(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a message, signed by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to the Bishop of Castellaneta, Claudio Maniago on the occasion of the 67th National Liturgical Week in Italy which takes place in Gubbio.Below is a Vatican Radio translation of the MessageYour Excellency,On the occasion of the 67th National Liturgical Week, which this year takes place in Gubbio, in the mystical and calming scenery of Umbria, the Holy Father Pope Francis is happy to send good wishes to you, to the CAL collaborators and to all those taking part in the significant study days.The choice of this place, inspired by the celebration of 1600 years of the Letter of Pope Innocent I to Decentius, Bishop of Gubbio (cf.. PL 20, 551-561), is particularly appropriate during the Holy Extraordinary Year of Mercy. In this document, in which the Roman Pontiff offered clarifying answers to questions posed by pastor eugubino, there is some interesting news abo...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a message, signed by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to the Bishop of Castellaneta, Claudio Maniago on the occasion of the 67th National Liturgical Week in Italy which takes place in Gubbio.
Below is a Vatican Radio translation of the Message
Your Excellency,
On the occasion of the 67th National Liturgical Week, which this year takes place in Gubbio, in the mystical and calming scenery of Umbria, the Holy Father Pope Francis is happy to send good wishes to you, to the CAL collaborators and to all those taking part in the significant study days.
The choice of this place, inspired by the celebration of 1600 years of the Letter of Pope Innocent I to Decentius, Bishop of Gubbio (cf.. PL 20, 551-561), is particularly appropriate during the Holy Extraordinary Year of Mercy. In this document, in which the Roman Pontiff offered clarifying answers to questions posed by pastor eugubino, there is some interesting news about specific aspects and moments of the celebration of certain sacraments, at that precise moment in history. Among the many topics covered, one in particular is essential to our attention: the reconciliation of penitents in the Passover (cfr. C. VII, 10).
The National Liturgical Week has, therefore, decided to return to a theme already dealt with at other times, reflecting on "Liturgy as a place of Mercy", with the explicit intention of offering, in the context of the Jubilee Year, a special contribution to the path of the Italian church. When we strive to live each liturgical event "with his eyes fixed on Jesus and his merciful face we can see the love of SS. Trinity (...). This love is now made visible and tangible in the whole life of Jesus (...). Everything about him speaks of mercy. Nothing in him is devoid of compassion "(Misericordiae Vultus, 8). These words bring to mind those of Pope Saint Leo the Great, who in a homily for the Ascension says: "What was visible [tangible] our redeemer has passed in the sacraments" (PL 54, 398). Such an approach helps to distinguish all the liturgy as a place where mercy is given and encountered, a place where the great mystery of reconciliation is made present, announced, celebrated and communicated. The specific celebrations of sacraments or sacramentals decline the only great gift of divine mercy according to the different circumstances of life.
The gift of Mercy, however, shines in a particular way in the Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation. It was reconciled to reconcile. The Father's compassion cannot be locked in intimism and auto consolatory attitudes, because it proves powerful in renewing people and enables them to offer others the living experience of the same gift. Based on the belief that one is forgiven to forgive, it must a be witness of mercy in any environment, arousing a desire and capacity for forgiveness. This is a task to which we are called, especially in face of resentment in which too many people are locked up, which they need to rediscover the joy of inner peace and the sake of peace.
The rite of the sacrament of Penance should therefore be perceived as an expression of a "Church in output" as "door" not only to re-enter after you have moved away, but also "threshold" open to various suburbs of humanity ever more in need of compassion. In it, in fact, it takes place the encounter with re-creating the mercy of God from which come new men and women to preach the good life of the Gospel through a life reconciled and reconciling.
His Holiness hopes that the reflections and celebrations of the Liturgical Week will increasingly mature understanding as a source and summit of ecclesial and personal life which is full of mercy and compassion, because he was constantly formed at the school of the Gospel. He entrusts to the maternal intercession of Mary, Mater Misericordiae, the work and the expectations of the important national liturgical event and, while asking to pray for him and for your service to the Church, send heart to Your Excellency, the Bishop of Gubbio Mons . Mario Ceccobelli, prelates and priests present, to the speakers and participants a special Apostolic Blessing.
Uniting my personal good wishes, I take this opportunity to confirm my distinct esteem
ATLANTA (AP) -- The five people slain in a massacre at a south Alabama home included a woman who was five months pregnant, Mobile County authorities said....
ATLANTA (AP) -- The five people slain in a massacre at a south Alabama home included a woman who was five months pregnant, Mobile County authorities said....
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Russia has stopped using an Iranian air base for launching airstrikes on Syria for the time being, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday, just hours after the Iranian defense minister criticized Moscow for having "kind of show-off and ungentlemanly" attitude by publicizing their actions....
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Russia has stopped using an Iranian air base for launching airstrikes on Syria for the time being, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday, just hours after the Iranian defense minister criticized Moscow for having "kind of show-off and ungentlemanly" attitude by publicizing their actions....
VASTERFARNEBO, Sweden (AP) -- Love, not war, sent an Afghan family fleeing from Iran during last summer's chaotic mass migration to Europe. Luck reunited them a year later, after a dark night in a Turkish forest separated 14-year-old Mahdi Azizi from his parents and sisters....
VASTERFARNEBO, Sweden (AP) -- Love, not war, sent an Afghan family fleeing from Iran during last summer's chaotic mass migration to Europe. Luck reunited them a year later, after a dark night in a Turkish forest separated 14-year-old Mahdi Azizi from his parents and sisters....
PROVINCETOWN, Mass. (AP) -- It was a very busy, very lucrative weekend for Hillary Clinton in the summer playground of the East Coast's moneyed elite....
PROVINCETOWN, Mass. (AP) -- It was a very busy, very lucrative weekend for Hillary Clinton in the summer playground of the East Coast's moneyed elite....
(Vatican Radio) The Philippines' president has threatened to pull his country out of the United Nations after U.N. officials expressed alarm at apparent killings by police and vigilantes. There's concern, too, from Catholic bishops in the Philippines.Listen to the report by Alastair Wanklyn: Deadly shootings have soared, with police and alleged vigilantes targeting apparent drug dealers.The president has said he approves of executing wrongdoers, saying "If you destroy the youth of this country, I will kill you."Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's apparent incitement to killing may be a crime under international law, according to the United Nations rapporteur on summary executions. The U.N. said last week more than 850 people have been killed since Duterte won election in May.On Sunday, Duterte struck back, accusing the U.N. of empty talk on halting hunger, wars and terrorism. He said he might as well pull the Philippines out of the U....
(Vatican Radio) The Philippines' president has threatened to pull his country out of the United Nations after U.N. officials expressed alarm at apparent killings by police and vigilantes. There's concern, too, from Catholic bishops in the Philippines.
Listen to the report by Alastair Wanklyn:
Deadly shootings have soared, with police and alleged vigilantes targeting apparent drug dealers.
The president has said he approves of executing wrongdoers, saying "If you destroy the youth of this country, I will kill you."
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's apparent incitement to killing may be a crime under international law, according to the United Nations rapporteur on summary executions.
The U.N. said last week more than 850 people have been killed since Duterte won election in May.
On Sunday, Duterte struck back, accusing the U.N. of empty talk on halting hunger, wars and terrorism.
He said he might as well pull the Philippines out of the U.N. and ask China and other nations to set up a parallel body.Duterte claims a mandate for his war on drugs and corruption, as that is what he promised when running for office.
But there is criticism from within the country, including from Philippine bishops. They have endorsed plans by a lawmaker to investigate the apparent extrajudicial killings, saying murder denies the victim of a chance to reform.
And after Duterte called to reinstate the death penalty, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines this week released a book it hopes will sway the debate against executions. It said it will send copies of the book to lawmakers and to the president's office.
(Vatican Radio) The Rio Olympics have seen a trio of superstars achieve the zenith of sporting brilliance. James Blears reports that all of this done under the imposing statue of Christ the Redeemer, in a fortnight which will forever be remembered in sporting history.Listen to the report by James Blears: So many tremendous performances in the Rio Olympics, but two competitors just seem to stand head and shoulders above the rest, creating waves and bolts of lightning.Usain Bolt doing the treble in his third successive Olympics. 100 metres and 200 metres golds topped off with gold in the 4 by 100 metres relay. He achieved this last one just three days after his 30th birthday. His tally of nine golds in three Olympics now equals that of Carl Lewis and Finland`s Paavo Nurmi. As "Bolt of lightning" himself said in a matter of fact way: "There you go...I`m the greatest," But hinting at his retirement he wistfully reflect...
(Vatican Radio) The Rio Olympics have seen a trio of superstars achieve the zenith of sporting brilliance. James Blears reports that all of this done under the imposing statue of Christ the Redeemer, in a fortnight which will forever be remembered in sporting history.
Listen to the report by James Blears:
So many tremendous performances in the Rio Olympics, but two competitors just seem to stand head and shoulders above the rest, creating waves and bolts of lightning.
Usain Bolt doing the treble in his third successive Olympics. 100 metres and 200 metres golds topped off with gold in the 4 by 100 metres relay. He achieved this last one just three days after his 30th birthday. His tally of nine golds in three Olympics now equals that of Carl Lewis and Finland`s Paavo Nurmi. As "Bolt of lightning" himself said in a matter of fact way: "There you go...I`m the greatest," But hinting at his retirement he wistfully reflected he`ll miss the crowds.
Michael Phelps won four more golds in Rio, bringing his total for five Olympics to a staggering 28- 23 of these are gold! Winning the 200 metres individual medley, he surpassed the record of 12 individual Olympic titles, set by Leonidas of Rhodes in 152 BC.
Yet Michael proved he`s but mortal by missing out in the 100 metres butterfly to Joseph Schooling of Singapore, to gain a silver in a three way tie. Michael is without the greatest Olympian who`s ever lived. Who knows if it`ll take another two thousand years for another athlete to win even more medals than him.
More than 1,000 residents of a northwest Indiana public housing complex have been in a state of panic and uncertainty since authorities informed them last month that their homes must be destroyed because of serious lead contamination....
More than 1,000 residents of a northwest Indiana public housing complex have been in a state of panic and uncertainty since authorities informed them last month that their homes must be destroyed because of serious lead contamination....
TOKYO (AP) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's brief but show-stopping gig at the Olympic closing ceremony as the Nintendo game character Super Mario offered a tantalizing glimpse at Tokyo's plans for the 2020 games....
TOKYO (AP) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's brief but show-stopping gig at the Olympic closing ceremony as the Nintendo game character Super Mario offered a tantalizing glimpse at Tokyo's plans for the 2020 games....
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- South Korea and the United States began annual military drills Monday despite North Korea's threat of nuclear strikes in response to the exercises that it calls an invasion rehearsal....
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- South Korea and the United States began annual military drills Monday despite North Korea's threat of nuclear strikes in response to the exercises that it calls an invasion rehearsal....
