PRIESTS'
EUCHARISTIC-SACRIFICIAL MISSION IS INSEPARABLE FROM THEIR PASTORAL MISSION
(IMAGE SOURCE: RADIO VATICANA)
Vatican City, 29 April 2012 (VIS) - Today, the fourth Sunday of Easter, Benedict XVI conferred priestly ordination upon nine deacons from Roman diocesan seminaries. During the ceremony, which was held in St. Peter's Basilica, the Holy Father told the ordinands that the Roman tradition of celebrating ordinations on this Sunday, known as Good Shepherd Sunday, is rich in significance, its meaning being "associated with the convergence between the Word of God, the liturgical rite and the period of Easter in which it falls. The figure of the pastor in particular, so relevant in Sacred Scripture and naturally very important for our definition of priests, acquires its full truth and clarity in the face of Christ, in the light of the mystery of His death and resurrection", he said.
The Pope commented on the reading from the Gospel of St. John, which begins with Jesus' words: "I am the good shepherd" who "lays down his life for the sheep". This phrase leads us immediately "to the apex of the revelation of God as pastor of His people", he explained. "This centre or apex is Jesus ... Who died on the cross then rose from the grave on the third day. He rose with all His humanity, and so He involves us all ... in His transition from death to life. This event - Christ’s Easter - in which God's pastoral work was fully and definitively achieved, was a sacrificial event; therefore the Good Shepherd and the High Priest come together in Jesus, Who gave His life for us".
The second reading, from the First Letter of St. John, tells us of "the fruits of Christ's Easter: the fact that we have become children of God. ... In fact, man's status as child is the result of the salvific act of Jesus. Through His incarnation, death and resurrection, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, He gave man a new relationship with God: His own relationship with the Father. ... This relationship is already real in every sense, but it is not yet fully manifest; it will be in the end when - if God wills - we see His face unveiled.
"This, dear ordinands, is where the Good Shepherd wishes to lead us", the Pope added. "This is where the priest is called to lead the faithful under his care: to true life, to life 'in abundance'". At the same time, Jesus reaffirms that the characteristic of the true pastor is that of giving his life. "The biblical figure of the king-pastor, whose main task is to support the people of God, keep them united and guide then ... is fully realised in Jesus Christ in the sacrificial dimension, in His offer of life. It is realised ... in the mystery of the cross; that is, in the supreme act of humility and oblational love".
This, the Pope noted, is the direction in which the formulae used in the rite of Ordination lead. Indeed, among the questions regarding the "promises of the elect", the last, which is as the culmination and summary of the others, says "do you wish to be ever more closely united to Christ, the High Priest Who, as pure victim, offered Himself to the Father for us, consecrating yourselves to God together with Him for the salvation of all mankind?"
By responding, "the priest becomes uniquely involved in the mystery of Christ's sacrifice, through a personal bond with Him that prolongs His salvific mission. This union, which comes about through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, requires 'ever closer union' through the generous response of the priest himself".
Benedict XVI also mentioned the formula used at the moment of consigning the bread and wine to the new priests: "Receive the offer of the holy people for the Eucharistic sacrifice. Understand what you do, imitate what you administer; conform your life to the mystery of the cross of Christ the Lord". These words, he said, "underline the fact that, for priests, celebrating Mass every day does not mean merely undertaking a ritual function, but accomplishing a mission which involves all of existence, in communion with the risen Christ Who continues to enact the redeeming sacrifice in His Church".
The Holy Father went on to note that "Eucharistic and sacrificial aspects are inseparable from the pastoral aspect, of which they are the nucleus of truth and salvific strength upon which the effectiveness of all activity depends. ... The preaching, works and other activities which the Church carries out with her many initiatives would lose their salvific fruitfulness if the celebration of Christ's sacrifice were lacking. This celebration is entrusted to ordained priests. ... Only through the 'door' of the Paschal sacrifice can men and women of all times and places enter eternal life. It is through this 'holy path' that they can make the exodus which leads them to the 'promised land' of true freedom, to the 'green fields' of endless peace and joy.
"Dear ordinands, "the Holy Father added in conclusion, "may this Word of God illuminate your lives. And when the weight of the cross becomes more burdensome, know that that is the most precious moment, for you and for the people entrusted to your care. By faithfully and lovingly renewing your 'yes with God's help I want it', you help Christ, High Priest and Good Pastor, to feed His sheep; perhaps only the sheep which was lost, but for which there will be great joy in heaven".
DAY FOR VOCATIONS: TO BE FREE IS TO RESPOND TO THE LOVE OF GOD
Vatican City, 29 April 2012 (VIS) - At midday today, the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, the Holy Father asked people to pray "that all young people may be attentive to the inner voice of God, which speaks to their hearts and calls them to abandon everything in order to serve Him". Addressing faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square for the Regina Coeli Benedict XVI affirmed that "the Lord calls always, but often we are not listening.
"We are distracted by many things, by other more superficial voices", he added. "We are afraid to listen to the voice of the Lord because we believe it can detract from our freedom. The truth is that each of us is the fruit of love; the love of our parents, of course, but also and more profoundly the love of God. ... When we become aware of this our lives change; they become a response to that love which is greater than any other, and thus our freedom is fully realised".
The Pope then mentioned the new priests he had ordained that morning during Mass in the Vatican Basilica. "They are no different to other young men", he affirmed, "But they have been profoundly touched by the beauty and love of God, and could not but respond with the whole of their lives". They discovered the love of God in Jesus Christ, in His Gospel, in the Eucharist and in the community of the Church. "In the Church we discover that the life of each human being is a story of love", he said.
To conclude Benedict XVI exhorted the faithful to pray that "the seeds of vocation which God so generously scatters" may germinate and come to fruit in all areas of the Church, "in the joy of having been called and in the variety of gifts. Families in particular must be the first place in which to 'breathe' the love of God, which gives inner strength even in the midst of the difficulties and trials of life. People who experience the love of God in their family, receive a priceless gift which, in time, will come to bear fruit".
PERENNIAL IMPORTANCE OF THE ENCYCLICAL "PACEM IN TERRIS"
Vatican City, 30 April 2012 (VIS) - The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences has been holding its eighteenth plenary session in Rome over recent days, during which participants focused their attention on the contribution Blessed John XXIII’s Encyclical "Pacem in Terris" has made to the social doctrine of the Church.
"At the height of the Cold War, when the world was still coming to terms with the threat posed by the existence and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, Pope John addressed what has been described as an “open letter to the world”. It was a heartfelt appeal ... for the cause of peace and justice to be vigorously promoted at every level of society, nationally and internationally". These words were expressed by Benedict XVI in a message to Mary Ann Glendon, president of the academy. The message, written in English, was made public today.
"While the global political landscape has changed significantly in the intervening half-century, the vision offered by Pope John still has much to teach us as we struggle to face the new challenges for peace and justice in the post-Cold-War era, amid the continuing proliferation of armaments", the Pope writes. "Pope John’s Encyclical was and is a powerful summons to engage in that creative dialogue between the Church and the world, between believers and non-believers, which Vatican Council II set out to promote. It offers a thoroughly Christian vision of man’s place in the cosmos, confident that in so doing it is holding out a message of hope to a world that is hungry for it, a message that can resonate with people of all beliefs and none, because its truth is accessible to all.
"In that same spirit, after the terrorist attacks that shook the world in September 2001, Blessed John Paul II insisted that there can be “no peace without justice, no justice without forgiveness”. The notion of forgiveness needs to find its way into international discourse on conflict resolution, so as to transform the sterile language of mutual recrimination which leads nowhere. If the human creature is made in the image of God, a God of justice Who is “rich in mercy”, then these qualities need to be reflected in the conduct of human affairs. ... Forgiveness is not a denial of wrong-doing, but a participation in the healing and transforming love of God which reconciles and restores".
"Historic wrongs and injustices can only be overcome if men and women are inspired by a message of healing and hope, a message that offers a way forward, out of the impasse that so often locks people and nations into a vicious circle of violence. Since 1963, some of the conflicts that seemed insoluble at the time have passed into history. Let us take heart, then, as we struggle for peace and justice in the world today, confident that our common pursuit of the divinely established order, of a world where the dignity of every human person is accorded the respect that is due, can and will bear fruit", the Holy Father concludes.
INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON BLINDNESS
Vatican City, 28 April 2012 (VIS) - The Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care has organised an international congress entitled: "The Blind. 'My Teacher, let me see again!'" The event is due to be held on 4 and 5 May in the Pius X Hall on Via della Conciliazione in Rome, and will focus primarily on the theological-pastoral and medical-scientific aspects of treating blind and partially sighted persons.
Participants will include Cardinal Peter Kodwo Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and Silvio Paolo Mariotti, head of the blindness and deafness prevention programme of the World Health Organisation. Also present will be Msgr. Roberto Brunelli, director of the diocesan museum of Mantua, Italy, who will illustrate the planning and realisation of a special room for blind people, and the results obtained. Two touch-perceptible versions of works from the museum will be on display at the congress.
BENEDICT XVI'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MAY
Vatican City, 30 April 2012 (VIS) - Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for May is: "That initiatives which defend and uphold the role of the family may be promoted within society".
His mission intention is: "That Mary, Queen of the World and Star of Evangelisation, may accompany all missionaries in proclaiming her Son Jesus".
AUDIENCES
Vatican City, 30 April 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience:
- Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, accompanied by Bishop Frans Daneels, secretary of the tribunal.
- Archbishop Jean-Louis Brugues O.P., secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education.
- Archbishop Luciano Russo, apostolic nuncio to Rwanda, accompanied by members of his family.
On Saturday 28 April he received in audience:
- Cesar Castillo Ramirez, the new Peruvian ambassador to the Holy See, for the presentation of his Letters of Credence.
- Cardinal Marc Ouellet P.S.S., prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 30 April 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:
- Msgr. Pawel Malecha as substitute promoter of justice at the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, and Fr. Jose Fernando Mejia Yanez M.G., as head of the chancellery of the same tribunal.
- Antonio Chiminello, consultor of the prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, as vice director of the Auditors Office of Vatican City State.
On Saturday 28 April it was made public that the Holy Father:
- Appointed Msgr. Tadeusz Litynski of the clergy of Zielona Gora-Gorzow, Poland, pastor of the parish of Christ the King at Gorzow Wielkopolski, as auxiliary of Zielona Gora-Gorzow (area 10,805, population 1,120,158, Catholics 1,088,947, priests 629, religious 297). The bishop-elect was born in Kozuchow, Poland in 1962 and ordained a priest in 1988. He has worked in pastoral care in a number of parishes, and has served in the diocesan tribunal, first as notary, then as defender of the bond and judge.
- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Gweru, Zimbabwe, presented by Bishop Martin Munyanyi, in accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law, appointing Bishop Michael Dixon Bhasera of Masvingo as apostolic administrator "sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis" of Gweru.
Vatican City, 29 April 2012 (VIS) - Today, the fourth Sunday of Easter, Benedict XVI conferred priestly ordination upon nine deacons from Roman diocesan seminaries. During the ceremony, which was held in St. Peter's Basilica, the Holy Father told the ordinands that the Roman tradition of celebrating ordinations on this Sunday, known as Good Shepherd Sunday, is rich in significance, its meaning being "associated with the convergence between the Word of God, the liturgical rite and the period of Easter in which it falls. The figure of the pastor in particular, so relevant in Sacred Scripture and naturally very important for our definition of priests, acquires its full truth and clarity in the face of Christ, in the light of the mystery of His death and resurrection", he said.
The Pope commented on the reading from the Gospel of St. John, which begins with Jesus' words: "I am the good shepherd" who "lays down his life for the sheep". This phrase leads us immediately "to the apex of the revelation of God as pastor of His people", he explained. "This centre or apex is Jesus ... Who died on the cross then rose from the grave on the third day. He rose with all His humanity, and so He involves us all ... in His transition from death to life. This event - Christ’s Easter - in which God's pastoral work was fully and definitively achieved, was a sacrificial event; therefore the Good Shepherd and the High Priest come together in Jesus, Who gave His life for us".
The second reading, from the First Letter of St. John, tells us of "the fruits of Christ's Easter: the fact that we have become children of God. ... In fact, man's status as child is the result of the salvific act of Jesus. Through His incarnation, death and resurrection, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, He gave man a new relationship with God: His own relationship with the Father. ... This relationship is already real in every sense, but it is not yet fully manifest; it will be in the end when - if God wills - we see His face unveiled.
"This, dear ordinands, is where the Good Shepherd wishes to lead us", the Pope added. "This is where the priest is called to lead the faithful under his care: to true life, to life 'in abundance'". At the same time, Jesus reaffirms that the characteristic of the true pastor is that of giving his life. "The biblical figure of the king-pastor, whose main task is to support the people of God, keep them united and guide then ... is fully realised in Jesus Christ in the sacrificial dimension, in His offer of life. It is realised ... in the mystery of the cross; that is, in the supreme act of humility and oblational love".
This, the Pope noted, is the direction in which the formulae used in the rite of Ordination lead. Indeed, among the questions regarding the "promises of the elect", the last, which is as the culmination and summary of the others, says "do you wish to be ever more closely united to Christ, the High Priest Who, as pure victim, offered Himself to the Father for us, consecrating yourselves to God together with Him for the salvation of all mankind?"
By responding, "the priest becomes uniquely involved in the mystery of Christ's sacrifice, through a personal bond with Him that prolongs His salvific mission. This union, which comes about through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, requires 'ever closer union' through the generous response of the priest himself".
Benedict XVI also mentioned the formula used at the moment of consigning the bread and wine to the new priests: "Receive the offer of the holy people for the Eucharistic sacrifice. Understand what you do, imitate what you administer; conform your life to the mystery of the cross of Christ the Lord". These words, he said, "underline the fact that, for priests, celebrating Mass every day does not mean merely undertaking a ritual function, but accomplishing a mission which involves all of existence, in communion with the risen Christ Who continues to enact the redeeming sacrifice in His Church".
The Holy Father went on to note that "Eucharistic and sacrificial aspects are inseparable from the pastoral aspect, of which they are the nucleus of truth and salvific strength upon which the effectiveness of all activity depends. ... The preaching, works and other activities which the Church carries out with her many initiatives would lose their salvific fruitfulness if the celebration of Christ's sacrifice were lacking. This celebration is entrusted to ordained priests. ... Only through the 'door' of the Paschal sacrifice can men and women of all times and places enter eternal life. It is through this 'holy path' that they can make the exodus which leads them to the 'promised land' of true freedom, to the 'green fields' of endless peace and joy.
"Dear ordinands, "the Holy Father added in conclusion, "may this Word of God illuminate your lives. And when the weight of the cross becomes more burdensome, know that that is the most precious moment, for you and for the people entrusted to your care. By faithfully and lovingly renewing your 'yes with God's help I want it', you help Christ, High Priest and Good Pastor, to feed His sheep; perhaps only the sheep which was lost, but for which there will be great joy in heaven".
DAY FOR VOCATIONS: TO BE FREE IS TO RESPOND TO THE LOVE OF GOD
Vatican City, 29 April 2012 (VIS) - At midday today, the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, the Holy Father asked people to pray "that all young people may be attentive to the inner voice of God, which speaks to their hearts and calls them to abandon everything in order to serve Him". Addressing faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square for the Regina Coeli Benedict XVI affirmed that "the Lord calls always, but often we are not listening.
"We are distracted by many things, by other more superficial voices", he added. "We are afraid to listen to the voice of the Lord because we believe it can detract from our freedom. The truth is that each of us is the fruit of love; the love of our parents, of course, but also and more profoundly the love of God. ... When we become aware of this our lives change; they become a response to that love which is greater than any other, and thus our freedom is fully realised".
The Pope then mentioned the new priests he had ordained that morning during Mass in the Vatican Basilica. "They are no different to other young men", he affirmed, "But they have been profoundly touched by the beauty and love of God, and could not but respond with the whole of their lives". They discovered the love of God in Jesus Christ, in His Gospel, in the Eucharist and in the community of the Church. "In the Church we discover that the life of each human being is a story of love", he said.
To conclude Benedict XVI exhorted the faithful to pray that "the seeds of vocation which God so generously scatters" may germinate and come to fruit in all areas of the Church, "in the joy of having been called and in the variety of gifts. Families in particular must be the first place in which to 'breathe' the love of God, which gives inner strength even in the midst of the difficulties and trials of life. People who experience the love of God in their family, receive a priceless gift which, in time, will come to bear fruit".
PERENNIAL IMPORTANCE OF THE ENCYCLICAL "PACEM IN TERRIS"
Vatican City, 30 April 2012 (VIS) - The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences has been holding its eighteenth plenary session in Rome over recent days, during which participants focused their attention on the contribution Blessed John XXIII’s Encyclical "Pacem in Terris" has made to the social doctrine of the Church.
"At the height of the Cold War, when the world was still coming to terms with the threat posed by the existence and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, Pope John addressed what has been described as an “open letter to the world”. It was a heartfelt appeal ... for the cause of peace and justice to be vigorously promoted at every level of society, nationally and internationally". These words were expressed by Benedict XVI in a message to Mary Ann Glendon, president of the academy. The message, written in English, was made public today.
"While the global political landscape has changed significantly in the intervening half-century, the vision offered by Pope John still has much to teach us as we struggle to face the new challenges for peace and justice in the post-Cold-War era, amid the continuing proliferation of armaments", the Pope writes. "Pope John’s Encyclical was and is a powerful summons to engage in that creative dialogue between the Church and the world, between believers and non-believers, which Vatican Council II set out to promote. It offers a thoroughly Christian vision of man’s place in the cosmos, confident that in so doing it is holding out a message of hope to a world that is hungry for it, a message that can resonate with people of all beliefs and none, because its truth is accessible to all.
"In that same spirit, after the terrorist attacks that shook the world in September 2001, Blessed John Paul II insisted that there can be “no peace without justice, no justice without forgiveness”. The notion of forgiveness needs to find its way into international discourse on conflict resolution, so as to transform the sterile language of mutual recrimination which leads nowhere. If the human creature is made in the image of God, a God of justice Who is “rich in mercy”, then these qualities need to be reflected in the conduct of human affairs. ... Forgiveness is not a denial of wrong-doing, but a participation in the healing and transforming love of God which reconciles and restores".
"Historic wrongs and injustices can only be overcome if men and women are inspired by a message of healing and hope, a message that offers a way forward, out of the impasse that so often locks people and nations into a vicious circle of violence. Since 1963, some of the conflicts that seemed insoluble at the time have passed into history. Let us take heart, then, as we struggle for peace and justice in the world today, confident that our common pursuit of the divinely established order, of a world where the dignity of every human person is accorded the respect that is due, can and will bear fruit", the Holy Father concludes.
INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON BLINDNESS
Vatican City, 28 April 2012 (VIS) - The Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care has organised an international congress entitled: "The Blind. 'My Teacher, let me see again!'" The event is due to be held on 4 and 5 May in the Pius X Hall on Via della Conciliazione in Rome, and will focus primarily on the theological-pastoral and medical-scientific aspects of treating blind and partially sighted persons.
Participants will include Cardinal Peter Kodwo Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and Silvio Paolo Mariotti, head of the blindness and deafness prevention programme of the World Health Organisation. Also present will be Msgr. Roberto Brunelli, director of the diocesan museum of Mantua, Italy, who will illustrate the planning and realisation of a special room for blind people, and the results obtained. Two touch-perceptible versions of works from the museum will be on display at the congress.
BENEDICT XVI'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MAY
Vatican City, 30 April 2012 (VIS) - Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for May is: "That initiatives which defend and uphold the role of the family may be promoted within society".
His mission intention is: "That Mary, Queen of the World and Star of Evangelisation, may accompany all missionaries in proclaiming her Son Jesus".
AUDIENCES
Vatican City, 30 April 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience:
- Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, accompanied by Bishop Frans Daneels, secretary of the tribunal.
- Archbishop Jean-Louis Brugues O.P., secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education.
- Archbishop Luciano Russo, apostolic nuncio to Rwanda, accompanied by members of his family.
On Saturday 28 April he received in audience:
- Cesar Castillo Ramirez, the new Peruvian ambassador to the Holy See, for the presentation of his Letters of Credence.
- Cardinal Marc Ouellet P.S.S., prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 30 April 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:
- Msgr. Pawel Malecha as substitute promoter of justice at the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, and Fr. Jose Fernando Mejia Yanez M.G., as head of the chancellery of the same tribunal.
- Antonio Chiminello, consultor of the prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, as vice director of the Auditors Office of Vatican City State.
On Saturday 28 April it was made public that the Holy Father:
- Appointed Msgr. Tadeusz Litynski of the clergy of Zielona Gora-Gorzow, Poland, pastor of the parish of Christ the King at Gorzow Wielkopolski, as auxiliary of Zielona Gora-Gorzow (area 10,805, population 1,120,158, Catholics 1,088,947, priests 629, religious 297). The bishop-elect was born in Kozuchow, Poland in 1962 and ordained a priest in 1988. He has worked in pastoral care in a number of parishes, and has served in the diocesan tribunal, first as notary, then as defender of the bond and judge.
- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Gweru, Zimbabwe, presented by Bishop Martin Munyanyi, in accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law, appointing Bishop Michael Dixon Bhasera of Masvingo as apostolic administrator "sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis" of Gweru.
AMERICA : CHURCH MUSIC ASSOCIATION COLLOQUIUM
CHURCH MUSIC ASSOCIATION RELEASE:
Liturgical Music
Sacred Music Colloquium
XXII will be the most exciting and largest in history. It will be held at the
remarkable Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City, Utah; Dates are June
25-July 1, 2012.
You are invited to experience the Sacred Music Colloquium, the largest and most in-depth teaching conference and retreat on sacred music in the world.
This year we are expanding in new directions. You do not need to regard yourself as a singer or even a musician to attend. There are plenty of Gregorian choirs for first-time singers, and sessions are available for those who opt not to sing in a polyphonic choirs. There will be opportunities for both professional musicians and non-musicians who are just interested in the well-being of music at liturgy.
The venue of the Cathedral in Salt Lake is beautiful beyond description. Historically significant as well as aesthetically magnificent, the Cathedral of the Madeleine ranks among the finest locations ever made available for the Sacred Music Colloquium, which has grown in size in scope every year for six years.
In addition, the year 2012 promises to be the grandest ever with new opportunities for learning, singing, listening, and interacting with the best minds and musicians in the Catholic world today. The Cathedral Choir School has been wonderfully accommodating and opened up the full use of its facilities for the Colloquium.
You will have the opportunity to see how the Choir School functions, experience the amazing acoustic of the Cathedral, study under the best conductors and intellectuals in the entire Catholic music world, and form new friendships that you will value for years to come.
The primary focus of the Colloquium is instruction and experience in chant and the Catholic sacred music tradition, participation in chant choirs, daily and nightly lectures and performances and daily celebrations of liturgies in both English and Latin. You are there not merely as an attendee but as an integral part of the greatest music you will ever experience. It will will touch your heart and thrill your artistic imagination.
Attendance is open to anyone interested in improving the quality of music in Catholic worship. Professional musicians will appreciate the rigor, while enthusiastic volunteer singers and beginners new to the chant tradition will enjoy the opportunity to study under an expert faculty. Those who choose not to sing at all but merely want to learn will find a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to absorb the full ethos of a world of the best liturgical music.
Do you want to make this trip your family vacation? There are so many things so see and do in the Salt Lake City area. View some of the options at the Convention and Visitors Bureau site.
Once registered, there is no required sign up for individual choirs, scholas, or breakout sessions. Attend as suits your needs. Please see guidelines and descriptions for the different courses in the list above.
SACRED, BEAUTIFUL, & UNIVERSAL: Colloquium XIX from Corpus Christi Watershed on Vimeo.
SOME COLLOQUIUM HIGHLIGHTS:
Salt Lake City is one of the
most beautiful cities in the world, with some of the finest dining, mountainous
views, and nicest people anywhere. Under the leadership of the Right Reverend
Lawrence Scanlan (1843 – 1915), the first bishop of Salt Lake, the construction
of The Cathedral of the Madeleine was begun in the year 1900 and completed in
1909. On August 15 of that year, the cathedral was dedicated by Cardinal James
Gibbons of Baltimore. The architects were Carl M. Newhausen and Bernard O.
Mecklenburg. The cathedral combines a predominately Romanesque exterior with a
Gothic interior. The property on which the cathedral sits was purchased in 1890
for $35,000. The cost of the cathedral construction itself was $344,000.
The exterior of the cathedral remains substantially the same today as it was in 1909. The interior of the cathedral was largely created under the leadership of The Right Reverend Joseph S. Glass, who became Bishop of Salt Lake in 1915. A man of refined taste and strong artistic sensibility, Bishop Glass enlisted the aid of John Theodore Comes, one of the leading architects in America at the time, to undertake beautification of the original plain interior. The Comes interior, begun in 1917, was inspired in great part by the Spanish Gothic of the late Middle Ages. the colorful murals were added at that time, as was the dramatic polychrome evident throughout the building. The ornate reredos shrine of St. Mary Magdalen and the various shrines were notable features of the Comes renovation.
Under the leadership of The Most Reverend William K. Weigand, who was appointed bishop of Salt Lake City in 1980, a much needed restoration of the interior, which had suffered the effects of dirt and pollution in the intervening decades, was planned and executed. The results are on full display today in breathtaking beauty.
Liturgical Music
Sacred Music Colloquium
XXII will be the most exciting and largest in history. It will be held at the
remarkable Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City, Utah; Dates are June
25-July 1, 2012.You are invited to experience the Sacred Music Colloquium, the largest and most in-depth teaching conference and retreat on sacred music in the world.
This year we are expanding in new directions. You do not need to regard yourself as a singer or even a musician to attend. There are plenty of Gregorian choirs for first-time singers, and sessions are available for those who opt not to sing in a polyphonic choirs. There will be opportunities for both professional musicians and non-musicians who are just interested in the well-being of music at liturgy.
The venue of the Cathedral in Salt Lake is beautiful beyond description. Historically significant as well as aesthetically magnificent, the Cathedral of the Madeleine ranks among the finest locations ever made available for the Sacred Music Colloquium, which has grown in size in scope every year for six years.
- The Schedule for Colloquium XXII
- Register for the Little America Hotel
- 2012 Music list for liturgy (forthcoming)
- Chant courses at Colloquium XXII
- Morning breakout sessions at Colloquium XXII
- Sacred Music Colloquium XXII Afternoon breakouts
- 2012 Clergy Instructions
- Notes for Choosing a Polyphonic Choir (forthcoming)
- Still deciding? See this FAQ, view images from 2008, or listen to 2008 sound files, 2009 sound files, and 2010 sound files.
- Individuals and organizations interested in sponsoring the Colloquium with full page ad in the Colloquium packet, write programs@musicasacra.com.
In addition, the year 2012 promises to be the grandest ever with new opportunities for learning, singing, listening, and interacting with the best minds and musicians in the Catholic world today. The Cathedral Choir School has been wonderfully accommodating and opened up the full use of its facilities for the Colloquium.
You will have the opportunity to see how the Choir School functions, experience the amazing acoustic of the Cathedral, study under the best conductors and intellectuals in the entire Catholic music world, and form new friendships that you will value for years to come.
The primary focus of the Colloquium is instruction and experience in chant and the Catholic sacred music tradition, participation in chant choirs, daily and nightly lectures and performances and daily celebrations of liturgies in both English and Latin. You are there not merely as an attendee but as an integral part of the greatest music you will ever experience. It will will touch your heart and thrill your artistic imagination.
Attendance is open to anyone interested in improving the quality of music in Catholic worship. Professional musicians will appreciate the rigor, while enthusiastic volunteer singers and beginners new to the chant tradition will enjoy the opportunity to study under an expert faculty. Those who choose not to sing at all but merely want to learn will find a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to absorb the full ethos of a world of the best liturgical music.
Do you want to make this trip your family vacation? There are so many things so see and do in the Salt Lake City area. View some of the options at the Convention and Visitors Bureau site.
Once registered, there is no required sign up for individual choirs, scholas, or breakout sessions. Attend as suits your needs. Please see guidelines and descriptions for the different courses in the list above.
SACRED, BEAUTIFUL, & UNIVERSAL: Colloquium XIX from Corpus Christi Watershed on Vimeo.
SOME COLLOQUIUM HIGHLIGHTS:
- Extensive training in Gregorian chant under a world-class faculty, with choices of a chant class for beginners, and intermediate and and advanced chant classes;
- Morning and afternoon sessions all week with lectures and workshops with the best of the best thinkers and doers in the world of Catholic music;
- Optional choral experience with one of four large choirs singing sacred music of the masters such as Palestrina, Vierne, Bruckner, Victoria, Byrd, Tallis, Josquin, and many others;
- Daily liturgies with careful attention to officially prescribed musical settings;
- Experience in singing or just listening to Mass settings, motets, chants, and responses;
- Residency in a full service hotel;
- Two gala dinners with top lecturers and events;
- Training in vocal production and technique;
- Conducting practicum;
- Training for Priests in the sung Mass;
- Pedagogy demonstrations;
- Composers’ Forum;
- Seminars on parish music management, integrating sung parts of the liturgy, polyphonic repertoire for beginning and more established choirs;
- All music, including prepared packets of chant and polyphony, as part of registration.
Salt Lake City is one of the
most beautiful cities in the world, with some of the finest dining, mountainous
views, and nicest people anywhere. Under the leadership of the Right Reverend
Lawrence Scanlan (1843 – 1915), the first bishop of Salt Lake, the construction
of The Cathedral of the Madeleine was begun in the year 1900 and completed in
1909. On August 15 of that year, the cathedral was dedicated by Cardinal James
Gibbons of Baltimore. The architects were Carl M. Newhausen and Bernard O.
Mecklenburg. The cathedral combines a predominately Romanesque exterior with a
Gothic interior. The property on which the cathedral sits was purchased in 1890
for $35,000. The cost of the cathedral construction itself was $344,000.The exterior of the cathedral remains substantially the same today as it was in 1909. The interior of the cathedral was largely created under the leadership of The Right Reverend Joseph S. Glass, who became Bishop of Salt Lake in 1915. A man of refined taste and strong artistic sensibility, Bishop Glass enlisted the aid of John Theodore Comes, one of the leading architects in America at the time, to undertake beautification of the original plain interior. The Comes interior, begun in 1917, was inspired in great part by the Spanish Gothic of the late Middle Ages. the colorful murals were added at that time, as was the dramatic polychrome evident throughout the building. The ornate reredos shrine of St. Mary Magdalen and the various shrines were notable features of the Comes renovation.
Under the leadership of The Most Reverend William K. Weigand, who was appointed bishop of Salt Lake City in 1980, a much needed restoration of the interior, which had suffered the effects of dirt and pollution in the intervening decades, was planned and executed. The results are on full display today in breathtaking beauty.
ASIA : PAKISTAN : CHRISTIAN ACTIVIST KILLED
ASIA NEWS REPORT:
by Jibran Khan
Irshad Younas Chaudhry was shot dead on the evening of April 27. Sohtra Nadeem, son of a leader of the Sheikhpura Christian movement of APMA, presumed guilty. Motives remain unknown. Police investigation underway
Islamabad (AsiaNews) - The Pakistani Christian community is still in shock over the killing of Irshad Younas Chaudhry, activist and political leader, shot to death on the evening of 27 April (see photo). The next morning, investigators opened an investigation against Nadeem Sohtra, the alleged murderer, who tried to flee after the shooting. We currently do not have details yet on the motive that drove the man, the son of a Christian leader of the Punjab, to shoot, more items could emerge from interrogations in progress at this time.
Activists, Christian leaders and laymen, attended the funeral of Irshad Younas Chaudhry, a Christian politician originally from Youhanabad, in Lahore, Punjab. Would be to kill the young Sohtra Nadeem, son of Naseem Sohtra, coordinator of the Sheikhpura Christian movement All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), founded by the Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti assassinated by Islamic extremists March 2, 2011.
Initial information indicates that Nadeem met the victim at his home, and soon after, fired. The bullets hit Chaurhry in the chest. The police quickly intervened by arresting the alleged murderer, who tried to escape, the Christian politician died and the intervention of an ambulance in an attempt to reive the victim proved useless.
Humanitarian organizations Masihi Foundation and Life for All have strongly condemned the murder, pointing out that the victim was "a fearless, passionate politician and social activist," who several times in the past "raised his voice against injustice" . Speaking to AsiaNews Fr. John Maxwell, of the Archdiocese of Lahore, speaks of "huge loss for the community" because he was someone who cared, for "the future of young Christians and gave them several opportunities" in social life and workplace.
SOURCE: ASIA NEWS
by Jibran Khan
Irshad Younas Chaudhry was shot dead on the evening of April 27. Sohtra Nadeem, son of a leader of the Sheikhpura Christian movement of APMA, presumed guilty. Motives remain unknown. Police investigation underway
Islamabad (AsiaNews) - The Pakistani Christian community is still in shock over the killing of Irshad Younas Chaudhry, activist and political leader, shot to death on the evening of 27 April (see photo). The next morning, investigators opened an investigation against Nadeem Sohtra, the alleged murderer, who tried to flee after the shooting. We currently do not have details yet on the motive that drove the man, the son of a Christian leader of the Punjab, to shoot, more items could emerge from interrogations in progress at this time.
Activists, Christian leaders and laymen, attended the funeral of Irshad Younas Chaudhry, a Christian politician originally from Youhanabad, in Lahore, Punjab. Would be to kill the young Sohtra Nadeem, son of Naseem Sohtra, coordinator of the Sheikhpura Christian movement All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), founded by the Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti assassinated by Islamic extremists March 2, 2011.
Initial information indicates that Nadeem met the victim at his home, and soon after, fired. The bullets hit Chaurhry in the chest. The police quickly intervened by arresting the alleged murderer, who tried to escape, the Christian politician died and the intervention of an ambulance in an attempt to reive the victim proved useless.
Humanitarian organizations Masihi Foundation and Life for All have strongly condemned the murder, pointing out that the victim was "a fearless, passionate politician and social activist," who several times in the past "raised his voice against injustice" . Speaking to AsiaNews Fr. John Maxwell, of the Archdiocese of Lahore, speaks of "huge loss for the community" because he was someone who cared, for "the future of young Christians and gave them several opportunities" in social life and workplace.
SOURCE: ASIA NEWS
AFRICA : KENYA : ATTACK ON CHURCH BY SUICIDE BOMBER
Agenzia Fides REPORT - "The attack against the church in
Nairobi could be related to a dispute about ownership of the land where a place
of worship was built or be a new retaliation of the Shabaab for the Kenyan
military intervention in Somalia" says to Fides the Director Mike Muasya of the
Catholic Agency CISA in Nairobi, where yesterday, Sunday, April 29 a suicide
bomber detonated a bomb inside the of God's House of Miracle Church in the Ngara
district, northwest of the Kenyan capital.
"At the moment both hypothesis are considered valid by the authorities," says Muasya. "We know that there is a dispute regarding the ownership of land where the church was built" - continues the director of CISA-but we also know that a few days ago the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi had launched the alarm about a possible attack in Kenya on behalf of the Somali Shabaab." "One must take into consideration though that no one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, while the Shabaab have always claimed previous attacks," concluded the Director of CISA.
The attack, which caused one victim and fifteen wounded, was perpetrated by a man who threw a grenade at the start of the Sunday service and who has since taken flight. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 30/4/2012)
"At the moment both hypothesis are considered valid by the authorities," says Muasya. "We know that there is a dispute regarding the ownership of land where the church was built" - continues the director of CISA-but we also know that a few days ago the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi had launched the alarm about a possible attack in Kenya on behalf of the Somali Shabaab." "One must take into consideration though that no one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, while the Shabaab have always claimed previous attacks," concluded the Director of CISA.
The attack, which caused one victim and fifteen wounded, was perpetrated by a man who threw a grenade at the start of the Sunday service and who has since taken flight. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 30/4/2012)
EUROPE : TEENS WALK FOR HOMELESS
IND. CATH NEWS REPORT:
|
AUSTRALIA : ABORIGINAL ELDER HOSTS CATHOLIC LEADERS
ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY REPORT
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
27 Apr 2012
Dr Elsie Heiss,
well-known Aboriginal Elder and executive officer of the Aboriginal Catholic
Ministry's Church of Reconciliation at La Perouse hosted 27 Catholic leaders in
education and health from across NSW, South Australia, WA and Queensland on the
final day of Catholic Earthcare Australia's inaugural Creation and
Reconciliation pilgrimage.
Held from 13-19 April, the six day pilgrimage treks through Dhurag country in the Blue Mountains to view ancient Aboriginal cave paintings as well as visits to La Perouse and the Church of Reconciliation.
In addition the 27 participants in the transformative pilgrimage spent three days on site in conversation, contemplation and personal reflection at Winbourne, the Edmund Rice Retreat and Conference Centre at Mulgoa.
This very special pilgrimage gave those taking part not only an intense immersion experience and the chance to deepen their faith and understanding but the opportunity to explore the profound connection between God's creation of the world, and God's call to reconcile with Christ and Nature.
"God's action of creating and reconciliation shows us that creation and salvation are part of the one act," explains Jacqui Remond, Director of Catholic Earthcare Australia which together with the Broken Bay Catholic Schools Office and the Broken Bay Institute designed the program which combined an understanding of Aboriginal culture, ritual, art and history with reflection, contemplation, theology, scripture and the integrity of Creation.
Jacqui says the
Creation and Reconciliation program was inspired by the work of Australian
Christian Brother, Br Kevin McDonnell, the inaugural director of studies at the
South Africa Catholic Bible College who created a series of reconciliation
programs centred around Africa's Cradle of Humankind.
On hand to help guide participants on the unique Blue Mountains' pilgrimage were international authority on ecology and systemic theology, Father Denis Edwards from the Archdiocese of Adelaide and renowned archaeologist and researcher into Aboriginal and spirituality in Australia, Father Eugene Stockton from the Parramatta Archdiocese.
"Fr Eugene and Fr Denis inspired us with their deep Catholic faith, personal humility and wide knowledge and over the six days I was away. I came to a much deeper understanding of the place where I live and work and Sydney's rich history which stretches back thousands, even millions of years," says one of the Creation and Reconciliation participants, Chantelle Ogilvie-Ellis from the Archdiocese of Sydney's Justice and Peace Office.
"It
was a remarkable and unforgettable experience to discover how science and
Catholicism can come together, enriching our understanding of who we are and who
we are called to be in the world," she says.
For many of those who took part in the pilgrimage, one of the highlights was the trek through the bush-covered foothills of the Blue Mountains to see 4000-year old Aboriginal rock engravings of kangaroos and other native animals and birds. Another was the time spent with Dr Heiss at the Church of Reconciliation in La Perouse where participants admired Aboriginal Stations of the Cross by Richard Campbell and his distinctive and moving Aboriginal depiction of the Madonna and Child.
"This visit was really transformative for all of us. After an Aboriginal liturgy, many remained sitting quietly in the Church and reflecting on what we had learned, not only from Dr Heiss but throughout the week," Jacqui Remond says.
With the success of its inaugural Creation and Reconciliation pilgrimage, Catholic Earthcare is now planning regular pilgrimages with South Australia's Flinders Ranges and the Kimberley in WA currently being explored as future sites.
"We want to give
participants in the Creation and Reconciliation program opportunities to spend
time in spectacular country as they explore possibilities that can lead to
social change, justice, reconciliation and the integrity of creation," Jacqui
says adding that the University of Notre Dame Australia has already expressed
its desire to be involved in helping design as well as participate in future
pilgrimages.
An initiative of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC), on 9 May Catholic Earthcare Australia will celebrate 10 years since its formation with a Mass at Mary MacKillop Chapel, North Sydney celebrated by Bishop Adrian Doyle, Chairman of the ACBC's Commission for Justice, Ecology and Development.
To find out more about Catholic Earthcare Australia log on to www.catholicearthcare.org.au
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
27 Apr 2012
With the success of the inaugural
Creation and Reconciliation
pilgrimage Jacqui is now planning
more experiences
Held from 13-19 April, the six day pilgrimage treks through Dhurag country in the Blue Mountains to view ancient Aboriginal cave paintings as well as visits to La Perouse and the Church of Reconciliation.
In addition the 27 participants in the transformative pilgrimage spent three days on site in conversation, contemplation and personal reflection at Winbourne, the Edmund Rice Retreat and Conference Centre at Mulgoa.
This very special pilgrimage gave those taking part not only an intense immersion experience and the chance to deepen their faith and understanding but the opportunity to explore the profound connection between God's creation of the world, and God's call to reconcile with Christ and Nature.
"God's action of creating and reconciliation shows us that creation and salvation are part of the one act," explains Jacqui Remond, Director of Catholic Earthcare Australia which together with the Broken Bay Catholic Schools Office and the Broken Bay Institute designed the program which combined an understanding of Aboriginal culture, ritual, art and history with reflection, contemplation, theology, scripture and the integrity of Creation.
Aboriginal cave art in Blue Mountains dates
back 4000 years
On hand to help guide participants on the unique Blue Mountains' pilgrimage were international authority on ecology and systemic theology, Father Denis Edwards from the Archdiocese of Adelaide and renowned archaeologist and researcher into Aboriginal and spirituality in Australia, Father Eugene Stockton from the Parramatta Archdiocese.
"Fr Eugene and Fr Denis inspired us with their deep Catholic faith, personal humility and wide knowledge and over the six days I was away. I came to a much deeper understanding of the place where I live and work and Sydney's rich history which stretches back thousands, even millions of years," says one of the Creation and Reconciliation participants, Chantelle Ogilvie-Ellis from the Archdiocese of Sydney's Justice and Peace Office.
Aboriginal Madonna and Child by
Richard Campbell was especially
moving for participants in the Creation
and Reconciliation pilgrimage
For many of those who took part in the pilgrimage, one of the highlights was the trek through the bush-covered foothills of the Blue Mountains to see 4000-year old Aboriginal rock engravings of kangaroos and other native animals and birds. Another was the time spent with Dr Heiss at the Church of Reconciliation in La Perouse where participants admired Aboriginal Stations of the Cross by Richard Campbell and his distinctive and moving Aboriginal depiction of the Madonna and Child.
"This visit was really transformative for all of us. After an Aboriginal liturgy, many remained sitting quietly in the Church and reflecting on what we had learned, not only from Dr Heiss but throughout the week," Jacqui Remond says.
With the success of its inaugural Creation and Reconciliation pilgrimage, Catholic Earthcare is now planning regular pilgrimages with South Australia's Flinders Ranges and the Kimberley in WA currently being explored as future sites.
Jacquie Remond
An initiative of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC), on 9 May Catholic Earthcare Australia will celebrate 10 years since its formation with a Mass at Mary MacKillop Chapel, North Sydney celebrated by Bishop Adrian Doyle, Chairman of the ACBC's Commission for Justice, Ecology and Development.
To find out more about Catholic Earthcare Australia log on to www.catholicearthcare.org.au
TODAY'S MASS ONLINE : MON. APRIL 30, 2012
| John
10: 1 - 10 | |
| 1 | "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber; |
| 2 | but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. |
| 3 | To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. |
| 4 | When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. |
| 5 | A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." |
| 6 | This figure Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. |
| 7 | So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. |
| 8 | All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. |
| 9 | I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. |
| 10 | The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. |
TODAY'S SAINT : APRIL 30 : ST. PIUS V
St. Pius V
POPE AND REFORMER
Feast: April 30
 Information:
|
|
Born at Bosco, near Alexandria, Lombardy, 17 Jan., 1504
elected 7 Jan., 1566; died 1 May, 1572. Being of a poor though noble family his
lot would have been to follow a trade, but he was taken in by the Dominicans of
Voghera, where he received a good education and was trained in the way of solid
and austere piety. He entered the order, was ordained in 1528, and taught
theology and philosophy for sixteen years. In the meantime he was master of
novices and was on several occasions elected prior of different houses of his
order in which he strove to develop the practice of the monastic virtues and
spread the spirit of the holy founder. He himself was an example to all. He
fasted, did penance, passed long hours of the night in meditation and prayer,
traveled on foot without a cloak in deep silence, or only speaking to his
companions of the things of God. In 1556 he was made Bishop of Sutri by Paul IV.
His zeal against heresy caused him to be selected as inquisitor of the faith in
Milan and Lombardy, and in 1557 Paul II made him a cardinal and named him
inquisitor general for all Christendom. In 1559 he was transferred to Mondovì,
where he restored the purity of faith and discipline, gravely impaired by the
wars of Piedmont. Frequently called to Rome, he displayed his unflinching zeal
in all the affairs on which he was consulted. Thus he offered an insurmountable
opposition to Pius IV when the latter wished to admit Ferdinand de' Medici, then
only thirteen years old, into the Sacred College. Again it was he who defeated
the project of Maximilian II, Emperor of Germany, to abolish ecclesiastical
celibacy. On the death of Pius IV, he was, despite his tears and entreaties,
elected pope, to the great joy of the whole Church.
He began his pontificate by giving large alms to the poor,
instead of distributing his bounty at haphazard like his predecessors. As
pontiff he practiced the virtues he had displayed as a monk and a bishop. His
piety was not diminished, and, in spite of the heavy labours and anxieties of
his office, he made at least two meditations a day on bended knees in presence
of the Blessed Sacrament. In his charity he visited the hospitals, and sat by
the bedside of the sick, consoling them and preparing them to die. He washed the
feet of the poor, and embraced the lepers. It is related that an English
nobleman was converted on seeing him kiss the feet of a beggar covered with
ulcers. He was very austere and banished luxury from his court, raised the
standard of morality, laboured with his intimate friend, St. Charles Borromeo,
to reform the clergy, obliged his bishops to reside in their dioceses, and the
cardinals to lead lives of simplicity and piety. He diminished public scandals
by relegating prostitutes to distant quarters, and he forbade bull fights. He
enforced the observance of the discipline of the Council of Trent, reformed the
Cistercians, and supported the missions of the New World. In the Bull "In Coena
Domini" he proclaimed the traditional principles of the Roman Church and the
supremacy of the Holy See over the civil power.
But the great thought and the constant preoccupation of his
pontificate seems to have been the struggle against the Protestants and the
Turks. In Germany he supported the Catholics oppressed by the heretical princes.
In France he encouraged the League by his counsels and with pecuniary aid. In
the Low Countries he supported Spain. In England, finally, he excommunicated
Elizabeth, embraced the cause of Mary Stuart, and wrote to console her in
prison. In the ardour of his faith he did not hesitate to display severity
against the dissidents when necessary, and to give a new impulse to the activity
of the Inquisition, for which he has been blamed by certain historians who have
exaggerated his conduct. Despite all representations on his behalf he condemned
the writings of Baius, who ended by submitting.
He worked incessantly to unite the Christian princes against
the hereditary enemy, the Turks. In the first year of his pontificate he had
ordered a solemn jubilee, exhorting the faithful to penance and almsgiving to
obtain the victory from God. He supported the Knights of Malta, sent money for
the fortification of the free towns of Italy, furnished monthly contributions to
the Christians of Hungary, and endeavoured especially to bring Maximilian,
Philip II, and Charles I together for the defence of Christendom. In 1567 for
the same purpose he collected from all convents one-tenth of their revenues. In
1570 when Solyman II attacked Cyprus, threatening all Christianity in the West,
he never rested till he united the forces of Venice, Spain, and the Holy See. He
sent his blessing to Don John of Austria, the commander-in-chief of the
expedition, recommending him to leave behind all soldiers of evil life, and
promising him the victory if he did so. He ordered public prayers, and increased
his own supplications to heaven. On the day of the Battle of Lepanto, 7 Oct.,
1571, he was working with the cardinals, when, suddenly, interrupting his work
opening the window and looking at the sky, he cried out, "A truce to business;
our great task at present is to thank God for the victory which He has just
given the Christian army". He burst into tears when he heard of the victory,
which dealt the Turkish power a blow from which it never recovered. In memory of
this triumph he instituted for the first Sunday of October the feast of the
Rosary, and added to the Litany of Loreto the supplication "Help of Christians".
He was hoping to put an end to the power of Islam by forming a general alliance
of the Italian cities Poland, France, and all Christian Europe, and had begun
negotiations for this purpose when he died of gravel, repeating "O Lord,
increase my sufferings and my patience!" He left the memory of a rare virtue and
an unfailing and inflexible integrity. He was beatified by Clement X in 1672,
and canonized by Clement XI in 1712.
(Taken From Catholic Encyclopedia) |
Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/P/stpiusv.asp#ixzz1tW71OzXG
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The award that Gustaw received was fittingly presented at
the Marian Shrine in Essendon for the blessing of the chapel of Our Lady of
Czestochowa, which Gustaw donated so much of his time to restore. This shrine is
of particular significance to the Polish Community and has deep spiritual and
cultural connections with their homeland.
