Pope to visit Cuba in September 9 14 Print 2015-04-22 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, has confirmed that Pope Francis will visit Cuba ahead of his visit to the United States in September 2015. In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, Father Lombardi said, "I am able to confirm that the Holy Father Francis, having received and accepted the invitation from the civil authorities and bishops of Cuba, has decided to pay a visit to the island before his arrival in the United States for the trip announced some time ago." No other details of the Holy Father's planned visit to Cuba have been released.
Pope: our vocation is to care for the covenant of marriage 65 331 Print 2015-04-22 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) At his general audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis continued his catechesis on the family, focussing again on the complementarity of men and women. Pope Francis commented on the second account of the creation of man in Genesis (following his commentary at the previous audience on the first account of man’s creation. The first man, Adam, is created “alone” – and God determines to make for him “a helper suited to him.” When the first woman is presented to the man, he recognizes in her “bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh.” Finally there is a mirroring, a reciprocity,” the Pope said. “The woman is not a ‘replica’ of the man; she comes directly from the creative act of God. The image of the ‘rib’ does not in any way express inferiority or subordination, but on the contrary, that man and woman are of the same substance and are complementary.” God is generous to the man and the woman, confiding the care of the earth to them. But, the Pope said, the “evil one” introduced “suspicion, disbelief, and mistrust” in their minds – and ultimately led them into the first sin. “The sin generates distrust and division between the man and the woman,” Pope Francis said. “Their relationship will be undermined by a thousand kinds of abuse and subjugation, of deceitful seduction and demeaning humiliations, up to the most dramatic and violent.” He spoke about “the negative excesses of patriarchal cultures… the multiple forms of ‘machismo’… the instrumentalization and commodification of the female body in the current media culture.” But he also warned about “the recent epidemic of distrust, of scepticism, and even of hostility that is spreading throughout our culture – in particular stemming from an understandable diffidence on the part of women – regarding a covenant between man and woman at once of achieving the intimacy of communion and of safeguarding the dignity of difference.” If we cannot generate sympathy for the covenant between men and women, Pope Francis said, children will be increasingly uprooted. “The social devaluation of the stable and generative covenant of the man and of the woman is certainly a loss for everyone,” he said. “We must recover the honour of marriage and the family.” Pope Francis continued, “the safekeeping of this covenant between man and woman, is therefore for us believers a challenging and exciting vocation” in today’s world. The Pope concluded his catechesis with the image, from Genesis, of God clothing Adam and Eve after their sin. “It is an image of tenderness towards the sinful couple that leaves us open-mouthed with wonder. It is an image of paternal safeguarding of the human couple. God Himself cures and protects His masterpiece.” Below please find the English language summary of the Pope’s catechesis during Wednesday’s General Audience: Dear Brothers and Sisters: Continuing our catechesis on the family, we recall God’s creation of man from the ground. He is placed in the garden, where he is to care for creation. Yet God sees that man is alone, and so he creates woman, someone complementary with whom man can share his life. Man and woman are created to live a life of reciprocity, to enter into a covenant together. Yet sin introduces discord into their relationship, lack of trust and suspicion. We see throughout history the fruit of this sin, especially towards women – oppression, violence and exploitation. Most recently, this mistrust and scepticism has led our culture to disregard the marriage covenant between a man and a woman, that covenant which deepens communion and safeguards the dignity of their uniqueness. When the stable and fruitful covenant between a man and a woman is devalued by society, it is a loss for everyone, especially the young. For all our sins and weaknesses, our vocation is to care for the covenant of marriage. It is a vital and energizing vocation, through which we cooperate with our heavenly Father, who himself always cares for and protects this great gift. (from Vatican Radio)
That's how I read it.....Pope Francis is Shouting from the roof tops, but so many in the world have no clue.
Pope Francis Tells Gay Ambassador To His Face He Is Unacceptable http://www.thenewcivilrightsmovemen...gay_ambassador_to_his_face_he_is_unacceptable Pope Francis met with Laurent Stefanini, the openly gay foreign service officer chosen by France to be ambassador to the Vatican, for fifteen minutes this weekend. It is very unusual for a pope to get personally involved with the confirmation of an ambassador to the Vatican, but this weekend, Pope Francis met in private with Laurent Stefanini, the gay diplomat appointed by France to be its representative to the Vatican. The French weekly newspaper Le Canard Enchâiné reported yesterday that during the meeting, Pope Francis informed Msr. Stefanini personally that he could not accept his appointment to the Vatican. The pope is said to have told Msr. Stefanini that France’s legalization of same-sex marriage in 2013 was part of the reason he could not allow him into the Vatican’s diplomatic community. Reuters translated this concern to mean the pope fears Ambassador Stefanini could decide to marry while serving at the Vatican. The Vatican was notified last January that Laurent Stefanini, (photo right) had been appointed to be France's ambassador to the Holy See, but the Curia in Rome refused to act on the nomination - effectively a "pocket veto" of the appointment. Pope Francis himself was reported to have personally rejected the posting, telling members of the Curia that he "would not yield". The Vatican used this method in 2007, to reject a previously nominated gay ambassador from France. In that case, the French government withdrew the nomination after receiving no response, but this time around the French refused to back down. A government spokesman, Stephane LeFoll, told France24: "France has chosen its ambassador to the Vatican. This choice was Stefanini and that remains the French proposal. ...We are awaiting the response from the Vatican." It was only after France continued to publicly press the appointment that Pope Francis agreed to meet with Msr. Stefanini. Ambassador Stefanini has made no statement and the Vatican has declined to comment on the meeting, saying only that an ambassador is confirmed when his name is published in the official bulletin of the Holy See. The French government confirmed the papal audience took place, but is taking the position the meeting changed nothing. A spokesman said the Vatican still has not informed them Ambassador Stefanini has been officially rejected. "Nothing has changed: France has proposed a candidate and for the time being we are waiting for the Vatican's reply after the usual discussions and review of his candidacy." The French government appears to be determined; if Pope Francis rejects the French ambassador because he is gay, he is going to have to own his bias in front of the world.
Pope in Santa Marta: Our faith is about an encounter with Jesus 2015-04-24 In his Friday morning Mass, Pope Francis talked about the relationship between God and Christians. At its very core, he explained, the faith is about having an encounter with Jesus and keeping that memory present in one's heart and mind. POPE FRANCIS "He never forgets, but we do forget our encounters with Christ. This would be a good assignment to do at home, to consider: ‘When have I really felt that the Lord was close to me? When have I felt the need to change my life, or to become better, or to forgive someone? When have I felt the Lord asking something of me? When have I encountered the Lord?’ Because our faith is an encounter with Jesus.” He then called on Christians to read Bible passages where Jesus encounters His flock. SUMMARY OF POPE'S HOMILY (Source: Vatican Radio) "Jesus never forgets the day we encountered Him for the first time; we should ask God for the "grace of memory” so that we can always remember it. That was the Pope’s hope for us in the homily at Mass on Friday morning at the Casa Santa Marta. An encounter is the means chosen by Jesus to change lives. A good example of this is Paul of Tarsus, the anti-Christian persecutor who, by the time he reached Damascus, had already become an Apostle. Pope Francis spoke about the celebrated episode in the first reading of the day’s liturgy, and related it to the many encounters that appear in the Gospel narratives. More precisely, Francis considered the "first encounter” with Jesus – the encounter that "changes the life” of those who meet Him: John and Andrew, who stayed with the Master throughout the night; Simon who immediately became "the rock” of the new community; and then the Samaritan, the leper who returned to thank Jesus for healing him, the sick woman who was healed when she touched Christ’s tunic: these, the Pope said, are decisive encounters that should prompt a Christian to never forget his own first encounter with Christ.”
Pope Francis: solidarity is always actual, prophetic 10 2Print 2015-04-25 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) The word “solidarity” maintains it “prophetic force” today, even though some people may have thought the term had seen its day, said Pope Francis on Saturday, during his message to members of the John Paul II Foundation. Listen to the report by Laura Ieraci: (from Vatican Radio)
What's in a name? Cardinal Stafford on 'Francis' on St George's Day (Vatican Radio) Thursday, April 23rd, the Church remembers St George – the late third century Roman soldier who was martyred in the year 303 under the emperor Diocletian, and whose memory is celebrated with loving devotion in both East and West. It is also the name day – or “onomastic” – of Pope Francis, who was born and baptized “Jorge” – the Spanish form of George. Among the Holy Father’s many well-wishers on this day is the Church’s Major Penitentiary-emeritus, Cardinal James Francis Stafford, who shared with Vatican Radio a profound and penetrating reflection on the significance of the regnal name, Francis, which the Holy Father chose for himself upon his election to the See of Peter just over two years ago. “The most striking fact of our Holy Father’s witness to the world is the name that he has chosen for his pontificate: Pope Francis,” he said. “That name and that choice is more than just a whim; it is a vision,” he added. Cardinal Stafford concluded his reflection with a prayer, that the vision of the Church, which God gave to the great saint of Assisi and which the Holy Father recalled to the whole Church in choosing the name, Francis, might continue to inspire and to inform Christians everywhere. “That bishops, priests, deacons, married people, lay people, religious men and women, all strive to grow in holy simplicity,” which was the hallmark of St. Francis of Assisi’s holy character, he prayed, “and so we pray that the HolyF ather’s vision will now become our vision – the vision of St. Francis of Assisi.” Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina on December 17th, 1936, and was baptized a week later, on Christmas night. http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/201...rd_stafford_on_francis_on_georges_day/1138956
Pope FrancisVerified account@Pontifex Apr 25 We Christians are called to go out of ourselves to bring the mercy and tenderness of God to all. 5,421 retweets 9,276 favorites
Pope Francis' pectoral Cross has probably been discussed before, but on Good Shepherd Sunday let's take a look at it. The images that appear on Pope Francis’ pectoral cross are fitting of a man whose goal is to shepherd his people to a life of simplicity as they grow closer to God. The image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd is seen on the center of the cross. Jesus is holding a lamb around his shoulders as He leads a flock of sheep. The sheep represent all of us who follow Jesus and His desire to have everyone follow Him. As was typical of Jesus, He is simply dressed and barefoot. Above is a dove symbolizing the presence of the Holy Spirit. http://blog.catholicfaithstore.com/blog/2014/07/31/pope-francis-pectoral-cross/ View attachment 2871
Pope Francis prays for victims of Nepal's deadly earthquake 2015-04-27 While leading the Regina Coeli prayer, Pope Francis prayed for the thousands of victims who died in Nepal, after a 7.8 earthquake struck the country. An estimated 3,600 people lost their lives. More than 6,000 were injured. POPE FRANCIS "I want to express my spiritual closeness to the people of Nepal and its neighboring countries. I pray for the victims, the wounded and all those who suffer became of this catastrophe. May they find the comfort of fraternal solidarity.” April 27th marks one year since the canonization of John Paul II. The Pope highlighted the need to remember his teachings. POPE FRANCIS "May his call always ring in your hearts: Open wide the doors to Christ! He would say this with his strong and holy voice.” Reflecting on Sunday's reading, the Pope also explained why Jesus is a Good Shepherd who is willing to give his life for his sheep, without expecting anything in return. POPE FRANCIS "It's the highest and purest love. It's not motivated out of necessity, nor is it conditioned by a calculation. It's not based out of interest for something in return.” The Pope then called on Christians, especially those who lead the Church, to imitate Jesus in being a Good Shepherd. http://www.romereports.com/pg161205-pope-francis-prays-for-victims-of-nepal-s-deadly-earthquake-en
Pope tells Benin Bishops promote interreligious dialogue 2 8 Print 2015-04-27 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has encouraged Bishops from Benin to support families, to pursue the formation of young people and to promote inter religious dialogue. The Pope was receiving a group of Bishops from the West African Nation who are in the Vatican for their ad limina visit. In his message to them, Pope Francis thanked the Bishops for the successful exercise of their ministry which shines through in the great enthusiasm and in the visible expression of the faith of God's people in Benin. “Parish life – he pointed out - is animated, the faithful participate in large numbers in the celebrations, conversions to Christ are many and priestly and religious vocations”. However, acknowledging the bishops’ concern for a series of problematic issues, the Pope said he thinks “particularly of the major challenges related to family, to which the next Synod in Rome will attempt to answer”. And he encouraged them to “continue with determination efforts to support families, both in their faith in their daily lives”. Although the marriage ministry is a difficult one – Pope Francis said – “given the concrete situation, social and cultural life” of the people, he told them to persevere constantly because the family is a reality desired by God: “it is a gift from God that brings, for people and communities, joy, peace, stability, happiness”. The family, the Pope said, is the basic unit of society. The Pope acknowledged that another important challenge faced by the Bishops of Benin is youth and education, and he thanked them for the many Catholic schools they have opened in their Dioceses. He spoke of the importance of the encounter between cultures and dialogue between religions, especially with Islam. “It is known that Benin is an example of harmony between religions on its territory. It is necessary to be vigilant, given the current global climate, in order to preserve this fragile heritage” he said. So: “In promoting harmony and justice in your local Churches, dear Brothers, gives you a major role to play in the onward march of your country” he said. And speaking of the global economic crisis which is affecting many countries, Pope Francis said “it is necessary to go courageously against the current, struggling against the culture of ‘waste’ spread everywhere, (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, n.53) and disseminating Gospel values of hospitality and encounter”. The Pope reminded the bishops that the service of charity is a constitutive dimension of the mission of the Church, and is “an expression of its essence" and he invited all religious to live intensely this Year of Consecrated Life and acknowledged the generous commitment of the priests in the service of the Gospel. And remarking on the many priestly vocations in Benin, he said that bishops must be fathers to their priests, fostering communion and fraternity within the priestly family and caring for those in need. Moreover – he said - since vocations are not lacking, he encouraged them to generously share their resources with other regions which lack churches. Pope Francis concluded his address noting that the Church in Benin has a good relationship with the civil authorities. “The voice of the Church is heard – he said - and action is appreciated”. And he invited them to continue to take their place in the public life of the country, encouraging relationships between different components of society. (from Vatican Radio)
Pope: history and service, two traits of Christian identity 4 52 Print 2015-04-30 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) “History and service.” In his homily on Thursday morning, Pope Francis spoke about these “two traits of Christian identity.” Beginning with “history,” Pope Francis said Saint Paul, Saint Peter, and the other disciples “did not proclaim a Jesus without a history: They proclaimed Jesus in the history of the people, a people God led through the centuries in order to arrive… at the fullness of time.” God enters into history and into the journey with His people: “The Christian is a man or woman of history, because he does not pertain to himself alone – he is inserted into a people, a people that is on a journey. One cannot imagine a Christian selfishness, no, this won’t fly. The Christian is not a spiritual man or woman in a laboratory, [the Christian] is a spiritual man or woman inserted into a people, which has a long history and which continues to journey until the Lord returns.” It is a “history of grace, but also a history of sin”: “So many sinners, so many crimes! Today, Paul mentions King David, a saint – but before he became a saint, he was a great sinner. A great sinner. Our history must take up both saints and sinners. My own personal history, the history of each one of us, must take up our sin, our own proper sin, and the grace of the Lord that is with us, accompanying us in our sin in order to forgive and accompanying us in grace. There is no Christian identity without history.” The second trait of Christian identity is service. “Jesus washes the feet of the disciples, inviting them to do as He has done: to serve”: “Christian identity is service, not selfishness. ‘But Father, we are all selfish.’ Ah, really? It is a sin, a habit we have to break away from. Ask for forgiveness, that the Lord will convert us. We are called to service. Being Christian is not about appearance, or even about social conduct, it’s not a little make-up for the soul, because it should be a little more beautiful. To be Christian is to do what Jesus did: serve!” Pope Francis called us to ask ourselves, “In my heart, what more can I do? Do I have other people serve me, do I use others, the community, the parish, my family, my friends? Or do I serve, am I at the service of others?” (from Vatican Radio)
Pope's General Audience: Do not be afraid of marriage 2015-04-29 (-ONLY VIDEO-) In his weekly general audience, Pope Francis talked about the importance of marriage and the family. Reflecting on today's Gospel readings, the Pope said it's not a coincidence that Jesus chose a wedding to perform his first miracle by turning water into wine. "In this way” said the Pope, "Jesus showed His loving concern for the couple and gave a sign which has much to tell us about the meaning and importance of marriage itself.” SUMMARY OF CATECHESIS. Dear Brothers and Sisters: As we continue our catechesis on the family, we look to the marriage feast at Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle, changing water into wine, at the prompting of Mary his Mother. In this way, he showed his loving concern for the couple and gave a "sign” which has much to tell us about the meaning and importance of marriage itself. Today, society is confronted with fewer marriages. In many countries, separation of couples is increasing, while the number of children is decreasing. These broken marriage bonds affect the young most of all, as they come to view marriage as something temporary. Perhaps there is a fear of failure which prevents men and women from trusting in Christ’s promise of grace in marriage and in the family. And yet, in truth we know that almost every man and woman desires a secure and lasting relationship, a stable marriage and a happy family. The most effective witness to the blessing of marriage is the good life of Christian spouses and their families. The consecration of their love by God is the font of their peace and fidelity. To make these blessings more evident to the world, the equality enjoyed by the spouses must produce new fruit – equal opportunities in the workplace; a new valuing of motherhood and fatherhood; and a greater appreciation for the openness of families to those most in need. Let us not be afraid to invite Jesus and Mary to the marriage feast, for Christian spouses marry not only for themselves but for the good of the community and for all of society. I offer an affectionate greeting to all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present at today’s Audience, including those from England, Ireland, Sweden, Africa, Australia, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Canada and the United States. May your pilgrimage to the Eternal City confirm you in love for our Lord and his Church. May God bless you all! http://www.romereports.com/pg161226-pope-s-general-audience-do-not-be-afraid-of-marriage--en
Pope Francis celebrates Junipero Serra – a 'founding father' of the US Rome, Italy, May 02, 2015 / 10:41 am (EWTN News/CNA).- Pope Francis marked a “day of reflection” for the soon-to-be canonized Junípero Serra by celebrating Mass at the Pontifical North American College, lauding the 18th century missionary who worked to defend the native people against the abuses of colonialism. “He was one of the founding fathers of the United States, a saintly example of the Church’s universality and special patron of the Hispanic people of the country,” the Pope said in his May 2 homily. Through Father Junipero's witness of holiness, “may all Americans rediscover their own dignity, and unite themselves ever more closely to Christ and his Church,” he said. Saturday's Mass at the PNAC marks Pope Francis' first visit to a seminary following his 2013 election. It is also the first time a pontiff has gone to the Rome-based seminary for the United States since Saint John Paul II's visit in 1980. Presiding over Mass in the PNAC's Immaculate Conception chapel, Pope Francis based his homily on the day’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles which demonstrates the “missionary nature of the Church.” “This was true also for the many missionaries who brought the Gospel to the New World and, at the same time, defended the indigenous peoples against abuses by the colonizers,” he said. Father Junipero Serra was among the Franciscan missionaries who brought the faith to the Americas, he said, ushering “in a new springtime of evangelization in those immense territories, extending from Florida to California, which, in the previous two hundred years, had been reached by missionaries from Spain.”
Pope Francis also spoke of Blessed Junipero's devotion to Mary, having entrusted his missionary activity to her – in particular Our Lady of Guadalupe, the image of which accompanied him on twenty-one of his California missions. Our Lady of Guadalupe cannot be separated from “the hearts of the American people,” he said, as “she represents our shared roots in this land.” “She always hears and protects her American children.” Looking ahead to the Extraordinary Jubilee year of Mercy, set to begin Dec. 8, the Pope appealed for his intercession, and that of the many other North and South American saints. “May a powerful gust of holiness sweep through all the Americas,” he said. Pope Francis concluded by appealing to Our Lady and these saints as he prepares for his visit to North and South America later this year. “I ask Our Lady of Guadalupe, Friar Junipero and all the American saints to lead me and guide me during my approaching apostolic journeys to South America and North America.” http://www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/World.php?id=12026
Pope: Bear the fruits of membership in Christ and the Church 2015-05-03 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) On Sunday, Pope Francis spoke about Jesus' parable of the vine and the branches - Jesus is the true vine, and we are the branches, dependent on Him. Through this parable, "Jesus wants us to understand the importance of remaining united to Him." What is this new way, the Pope asked? Although Jesus is no longer with us as He was with the Disciples, we are able to remain united with Christ "in vital communion" through the Church. “Jesus is the vine,” Pope Francis continued, “and through Him, the very love of God passes” to us “the branches”: “The branches are not self-sufficient, but depend totally on the vine, in which is found the source of their life. So it is with us Christians. Grafted by Baptism in Christ, we have freely received from Him the gift of new life; and we are able to remain in vital communion with Christ.” Those are "intimately united to Christ" are filled with the fruits of the Holy Spirit. "The fruits of this profound communion are wonderful," the Pope said. Our whole being is "transformed thanks to the grace of the Spirit: our souls, our understanding, our will, our affections, even our bodies." United with Christ, His life becomes our own, and we are able "to think like Him, to act like Him, to see the world and the things in it with the eyes of Jesus." And so we are able to love our brothers, "especially the poorest and those who suffer the most," with the Heart of Jesus, and so bear fruits of goodness, charity, and peace in this world." Each one of us, Pope Francis said, is a branch of the one vine that is Jesus; and all of us together are called to bear the fruits of this common membership in Christ and in the Church." The Holy Father concluded his remarks with the prayer that we might entrust ourselves to the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary "so that we might be able to be living branches in the Church and witness to our faith in a coherent manner, knowing that all of us, according to our particular vocations, participate in the one saving mission of Jesus Christ, the Lord." Following the prayer of the Regina Coeli, Pope Francis recalled the beatification on Saturday of Blessed Luigi Bordino, a consecrated layman of the Congregation of the Brothers of Saint Joseph Benedict Cottolengo. “He dedicated his life to the sick and suffering,” the Pope said, “and spent it tirelessly in favour of the poor, medicating and washing their wounds. Let us give thanks to the Lord for this His humble and generous disciple.” The Holy Father also had a special greeting for the Méter Association, on the Day for Child Victims of Violence, thanking them for their “commitment to preventing these crimes. We must all commit ourselves so that every human person, and especially children, might always be defended and protected.” Below, please find the full text of Pope Francis' remarks during the Regina Coeli prayer on Sunday: Dear brothers and sisters, good day! The Gospel of today shows us Jesus during the Last Supper, in the moment He knows His death is close at hand. His ‘hour’ has come. For the last time He is with His disciples, and now He wants to impress firmly in their minds a fundamental truth: even when He will no longer be physically present in the midst of them, they will still be able to remain united to Him in a new way, and so bear much fruit. And we can be united to Jesus in a new way. And what is this way? If, on the contrary, one should lose this union with Him, this communion with Him, he would become sterile, or rather, harmful to the community. What is this new way? And to express this reality, Jesus uses the image of the vine and the branches, and He says: “Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches.” And with this figure He teaches us to remain in Him, to be united to Him, even though He is not physically present. Jesus is the vine, and through Him – like the sap in the tree – the very love of God, the Holy Spirit passes to the branches. Look: we are the branches, and through this parable, Jesus wants us to make us understand the importance of remaining united to him. The branches are not self-sufficient, but depend totally on the vine, in which is found the source of their life. So it is with us Christians. Grafted by Baptism in Christ, we have freely received from Him the gift of new life; and we are able to remain in vital communion with Christ. We must remain faithful to [our] Baptism, and grow in friendship with the Lord through prayer, daily prayer, listening and docility to His Word, reading the Gospel, participation in the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation. Is one is intimately united to Jesus, he enjoys the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are – as Saint Paul tells us – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal 5:22). And these are the gifts that come to us if we remain united to Jesus. And consequently, a person who is thus united does so much good for the neighbor and the society, he is a Christian person. In fact, by this attitude you can recognize if someone is a true Christian, as a tree is recognized by its fruit. The fruits of this profound union with Christ are wonderful: our whole person is transformed by the grace of the Spirit: [our] soul, understanding, will, affections, and even [our] body, because we are united body and soul. We receive a new way of being, the life of Christ becomes our own: we are able to think like Him, to act like Him, to see the world and the things in it with the eyes of Jesus. And so we are able to love our brothers, beginning with the poorest and those who suffer the most, as He has done, and to love them with His heart, and so bear fruits of goodness, of charity, and of peace in the world. Each one of us is a branch of the one vine; and all of us together are called to bear the fruits of this common membership in Christ and in the Church. Let us entrust ourselves to the Virgin Mary, so that we might be able to be living branches in the Church and witness to our faith in a coherent manner, a real coherence of life and of thought, of life and of faith, knowing that all of us, according to our particular vocations, participate in the one saving mission of Christ. (from Vatican Radio)
Pope Francis at Roman parish: I am “a little old, a little sick, but not too much” 2015-05-04 Pope Francis celebrated Mass and met with parishioners at the Roman parish Santa Maria Regina Pacis. The Church is on the outskirts of Rome, and its name translates to "Queen of Peace.” As Pope Francis entered the church, beautiful music filled the hall while parishioners took photos and reached out to touch him. During his homily, the Pope discussed the Last Supper. He recalled how Jesus told the disciples, "Abide in me.” POPE FRANCIS "To remain in Jesus means to be united to Him, to receive life from Him, to receive love from Him, to receive the Holy Spirit from Him.” He said that Christians must reflect on whether they remain in Jesus or if they have separated from him. POPE FRANCIS "A good question for us Christians is this: Do I remain in Jesus or am I away from Jesus? Are you united to the vine that gives life or are you united with a dead branch, which is unable to bear fruit, to give testimony?” The parish is located about 20 miles from the Vatican City in the suburb Ostia. The seaside neighborhood has about 85,000 inhabitants. http://www.romereports.com/pg161278...-little-old-a-little-sick-but-not-too-much-en
