SUMMARY:
-
FIRST COMMUNION: A FERVENT BUT SOBER FEAST OF THE FAITH
-
HOLY FATHER DENOUNCES HUMAN TRAFFICKING FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND
ORGAN HARVESTING
-
POPE RECALLS HISTORIC ROLE OF WOMEN IN BUILDING THE CHURCH IN AMERICA
-
MEETING ON THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN CHINA
-
CONCERT BY THE GEWANDHAUS ORCHESTRA FOR THE POPE'S BIRTHDAY
-
CELEBRATIONS TO BE PRESIDED BY THE HOLY FATHER BETWEEN APRIL AND JUNE
-
AUDIENCES
-
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
______________________________________
FIRST
COMMUNION: A FERVENT BUT SOBER FEAST OF THE FAITH
Vatican
City, 22 April 2012 (VIS) - At midday today, the third Sunday of
Easter, Benedict XVI appeared at the window of his study to pray the
Regina Coeli with faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square below.
Before the Marian prayer, the Pope dedicated some remarks to the
signs the Risen Christ gave His disciples as they, "startled and
terrified, thought they were seeing a ghost".
"The
resurrection", the Holy Father explained, "did not cancel
the signs of the crucifixion. Jesus showed the Apostles His hands and
feet; in order to convince them He even asked for something to eat.
... Thanks to these very realistic signs, the disciples overcame
their initial doubt and opened to the gift of the faith, a faith
which enabled them to understand the things written about Christ 'in
the law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms'. ... The Saviour
assures us of His real presence among us through the Word and the
Eucharist and, just as the disciples of Emmaus recognised Jesus in
the breaking of the bread, so we too meet the Lord in the celebration
of the Eucharist".
Finally
the Holy Father recalled that during the period of Easter it is
customary for the Church to administer First Communion to children.
In this context, he exhorted pastors, parents and catechists "to
prepare this feast of the faith well, with great fervour but also
with sobriety".
Following
the Regina Coeli the Holy Father mentioned yesterday's beatification
in Mexico of Maria Ines Teresa of the Blessed Sacrament Arias
Espinosa, foundress of the Poor Clare Missionary Sisters of the
Blessed Sacrament. "Let us give thanks to God for this exemplary
figure of Mexico, a land I had the joy of visiting and which is
always in my heart", he said,
Finally
the Pope turned his attention to the Day of the Sacred Heart Catholic
University, which is being celebrated this Sunday in Italy on the
theme: "The Future of the Country in the Hearts of the Young".
He said: "It is important for young people to be educated in
values, over and above scientific and technical knowledge. It was for
this reason that Fr. Gemelli founded the Catholic University, which I
hope will remain abreast of the times but also faithful to its
origins".
HOLY
FATHER DENOUNCES HUMAN TRAFFICKING FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ORGAN
HARVESTING
Vatican
City, 23 April 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father has written a message for
the seventh world congress on the pastoral care of tourism, which
begins today in the Mexican city of Cancun. The message is addressed
to Cardinal Antonio Maria Veglio, president of the Pontifical Council
for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, and to
Bishop Pedro Pablo Elizondo Cardenas L.C., prelate of
Cancun-Chetumanl.
"Tourism",
the Pope writes in the English-language version of his message, "like
other human realities, is called to be enlightened and transformed by
the Word of God. ... Tourism, together with vacations and free time,
is a privileged occasion for physical and spiritual renewal; it
facilitates the coming together of people from different cultural
backgrounds and offers the opportunity of drawing close to nature and
hence opening the way to listening and contemplation, tolerance and
peace, dialogue and harmony in the midst of diversity.
"Travelling
reflects our being as 'homo viator'; at the same time it evokes that
other deeper and more meaningful journey that we are called to follow
and which leads to our encounter with God. Travelling, which offers
us the possibility of admiring the beauty of peoples, cultures and
nature, can lead to God and be the occasion of an experience of
faith, “for from the greatness and beauty of created things comes a
corresponding perception of their Creator”.
"On
the other hand tourism, like every human reality, is not exempt from
dangers or negative dimensions. We refer to evils that must be dealt
with urgently since they trample upon the rights of millions of men
and women, especially among the poor, minors and handicapped. Sexual
tourism is one of the most abject of these deviations that devastate
morally, psychologically and physically the life of so many persons
and families, and sometimes whole communities. The trafficking of
human beings for sexual exploitation or organ harvesting as well as
the exploitation of minors, abandoned into the hands of individuals
without scruples and undergoing abuse and torture, sadly happen often
in the context of tourism. This should bring all who are engaged for
pastoral reasons or who work in the field of tourism, and the whole
international community, to increase their vigilance and to foresee
and oppose such aberrations".
"I
would like to highlight three areas which should receive full
attention from the pastoral care of tourism. Firstly, we need shed
light on this reality using the social teaching of the Church and
promote a culture of ethical and responsible tourism, in such a way
that it will respect the dignity of persons and of peoples, be open
to all, be just, sustainable and ecological. The enjoyment of free
time and regular vacations are an opportunity as well as a right. The
Church, within its own sphere of competence, is committed to continue
offering its cooperation, so that this right will become a reality
for all people, especially for less fortunate communities.
"Secondly,
our pastoral action should never loose sight of the 'via
pulchritudinis', “the way of beauty”. Many of the manifestations
of the historical and cultural religious patrimony are “authentic
ways to God, Supreme Beauty. ... It is important to welcome tourists
and offer them well-organised visits, with due respect for sacred
places and the liturgical action, for which many of these works came
into being and which continues to be their main purpose.
"Thirdly,
pastoral activity in the area of tourism should care for Christians
as they enjoy their vacations and free time in such a way that these
will contribute to their human and spiritual growth. Truly this is
“an appropriate moment to let the body relax ... in order to grow
in personal relationship with Christ”".
"The
new evangelisation, to which all are called, requires us to keep in
mind and to make good use of the many occasions that tourism offers
us to put forward Christ as the supreme response to modern man’s
fundamental questions".
POPE
RECALLS HISTORIC ROLE OF WOMEN IN BUILDING THE CHURCH IN AMERICA
Vatican
City, 21 April 2012 (VIS) - At midday today Benedict XVI received
members of the Papal Foundation on their annual visit to Rome. The
agency is a Catholic association founded in Philadelphia, U.S.A., in
1990 by the now-deceased Cardinal John Krol, which every year
finances the needs of the Church around the world.
Speaking
to the group in English, the Pope thanked them for their support for
"a wide variety of apostolates". He also noted that later
this year he will canonise two new saints from North America, Blessed
Kateri Tekakwitha and Blessed Mother Marianne Cope, "striking
examples of sanctity and heroic charity" who "also remind
us of the historic role played by women in the building up of the
Church in America. By their example and intercession, may all of you
be confirmed in the pursuit of holiness and in your efforts to
contribute to the growth of God’s Kingdom in the hearts of people
today".
"In
these days I ask your continued prayers for the needs of the
universal Church and in particular for the freedom of Christians to
proclaim the Gospel and bring its light to the urgent moral issues of
our time", the Pope concluded.
MEETING
ON THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN CHINA
Vatican
City, 21 April 2012 (VIS) - The commission established by Benedict
XVI in 2007 to study questions of importance concerning the life of
the Catholic Church in China is meeting in the Vatican today. The
commission includes superiors of the dicasteries of the Roman Curia
with responsibility in this area, as well as certain representatives
of the Chinese episcopate and of religious congregations.
A
communique released by the Holy See Press Office notes that, while
previous meetings have examined the formation of seminarians,
consecrated persons and priests, this year the focus will be on the
formation of the lay faithful in the light of the situation of the
Catholic community in China, and in the context of the "Year of
Faith" which will be celebrated by the entire Church from 11
October 2012 to 23 November 2013. Attention will also be given to
progress made in the field of forming priests, consecrated persons
and seminarians, and to what remains to be done to ensure they are
adequately prepared for the service they are called to offer, within
the Church and for the good of society. The meeting of the commission
is due to end on 25 April.
CONCERT
BY THE GEWANDHAUS ORCHESTRA FOR THE POPE'S BIRTHDAY
Vatican
City, 21 April 2012 (VIS) - Yesterday in the Paul VI Hall the
Gewandhaus Orchestra of Leipzig, Germany, conducted by Riccardo
Chailly, performed Symphony No. 2 "Lobgesang" by Felix
Mendelssohn as a tribute to Benedict XVI for his eighty-fifth
birthday. The concert took place under the patronage of the Free
State of Saxony and the city of Leipzig.
Following
the performance, and having first expressed his thanks to the
musicians and organisers, the Holy Father recalled how Mendelssohn
had composed the symphony to mark the fourth centenary of the
invention of printing, and that it was first performed at the
Thomaskirche of Leipzig (the church of Johann Sebastian Bach) on 25
January 1840. The conductor on that occasion had been Mendelssohn
himself, the long-time director of the Gewandhaus Orchestra.
"Art
as praise of God, supreme Beauty", the Pope said, "lies at
the root of the way that Mendelssohn composed, not just as regards
liturgical or sacred music, but his entire oeuvre. ... For him,
sacred music was not at a higher level than any other kind; each in
its own way had to serve and honour God".
The
Holy Father concluded by quoting the words written by Robert Schumann
after having attended the first performance of the "Lobgesang":
"Let us - as the text so splendidly set to music by the maestro
says - 'lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of
light'".
CELEBRATIONS
TO BE PRESIDED BY THE HOLY FATHER BETWEEN APRIL AND JUNE
Vatican
City, 23 April 2012 (VIS) - The Office of Liturgical Celebrations of
the Supreme Pontiff today published the calendar of celebrations due
to be presided by the Holy Father between April and June.
APRIL
Sunday
29: Fourth Sunday of Easter. Priestly ordinations at 9 a.m. in the
Vatican Basilica.
MAY
Sunday
13: Sixth Sunday of Easter. Pastoral visit to the Italian towns of
Arezzo, La Verna and San Sepolcro.
Sunday
27: Solemnity of Pentecost. Mass at 9.30 a.m. in the Vatican
Basilica.
JUNE
Friday
1 to Sunday 3: Pastoral visit to Milan for the World Meeting of
Families.
Thursday
7: Solemnity of Corpus Christi. At 7 p.m., Mass in the basilica of
St. John Lateran, procession to the basilica of St. Mary Major and
Eucharistic blessing.
Friday
29: Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles. Mass at 9 a.m. in the
Vatican Basilica. Blessing and imposition of the pallium on new
metropolitan archbishops.
AUDIENCES
Vatican
City, 23 April 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in
audience:
-
Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for the
Oriental Churches.
-
Nine prelates of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, on
their "ad limina" visit:
-
Archbishop Roger Lawrence Schwietz O.M.I. of Anchorage.
-
Bishop Donald J. Kettler of Fairbanks.
-
Bishop Edward James Burns of Juneau.
-
Archbishop James Peter Sartain of Seattle, accompanied by Auxiliary
Bishop Eusebio L. Elizondo M.Sp.S. and by Archbishop emeritus
Alexander J, Brunett.
-
Bishop Blase J. Cupich of Spokane.
-
Bishop Joseph Jude Tyson of Yakima, accompanied by Bishop emeritus
Carlos Arthur Sevilla S.J.
On
Saturday 21 April he received in audience:
-
Fourteen prelates of the United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops, on their "ad limina" visit:
-
Bishop William Joseph Justice and Bishop Robert Walter McElroy,
auxiliaries of San Francisco, accompanied by Bishop Ignatius Chung
Wang, former auxiliary, and by Archbishop emeritus John Raphael
Quinn.
-
Bishop Clarence R. Silva of Honolulu.
-
Bishop Joseph Anthony Pepe of Las Vegas.
-
Bishop Salvatore Joseph Cordileone of Oakland.
-
Bishop Randolph Roque Calvo of Reno.
-
Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento, accompanied by Bishop emeritus
William Keith Weigand.
-
John Charles Wester of Salt Lake City.
-
Bishop Patrick Joseph McGrath of San Jose in California.
-
Bishop Robert Francis Vasa of Santa Rosa, accompanied by Bishop
emeritus Daniel Francis Walsh.
-
Cardinal Marc Ouellet P.S.S., prefect of the Congregation for
Bishops.
OTHER
PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican
City, 21 April 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father has appointed the
following cardinals, created in the consistory of 18 February as
members of dicasteries and offices of the Roman Curia:
1.
Cardinal George Alencherry of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the
Syro-Malabars, India; Cardinal Fernando Filoni, prefect of the
Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, and Cardinal
Francesco Coccopalmerio, president of the Pontifical Council for
Legislative Texts, as members of the Congregation for the Doctrine of
the Faith.
2.
Cardinal George Alencherry of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the
Syro-Malabars, India; Cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan, archbishop of
New York, U.S.A.; Cardinal Lucian Muresan, major archbishop of
Fagaras and Alba Julia of the Romanians, Romania; Cardinal Fernando
Filoni, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of
Peoples, and Cardinal Edwin Frederick O'Brien, grand master of the
Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem,
as members of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches.
3.
Cardinal Antonio Maria Veglio, president of the Pontifical Council
for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, as member of
the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the
Sacraments.
4.
Cardinal Manuel Monteiro de Castro, penitentiary major, and Cardinal
Santos Abril y Castello, archpriest of the papal basilica of St. Mary
Major, as members of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
5.
Cardinal Manuel Monteiro de Castro, penitentiary major; Cardinal
Santos Abril y Castello, archpriest of the papal basilica of St. Mary
Major; Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, president of the Pontifical
Commission for Vatican City State and of the Governorate of Vatican
City State, and Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, president of the
Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, as members of
the Congregation for Bishops.
6.
Cardinal John Tong Hon, bishop of Hong Kong, China; Cardinal Santos
Abril y Castello, archpriest of the papal basilica of St. Mary Major;
Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, president of the Pontifical Commission
for Vatican City State and of the Governorate of Vatican City State,
and Cardinal Domenico Calcagno, president of the Administration of
the Patrimony of the Apostolic See, as members of the Congregation
for the Evangelisation of Peoples.
7.
Cardinal Willem Jacobus Eijk, archbishop of Utrecht, Netherlands, and
Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz, prefect of the Congregation for
Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, as
members of the Congregation for the Clergy.
8.
Cardinal Dominik Jaroslav Duka O.P., archbishop of Prague, Czech
Republic, and Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, president of the Prefecture
for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, as members of the
Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of
Apostolic Life.
9.
Cardinal Thomas Christopher Collins, archbishop of Toronto, Canada;
Cardinal Willem Jacobus Eijk, archbishop of Utrecht, Netherlands;
Cardinal Giuseppe Betori, archbishop of Florence, Italy; Cardinal
Rainer Maria Woelki, archbishop of Berlin, Germany; Cardinal Fernando
Filoni, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of
Peoples; Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz, prefect of the Congregation for
Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and
Cardinal Edwin Frederick O'Brien, grand master of the Equestrian
Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, as members
of the Congregation for Catholic Education.
10.
Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio, president of the Pontifical Council
for Legislative Texts, and Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, president of
the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, as members
of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.
11.
Cardinal Antonio Maria Veglio, president of the Pontifical Council
for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, as member of
the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
12.
Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, archbishop of Berlin, Germany, and
Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio, president of the Pontifical Council
for Legislative Texts, as members of the Pontifical Council for
Promoting Christian Unity.
13.
Cardinal Antonio Maria Veglio, president of the Pontifical Council
for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, as member of
the Pontifical Council for the Family.
14.
Cardinal Dominik Jaroslav Duka O.P., archbishop of Prague, Czech
Republic, and Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, president of the Pontifical
Commission for Vatican City State and of the Governorate of Vatican
City State, as members of the Pontifical Council for Justice and
Peace.
15.
Cardinal Edwin Frederick O'Brien, grand master of the Equestrian
Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, as member of
the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum".
16.
Cardinal Manuel Monteiro de Castro, penitentiary major, as member of
the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and
Itinerant Peoples.
17.
Cardinal Domenico Calcagno, president of the Administration of the
Patrimony of the Apostolic See, as member of the Pontifical Council
for Health Pastoral Care.
18.
Cardinal John Tong Hon, bishop of Hong Kong, China, as member of the
Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue.
19.
Cardinal Giuseppe Betori, archbishop of Florence, Italy, as member of
the Pontifical Council for Culture.
20.
Cardinal Thomas Christopher Collins, archbishop of Toronto, Canada,
and Cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan, archbishop of New York, U.S.A.,
as members of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.
21.
Cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan, archbishop of New York, U.S.A., as
member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelisation.
22.
Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz, prefect of the Congregation for
Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, as
member of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic
Congresses.
On
Saturday 21 April it was also made public that the Holy Father
appointed:
-
As members of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith:
Cardinal Angelo Scola, archbishop of Milan, Italy, and Cardinal
Donald William Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, U.S.A.
-
Archbishop Lorenzo Balisseri, secretary of the Congregation for
Bishops, as a consultor of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith.
-
Cardinal Domenico Calcagno, president of the Administration of the
Patrimony of the Apostolic See, as member of the Pontifical
Commission for Vatican City State.
-
Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, president of the Pontifical Commission
for Vatican City State and of the Governorate of Vatican City State,
as his special envoy to celebrations marking the millennium of the
foundation of the Holy Hermitage of Camaldoli, Italy, due to take
place on 19 June.
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