HOW POPE FRANCIS ANNOUNCES YEAR OF PRAYER, A SYNODAL CHURCH IN MISSION, SAINTS ARE HUMAN.... (1490 hits)
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Pope Announces Year of Prayer Leading Up To Jubilee
At the Angelus, Pope Francis announces a “Year of Prayer” ahead of the upcoming Jubilee, and invites the faithful to pray for Christian unity and for peace throughout the world. The Holy Father also calls for the release of a group of people, including several nuns, who were kidnapped last week in Haiti.
By Christopher Wells
Pope Francis has inaugurated a Year of Prayer ahead of the 2025 Jubilee, calling on the faithful “to intensify prayer to prepare us to live well this event of grace and to experience the power of God’s hope.”
In remarks after the Angelus on Sunday, the Holy Father explained that the Year of Prayer is dedicated “to rediscovering the great value and absolute need for prayer, prayer in personal life, in the life of the Church, prayer in the world.”
He added that the Dicastery for Evangelization will be preparing materials to assist in celebrating the Year.
Prayer for Christian unity, peace in the world The Pope invited Christians to pray especially for Christian unity, and “to not tire of invoking the Lord for peace in Ukraine, in Israel and Palestine, and in so many other parts of the world,” including Ecuador.
Once again he emphasized that those who suffer most from the lack of peace are the weakest among us. “I think of the little ones,” Pope Francis said, “the many children who are injured and killed, those who are deprived of affection, deprived of their dreams and their future.”
“Let us all be aware of our responsibility to pray and to build peace for them!”
Cardinal Grech highlights key outcomes of October's Synod
Addressing participants at the Philippine Conference for the New Evangelization, Cardinal Mario Grech looks at key outcomes from last October's Synod Assembly, "A Synodal Church in Mission," and his hopes for the next session later this year. By Vatican News
Sharing his own joy and that of all those participating in the first session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops last October in Rome, Cardinal Mario Grech highlighted outcomes from the gathering and his hopes for the next session in October. Cardinal Grech, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, offered his perspectives on 19 January while addressing participants at the Philippine Conference for the New Evangelization (PCNE) taking place in Manila.
Expressing his interest in learning more about local preparations and experiences in the overall synodal process happening in the Philippines, Cardinal Grech spoke about three aspects October's global assembly and how they regard the Church in Asia as well. First, he highlighted the synodal process where Synod participants met in the Paul VI Audience Hall, priests and lay people mixed, seated around large round tables of ten to twelve persons "as though at a wedding reception or other large family gathering." This novelty in the synodal process helped set the stage then for the “Conversations in the Spirit” that took place. And thirdly, he recalled the full and equal participation of non-bishops, including the lay faithful, those in consecrated life, deacons and priests, as voting members.
“The experience of being listened to also overcomes our sense of isolation. When people take the time and effort to listen to us, this gives us a sense of being appreciated. It also nurtures companionship and builds solidarity.”
Cardinal Grech then noted prominent themes in The Synthesis Report. The report underscores how local Churches need better engagement with young people in their communities, sacramental life and missionary endeavours, he noted. He suggested that the Philippines, and the Catholic Church in Asia in general is " well placed to provide leadership to the universal Church in responding to what the First Session of the General Assembly referred to as making a preferential option for young people." The majority of the world’s youth population now lives in Asia.
A second outcome from the Synod's October session calls for "listening to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor, which is one and the same cry" Cardinal Grech explained. Quoting from the Synthesis Report, Cardinal Grech, underscored this urgency saying that "standing with those who are poor requires engaging with them in caring for our common home...the lack of responses to this cry makes the ecological crisis, and climate change in particular, a threat to the survival of humanity." He invited the Philippine Church to take a lead
Pope laments "culture of waste and depopulation" in Italy
Meeting with members of ASMEL, an Italian association that supports small municipalities in disadvantaged areas of Italy, Pope Francis reiterates his concern for the worsening demographic crisis in Italy. By Lisa Zengarini
Innovative social practices, “which rediscover forms of mutuality and reciprocity” and help safeguard our common home “should be recognized and supported ,” to foster an “alternative paradigm” to today’s pervasive culture of waste, Pope Francis said.
Indeed, marginalized areas of society can become “laboratories of social innovation” offering “new opportunities where others only see constraints,” or” resources that others consider waste”, the Pope remarked as he addressed on Saturday members of the Italian Association for Subsidiarity and the Modernization of Local Bodies (ASMEL).
Pope Francis Calls For Global Equality In Healthcare
Pope Francis sends a message to participants at the International Conference on "The Declaration of Helsinki: Research in Resource-Poor Settings," which explores the theme of ethical considerations in clinical research within low-income countries. By Francesca Merlo
Pope Francis sent a message on Friday to participants at the International Conference on "The Declaration of Helsinki: Research in Resource-Poor Settings."
The conference, jointly organised by the World Medical Association, the American Medical Association, and the Pontifical Academy for Life, explores the critical theme of ethical considerations in clinical research within low-income countries.
Pope Francis opened his message by acknowledging the fundamental issue of freedom and informed consent highlighted in the Declaration of Helsinki.
"The theme you are addressing," he said, "is both important and timely, for the Declaration itself highlights the fundamental issue of freedom and informed consent with regard to clinical research."
The Holy Father noted the evolution of the Declaration since its implementation in 1964, emphasising its pivotal role in transitioning from “research on patients to research with patients.”
The Role Of The Sick Person
Pope Francis went on to stress the need to continually safeguard and promote the central role of the sick person.
He noted that "while the asymmetry present in the therapeutic relationship is all too apparent, the central role that the sick person should have has not yet become a reality."
Vulnerabilities and Inequalities
Expressing concern about the vulnerabilities inherent in clinical research in low-income countries, Pope Francis highlighted the ethical challenges, especially in protecting those who are most at risk.
"On the international level, we are witnessing many injustices that push poor countries into a disadvantaged position, in terms of access to and use of available resources, leaving them at the mercy of wealthier countries and industrial entities that appear insensitive to those who cannot assert themselves in economic terms, even when fundamental needs and rights are at stake," he said.
Likewise, the Pope stressed the importance of preventing inequalities in the field of healthcare and clinical research, cautioning against subordinating care to market and technological mentalities.
Social Friendship
Finally, Pope Francis called for all those attending to adopt a perspective of social friendship and universal fraternity.
"We need to foster a way of thinking about the international community that effectively serves the human family, turning to a perspective of social friendship and universal fraternity."
Pope Francis holds an audience with President Gustavo Petro of the Republic of Colombia, discussing how to best promote social justice, dialogue, and reconciliation. By Deborah Castellano Lubov
Pope Francis received the President of the Republic of Colombia, Mr. Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego, in the Vatican on Friday.
Following his meeting with Pope Francis, the President met with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, accompanied by the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.
According to a statement issued by the Holy See Press Office, the discussions were "cordial" and highlighted "the positive collaboration between Church and State, in order to promote dialogue, social justice and reconciliation."
"Attention then turned to issues regarding the socio-political situation, the phenomenon of migration and the protection of the environment in the region," said the statement.
Pope Francis made an Apostolic Journey to the Latin American nation of Colombia in September 2017.
For Immediate Release From Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, DC!
Cardinal Gregory was one of several interfaith leaders who gathered at Turner Memorial AME Church in Hyattsville for the Martin Luther King Jr. Ecumenical Service, sponsored by the Prince George’s Leadership Action Network. The cardinal said it was a time to “pause our schedules and to simply be together to pray and reflect on the enduring legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King.”
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was “a man of faith and conviction of heart” who called all people to recognize that “we are all made in the image of God, deserving of respect and dignity no matter the color of our skin or any other factor,” Cardinal Gregory said at the gathering to honor the late civil rights leader.
More from the Catholic Standard: bit.ly/48U0grk
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At Bishop McNamara Mass, cardinal tells students that Jesus sees their potential
Cardinal Wilton Gregory celebrated the first school Mass of the new year with students at Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville, Maryland on Jan. 5. The Mass was also a celebration of the feast days of both St. John Neumann and St. André Bessette, a patron saint of the school whose feast day is Jan. 6.
The cardinal’s homily highlighted the two saints, and he shared how he was present in Rome when Pope Paul VI canonized St. John Neumann in 1977.
“I was a student in Rome when Pope Paul VI canonized the first American bishop. So there’s hope for me,” Cardinal Gregory said.
St. André Bessette was a doorkeeper in Montreal, Cardinal Gregory explained.
“He did not have a very famous responsibility in the monastery where he worked, but he had a great heart. People would come to him because they knew that encountering André Bessette, they would find someone who was filled with compassion,” Cardinal Gregory said.
He also highlighted the passage from the Gospel of John, when Nathaniel was “a cynic” about Jesus.
“And yet Jesus chose [Nathaniel, the apostle Bartholomew]. In selecting his disciples, Jesus often chose people that we probably wouldn’t. He chose fishermen, he chose Peter, and Peter had quite a mouth on him; he chose Thomas, and he was a doubter. He chose these disciples in spite of their human weaknesses,” Cardinal Gregory said.
He added that Jesus chose his disciples because of the potential and possibilities he sees in people.
“Obviously, that is one of the things that Bishop McNamara does in selecting and admitting students. We see possibilities in you, that there’s something inside of you that is tremendously great and loving,” Cardinal Gregory said.
He went on to tell the students that Jesus sees their potential.
“Jesus chooses us, not because we are brilliant or handsome or knowledgeable, but because he looks inside of the hearts of each and every one of us and he says there’s something great inside you, let it out to play,” Cardinal Gregory said.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington livestreamed on Friday, January 19, for the 2024 Youth Mass of Celebration and Thanksgiving from the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in downtown Washington, D.C. Please join our local schools, youth ministries, and many other young people to worship together in celebration and thanksgiving for life!
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has a history of over 100 years , in which Christians around the world have taken part in an octave of prayer for visible Christian unity. By annually observing the WPCU, Christians move toward the fulfillment of Jesus' prayer at the Last Supper "that they all may be one." (cf. John 17:21)
In preparation for the WPCU, ecumenical partners in a particular region were asked to prepare a basic text on a biblical theme. Then an international group organized through the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity edited this text, which was jointly published by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and WCC, through their Commission on Faith and Order. The WCC accompanied the entire production process of the text. The final material was sent to member churches and Roman Catholic dioceses, and they were invited to translate the text and contextualize it for their own use.
Further promotional and preparatory materials for the annual WPCU can be found through the World Council of Churches and the Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute websites, including:
Suggestions for observing the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Thematic poster art, music, and prayer cards (English/Spanish) Scripture readings, commentaries and questions for reflection Ecumenical prayer service model Historical and contextual information
Catholic elementary schools across the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington will be hosting upcoming admissions events. Check out the 2024 Open House Schedule to Find the Right Catholic School for you and your family! https://adwcatholicschools.org/eleme.../op...
Cardinal Gregory's newest column, "The Saints, Role Models for Being Human and Holy," presents the lives of the saints and blessed in a way that reminds us that we are all called to become saints.
"The human qualities of the saints act as assurances that God can and does draw holiness out of a good sense of humor, a strong attraction to sports, and the persisting ability to overcome mistakes and then to start all over again. These human characteristics should encourage all of us in the pursuit of holiness."
For the past 40 years whenever I celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation, I regularly take the opportunity to acquaint our young people with the saints. I urged them to choose a patronal saint for their Confirmation name and then to learn about the saints that they had chosen. I do so because the saints play a critically important role in the life of the Church. They are the Catholics who have succeeded in being very human and simultaneously very holy – the same challenge that we all now face.
Our young people always need heroes in their lives – people of substance to help them to understand what true success is actually all about. Too many of the popular personalities to whom young people often gravitate do not provide the type of human examples that will keep our youngsters truly happy and satisfied. The saints have always provided those types of models by being truly human and deeply spiritually triumphant.
The human qualities of the saints act as assurances that God can and does draw holiness out of a good sense of humor, a strong attraction to sports, and the persisting ability to overcome mistakes and then to start all over again. These human characteristics should encourage all of us in the pursuit of holiness. They are essential for young people starting out in life.
