VATICAN - The Pope celebrates Mass in the Parish of San Lorenzo, on the 1,750th anniversary of his martyrdom: “holiness, namely, going out to meet Christ who comes continually to visit us, does not go out of fashion”
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - “At this beginning of Advent, what better message to receive from Saint Lawrence than that of holiness? He repeats to us that holiness, namely, going out to meet Christ who comes continually to visit us, does not go out of fashion, on the contrary, with the passing of time it shines in a luminous way and manifests man's constant tension toward God. May this jubilee celebration be, therefore, occasion for your parish community of a renewed adherence to Christ, of greater understanding of the meaning of belonging to his Mystical Body that is the Church, and of a constant commitment to evangelization through charity.” This was the exhortation made by the Holy Father Benedict XVI to the faithful gathered in the Parish Church of San Lorenzo “fuori le Mura” (Outside the Walls), where he celebrated Mass on Sunday, November 30, First Sunday of Advent, in honor of the 1,750th anniversary of the martyrdom of San Lorenzo and as part of his annual visits to the parishes of Rome.
“To prepare for Christ's advent is also the exhortation we find in today's Gospel: " +'"'+"Watch," +'"'+" Jesus says to us in Luke's brief parable of the master of the house who goes but whose return is not known. To watch means to follow the Lord, to choose what he has chosen, to love what he has loved, to conform one's own life to his; to watch means to spend every moment of our time on the horizon of his love without letting ourselves be overcome by the inevitable daily difficulties and problems. So did St. Lawrence, so must we; and we ask the Lord to give us his grace so that Advent will stimulate all of us to walk in that direction.”
In his homily, the Holy Father reflected on the liturgical season of Advent, which means “to recall the first coming of the Lord in the flesh, already thinking of his final return and, at the same time, it means to acknowledge that Christ present among us makes himself our companion on the journey in the life of the Church that celebrates this mystery.” Advent becomes for all Christians, “a time of waiting and hope, a privileged time of listening and reflection, allowing ourselves to be guided by the liturgy that calls us to go out to meet the Lord who is coming.” Taking up the readings proclaimed shortly prior to the homily, the Pope focused on the invocation made by the Christian community from the beginning - “Come, Lord Jesus” - which should become “also our constant aspiration, the aspiration of the Church of every age, which longs and prepares for the encounter with its Lord.” The prophet Isaiah, in the first reading, later reveals that “our Savior's face is that of a tender and merciful Father, who takes care of us in every circumstance because we are the work of his hands...We were estranged from him because of sin, falling under the dominion of death, but he had mercy on us and by his initiative, without any merit on our part, decided to come to us, sending his only Son as our Redeemer.”
In his homily, Benedict XVI also recalled the reason for his visit, the 1,750th anniversary of the entrance of the holy Deacon, Saint Lawrence, into heaven: “His solicitude for the poor, his generous service to the Church in the area of social welfare and charity, his fidelity to the Pope, which led him to want to follow him to the supreme test of martyrdom and the heroic testimony of his blood, spilt a few days later, are universally known events.”
The 50th anniversary of the death of the Servant of God Pope Pius XII also brings to mind a particularly dramatic event that occurred during World War II, on July 19, 1943, when a violent bombardment inflicted very serious damages to the building and the whole neighborhood, spreading death and destruction. “Never will the memory be erased from history of the generous gesture carried out on that occasion by my venerated predecessor, who ran to help and console the harshly affected people, among the still smoking ruins. Nor do I forget that this basilica houses the urns of two other great personalities: exposed in the hypogeum for the veneration of the faithful are the mortal remains of Blessed Pius IX, while in the atrium the tomb is located of Alcide De Gasperi, wise and balanced leader for Italy during the difficult years of post-war reconstruction and, at the same time, famous statesman who was able to look at Europe with a broad Christian vision.”
At the close of the Mass, the Holy Father paid homage to the tomb of Saint Lawrence. Later, in the crypt, he stopped to pray before the tomb of Blessed Pius IX and, in the atrium of the Basilica, he paused before the tomb of Alcide De Gasperi. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 1/12/2008)
Links:
Complete text of the Holy Father's homily, in Italian
http://www.evangelizatio.org/portale/adgentes/pontefici/pontefice.php?id=1292
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VATICAN - Pope tells seminarians: “the Word of God that you must sow with your hands full and that carries eternal life, is Christ Himself, the only One who can change the human heart and renew the world”
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – In addressing a group of students from the Pontifical Seminaries of the Italian regions of the Marche (" +'"'+"Pio XI" +'"'+"), Puglie (" +'"'+"Pio XI" +'"'+"), Molfetta, and Chieti (“San Pio X”) received in an audience on November 29, on the 100th anniversary of their foundation, the Holy Father Benedict XVI referred to the Apostle Paul as the model in preparing for apostolic ministry. “In imitation of Saint Paul, dear seminarians, never tire in seeking Jesus through listening to, reading and studying Sacred Scripture, through prayer and individual meditation, through the liturgy and all daily activities,” the Pope said, encouraging them to value their years in the seminary, as “time dedicated to formation and discernment, years in which priority must be given to the constant search for a personal relationship with Jesus, an intimate experience of His love.”
Among the main priorities of the priest, as was also mentioned in the Synod of Bishops recently held, is that of sowing the Word of God in the field of the world. Speaking of this theme, Benedict XVI told the seminarians: “The Word of God that you must sow with your hands full and that carries eternal life, is Christ Himself, the only One who can change the human heart and renew the world. But, we could ask ourselves: does modern man still feel the need for Christ and His message of salvation?”
Today, a certain culture spreads the idea of a self-sufficient humanity, which considers itself to be the only builder of his own destiny, and that, as a result, believes the presence of God to be irrelevant. Thus, the religious experience also runs the risk of being considered a subjective choice, something that is neither essential nor decisive for one's life. “Certainly today, for these and other reasons, it becomes increasingly more difficult to believe, increasingly more difficult to welcome the Truth that is Christ, increasingly more difficult to give one's life for the cause of the Gospel,” the Pope said. “However, as is evident in the daily news reports, contemporary man often seems confused and concerned about his future, seeking certainties and eager for secure points of reference. Mankind of the third millennium, as in all ages, has need of God and sometimes seeks Him without even realizing it. The task of Christians, and especially priests, is to respond to this profound longing of the human heart and to offer everyone, using means and methods in keeping with the needs of the time, the unchangeable Word of eternal life which is Christ, Hope of the world.”
Addressing those responsible for their formation, the Holy Father reminded them of the importance of their task, of being “witnesses even more so than teachers, of the Gospel.” He later reflected on the importance of the Regional Seminaries, which can be ideal places for forming seminarians in the diocesan spirituality, offering wisdom and balance in the formation, in the widest sense of the ecclesial and regional context, so that they “may become 'houses' in which to welcome vocations, so as to give even greater momentum to vocational pastoral care, with particular concern for the world of youth, educating young people to the great evangelical and missionary ideals.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 1/12/2008)
Links:
Complete text of the Holy Father's address, in Italian
http://www.evangelizatio.org/portale/adgentes/pontefici/pontefice.php?id=1291
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AFRICA/NIGERIA - “Who are the ones encouraging the violence, through a cynical manipulation of religion?,” Archbishop of Abuja asks Nigerian authorities
Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - “Once again, lives and properties have been destroyed, causing great avoidable damage and misery to many families and communities. Of particularly grave concern is the targeting of places of worship.” With these words, Archbishop John Onaiyekan of Abuja, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, condemned the violence that has taken place in Jos, the capital of the State of Plateau, in northern Nigeria, in a message sent to Agenzia Fides. The fighting, in the wake of local elections, has led to over 200 dead and 10,000 refugees.
Archbishop Onaiyekan, who is currently in Rome (Italy), refers to the fighting as a result of religious hate and encourages the political authorities to take up their responsibilities: “we wish to stress, as we have done often in the past, that it is the primary responsibility of government to ensure the security of lives and properties of citizens, especially through vigilance, firm and impartial enforcement of law and order, justice and general good governance.” Otherwise, the Archbishop says, “law abiding Nigerians could be tempted to take alternative measures for self defence if they ever feel that they can no longer trust the state to protect them. This must never be allowed to happen.” Thus, Archbishop Onaiyekan asks the state and federal authorities to “intensify efforts to re-establish peace and tranquillity in the state” and perform an investigation to find out “the real and often faceless planners, promoters and sponsors of these incidents, and hold them accountable, no matter who they may be.”
“There is a clearly political dimension to this incident,” the Archbishop's message continues. “Unfortunately, there are those who try to gain political mileage by dragging in religion, which they callously manipulate, use, misuse and abuse. This is all the more reason why all genuine religious leaders must join hands to liberate religion from those who seek to highjack it, and give it a bad name. Even from here in Rome, I am in touch with the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhamad Sa’ad Abubakar, the President of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, as we seek to jointly promote messages of peace. In our country, there is no viable alternative to efforts to continue working together to encourage mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and positive collaboration.”
The Archbishop of Abuja assures that the “government can count on the prayers of all Nigerian Christians, and many other men and women of good will. In the name of the Christian Association of Nigeria, I offer my sincere sympathies to all who have lost people and properties in this unfortunate incident. We pray especially for the souls of those who have died.” (LM) (Agenzia Fides 1/12/2008)
Links:
Archbishop Onaiyekan's Message (in English)
http://www.fides.org/eng/documents/CAN_PRESIDENT_ON_PEACE.doc
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ASIA - “There is a need to prepare formators and clergy in the smaller Churches”: testimony of participants in the Course for Spiritual Directors, organized by CIAM
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “In Asia and in other continents, there is a great need to give formation to future priests. Spiritual direction is an essential part of their preparation: this allows for better priests and pastors. Many of the problems that the Churches find with local clergy depend on the quality of the formation they received in the seminary,” Agenzia Fides was informed by Fr. Joselin Gonda, Spiritual Director of the Seminary in Lipa City, in south Manila (Philippines). Fr. Gonda was among the participants in the Course for Spiritual Directors organized in recent days at the Vatican, by the CIAM (International Center for Missionary Animation), in which 20 priests from missionary countries gathered to reflect on the methods of spiritual direction and formation in seminaries.
Fr. Gonda told Fides: “In the Philippines, as well, in an Asian country with a large Catholic majority, we have less vocations than 20 years ago. The Church, in reflecting on this situation, has seen that it is something that depends on the quality of the formation. Thus, there is a need for programs of spiritual direction with a higher quality for seminarians. In the formation, it is important that there is an openness to new issues and problems, human formation, family and cultural background, values, and psychology. The future priest should be prepared on a spiritual level, but he should also be capable of understanding the social, economic, and political realities.”
“As the smaller Churches, in regards to the formation of local clergy, we hope to receive a great support from the Church of Rome, especially in all that concerns the preparation of formators, counselors, Bishops, spiritual directors, administrators, so as to improve our ecclesial personnel. The Course organized by the CIAM has been very useful and fruitful for all the participants, as well as for the laity...it is very important that they receive specific formation, especially in the area of missionary activity.”
Another testimony Fides was obtained was that of Fr. Dominicus An Gyu-Do, of the Diocese of Incheon (Korea), Spiritual Director of the College linked to Incheon Catholic University. “The Course organized by CIAM has been very useful,” he said. “I felt encouraged in my work and I am happy to have been able to deepen in many themes and problems related to formation. I felt how the Mother Church truly watches after me and all the Spiritual Directors in seminaries. I have been able to learn many things on spiritual direction and the need for better preparation of those who play this delicate role.” Referring to the situation in Korea, Fr. Dominicus said: “Vocations in recent years have been fairly high. We should continue forward with the evangelization of the faithful, in order to increase the number of vocations. The programs for vocational discernment and spiritual direction seem useful, especially for the youth and seminarians. They need to be prepared in the spirit of the mission which, I think, needs to be re-launched in Korea. Candidates for the priesthood should be expected to offer an authentic commitment of their lives, with the faith, with Christ, and with the Church's mission.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides 1/12/2008)
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ASIA/INDIA - Followers of all the different religions unite in the fight against terrorism
Lucknow (Agenzia Fides) – A large group of religious leaders came together in Lucknow, the capital of the Indian state Uttar Pradesh (northern India), the day after the attacks in Bombay, to give a clear sign against terrorism and contribute to the establishment of peace and harmony in the country.
The interreligious encounter took place yesterday, November 30, organized by the Christian churches of all denominations in the city. The Christians encouraged believers and all men of good will to contribute to peace and harmony through their prayers for the victims of terrorism and show their rejection of violence, fighting, and the blind destruction of human life.
Catholic Bishop Gerald John Mathias of Lucknow, on behalf of all those present, expressed his grief and shock at the terrorism that sought to hurt such a multireligious and multicultural country as India. “At Bombay, our entire nation, our entire civilization, each one of the citizens of our beloved country was attacked,” he said. “Many religious leaders are in agreement with me and have also wished to attend this encounter,” the Bishop continued, “bearing witness to the will of the religious communities in establishing peace and harmony.”
“As believers from all the religions, we cannot remain silent. This is the time of solidarity with those who have been affected by the terrorism and their families. Let us remain united and show our power of peace and non-violence in the name of God,” the Bishop said, in addressing the crowd gathered for the vigil.
The Christians in India, in spite of having been subject to pressures and violence by radical Hindu groups, are seeking dialogue with religious leaders of all the communities present in the country: Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, Sikh, and other minorities, in order to bring peace, reconciliation, and harmony back to India. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 1/12/2008)
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AMERICA/COLOMBIA - Conclusions from the First Latin American Meeting For Pastoral Care of the Road/Street, organized by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, in collaboration with the Latin American Bishops' Council
Bogota (Agenzia Fides) – The Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People has published the final document of the First Latin American Meeting For Pastoral Care of the Road/Street, which took place October 19-24 at the headquarters of the Colombian Bishops' Conference in Bogota, having been organized by the Pontifical Council or the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, in collaboration with the Section of the Latin American Bishops' Council (CELAM) for Human Mobility (see Fides 16/10/2008 and 21/10/2008). The Meeting took as its theme “‘Jesus himself came up and walked by their side’ (Luke 24:15). The Pastoral Care of the Road/Street: A walk together”. It was attended by representatives from 11 countries (Argentina, The Bahamas, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Italy).
Each one of the days was dedicated to one of the four different categories of Pastoral Care of the Road/Street: those who are on the road often (automobile drivers, truck drivers, etc.), women who are victims of sexual exploitation, children who live on the street, and the homeless.
As for those who are on the road often, the meeting showed that “the road and the street are an arena for the Church’s pastoral action.” Moreover, “given the expansion of the transport of goods and people, the number of lorry drivers and carriers on the roads is increasing” and “as a result of ever keener global competition, the pressure on their living and working conditions will also intensify.” These are people whose lives are continually affected by “variability, instability, insecurity and danger.” In this area, the meeting offered several proposals. Among them were: offer guidance to the faithful and promote activities regarding the main factors relating to road deaths and injuries – as well as their prevention; work with government groups to promote, with all possible media, a corresponding and adequate education; invest in the formation of pastoral ministers in this area, and promote the involvement of trade union representatives, entrepreneurs and authorities.
As for the pastoral care for the liberation of women on the street, the meeting observed that “people trafficking, especially of women, minors and children, has turned into a powerful global industry, the world’s third most lucrative criminal activity after arms trading and drug dealing.” There are many current difficulties hindering the recognition that people trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation is a crime, especially due to “a certain lack of visibility of the phenomenon, deriving from an attitude that denies that people involved in prostitution are also victims.”
As for the causes, they mention firstly the origin of many of the victims who “come from dysfunctional homes and, in seeking to escape from their situation, become an easy prey for the criminal recruiters.” Furthermore, the notable number has increased “for economic, social and cultural reasons.”
Regarding this pastoral care, the work carried out by religious congregations is extremely positive. “However, the intervention of the Church and by governmental bodies has so far been inadequate and insufficient to achieve better results,” the document says. Among the recommendations made in this area are: a renewed solidarity should be promoted in the Church; networks have to be created in order to make dealing with prostitution and people trafficking more efficient; the victims of people trafficking should be given overall assistance; injustice, violence and the actions of criminal gangs have to be prophetically condemned, wherever and in whatever circumstances they occur.
The third category addresses the children living in the street, among whom there is a difference between children “in” the street and those “of” the street. The former, who constitute the majority, “spend most of the day in the street, maybe carrying out some kind of work, and maintain contact with their families,” while “children 'of' the street, however, are homeless and have no family ties.” “Children who are rejected by their families are more likely to flee to the streets, easily become victims of drug trafficking and criminal organizations and may even end up in prison.” In the meeting, it was observed that n various countries of Latin America important activities for attending to, promoting and defending the rights of young people, adolescents and street children have been developed. However, there is still much left to be done. Among the proposals are: specific pastoral projects should be developed for evangelizing and assisting street children; apostleship in favor of street children should be carried out together with pastoral care of the family; safe and protected homes, as well as health, psychological, therapeutic, spiritual and educational assistance, should be provided for street children; governments have to be urged to implement laws that protect them and recognize their rights;
the possibility of foster families should be considered when effective conditions for reintegrating street children within their own families do not exist.
And lastly, regarding the homeless, they are “a mixed group. What they have in common are dire poverty, fragile or broken family ties, not owning a conventional home and making themselves a living space out the street.” The meeting pointed out some of the qualities that should guide the pastoral agent working with these people, given that it is normally a difficult task that includes “the capacity for friendly welcome, integration and perseverance and the force to overcome frequent failures.” Among the recommendations for this pastoral work, the meeting saw that: ties should be established with street people that allow for the creation of relations of trust and ecclesial participation; the participation of street people in Catholic associations, ecclesial movements and the new communities has to be promoted; volunteer service should be promoted; activities must be developed to condemn the phenomenon and raise the awareness of civil society and governments; Collaboration networks should be set up; promote catechetical groups that prepare the homeless and cardboard collectors for the encounter with the Lord through the Sacraments and the Word of God.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 1/12/2008)
Links:
Complete text of the document in Spanish
http://www.fides.org/spa/documents/DOCUMENTO_FINAL.SPAG.doc
Links:
Complete text of the document in English
http://www.fides.org/eng/documents/DOCUMENTO_FINALE.ING.doc
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AMERICA/ECUADOR - Bishops call the faithful on to the National Mission, centered on the evangelization and the family, at the close of their Plenary Assembly
San Cristobal (Agenzia Fides) - “We, the Bishops of Ecuador, wish to continue encouraging the evangelization of our people, just as the Conference of Aparecida and the recent Third American Missionary Congress have asked,” says the final statement from the Bishops' Conference of Ecuador, issued at the end of the Plenary Assembly held November 24-28 on San Cristobal Island, Galapagos (see Fides 24/11/2008).
In the statement, the Bishops mention the National Mission, to which all the faithful are called and that should lead all priests, religious, and laity to open their hearts, “in a humble and decisive manner, to the action of the Holy Spirit, so as to undergo a personal and pastoral conversion and become disciples and and missionaries, witnesses to the ever-living presence of the Risen Lord.”
The Bishops consider that the people and communities of the country are now observing many changes and transformations on all levels, and thus feel the “need for a new hope that fills their life with meaning and gives renewed strength to the family, the privileged area for living the faith and commitment with society.” Thus, the Bishops are aware of their responsibility as citizens and Christians and “do not want to avoid the reflection and commitment that the situation and the Spirit are leading us to.” And they ask all the faithful to participate in the National Mission, based on the theme of evangelization and the family, with the hope that “it may be an opportunity for inner growth for all, for personal and community renewal, for strengthening our families, and for going out of our way to meet the needs of those who suffer poverty and exclusion, and are in need of salvation.” “In a communion of faith and mission, united to the Pastors, we should all reflect on our stituation, our strengths and weaknesses, challenges and possibilities to be developed,” the Bishops said.
The Bishops concluded their statement, echoing the words of the Holy Father Benedict XVI pronounced on the canonization of Saint Narcisa in Rome, this past month of October, in which he prayed that the example and intercession of the young Ecuadorian saint would give “renewed vitality and greater apostolic zeal to our dioceses, so that filled with joy and hope, they may go out with enthusiasm to sow the Gospel in the heart of all men and women in this blessed land.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 1/12/2008)
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AMERICA/VENEZUELA - “Help Your Church 2008” campaign is launched, in hopes to promote a community spirit and a greater awareness of the responsibility in the evangelizing work of the Church
Caracas (Agenzia Fides) – On Sunday, November 30, First Sunday of Advent, the Venezuelan Bishops' Conference launched the Campaign “Help Your Church 2008.” As part of the Church's National Solidarity Plan, whose objective is provide for the auto-financing of the Catholic Church in Venezuela, each year a special collection entitled “Help Your Church” is taken up. The Church's Solidarity Plan seeks to increase commitment, co-responsibility, and solidarity of every Venezuelan with the Church around him, in order to promote a communal spirit and a greater awareness of the co-responsibility of supporting the evangelization effort in the Catholic Church in Venezuela. The Bishops, therefore, invite all the faithful to continue “spreading hope and supporting their Church.” Convinced that “God loves those who give with joy, the great objective of the campaign is to invite all to share their “Time, Talent, and Treasures.” “All of us can support our Church,” the Bishops say, “giving our Time so that many works will receive excellent support and be able to be carried out. In addition, we should give of our Talents...that is, the gifts, qualities, and charisms that God the Father has given us to use for the good of the community. And lastly, we should support our Church with our Treasure, as our economic aid, as little as it may be, will greatly contribute to these works and evangelization projects.”
The campaign will last until December 7, 2008, when there will be a giant collection taken up on a national level in all the dioceses and parishes in the country.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 1/12/2008)
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