Catholic world news: Wed. Sept. 2, 2009: headlines:
VATICAN: POPE'S GENERAL AUDIENCE-
ASIA: ASIAN YOUTH DAY PREPARATIONS-
EUROPE: FRANCE: CATHOLIC FESTIVAL EVANGELIZES-
EUROPE: FRANCE: CATHOLIC FESTIVAL EVANGELIZES-
AFRICA: ZIMBABWE: ARCHBISHOP FEARS ASSASSINATION-
AMERICA: BISHOPS RELEASE LABOUR DAY STATEMENT-
AMERICA: BISHOPS RELEASE LABOUR DAY STATEMENT-
AUSTRALIA: INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CONGRESS-
TODAY'S SAINT: ST. ANTONINUS
VATICAN:
POPE'S GENERAL AUDIENCE
ST. ODO: CHANGE OF LIFESTYLE BASED ON HUMILITY, AUSTERITY VATICAN CITY, 2 SEP 2009 (VIS) - In this morning's general audience, held in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall, the Pope resumed his series of catecheses on the great writers of the mediaeval Church in East and West. The Holy Father arrived in the Vatican by helicopter from Castelgandolfo, and returned there following his audience. Focusing his remarks on St. Odo, Benedict XVI explained how the saint was born around the year 880, eventually becoming the second abbot of the famous abbey of Cluny. "From that centre of spiritual life, he was able to exercise a vast influence on the monasteries of the continent", fomenting a lifestyle and a spirituality inspired by the Rule of St. Benedict. He died in 942. The Pope mentioned some of the saint's virtues, highlighting his "patience, ... detachment from the world, zeal for souls, commitment to peace, ... observance of the commandments, concern for the poor, education of the young and respect for the elderly". "One aspect that merits particular attention is the devotion to the Body and Blood of Christ which Odo - in the face of a widespread negligence that he vigorously deplored -cultivated with conviction. He was, in fact, firmly convinced of the real presence of the Body and Blood of the Lord under the Eucharistic species, by virtue of the 'substantial' conversion of the bread and wine". St. Odo said that "only those who are spiritually united to Christ can worthily receive His Eucharistic Body; in any other case, eating His flesh and drinking His blood would not be beneficial, but harmful". The Holy Father highlighted how "St. Odo was a true spiritual guide, both for the monks and for the faithful of his time. Faced with the 'immensity of vices' spread throughout society, the remedy he proposed ... was that of a radical change of lifestyle founded upon humility, austerity, detachment from the ephemeral and adherence to the eternal". With "the profound goodness of his soul, Odo diffused around him the joy with which he himself was filled. ... Through his resolute activities he nourished in the monks, and in the lay faithful of his time, a desire to proceed rapidly along the path of Christian perfection". Benedict XVI concluded his remarks by expressing the hope that "the goodness of St. Odo, the joy that derives from faith, ... may touch our hearts and that we too may discover the source of happiness that comes from the goodness of God".AG/ST. ODO/... VIS 090902 (430) POPE MENTIONS SEVENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF WORLD WAR II VATICAN CITY, 2 SEP 2009 (VIS) - Among his greetings at the end of his catechesis today, the Holy Father greeted Polish pilgrims recalling how yesterday, 1 September, marked the seventieth anniversary of the beginning of World War II, when Poland was invaded by the Nazis. "Human tragedies and the absurdity of war remain in the memory of peoples", he said. "Let us ask God that the spirit of forgiveness, peace and reconciliation may pervade the hearts of humankind. Europe and the world today need a spirit of communion. Let us build it upon Christ and His Gospel, upon the foundation of charity and truth".
(IMAGE:http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/index.asp
AG/WORLD WAR ANNIVERSARY/... VIS 090902 (120)
(IMAGE:http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/index.asp
AG/WORLD WAR ANNIVERSARY/... VIS 090902 (120)
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS VATICAN CITY, 2 SEP 2009 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Jean-Pierre Kwambamba Masi as a master of pontifical ceremonies.NA/.../KWAMBAMBA VIS 090902 (30)
ASIA
ASIAN YOUTH DAY PREPARATIONS
Asia news reports that Filipino Catholics prepare for the fifth Asian Youth Dayby Santosh DigalFrom November 26 to 27 over 2500 will gat_0902_-_Asean_YOUTH_DAY.jpg)
her in Imus near Manila for the fifth Asian Youth Day. Prayer vigils and formation courses have been organized by various delegations to better prepare themselves for the event. Now in its fifth edition, the AYD has for years been an opportunity for young people to understand the importance of the Catholic faith in countries with severe political, social and religious problems.
Manila (AsiaNews) - "Young people of Asia, come together, share the Word of God and life in the Eucharist." This is the slogan of the 5th Asian Youth Day to be held in the Philippines November 23 to 27. About 2,500 young people from 22 countries in Asia have been invited to participate in the event. Preparations have already started in the Diocese of Imus (near Manila) and in major dioceses across the country, including the island of Mindanao, host to some of the events.
First held in 1999 in Thailand, AYD takes place every three years over three days of meetings and spiritual and cultural reflection. The last meeting was in 2006 in Hong Kong (pictured). This year the event is being organised by the largest Catholic country in Asia, and promises to be a great opportunity for many young people, particularly those living in countries where there is no religious freedom.
Rudolf Ceralvo, a 20 year old student from the Archdiocese of Manila remarks that "considering the numerous dark and destructive situations that characterize the Asian scene, the Youth Day aims to urge young Catholics to draw new life from Eucharistic message”.
In this context, the event is also an opportunity for young Filipinos to further comprehend the reasons for their faith and understand their Christian duty. "I will get to know how the other young Asians live Christianity and their faith in an inter-religious context," says Cristine a student from Manila.
For Msgr. Rolando Tirona, director of youth ministry for the Filipino bishops' conference, the meeting is not just a simple celebration. He says that it manifests itself as "a challenge to young people to become true protagonists for social change."
In the lead up to November 23, in the Philippines, Hong Kong and Taiwan prayer vigils and pilgrimages have been held. In particular on the island of Formosa, the Bishops' Conference organised from August 19 to 22 a "Taiwan Youth Day” open to all the young people in the country. (SOURCE: http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=16208&size=A
_0902_-_Asean_YOUTH_DAY.jpg)
her in Imus near Manila for the fifth Asian Youth Day. Prayer vigils and formation courses have been organized by various delegations to better prepare themselves for the event. Now in its fifth edition, the AYD has for years been an opportunity for young people to understand the importance of the Catholic faith in countries with severe political, social and religious problems. Manila (AsiaNews) - "Young people of Asia, come together, share the Word of God and life in the Eucharist." This is the slogan of the 5th Asian Youth Day to be held in the Philippines November 23 to 27. About 2,500 young people from 22 countries in Asia have been invited to participate in the event. Preparations have already started in the Diocese of Imus (near Manila) and in major dioceses across the country, including the island of Mindanao, host to some of the events.
First held in 1999 in Thailand, AYD takes place every three years over three days of meetings and spiritual and cultural reflection. The last meeting was in 2006 in Hong Kong (pictured). This year the event is being organised by the largest Catholic country in Asia, and promises to be a great opportunity for many young people, particularly those living in countries where there is no religious freedom.
Rudolf Ceralvo, a 20 year old student from the Archdiocese of Manila remarks that "considering the numerous dark and destructive situations that characterize the Asian scene, the Youth Day aims to urge young Catholics to draw new life from Eucharistic message”.
In this context, the event is also an opportunity for young Filipinos to further comprehend the reasons for their faith and understand their Christian duty. "I will get to know how the other young Asians live Christianity and their faith in an inter-religious context," says Cristine a student from Manila.
For Msgr. Rolando Tirona, director of youth ministry for the Filipino bishops' conference, the meeting is not just a simple celebration. He says that it manifests itself as "a challenge to young people to become true protagonists for social change."
In the lead up to November 23, in the Philippines, Hong Kong and Taiwan prayer vigils and pilgrimages have been held. In particular on the island of Formosa, the Bishops' Conference organised from August 19 to 22 a "Taiwan Youth Day” open to all the young people in the country. (SOURCE: http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=16208&size=A
EUROPE
FRANCE: CATHOLIC FESTIVAL EVANGELIZES
CNA reports that French Catholic festival intended to announce the Gospel to tourists concluded on Sunday, with three hundred young adult Catholics taking part in the event. One French bishop said the event was a “grace” of World Youth Day. The Anuncio Festival organized concerts, debates, exhibitions and prayer vigils in the best-known tourist resorts including those at Saint-Tropez, Saint-Raphaël, Cannes, Lyon, Toulouse, Marseille and Paris.
Last year the festival was held at four locations and had 250 attendees, SIR reports.
Bishop of Fréjus-Toulon Dominique Rey had given his official approval to the event in the city Sainte-Baume, where Provencal tradition holds that Mary Magdalene once lived.
The bishop is a member of the Emmanuel Community, one of the religious communities that organized the event.Other prelates supporting the event included Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, Archbishop of Lyon, and Auxiliary Bishop of Paris Jean-Yves Nahmias.
The festival was also attended by the Missionaries of Mercy, the Dominicans of Sainte-Baume, the Congregation of the Brothers of the Holy Spirit, the community of Saint Martin, the Missionary Fraternity, the community of Shalom, Cançao Nova, the Brothers of Saint John, and the Benedictine nuns of Montmartre.
According to SIR, the festival’s joint prayer closing event took place on the Parisian hill of Montmartre, where a tent city had been erected around the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
Bishop Rey described the festival’s young people as a “wonderful sign” and said they must be encouraged.
“To show one’s faith, one has to experience it,” he added, calling the festival “an emanation and a grace of the World Youth Days.” (SOURCE; http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=16983
Last year the festival was held at four locations and had 250 attendees, SIR reports.
Bishop of Fréjus-Toulon Dominique Rey had given his official approval to the event in the city Sainte-Baume, where Provencal tradition holds that Mary Magdalene once lived.
The bishop is a member of the Emmanuel Community, one of the religious communities that organized the event.Other prelates supporting the event included Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, Archbishop of Lyon, and Auxiliary Bishop of Paris Jean-Yves Nahmias.
The festival was also attended by the Missionaries of Mercy, the Dominicans of Sainte-Baume, the Congregation of the Brothers of the Holy Spirit, the community of Saint Martin, the Missionary Fraternity, the community of Shalom, Cançao Nova, the Brothers of Saint John, and the Benedictine nuns of Montmartre.
According to SIR, the festival’s joint prayer closing event took place on the Parisian hill of Montmartre, where a tent city had been erected around the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
Bishop Rey described the festival’s young people as a “wonderful sign” and said they must be encouraged.
“To show one’s faith, one has to experience it,” he added, calling the festival “an emanation and a grace of the World Youth Days.” (SOURCE; http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=16983
AFRICA
ZIMBABWE: ARCHBISHOP FEARS ASSASSINATION
CNS reports that the former archbishop of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, said agents of his country's government still want to assassinate him over his criticism of human rights violations under President Robert Mugabe.Archbishop Pius Ncube, 62, who now lives in western Zimbabwe's Hwange Diocese, made his claims in a letter to South Africa's national Catholic weekly, The Southern Cross, with the request that Catholics pray for him. The Southern Cross published Archbishop Ncube's letter in its Sept. 2 edition.Before his resignation as head of the Bulawayo Archdiocese in September 2007 after having had an affair with a woman, Archbishop Ncube was internationally known as one of Mugabe's most vocal critics.Mugabe has frequently attacked Archbishop Ncube in speeches and interviews. Even before his resignation, the archbishop said he was being harassed routinely."Where I now live, every two weeks the state intelligence is there to visit me, which they never did when I was in Bulawayo. I now refuse to talk to them," he told The Southern Cross.He said he was being followed by car and alleged that his telephone and fax lines were being tampered with. Communications are intercepted and blocked or delayed, Archbishop Ncube said."My attitude is that the government of Zimbabwe has no right to hound me and get me out of Zimbabwe," he said. "I have a right and duty to live in Zimbabwe. This has been their method to intimidate thousands of their critics so that they leave the country."He said that, "in compliance with the suggestions from the Vatican," he has abstained from publicly criticizing the government, "a thing which is alien to my convictions.""I do not agree with quiet diplomacy when people are suffering," he said.However, he added, that those who are harassing him "are not more powerful than God and our spiritual mother Mary.""I ask the people of God to help me by their prayers for my protection," he said. "I thank all those who pray for me. I will continue to pray for the delivery of Africa from tyranny."In his letter, Archbishop Ncube referred to an incident last year when a bomb he believes was intended to kill him injured a priest instead.On April 6, 2008, Archbishop Ncube was still out of the country, but the government allegedly heard a rumor that he had returned."They therefore made an arrangement to kill me," Archbishop Ncube said."They planted a bomb in my car. A priest used my car," he said, and about 12 miles from Bulawayo the priest -- whom Archbishop Ncube declined to name to protect him from repercussions -- noticed that he was being followed by two cars.Archbishop Ncube alleged that the people following the priest "detonated a bomb and the (priest's) car swerved and fell into the ditch." He added that he had been advised to get a driver for security reasons, and the bomb specifically targeted the passenger side of the vehicle."Had the bomb been directed to the driver, this priest would have died instantly," the archbishop said.While the priest was lightly injured and covered in debris, the cars that had followed him passed without stopping or investigating."A third car, driven by a Chinese man, stopped nearby," Archbishop Ncube said. The driver allegedly proceeded to take photographs of the scene."The priest asked (the man) why he did not help him rather than photograph him, since he was injured. (The man) nervously scurried away and drove off fast," Archbishop Ncube said, adding that it was nearly four hours before the priest was taken to a hospital.(SOURCE:http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0903928.htm
AMERICAS
BISHOPS RELEASE LABOUR DAY STATEMENT
The USCCB reports that this Labor Day, we should take a moment to pray for all workers and all those without work” said Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre, N.Y., in “The Value of Work; the Dignity of the Human Person,” the annual Labor Day statement of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). He added, “We should also ask God’s help in living out the Church’s call to defend human life and dignity, to protect workers and their rights and to stand with the poor and vulnerable in difficult economic times.”
Bishop Murphy, Chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Domestic Social Development, said this Labor Day comes at a challenging economic time. He highlighted Pope Benedict XVI’s assertion in his new encyclical “Caritas in Veritate” (Charity in Truth) that the dignity of the worker should be the top concern of any economy. According to Pope Benedict, “the primary capital to be safeguarded and valued is…the human person in his or her integrity: Man is the source, the form and the aim of all economic and social life.” (#25)
Bishop Murphy also drew on the recent agreement between leaders in Catholic health care, the labor movement and the Catholic bishops to develop practical guidelines on how leaders of hospitals, unions and others might apply Catholic principles in reaching agreements in their own situations.
“This project achieved a significant accomplishment: a consensus among all the parties on a set of principles, processes, and guidelines for a respectful and harmonious approach to let workers in Catholic health care facilities make free choices about unionization,” said Bishop Murphy of the dialogue, which resulted in a consensus document, Respecting the Just Rights of Workers: Guidance and Options for Catholic Health Care and Unions.
The annual Labor Day Statement also touched on the continuing principles of the Church’s social teaching, and isues of health care and immigration. The full text of the Labor Day statement can be found online at: http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/labor_day_2009.pdf---
AUSTRALIA
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CONGRESS
CathNews reports that the International Catholic youth congress Convivio will be held in Sydney this weekend for participants in their final three years of secondary school, to reflect on contemporary challenges and present Christ as the "essential answer".
The congress is hosted by lay
members of Sydney's Fraternas Community, which is part of the international Christian Life Movement, Catholic News Agency reported.
"Convivio will offer students an opportunity for a deep encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ and from this authentic encounter they can give deep and meaningful answers to their own questions and many others who are in need of the same answers," Convivio Sydney organisers said.
Archbishop of Sydney Cardinal George Pell has written a letter inviting youth to the event, calling it is a "valuable opportunity" to consider who Jesus is.
"Everyone who has heard the Gospel message has to answer this question," Cardinal Pell was quoted saying. "Is Jesus just another prophet or source of spiritual wisdom? Is he someone who doesn't matter today, someone from whom our modern world has moved on? Or is he the Son of the Living God, who by his life, death and resurrection showed us that life is greater than suffering, that love is stronger than death?"
The congress will be held at Bethlehem College at Ashfield, Sydney. The event has previously been held in different cities around South America, the US and England. (SOURCE: http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=16244
The congress is hosted by lay
members of Sydney's Fraternas Community, which is part of the international Christian Life Movement, Catholic News Agency reported."Convivio will offer students an opportunity for a deep encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ and from this authentic encounter they can give deep and meaningful answers to their own questions and many others who are in need of the same answers," Convivio Sydney organisers said.
Archbishop of Sydney Cardinal George Pell has written a letter inviting youth to the event, calling it is a "valuable opportunity" to consider who Jesus is.
"Everyone who has heard the Gospel message has to answer this question," Cardinal Pell was quoted saying. "Is Jesus just another prophet or source of spiritual wisdom? Is he someone who doesn't matter today, someone from whom our modern world has moved on? Or is he the Son of the Living God, who by his life, death and resurrection showed us that life is greater than suffering, that love is stronger than death?"
The congress will be held at Bethlehem College at Ashfield, Sydney. The event has previously been held in different cities around South America, the US and England. (SOURCE: http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=16244
TODAY'S SAINT
St. Antoninus
MARTYR AND HERMIT
Feast: September 2
Antoninus is listed as a stonemason in Aribazus, Syria (or Pamiers, France). He denounced the pagan practices of his fellow townspeople and went to live as a hermit for two years. Antoninus then returned to his village and destroyed the pagan idols. He fled the town and built a church in Apamea, Syria, where he was murdered. Both Apamea and Pamiers claim this saint. (SOURCE:
SAINTLY QUOTE
Peace is defined as harmony among those who are divided. When, therefore, we end the civil war within our nature and cultivate peace within ourselves, we become at peace. St. Gregory of Nyssa
TODAY'S GOSPEL
Luke 4: 38 - 44
38
And he arose and left the synagogue, and entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they besought him for her.
39
And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her; and immediately she rose and served them.
40
Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.
41
And demons also came out of many, crying, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them, and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.
42
And when it was day he departed and went into a lonely place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them;
43
but he said to them, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose."
44
And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
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