Pope Francis: The Church is not limited to Bishops and parishes 2014-10-29 During his weekly general audience, Pope Francis explained how God makes himself present in the Church. It's through the Baptized, explained the Pope, that God acts and makes Himself present. Despite the limitations of the clergy and the laity, they too, said the Pope, can lead others towards God. SUMMARY OF POPE'S CATECHESIS: Dear Brothers and Sisters: "In our catechesis on the Church, we have seen that the Church is a spiritual reality, the mystical Body of Christ. Yet we know that the Church is also a visible reality, expressed in our parishes and communities, and in her institutional structures. This visible reality is itself mysterious, for it embraces the countless and often hidden works of charity carried out by believers throughout the world. To understand the relationship between the visible and the spiritual dimensions of Christ’s Body, the Church, we need to look to Jesus himself, both God and man. Just as Christ’s humanity serves his divine mission of salvation, so too, with the eyes of faith, we can understand how the Church’s visible dimension is at the service of her deepest spiritual reality. Through her sacraments and her witness to Christ in our world, the Church seeks to proclaim and bring God’s merciful love to all, particularly the poor and those in need. Let us ask the Lord to enable us to grow in holiness and to be an ever more visible sign of his love for all mankind.” http://www.romereports.com/pg158883...ch-is-not-limited-to-bishops-and-parishes--en
Pope Francis: We can be a cause of scandal but also give witness 2014-10-29 Pope Francis posed a question to thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square: How is it possible that God acts in the world through the Church and Christians if all are sinners? POPE FRANCIS "Many times, as a Church, we experience our frailty and our limitations. We all have them. We are all sinners. All of us. None of us can say: 'I am not a sinner.' If one of us feels that they are not a sinner, raise your hand. Let's see how many...you can't. We all are.” Pope Francis said that although the way God acts in the world can't always be understood, Christians can see how Jesus acted. POPE FRANCIS "As Jesus used his humanity – because he was also a man - to accomplish his mission, so should the Church. Through its visible reality, of all that can be seen: the Sacraments, the witness of all Christians, the Church is called everyday to be close to every person.” He went on to say that the Church is made up not only of bishops and priests, but of all baptized people. In that way, God can use the witness of each Christian to bring others closer to the faith. POPE FRANCIS "Let us ask [the Lord] to not be a cause of scandal. Let us ask for the gift of faith so that we can understand that, despite our limitations and our poverty, the Lord makes of us an instrument of grace and a visible sign of His love for all humanity. We may become a cause of scandal. Yes. But we can also become a witness.” Before concluding his address, Pope Francis prayed for 43 students who were kidnapped in Mexico. He also repeated his call to the international community to overcome the Ebola epidemic that continues to spread globally. http://www.romereports.com/pg158889...e-a-cause-of-scandal-but-also-give-witness-en
Pope at Audience: The Church visible and spiritual 2014-10-30 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) “Often, we hear people say: the Church doesn’t do this …the Church doesn’t do that!’ ‘Tell me who is the Church? – ‘Well the Church is the priests, the bishops, the Pope …’ We are all the Church! All of us all of us Baptized! We are the Church, the Church of Jesus’”. This was the message at the heart of Pope Francis’ general audience Wednesday, which he dedicated to the relationship between the visible and spiritual reality of the Church. Listen to the report by Emer McCarthy: The Pope observed that the Church represents the Body of Jesus, and that its visible dimension- that is the structures and people who make up the Church – are at the service of its spiritual reality, witnessing to God’s love for all mankind. He underlined that the Church visible is not just the priests, bishops or Popes. It is made up of Baptized men and women all over the world who carry out immeasurable acts of love. Families who are firm in the faith, parents who give their all to transmit the faith to their children, the sick who offer their suffering to the Lord. Pope Francis noted that often as a Church we experience our fragility and our limitations, which rightly provoke profound displeasure, especially when we give bad example and become a source of scandal, “because people go by our witness” as Christians. “Through her Sacraments and her witness to Christ in our world, the Church seeks to proclaim and bring God’s merciful love to all, particularly the poor and those in need”. Below please find a Vatican Radio translation of the Holy Father’s catechesis [Original text: Italian] Dear Brothers and Sisters, in the previous catechesis we highlighted how the Church is spiritual in nature: it is the Body of Christ, built in the Holy Spirit. When we refer to the Church, however, our thoughts turn immediately to our communities, our parishes, our diocese, to the structures in which we usually gather together and, of course, of the component and institutional figures which guide and govern it. This is the visible reality of the Church. We must ask, then: Are they two different things or the One Church? And, if it is the One Church, how can we understand the relationship between its visible and spiritual reality? 1. First, when we speak of the visible reality of the Church we said there are two- the visible reality which we see and the spiritual one - we must not think only of the Pope, Bishops, priests and consecrated persons. The visible reality of the Church is made up of the many baptized brothers and sisters around the world who believe, hope and love. [Moving from the prepared text] “Often, we hear people say: the Church doesn’t do this …the Church doesn’t do that!’ ‘Tell me who is the Church? – ‘Well the Church is the priests, the bishops, the Pope …’ We are all the Church! All of us all of us Baptized! We are the Church, the Church of Jesus’”. Of all those who follow the Lord Jesus and, in His name, are close to the poor and the suffering, trying to offer some relief, comfort and peace. [Moving from the prepared text ] “All of those who do these things, which the Lord sent us to do are the Church”. Thus we understand that the visible reality of the Church cannot be measured, it cannot be known in all its fullness: how can one know of all the good that is done? [Moving from the prepared text ] “So many acts of love, so much faithfulness in families, so much work in educating children, to carry on, to transmit the faith, so much suffering in the sick who offer their suffering to the Lord. We cannot measure this! It is so great, so great!” How can one know of all the wonderful things that, through us, Christ is able to operate in the hearts and lives of each person? You see: the reality of the visible Church goes beyond our control, beyond our strength, and it is a mysterious reality because it comes from God. 2. To understand the relationship, in the Church, between her visible and spiritual reality, there is no other way but to look to Christ, whose Body is the Church and from which the Church is generated, in an act of infinite love . Even in Christ, in fact, through the mystery of the Incarnation, we recognize a human nature and a divine nature, united in the same person in a wonderful and indissoluble way. This applies in a similar manner to the Church. Just as in Christ, human nature serves the divine in accordance with the fulfillment of Salvation, so, in a similar way, does the visible reality serve the spiritual reality of the Church. The Church, therefore, is also a mystery, in which what is not seen is more important than what is seen, and can only be recognized with the eyes of faith (cf. Const. Dogmatic Constitution. On the Church Lumen Gentium, 8). 3. In the case of the Church, however, we must ask ourselves: How can the visible reality can be at the service of the spiritual? Again, we can understand it by looking to Christ. [Moving from the prepared text ] “But Christ is the model and the Church is His Body, He is the model for all Christians, all of us! Look to Christ, you can’t go wrong!”. The Gospel of Luke tells how Jesus came to Nazareth, where he grew up, went into the synagogue and read, referring to himself, the passage from the prophet Isaiah where it is written:"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free "(4,18-19). Look, how Christ used his humanity – because he was also a man - to announce and carry out God's plan of Redemption and Salvation, so it must be for the Church. Through its visible reality – everything we see - , the Sacraments and testimony – of all of us Christians - it is called every day to draw closer to every person, starting with the poor, those who suffer and those who are marginalized, in order to continue to help all feel the compassionate and merciful gaze of Jesus. Dear brothers and sisters, often as a Church we experience our fragility and our limitations, all of us, we all have them. We are all sinners, no one can say I am not a sinner. And this fragility, these limitations, these our sins, it is right that these should provoke in us a profound displeasure, especially when we give bad example and we realize we are becoming a source of scandal. How often have we heard, in our neighborhoods: “That person there is always in Church but gossips about everyone, denigrates others – what a bad example! This is not Christian! This is a bad example. So people say: ‘If this is a Christian, I prefer to be an atheist! Because people go by our witness”. Then, let us ask for the gift of faith, so that we can understand how, despite our smallness and our poverty, the Lord has really made us means of grace and a visible sign of His love for all mankind. Yes, we can become a source of scandal but we can also be a source of hope through our lives our witness, just as Jesus wants! Thank you. Below the English language summary of the catechesis. Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our catechesis on the Church, we have seen that the Church is a spiritual reality, the mystical Body of Christ. Yet we know that the Church is also a visible reality, expressed in our parishes and communities, and in her institutional structures. This visible reality is itself mysterious, for it embraces the countless and often hidden works of charity carried out by believers throughout the world. To understand the relationship between the visible and the spiritual dimensions of Christ’s Body, the Church, we need to look to Jesus himself, both God and man. Just as Christ’s humanity serves his divine mission of salvation, so too, with the eyes of faith, we can understand how the Church’s visible dimension is at the service of her deepest spiritual reality. Through her sacraments and her witness to Christ in our world, the Church seeks to proclaim and bring God’s merciful love to all, particularly the poor and those in need. Let us ask the Lord to enable us to grow in holiness and to be an ever more visible sign of his love for all mankind. I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, including the various groups from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Nigeria, India, Canada and the United States of America. Upon all of you, and your families, I invoke joy and peace in the Lord Jesus. God bless you all! http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-at-audience-the-church-visible-and-spiritual
Oct-30-2014 Be ready with God's weaponry; devil is real, pope says VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Christian life is a constant battle against the devil, who is not the stuff of legend, but really exists, Pope Francis said in a morning homily. Battling the devil will not be easy because the evil one's traps and temptations are many, and "the devil is not tossing flowers at us," but "flaming arrows" aimed to kill, the pope said Oct. 30 during his morning Mass in the Domus Sanctae Marthae where he lives. Pope Francis is pictured during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 29. (CNS/Paul Haring) There are three "enemies of Christian life," Pope Francis said: "The devil, the world and the flesh," in other words, the carnal passions that are "the wounds of original sin." "But this generation, and many others, made people think that the devil was a myth, a character, an idea, the concept of evil," the pope said, according to Vatican Radio. "The devil exists and we have to fight against him. Paul says so -- I'm not the one saying it. The word of God says it," the pope said, referring to the day's reading from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians (6:10-20), which calls on believers to "stand firm against the tactics of the devil." Even believers "are not too convinced" the devil exists, he said, or else "we are a bit lazy in the fight and we let ourselves be led by our passions, by some temptations. It's because we are sinners -- all of us." "However, do not be discouraged. (Have) courage and strength because the Lord is with us" and supplies all that is needed in battle, the pope said. Because the devil is "the father of lies, the father of deception," Christians must arm themselves with the "armor of God -- the truth." St. Paul says Christians must be "girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the Gospel of peace," the pope noted. People need to "hold faith as a shield" and take up "the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," he added, and they must pray all the time. "You cannot be Christians without working continuously at being righteous. You can't," the pope said. People need faith to go forward and they need to know "that it is God defending us, to resist the devil's temptations," he said. "Is that clear? You cannot think of a spiritual life, a Christian life," he said, "without resisting temptation, without fighting against the devil, without putting on this amour of God, who gives us strength and defends us." "Christian life is a battle, a very beautiful battle because when the Lord wins at every step of our life, he gives us a joy, a great happiness, that joy that the Lord has won in us" with his free gift of salvation, the pope said. http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1404480.htm
Pope: Fighting for the poor doesn't make me Communist – it makes me Catholic Vatican City, Oct 29, 2014 / 12:21 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis spoke out against oppression of the poor due to greed and warned again of the growing presence of a “globalization of indifference” – a warning, he said, which has wrongly type-casted him. “It is not possible to tackle poverty by promoting containment strategies to merely reassure, rendering the poor 'domesticated,' harmless and passive,” the Pope told those gathered for his Oct. 28 encounter with leaders of various Church movements. He called the basic needs for land, housing and work an “aspiration that should be within the reach of all but which we sadly see is increasingly unavailable to the majority.” “It's strange, but if I talk about this, there are those who think that the Pope is Communist,” he said. “The fact that the love for the poor is in the center of the gospel is misunderstood,” the Pope added. “Those (values) for which you’re fighting for are sacred rights. It’s the Church’s social doctrine.” Held in the Vatican's Old Synod Hall, where previous synods took place before the construction of the Paul VI Hall, the meeting was organized by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace in collaboration with the Pontifical Academy for Social Sciences, along with the leaders of various movements. Solidarity, the Pope observed in his speech, is a word that is often forgotten in today’s society, and which extends far beyond sporadic acts of generosity. Instead it requires thinking in communal terms, and includes fighting structural causes of poverty such as inequality, unemployment, lack of land and housing, and the denial of social and labor rights, he said. It also requires facing the destructive effects of the “empire of money” such as forced displacement, painful migration, human trafficking, drugs, war and violence. “Today the phenomenon of exploitation and oppression assumes a new dimension, a graphical and hard edge of social injustice,” the Pope noted, explaining that this “throwaway culture” makes it so that those who are unable to integrate are marginalized and discarded as “cast-offs.” Situations such as this arise when economic systems make money their god and put it at the heart of their work rather than centering on the human person, created in the image of God, the pontiff continued. He then turned his attention to the phenomenon of unemployment, saying that each person who works, whether part of the formal system of paid work or not, “has the right to fair remuneration, social security and a pension.” These people, the pontiff noted, include those who recycle waste, street vendors, garment makers, craftsmen, fishermen, farmers, builders, miners, workers in companies in receivership, cooperatives and common trades which are often excluded from employment rights and denied the option of forming trades unions, as well as those who don’t receive a stable or sufficient income. “I wish to unite my voice to theirs and to accompany them in their struggle,” Pope Francis said. On the theme of peace and ecology, the Pope said that it is not possible to pursue land, housing or work if we can’t maintain the planet, or if we destroy it. “Creation is not our property which we may exploit as we please, (and) even less so the property of the few,” he explained, saying that instead creation is a gift from God that we must care for and use for the good of all humanity with respect and gratitude. Pope Francis went on to question those present in the audience, asking why, instead of viewing the world as our gift and fighting for justice, do we instead see work taken away, families evicted, peasants expelled from their land, war and harm done to nature. “Because this system has removed humanity from the center and replaced it with something else! Because of the idolatrous worship of money! Because of the globalization of indifference – ‘what does it matter to me what happens to others, I'll defend myself,’” the Pope explained. The world, said the pontiff, has forgotten God and so become “an orphan” because it has turned away from him. However, Christians have been given a strong guide and “revolutionary program” for how to act, which can be found in the Beatitudes, the Bishop of Rome noted, and encouraged all to read them. Pope Francis emphasized the importance of walking together, saying that popular movements express urgent need of revitalizing our democracies, which “so often (are) hijacked by many factors.” “It is impossible to imagine a future for society without the active participation of the majority, and this role extends beyond the logical procedures of formal democracy,” he said. http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/n...make-me-communist-it-makes-me-catholic-99088/
Pope to Old Catholic Bishops of Utrecht: It's about forgiveness and reconciliation 2014-10-30 In an effort to strengthen unity among Christians, Pope Francis welcomed a delegation of the Bishops Conference of the Union of Utrecht, also known as 'Old Catholics.' The division between the two came about in 1870 during the First Vatican Council, when a group of bishops rejected the notion of papal infallibility. Today, there are more theological and ecclesiological differences between the two, but the Pope said, they must focus on moving forward. POPE FRANCIS "It has been possible to build new bridges of a more profound mutual understanding and practical co-operation. Convergences and consensus have been found, and differences have been better identified and set in new contexts.” Europe is confused about its vocation and identity, said the Pope. This, he explained, opens a new door for Catholics and so called Old Catholics to collaborate and help people in their spiritual journey. He then added that the separation between the two, triggered grave sins and human faults on both sides, but mutual forgiveness and humble repentance are key for reconciliation. http://www.romereports.com/pg158904...it-s-about-forgiveness-and-reconciliation--en
Pope: Seek the unity which is the work of the Holy Spirit 2014-10-31 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) On Friday Pope Francis met with members of the “Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant Communities and Fellowship.” The group is in Rome for its Sixteenth International Conference, which has for its theme “Praise and charismatic worship for a New Evangelization.” The Holy Father touched on several themes in his address to the group, beginning with the idea of “unity in diversity.” “Unity does not imply uniformity,” the Pope said. “It does not necessarily mean doing everything together or thinking in the same way. Nor does it signify a loss of identity. Unity in diversity is actually the opposite: it involves the joyful recognition and acceptance of the various gifts which the Holy Spirit gives to each one and the placing of these gifts at the service of all members of the Church.” Pope Francis also spoke about the Church’s need for the Holy Spirit. “Every Christian in his or her life requires a heart open to the sanctifying action of the Holy Spirit.” He encouraged his listeners to share their experience of Holy Spirit with others. The theme of the Conference, “Praise and charismatic worship for a New Evangelization,” prompted the Pope to speak about prayer and praise. Using the image of breathing, the Holy Father said, “Breathing is made up of two stages: inhaling, the intake of air, and exhaling, the letting out of this air. The spiritual life is fed, nourished, by prayer and is expressed outwardly through mission: inhaling and exhaling. When we inhale, by prayer, we receive the fresh air of the Holy Spirit. When exhaling this air, we announce Jesus Christ risen by the same Spirit. No one can live without breathing. It is the same for the Christian: without praise and mission there is no Christian life.” Finally, Pope Francis reminded his audience that “the Charismatic Renewal is, by its very nature, ecumenical.” Spiritual ecumenism, he said, “is praying and proclaiming together that Jesus is Lord, and coming together to help the poor in all their poverty. Today the blood of Jesus, poured out by many Christian martyrs in various parts of the world, calls us and compels us towards the goal of unity.” http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-seek-the-unity-which-is-the-work-of-the-holy
Pope Francis: Unity is not everyone thinking alike 2014-10-31 A Brazilian orchestra welcomed Pope Francis at the start of his meeting with the "Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant Communities and Fellowships." This group from the Catholic Charismatic Renewal celebrated an international meeting in Rome. During his address, Pope Francis explained what unity consists of inside the Church. POPE FRANCIS "Unity in diversity. Uniformity is not Catholic, it is not Christian. Unity in diversity.” The Pope said that the Holy Spirit inspires unity and diversity and that Catholics, therefore, should not fear difference. POPE FRANCIS "Unity is not uniformity, it is not to forcibly do everything together, nor thinking in the same way.” Pope Francis concluded that the Catholic Charistmatic Renewal reminded the Church that what is most important is the prayer of praise. He also thanked them for their ecumenical aspects and for establishing good relations with Pentecostal communities. After he ended his address, Pope Francis approached the youth of the orchestra. It is a social project that promotes the inclusion of at-risk youth through music. http://www.romereports.com/pg158936-pope-francis-unity-is-not-everyone-thinking-alike-en
Pope at Angelus: On All Saints, pray for peace in Jerusalem 2014-11-01 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Marking the Feast of All Saints Saturday with the traditional recitation of the midday Angelus with pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis’ thoughts turned to the Holy City of Jerusalem which has witnessed a spike in tensions in recent days. Emer McCarthy reports Listen: Pope Francis said: “Today's liturgy speaks of the glory of the heavenly Jerusalem. I invite you to pray that the Holy City, dear to Jews, Christians and Muslims, which in recent days has witnessed diverse tensions, always be a sign and foretaste of the peace which God desires for the whole human family”. Before the Marian prayer, the Pope spoke of the pilgrim Church on Earth and the Heavenly Jerusalem as one great family. He said: “The communion of saints…unites all those who belong to Christ by Baptism. It is a spiritual union that is not broken by death, but continues in the next life. In fact there is an unbreakable bond between us living in this world and those who have crossed the threshold of death”. Pope Francis added that the Liturgy expresses this spiritual bond: “Today we praise God for the countless host of holy men and women of all ages: simple men and women, who sometimes were the "last" for the world, but "first" for God”. “This beautiful communion between heaven and earth takes place in the highest and most intense way in the Liturgy, and especially in the celebration of the Eucharist, which expresses and fulfills the deepest union between the members of the Church”. Below please find a Vatican Radio translation of the Holy Father’s All Saints Angelus address: Dear Brothers and Sisters, the first two days of November are for all of us an intense moment of faith, prayer and reflection on the "last things" of life. In fact in celebrating all the saints and commemorating all the faithful departed, in the Liturgy the pilgrim Church on earth lives and expresses the spiritual bond which unites her to the Church in heaven. Today we praise God for the countless host of holy men and women of all ages: simple men and women, who sometimes were the "last" for the world, but "first" for God. At the same time we already remember our departed loved ones by visiting cemeteries: It is a source of great consolation to think that they are in the company of the Virgin Mary, the apostles, the martyrs and all the saints of Heaven! Today's Solemnity thus helps us to consider a fundamental truth of the Christian faith that we profess in the "Creed": the communion of saints. It is the communion that comes from faith and unites all those who belong to Christ by Baptism. It is a spiritual union that is not broken by death, but continues in the next life. In fact there is an unbreakable bond between us living in this world and those who have crossed the threshold of death. We here on earth, along with those who have entered into eternity, form one great family. This beautiful communion between heaven and earth takes place in the highest and most intense way in the Liturgy, and especially in the celebration of the Eucharist, which expresses and fulfills the deepest union between the members of the Church. In the Eucharist, we encounter the living Jesus and His strength, and through Him we enter into communion with our brothers and sisters in the faith, those who live with us here on earth and those who have gone before us into the next life, life without end. This reality of communion fills us with joy: it is nice to have so many brothers and sisters in the faith who walk alongside us, supporting us with their help and together we travel the same road toward heaven. And it is comforting to know that we have other brothers and sisters who have already reached heaven ahead of us and who pray for us, so that together in eternity we can contemplate the glorious and merciful face of the Father. In the great assembly of the saints, God wanted to reserve the first place for the Mother of Jesus. Mary is at the center of the communion of saints, as a unique custodian of the bond between the universal Church and Christ. For those who want to follow Jesus on the path of the Gospel, she is a safe guide because she is the first disciple, an attentive and caring Mother, to whom we can entrust every desire and difficulty. Let us pray together the Queen of All Saints, that she may help us to respond with generosity and faithfulness to God, who calls us to be holy as He is holy (cf. Lev 19.2; Mt 5:48). AFTER ANGELUS Today's liturgy speaks of the glory of the heavenly Jerusalem. I invite you to pray that the Holy City, dear to Jews, Christians and Muslims, which in recent days has witnessed diverse tensions, always be a sign and foretaste of the peace which God desires for the whole human family. Dear Brothers and Sisters, Today in Vitoria (Spain), martyr Pedro Asúa Mendía is beatified. A humble and austere priest, he preached the Gospel with the sanctity of his life, catechesis and devotion to the poor and needy. Arrested, tortured and killed for having expressed his desire to remain faithful to the Lord and to the Church, he is a wonderful example of strength in the faith and witness of charity for us. I greet all the pilgrims from Italy and many other countries. In particular, I greet the participants in the "Race of the Saints" and the "March of the Saints", respectively, promoted by Fondazione Don Bosco in the world and the Small Family Church Association. I welcome these initiatives that combine sport, Christian witness and humanitarian efforts. I also greet the young people from Modena who received the Sacrament of Confirmation, with their parents and catechists, as well as volunteers from the town of Sciacca and sports group from the parish of Castegnato (Brescia). This afternoon I will go to the Verano cemetery and will celebrate Mass for the souls of the dead. In visiting Rome’s main cemetery, I am united in spirit with those who in these days visit the graves of their dead in cemeteries around the world. I wish you all a good feast day, in the joy of being part of the great family of the Saints. Do not forget to pray for me. Buon pranzo e arrivederci! http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-at-angelus-on-all-saints-pray-for-peace-in-je
Pope at Angelus: Pray for the world’s forgotten souls 2014-11-02 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) On the Feast of All Souls, Pope Francis has asked people to pray for the world’s forgotten dead, “those who no one remembers”, the “victims of war and violence; the many "little ones" of the world crushed by hunger and poverty” and “the anonymous who rest in common graves”. Above all he has asked people to offer prays of suffrage and the celebration of the Eucharist for those “our brothers and sisters killed because they are Christians; and those who sacrificed their lives to serve others. We especially entrust to the Lord, those who have left over the last year”. Below a Vatican Radio translation of the Holy Father’s Angelus address: Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good day! Yesterday we celebrated the Solemnity of All Saints, and today the liturgy invites us to commemorate the faithful departed. These two occurrences are intimately linked to each other, just as joy and tears find a synthesis in Jesus Christ, that is the foundation of our faith and our hope. On the one hand, in fact, the Church, a pilgrim in history, rejoices through the intercession of the saints and blessed who support her in the mission of proclaiming the Gospel; on the other, she, like Jesus, shares the tears of those who suffer the separation from loved ones, and like Him and through Him echoes thanks to the Father who has delivered us from the dominion of sin and death. Yesterday and today many people visit the cemetery, which, as the word itself implies, is the "place of rest", as we wait for the final awakening. It is lovely to think that it will be Jesus who will awaken us. Jesus himself revealed that the death of the body is like a sleep from which he awakens us. With this faith we stop - even spiritually - at the graves of our loved ones, those who have loved us and have done good deeds for us. But today we are called to remember everyone, to remember everyone, even those who no one remembers. We remember the victims of war and violence; the many "little ones" of the world crushed by hunger and poverty. We remember the anonymous who rest in common graves. We remember our brothers and sisters killed because they are Christians; and those who sacrificed their lives to serve others. We especially entrust to the Lord, those who have left over the last year. Church tradition has always urged prayer for the dead, in particular by offering the celebration of the Eucharist for them: it is the best spiritual help that we can give to their souls, particularly to the most abandoned ones. The foundation of prayers in suffrage of souls is in the communion of the Mystical Body. As the Second Vatican Council reiterates, "fully conscious of this communion of the whole Mystical Body of Jesus Christ, the pilgrim Church from the very first ages of the Christian religion has cultivated with great piety the memory of the dead" (Lumen Gentium, 50 ). Remembering the dead, caring for their graves and prayers of suffrage, are witness of confident hope, rooted in the certainty that death is not the last word on human fate, death is not the last word, because man is destined to a life without limits, which has its roots and its fulfillment in God. Let us raise this prayer to God: God of infinite mercy, we entrust to Your immense goodness all those who have left this world for eternity, where you await all humanity, redeemed by the precious blood of Christ Your Son, who died to save us from our sins. Look not Lord, at our poverty, misery and human weaknesses when we present ourselves before You to be judged in happiness or condemned. Gaze upon us with pity, born of Your tender heart and help us to walk the path of purification. May none of your children be lost to the eternal fires of hell, where repentance is no more. We entrust to You Lord, the souls of our beloved departed, of those who died without the comfort of the Sacraments or who did not have the opportunity to repent, not even at the end of their life. May no one fear the encounter with You at the end of their earthly pilgrimage, in the hope of being welcomed within the embrace of your infinite mercy. May sister death find us in prayerful vigilance, and full of all the good we have done during our existence, be it long or short. Lord, may nothing distance us from you on this earth, may everything and everyone support us in our ardent hope to serenely and eternally rest in You. Amen With this faith in man’s supreme destiny, we now turn to the Virgin Mary, who suffered the drama of Christ's death under the Cross and participated in the joy of His resurrection. May she, Gate of Heaven, help us to understand more and more the value of prayers for the dead. They are close to us. May she support us in our daily pilgrimage on earth and help us not to lose sight of the ultimate goal of life which is Heaven. And we with this hope that never disappoints we move forward! AFTER ANGELUS Dear Brothers and Sisters, I greet all the families, church groups, associations and pilgrims who have come from Rome, Italy, from many parts of the world. In particular, I greet the faithful of the Diocese of Sevilla (Spain), those from the Casa Finali in Cesena and volunteers of Oppeano and Granzette who offer clown therapy in hospitals. I hope you all have a good Sunday, in the Christian memory of our deceased loved ones. Do not forget to pray for me. Buon pranzo e arrivederci!
Pope Francis prays for deceased Pontiffs in Vatican Grotto 2014-11-03 Accompanied by several cardinals, Pope Francis visited the Vatican Grotto to pray for the souls of the deceased Pontiffs. The Pope continued the tradition of visiting the tombs of his predecessors on November 2, the day in which the Church commemorates the Solemnity of All Souls. He first prayed in front of the tomb of St. Peter and then recited a prayer for the deceased. The Vatican Grotto is located underneath the altar of St. Peter's Basilica. Pope Francis prayed in front of the tombs of Benedict XV, Pius XI, Pius XII, Blessed Paul VI, John Paul I and St. John Paul II. http://www.romereports.com/pg158947-pope-francis-prays-for-deceased-pontiffs-in-vatican-grotto-en
Pope: When people try to act like God, destruction follows 2014-11-03 To celebrate All Saints Day, Pope Francis presided over a Mass in Rome's Verano cemetery. In his homily, he talked about the dangers that can come, when people try to act like God. POPE FRANCIS "This is what we're doing. This is what we do: We devastate Creation, life, culture, values. We devastate hope.” He then denounced the many wars being fought throughout the world, adding that it promotes a throw away culture. POPE FRANCIS "And wars. Wars continue and they don't plant seeds of life, but rather of destruction. It's the industry of destruction. It's a system that also applies to life. When something can't be fixed, one just throws it out. This includes children, the elderly, young people without a job.” The most vulnerable, he explained, like the poor and the weak, often pay the price when mankind tries to take over Creation. POPE FRANCIS "This is happening now. It's as though these people, these hungry children, the sick, it seems as though they don't count. It's like they are a different species. This crowd goes before God and asks, 'Save us! Please give us peace. Please give us food. Please we want work.” Towards the end, the Pope called on men and women who destroy, to convert by following the path of the Beatitudes. http://www.romereports.com/pg158946-pope-when-people-try-to-act-like-god-destruction-follows-en
Pope: the Resurrection is the foundation of our faith 2014-11-03 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday, November 3, celebrated Mass in remembrance of all the Cardinals and Bishops who died during the past year. During the Mass, which was held in St. Peter's Basilica, the Pope reminded us that thanks to the Resurrection of Jesus our faith is full of the joy of truth and eternal life. Listen to the report by Linda Bordoni: Reflecting on the reading from the second Book of Maccabees in which the ruler of Jerusalem collects “two thousand silver drachmas for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection” (2 Mac 12, 43-46), – the Pope said – that thanks to God’s Word this celebration is enlightened by our faith in the Resurrection. The whole of Divine Revelation – he said – is the fruit of dialogue between God and his people, and faith too is bound to this dialogue that accompanies the people of God in history. It is no wonder – Pope Francis said – that such a great, important and superhuman mystery as the Resurrection required such a long journey in time, up until the coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus can say: “I am the Resurrection and the life” (John 11, 25) because in Him this mystery not only is fully revealed, through Him, for the first time, it becomes reality. And recalling the Gospel of Mark that tells of the death of Jesus and of the empty tomb, the Pope pointed out that this episode represents the culmination of that journey in time: the event of the Resurrection that responds to the quest of God’s people, to the quest of every man and of the whole of humanity. Each of us – Pope Francis said – is invited to be part of this event. We are called to stand before the Cross of Jesus, like Mary, like the women, like the centurion listening to his cry, to his last breath and finally to the silence; that silence that persists throughout Holy Saturday. And then we are called to go to the tomb to see that the large stone has been rolled back and to listen to the news: “He has been raised, he is not here” (Mark 16, 6). That is where the answer is, that is where the foundation is, the rock. Not in “wise and persuasive words” – the Pope said - but in the living Word of the Cross and in the Resurrection of Christ. This is what the Apostle Paul preaches – the Pope continued – the Resurrection of the crucified Jesus Christ. If He has not risen, our faith is empty and inconsistent. But seeing that He has risen, that He is the Resurrection, then our faith is full of truth and eternal life. So – Pope Francis concluded – renewing tradition today we offer the Sacrifice of the Eucharist in suffrage of our brother Cardinals and Bishops who have died during the past twelve months. And our prayer is enriched by the sentiments, the memories, and the gratitude for the testimonies of people we have known, and with whom we have shared service within the Church. Many of their faces – he said – are before our eyes, and all of them are lovingly and mercifully looked upon by our heavenly Father. And invoking the intercession of our celestial Mother for these beloved sons of Hers, Pope Francis prayed that they may relish the joy of the New Jerusalem together with all the faithful that have served on earth. http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-the-resurrection-is-the-foundation-of-our-fai
Pope Francis: Rivalry and vainglory, two worms that weaken the Church 2014-11-03 In his homily at Casa Santa Marta, the Pope spoke on importance of harmony within the Church and the two evils that place it at risk. POPE FRANCIS "And how often in our institutions, in the Church, in the parishes, for example, in schools, do we find that, no? Rivalry; the need to be seen; vainglory. We see that there are two worms that eat the fabric of the Church, weakening Her. Rivalry and vainglory go against this harmony, this agreement.” He said that a bishop should place his joy in service to others. The Pope added that Jesus wants charity and agreement within the Church despite different opinions. EXCERPTS OF POPE'S HOMILY "And how often in our institutions, in the Church, in the parish, for example, in schools, do we find that, no? Rivalry; the need to be seen; vainglory. We see that there are two worms that eat the fabric of the Church, weakening her. Rivalry and vainglory go against this harmony, this agreement. Instead of rivalry and vainglory, what does Paul recommend? ‘Rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves’. He felt this himself. He qualifies himself as ‘not worthy to be called an apostle,' the least [among others]. He even strongly humbles himself there. This was his sentiment: He thought others were superior to him". "Look for the good of others. Serving others. But this is the joy of a bishop, when he sees his Church like this: the same sentiment, the same charity, being in unanimous accord. This is the air that Jesus wants in the Church. You can have a different opinion, that’s fine, but always within this air, this atmosphere: humility, charity, without despising anyone". "It’s bad, when we find people who seek their own interests not service, not love, in Church institutions, in dioceses, in parishes. And this is what Jesus says in the Gospel: Do not seek your own interests; do not take the road of seeking repayment. 'Look, I have done this for you, but you have to do this for me’. And, with this parable, of inviting to dinner those who cannot repay you with anything. This is gratuity. When there is harmony in a Church, there is unity, no one seeks his or her own interests, and there is an attitude of gratitude. I do good; I don't strike a deal with good". http://www.romereports.com/pg158952...vainglory-two-worms-that-weaken-the-church-en
Pope at Santa Marta : Fear of God’s gratuity 2014-11-04 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) At Mass in Casa Santa Marta on Tuesday morning Pope Francis noted that deep down people are afraid of God’s gratuity, we find excuses not to go to Him and end up thinking the world revolves around us. The Pope based his homily on the parable recounted in the Gospel of the Day of the man who gave a great banquet to which he invited many. The Pope said that this parable makes us think, because “we all like being invited to dinners”. But there was something about this dinner that three guests did not like, and these guests are an example of many of us. One says that he has to go and examine his field, he needs to see it in order to feel “powerful, vanity, pride and he prefers this to sitting at table among others”. Another guest had just bought five oxen and thus is taken up with his business and doesn’t want to waste time with other people. The last guest excuses himself saying that he is married and doesn’t want to bring his bride to the dinner. He wanted to keep her affection all to himself: selfishness”. Pope Francis noted: “In the end prefer their own interests rather than sharing dinner together: They do not know what it means to celebrate”. This form of self-interest is what Jesus described as “repayment”. “If the invitation had been for example: ‘Come, I have two or three business friends from a foreign country, we can do something together’, no one would have excused themselves. But what shocked them was the gratuity. Being one among the others, there…this form of egoism of being at the centre of everything..It is so difficult to listen to the voice of Jesus, the voice of God, when you believe that that the whole world revolves around you: there is no horizon, because you become your own horizon. And there is more behind all of this, something far deeper: fear of gratuity. We are afraid of God’s gratuity. He is so great that we fear Him”. This, he said, "is because quite often our life experiences have made us suffer”, like the disciples of Emmaus who turn away from Jerusalem or Thomas who wants to touch to believe. The Pope then used a popular proverb: When "the offer is so great even the Saint is suspicious", because "the gratuity is too much". And when God gives us a feast like this," he said, we think it is "better not to get involved". "We feel safer in our sins, in our limitations, but feel at home; leaving our home to answer God's invitation, go to God’s house, with others? No. I'm afraid. And all of us Christians have this fear hidden deep inside ... but not too hidden. Catholics, but not too Catholic. Trusting in the Lord, but not too much. This 'but not too', marks our lives, it belittles us". Pope Francis continued "One thing that makes me think is that when the servant reported this to his master, the master is angry because he had been despised. He sends his servant to call the poor, the crippled, he sends him to the squares and the streets of the city. The Lord asks the servant to compel people to come to the dinner. "So often the Lord has to do with us the same: with trials, so many trials": "Compel them, for here is the celebration. Gratuity. Compel that heart, that soul to believe in God's gratuity, that God’s gift is free, that salvation cannot be bought: it is a great gift, the love of God ... is the greatest gift! This is gratuity. But we are a little afraid and this is why we think that we can obtain holiness with our own things and we become a little Pelagian eh! Holiness, salvation is gratuity". Pope Francis concluded: Jesus “paid for the banquet, with His humiliation unto death, death on a cross. And this is the great gratuity. When we look at the crucifix, we should think of it as an invitation to the banquet. Yes, Lord, I am a sinner, I have many things, but I look at you and go to the banquet of the Father. I trust. I will not be disappointed, because you have paid for everything. Today, the Church asks us not to be afraid of the gratuitousness of God". “Instead we must open our hearts, do our part as much as we can, because He will prepare the banquet". (from Vatican Radio) http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-at-santa-marta-fear-of-gods-gratuity
Pope to open conference on the complimentary roles of men and women in marriage 2014-11-04 Just weeks after the Synod on the Family, the Vatican has announced it's hosting a three day inter-religious conference on marriage. Hoping to highlight and defend the beauty of marriage and of family life, the meeting will focus on the complimentary role of a man and a woman joined in marriage. It will take place from November 17th to the 19th and it will bring in more than 30 speakers from 23 countries and 14 religions. Given the recent Synod discussions on marriage, family, divorce and same sex unions, the timeliness of the meeting will likely spark widespread attention. Pope Francis is expected to open the conference, but a full list of speakers include former chief rabbi of Great Britain, Lord Jonathan Sacks. Also Evangelical leaders like Pastor Rick Warren and Southern Baptist Russell Moore. Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist representatives will also take part. Catholic speakers include Cardinal Gerhard Muller, who serves as the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and also Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia, where the next World Meeting of Families will take place in September 2015. http://www.romereports.com/pg158965...entary-roles-of-men-and-women-in-marriage--en
Pope Francis explains why the Church is both hierarchical and maternal 2014-11-05 (-ONLY VIDEO-) During his weekly general audience, Pope Francis explained that bishops, priests and deacons are called to guide and protect the Church, especially through the celebration of the Sacraments. SUMMARY OF POPE'S CATECHESIS: Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our catechesis on the Church, we have seen that the Holy Spirit constantly bestows his gifts for the upbuilding of the Body of Christ. Among these gifts are the ordained ministries. Through the sacrament of Holy Orders, bishops, priests and deacons are called to guide and protect Christ’s flock, above all though the celebration of the sacraments which give us new life in Christ. The Church is thus both hierarchical and maternal: her ordained ministries are at the service of her spiritual motherhood. This is especially clear in the case of bishops, who are called to lead the Christian community as living signs of the Lord’s presence in our midst. Like the Apostles whose successors they are, the Bishops form one college in communion with the Pope. This collegiality is seen not only in special assemblies like the recent Synod but also in the daily communion of Bishops throughout the world. Let us ask the Lord to draw us nearer to himself and to one another through the ministry of our bishops, priests and deacons, in the unity of "our Holy Mother the Hierarchical Church”. I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, including the various groups from England, Malta, Denmark, Japan and the United States of America. Upon all of you, and your families, I invoke joy and peace in the Lord Jesus. God bless you all! http://www.romereports.com/pg158970...e-church-is-both-hierarchical-and-maternal-en
Pope: A Bishop who shows off, is no good 2014-11-05 In his weekly general audience, Pope Francis explained that the Church is based on a hierarchy because Jesus designed it that way. But just as important, he said, the Church also has a maternal side through its Bishops. POPE FRANCIS "A Church cannot be healthy if the faithful, deacons and priests are not united with their Bishop. A Church that's not united with its Bishop, is an ill Church. Jesus wanted this union between the faithful and the Bishop.” He added that Jesus wanted His apostles to be close to Him as one unit and one family. Following that same model, Bishops, he said should stand with the Pope. POPE FRANCIS "Bishops have to have so many virtues. It's not easy, it's not...Because we are sinners. We rely on our prayers. Through prayers, at least we can be closer to what St. Paul recommended to all Bishops. Do you agree? Will you pray for us?” Being a Bishop, he added, is not about recognition or showing off, but rather about carrying out a higher role of service. POPE FRANCIS "It's sad to see a man who seeks this position and does so many things to achieve it. Once he's there, he's no good. He just shows off. He lives only for his vanity.” At the end of the audience, the Pope announced that on June 21, 2015 he will visit the city of Turin to pray before the Holy Shroud. It will be on display next year, to mark 200 years since the birth of St. John Bosco, founder of the Salesians. http://www.romereports.com/pg158975-pope-a-bishop-who-shows-off-is-no-good-en
POPE-ANNULMENTS Nov-5-2014 ( Pope says annulment process should be cheaper and more efficient By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis said the church's marriage annulment process should be more efficient and perhaps even free of charge, and he decried any attempts to exploit it for profit. "Some procedures are so long and so burdensome, they don't favor (justice), and people give up," the pope said. "Mother church should do justice and say: 'Yes, it's true, your marriage is null. No, your marriage is valid.' But justice means saying so. That way, they can move on without this doubt, this darkness in their soul." The pope made his remarks Nov. 5, in a meeting with diocesan officials and canon lawyers enrolled in a course offered by the Roman Rota, the Vatican tribunal primarily responsible for hearing requests for marriage annulments. Pope Francis said participants at the Oct. 5-19 Synod of Bishops on the family had expressed a desire to "streamline the process" of judging requests for annulments, and he noted that he had recently established a special commission to do so. As an example of the burdens faced by those seeking annulments, the pope recalled that a tribunal he oversaw as archbishop of Buenos Aires exercised jurisdiction over dioceses as far as 150 miles away. "It is impossible to imagine that simple, common people should go to the tribunal. They have to take a trip, they have to miss days of work, also the cost, so many things," the pope said. "They say, 'God will understand, I'll move on this way, with this burden on my soul.'" Pope Francis warned that annulment cases must not fall within the "framework of business," which he described as an all-too-frequent occurrence. "I am not talking about anything unusual. There have been public scandals," he said. Apparently referring to his time in Buenos Aires, the pope recalled: "I had to dismiss one person from the tribunal, some time ago, who said: 'I'll handle both proceedings, civil and ecclesiastical, for 10,000 dollars.'" Noting that some participants at the synod had called for making the annulment process free of charge, Pope Francis said "we will have to see," but added that, "when the spiritual is attached to an economic interest, this is not from God." Pope Francis has related difficulties with the annulment process to the situation of divorced and civilly remarried Catholics whose predicament he has said exemplifies a general need for mercy in the church today. According to church law, such Catholics may not receive Communion unless they obtain an annulment of their first, sacramental marriage or abstain from sexual relations, living with their new partners as "brother and sister." A proposal by German Cardinal Walter Kasper to allow some divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Communion without meeting either of those conditions was one of the most controversial topics at October's synod and is likely to come up again at the world synod on the family in October 2015. http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1404570.htm
