
This year’s 6-day pilgrimage, […]

  A press conference held this morning in the Holy See Press Office presented the results of a survey into “the reading of the Scriptures in a number of countries (U.S.A., UK, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Poland and Russia”. The research was promoted by the Catholic Biblical Federation and by GFK-Eurisko.
  Participating in the […]

Here is a Vatican translation of the homily Benedict XVI delivered April 7 at the Basilica of St. Bartholomew on Tiber Island in Rome. The visit marked the 40th anniversary of the foundation of the Community of Sant’Egidio, and the basilica is the site of a memorial of those who have died for the faith […]

Benedict XVI named the new apostolic nuncio to Korea, Archbishop Osvaldo Padilla, to also be the apostolic nuncio to Mongolia.
The Filipino archbishop succeeds Archbishop Emil Paul Tscherrig, who in January was named nuncio to Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway.
Archbishop Osvaldo Padilla, 65, was named April 12 as apostolic nuncio to Korea.
He has also served […]

Benedict XVI said that he wasn’t the only one communicating a message of hope when he visited the United States earlier this month.
The Pope said today before praying the Regina Caeli with several thousand people gathered in St. Peter’s Square that during his April 15-20 trip to the United States, “I too was confirmed in […]

Ordains 29 Candidates From Diocese of Rome
Benedict XVI sent forth 29 newly ordained priests to spread the “joy of Christ” in a world that is “often sad and negative.”
The Pope presided at an ordination Mass today in St. Peter’s Basilica in which, as Bishop of Rome, he bestowed the sacrament of holy orders on candidates […]

Rumors suggesting that Benedict XVI’s health is failing are “baseless,” confirmed the Vatican.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, said this in statements to the press after the French newspaper Le Figaro published an article Saturday that raised questions regarding the Pontiff’s health. The report also speculated on future successors to the […]

The Convolutions of Artificial Insemination
By Father John Flynn, LC
With in-vitro fertilization (IVF) becoming more and more popular, an increasing number of children are at risk of being separated from their fathers.
Ireland’s High Court recently ruled against giving any parental rights to a father whose sperm was donated and used in an artificial insemination, which resulted […]

Here is a translation of the greeting Benedict XVI gave today before praying the Regina Caeli with several thousand people gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
* * *
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
A few moments ago we concluded a celebration in St. Peter’s Basilica in which I ordained 29 new priests. This is a time every year of […]

June 2008 marks the 40th year since Pope Paul VI established the Diocese of Orlando. Never more than at this time do we feel the need to make our own the Apostle’s hymn of praise and thanksgiving: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ before […]

Father McGivney had great devotion to the sacred Heart of Jesus. This year the solemnity of the Sacred Heart will be celebrated May 30. In gratitude to God for progress in our Venerable Servant of God’s cause for canonization. The the Father J. McGivney Guild will celebrate a triduum of Masses in Rome to honor the […]

  Made public today was a Letter from the Pope addressed to Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois, archbishop of Paris, France, to mark the hundredth anniversary of an annual pilgrimage by young people from the province of Paris. This year’s pilgrimage, which takes them to Lourdes, is being held from 22 to 27 April.
  In his Letter […]

Venerable [is] the title allowed one whose cause for beatification  has been officially accepted by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and who has been subject of a special decree published in the name of the pope. The decree, issued within the course of the apostolic or papal, process (as distinguished from the earlier […]

A U.S. bishops’ aide praised the Senate’s vote in favor of a measure that would prohibit discrimination based on genetic information.
The U.S. Senate voted Thursday to pass the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, which bars employers and health insurers from discriminating against individuals on the basis of their own or their family members’ genetic information.
Deirdre McQuade, […]

The apostolic nuncio in Paraguay visited the nation’s president-elect, Fernando Lugo, who is a suspended Catholic bishop.
Archbishop Orlando Antonini visited Lugo on Thursday, congratulating him for his victory Sunday and bringing him the gift of a pen from Benedict XVI. Lugo incurred suspension “a divinis” when he abandoned his ministry and entered politics, which is […]

For the Church to communicate its message, it must take into account how it is perceived by others and how it is portrayed by the media, said the president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.
Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli affirmed this Thursday when he delivered the first keynote address at the European Communication Summit. The […]

Gospel Commentary for 6th Sunday of Easter
By Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap
In the Gospel Jesus uses the term “paraclete” when speaking to the disciples about the Holy Spirit.
In some contexts this term means “consoler,” in others “defender,” and sometimes it means both. In the Old Testament God is the great consoler of his people. This […]

“Life of my life I shall ever try to keep my body
pure, knowing thy living touch is upon my
limbs.
I shall ever try to keep all untruths out of my
thought knowing thou art truth, which has
kindled the light of reason in my mind.
I shall ever try to drive all evils away from my
heart and keep my […]

The Holy See is asking for measures to keep the production of biofuels from bringing about increased food prices to the point of threatening starvation in many countries.
Monsignor Renato Volante, the permanent observer of the Holy See at the Rome-based U.N. Organization for Food and Agriculture (FAO), participated in the FAO Regional Conference for Latin […]

Monsignor Hopes World Comes to Recognize Genocide
By Robert Cheaib
A Mass in Rome celebrated by the rector of the Pontifical Armenian College was among many events marking the 93rd anniversary of the slaughter of thousands of Armenians.
Monsignor Hovsep Kelekian celebrated the Mass in the Armenian church of St. Nicholas of Tolentine.
He lamented the lack of an […]

Journalists, editors, publishers, marketing professionals and all those involved in the field of social communications will join in a special jubilee celebration in Lourdes this May, as part of the itinerary marking the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady.
The May 29-30 jubilee is being organized by the communications council of the French episcopal […]

  Given below is the text of a declaration by Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. concerning the meeting between the Holy Father and Giorgio Napolitano, president of the Italian Republic, prior to yesterday evening’s concert in the Paul VI Hall:
  “During the meeting, which lasted around 15 minutes and was characterised […]

Bishops in the state of Victoria are urging Australians to keep abortion as part of the Crimes Act, even though the state already has abortion on demand in practice.
In a pastoral letter signed by six prelates and an apostolic administrator, Church leaders urged Victoria to adopt laws that maintain abortion as a crime, and to […]

Just as the road to Damascus was instrumental in the life of St. Paul, so the city of Damascus will be instrumental in the Pauline jubilee year declared by Benedict XVI.
Patriarch Gregorios III Laham of Antioch of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church — with the help of the Franciscan custodians of the Holy Land, and […]

Benedict XVI’s video message to the people of Russia gave viewers a look at the “warmhearted” Pope of “great dignity,” affirmed the Russia specialist for Aid to the Church in Need.
Peter Humeniuk gave this analysis of the response to a documentary that aired in Russia on the state channel Vesti on April 16, the Holy […]

Youth from the Catholic lay Focolare movement will run a relay race to express their commitment to building a united world.
Run4Unity 2008 is scheduled for May 10. Youth in locations around the world will participate, passing batons from one time zone to another, across borders of countries at war, and in forgotten areas of cities.
The […]

  Yesterday evening in the Vatican, the Pope attended a concert marking the third anniversary of his election to the Pontificate, offered in his honour by Giorgio Napolitano, president of the Italian Republic,.
  The Giuseppe Verdi symphony orchestra and choir of Milan conducted, respectively, by Oleg Caetani and Erina Gambarini, played pieces by Luciano Berio, […]

Benedict XVI authorized three beatifications for the coming days, one each in Venezuela, Germany and Rome.
Candelaria de San Jose (born Susana Paz Castillo Ramirez), virgin and founder of the Congregation of the Carmelite Sisters of the Third Regular Order of Venezuela, will be beatified April 27 in the stadium of the Central University of Caracas, […]

Bishops in the former Soviet Union countries of the southern Caucasus region still face many difficult situations, though the “flame of the Gospel” still persists, Benedict XVI says.
The Pope affirmed this today when he received in audience prelates from the region, which includes all of Armenia and the majority of Georgia and Azerbaijan. The bishops […]

There is a kinship between music and hope, between song and eternal life, said Benedict XVI at the end of a concert offered in his honor today.
The concert was a gift from the president of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano, to mark the third anniversary of Benedict XVI’s pontificate. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected April 19, 2005, […]

  The Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff today announced three beatification ceremonies due to take place over coming days:
  Candelaria de San Jose (nee Susana Paz Castillo Ramirez), virgin and foundress of the Congregation of the Carmelite Sisters of the Third Regular Order of Venezuela. Her beatification is scheduled for Sunday 27 […]

  At midday today, the Holy Father received prelates from the southern Caucasus region on their “ad limina” visit.
  “Since the fall of the Soviet Union”, said the Pope in his address to them, “your peoples have seen significant social changes along the road to progress. Yet difficult situations persist: many are the poor, the […]

A law permitting abortion in the capital city of Mexico is being considered before the nation’s top court.
Testimonies began April 11 in an attempt to prove that the abortion law, which went into effect April 25, 2007, is not constitutional. The law permits abortions only in the capital and up through the 12th week of […]

  On 17 April, Msgr. Renato Volante, Holy See permanent observer to the Rome-based United Nations Organisation for Food and Agriculture (FAO), participated in the FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, which was held in Brasilia, Brazil, on 17 and 18 April.
  In his talk, the prelate praised the work FAO accomplishes […]

Benedict XVI appointed Helen Alvare, a law professor at the Catholic University of America, as a consultor for the Pontifical Council for the Laity. Alvare was appointed to the council for a five-year term. The council has 36 members and 20 consultors. “I am delighted to be asked to serve the Church and the Holy […]

The president-elect of Paraguay, a suspended Catholic bishop, asked forgiveness from the Church for the sorrow his disobedience of canon law has caused.
Fernando Lugo asked forgiveness particularly to Benedict XVI on Monday after having been elected Sunday as Paraguay’s next president. “If my attitude and my disobedience of canon law caused sorrow, I sincerely ask […]

Benedict XVI is encouraging the participants in interreligious dialogue to cross the bridges that have been built by decades of focus on friendship and tolerance, contended the president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran affirmed this April 16 when he opened a five-day conference in Nairobi on “Formation in Interreligious Dialogue in […]

Pope Brought Words of Hope and Healing
By Father Thomas Rosica, CSB
Last week Benedict XVI made his first visit as Pope to the United States of America, and many were concerned about the impact the German Pontiff would have on a rather beleaguered Church.
They asked if Benedict XVI would be able to “connect” with people as […]

  This morning in St. Peter’s Basilica, Benedict XVI pronounced a homily following the funeral Mass for the late Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, who died on Saturday 19 April at the age of 72.
  The Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of […]

On June 18, 2008, the Diocese of Orlando will be celebrating its 40th anniversary. If one word were used to describe the 40 years of this region’s history, it would have to be growth!
In 1968, when the Diocese of Orlando was formed by papal decree, the region consisted of 50 parishes and served 128,000 Catholics. With […]

European Christians and Muslims are intensifying dialogue and planning future encounters focused on building bridges between the two faiths.
The Committee for Relations With Muslims in Europe, established by the Conference of European Churches and the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences, met in Hungary from April 17 to 20. A number of Muslim guests participated in […]

Published by the Congregation for Clergy
Here are three prayers published by the Congregation for Clergy along with its message for the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests. The day will be celebrated May 30, the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
* * *
Priestly Prayer
Lord, You have called me to priestly ministry
in […]

Here is the message published by the Congregation for Clergy for the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests. The day will be celebrated May 30, the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
* * *
Reverend and dear Brothers in the Priesthood,
On the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus let us fix […]

POPE BENEDICT XVI NAMES SEVEN PRIESTS AS MONSIGNORS IN RECOGNITION FOR SERVICE TO DIOCESE
In honoring priests of the Diocese of Orlando who have given long and distinguished service to the Diocese of Orlando, Pope Benedict XVI, the Holy Father, honors the entire Church of Orlando which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year as he designates […]

Christian leaders in Zimbabwe today voiced a desperate appeal for a solution to the escalating crisis in the Southeast African nation.
Leaders of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe, the Catholic episcopal conference, and the Zimbabwe Council of Churches issued a joint statement expressing “deep concern over the deteriorating political, security, economic and human rights situation in […]