POPE RECALLS TIME AS
CONCILIAR EXPERT IN NEMI (IMAGE SOURCE : RADIO VATICANA)
Vatican City, 10 July 2012 (VIS) - "A wonderful memory, perhaps my fondest memory of the entire council." With these words yesterday, the Holy Father recalled his time at the center of the Divine Word Missionaries in Nemi 47 years ago when he was one of the young expert theologians charged with preparing the decree on the Church's missionary activity for Vatican Council II.
Benedict XVI thanked the Society of the Divine Word for having given him the possibility to return to the "Ad Gentes" Center after more than four decades and to recall that, at the time of the Council, he was living "in the center of Rome, at the Santa Maria del Anima seminary, with all the noise [of the city], which is also nice. But being here in the green countryside, having this glimpse of nature and also this fresh air, was beautiful in itself. Then there was the companionship of so many great theologians, with the important and wonderful task of preparing the decree on missions".
Benedict XVI's meeting with the 150 participants of the Society of the Divine Word's general chapter as well as members of the community's mother house in Rome was very warm. The Holy Father recalled that the order's superior general at the time was Fr. Johannes Schutte. "He had suffered greatly in China where he was convicted and expelled from the country. He was full of missionary zeal, of the need to bring a new impetus to the missionary spirit and I was alongside him. I was a very young and not very important theologian;I didn't know why they had invited me but, for me, it was a great gift".
"Fulton Sheen was also there, fascinating us with his afternoon speeches, and Father Congar, and the great missionaries of Leuven. It was a spiritual enrichment for me, a great gift. The decree was not very controversial. There was this controversy, which I have never really understood, between the schools of Leuven and Munster: was the main scope of the mission the 'implantatio Ecclesiae' or the 'Evangelii' announcement? But everything converged in the one spirit of the need to bring the light of the Word of God, the light of God's love, to the world and to give new joy to this proclamation".
"Thus in those days was born a good and beautiful decree that was accepted almost unanimously by all the Council Fathers. It was complemented very well for me by 'Lumen Gentium' because in it we find a Trinitarian ecclesiology that begins, above all, from the classical idea of the 'bonum diffusivum sui', the good that carries with it the need to communicate, to give itself, a good that cannot be locked within itself. The good, this same good, is essentially 'communicatio'. This is already apparent in the Trinitarian mystery, as God is in Himself, and is spread throughout salvation history and in our need to give others the good that we have received".
"Remembering all this I have often thought of those days in Nemi, which were an essential part of the experience of the Council for me. I am pleased to see your society flourishing - your father general has spoken of six thousand members in many countries and nations. Clearly, missionary zeal is still alive and it lives only if there is the Gospel's joy, if we experience the good that comes from God and that wants to and must communicate itself. Thank you for your missionary zeal".
In closing, the Holy Father wished the Verbites all the blessings of the Lord and "much inspiration" during their chapter general. "May the same inspiring power of the Holy Spirit that accompanied us almost visibly in those days be again present among you and help you to find the path for your society as well as for the Gospel mission 'ad gentes' for the following years. Thank you all and may the Lord bless you. Pray for me as I pray for you".
TELEGRAM FOR THE DEATH OF CARDINAL EUGENIO DE ARAUJO SALES
Vatican City, 10 July 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father has sent a telegram of condolence to Archbishop Orani Joao Tempesta, O. Cist., of Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on the death of Cardinal Eugenio Araujo Sales, archbishop emeritus of the same archdiocese. Cardinal Araujo Sales, who had a "long life dedicated to the Church in Brazil", died late last night at the age of 91.
In the text of his telegram Benedict XVI recalls the cardinal's three decades as archbishop of Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro and his almost seventy years of priesthood, which were distinguished for "showing to all the path of truth in charity and service".
COMMUNIQUE ON EPISCOPAL ORDINATIONS IN CHINA
Vatican City, 10 July 2012 (VIS) - Following is the communique released this morning on the episcopal ordination of the Reverend Joseph Yue Fusheng in Harbin and the Reverend Thaddeus Ma Daqin as Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Shanghai.
"With regard to the episcopal ordination of the Reverend Joseph Yue Fusheng, which took place in Harbin (Province of Heilongjiang) on Friday 6 July 2012, the following is stated:
1) The Reverend Joseph Yue Fusheng, ordained without pontifical mandate and hence illicitly, has automatically incurred the sanctions laid down by canon 1382 of the Code of Canon Law. Consequently, the Holy See does not recognize him as Bishop of the Apostolic Administration of Harbin, and he lacks the authority to govern the priests and the Catholic community in the Province of Heilongjiang.
The Reverend Yue Fusheng had been informed some time ago that he could not be approved by the Holy See as an episcopal candidate, and on several occasions he had been asked not to accept episcopal ordination without the pontifical mandate.
2) The Bishops who took part in the illicit episcopal ordination and have exposed themselves to the sanctions laid down by the law of the Church, must give an account to the Holy See of their participation in that religious ceremony.
3) Appreciation is due to those priests, consecrated persons and lay faithful who prayed and fasted for a change of heart in the Reverend Yue Fusheng, for the holiness of the Bishops and for the unity of the Church in China, particularly in the Apostolic Administration of Harbin.
4) All Catholics in China, pastors, priests, consecrated persons, and lay faithful, are called to defend and safeguard that which pertains to the doctrine and tradition of the Church. Even amid the present difficulties, they look to the future with faith, comforted by the certainty that the Church is founded on the rock of Peter and his Successors.
5) The Apostolic See, trusting in the concrete willingness of the Government Authorities of China to dialogue with the Holy See, hopes that the said authorities will not encourage gestures contrary to such dialogue. Chinese Catholics also wish to see practical steps taken in this direction, the first among which is the avoidance of illicit celebrations and episcopal ordinations without pontifical mandate that cause division and bring suffering to the Catholic communities in China and the universal Church.
The ordination of the Reverend Thaddeus Ma Daqin as Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Shanghai on Saturday 7 July 2012 is encouraging and is to be welcomed. The presence of a bishop who is not in communion with the Holy Father was inappropriate and shows a lack of consideration for a lawful episcopal ordination".
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 10 July 2012 (VIS) - Today the Holy Father appointed Bishop Pedro Mario Ossandon Buljevic as auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of Santiago de Chile (area 9,132, population 5,905,000, Catholics 4,098,000, priests 801, permanent deacons 332, religious 2978), Chile. The bishop, who is titular of La Imperial, was formerly auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Concepcion, Chile.
Vatican City, 10 July 2012 (VIS) - "A wonderful memory, perhaps my fondest memory of the entire council." With these words yesterday, the Holy Father recalled his time at the center of the Divine Word Missionaries in Nemi 47 years ago when he was one of the young expert theologians charged with preparing the decree on the Church's missionary activity for Vatican Council II.
Benedict XVI thanked the Society of the Divine Word for having given him the possibility to return to the "Ad Gentes" Center after more than four decades and to recall that, at the time of the Council, he was living "in the center of Rome, at the Santa Maria del Anima seminary, with all the noise [of the city], which is also nice. But being here in the green countryside, having this glimpse of nature and also this fresh air, was beautiful in itself. Then there was the companionship of so many great theologians, with the important and wonderful task of preparing the decree on missions".
Benedict XVI's meeting with the 150 participants of the Society of the Divine Word's general chapter as well as members of the community's mother house in Rome was very warm. The Holy Father recalled that the order's superior general at the time was Fr. Johannes Schutte. "He had suffered greatly in China where he was convicted and expelled from the country. He was full of missionary zeal, of the need to bring a new impetus to the missionary spirit and I was alongside him. I was a very young and not very important theologian;I didn't know why they had invited me but, for me, it was a great gift".
"Fulton Sheen was also there, fascinating us with his afternoon speeches, and Father Congar, and the great missionaries of Leuven. It was a spiritual enrichment for me, a great gift. The decree was not very controversial. There was this controversy, which I have never really understood, between the schools of Leuven and Munster: was the main scope of the mission the 'implantatio Ecclesiae' or the 'Evangelii' announcement? But everything converged in the one spirit of the need to bring the light of the Word of God, the light of God's love, to the world and to give new joy to this proclamation".
"Thus in those days was born a good and beautiful decree that was accepted almost unanimously by all the Council Fathers. It was complemented very well for me by 'Lumen Gentium' because in it we find a Trinitarian ecclesiology that begins, above all, from the classical idea of the 'bonum diffusivum sui', the good that carries with it the need to communicate, to give itself, a good that cannot be locked within itself. The good, this same good, is essentially 'communicatio'. This is already apparent in the Trinitarian mystery, as God is in Himself, and is spread throughout salvation history and in our need to give others the good that we have received".
"Remembering all this I have often thought of those days in Nemi, which were an essential part of the experience of the Council for me. I am pleased to see your society flourishing - your father general has spoken of six thousand members in many countries and nations. Clearly, missionary zeal is still alive and it lives only if there is the Gospel's joy, if we experience the good that comes from God and that wants to and must communicate itself. Thank you for your missionary zeal".
In closing, the Holy Father wished the Verbites all the blessings of the Lord and "much inspiration" during their chapter general. "May the same inspiring power of the Holy Spirit that accompanied us almost visibly in those days be again present among you and help you to find the path for your society as well as for the Gospel mission 'ad gentes' for the following years. Thank you all and may the Lord bless you. Pray for me as I pray for you".
TELEGRAM FOR THE DEATH OF CARDINAL EUGENIO DE ARAUJO SALES
Vatican City, 10 July 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father has sent a telegram of condolence to Archbishop Orani Joao Tempesta, O. Cist., of Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on the death of Cardinal Eugenio Araujo Sales, archbishop emeritus of the same archdiocese. Cardinal Araujo Sales, who had a "long life dedicated to the Church in Brazil", died late last night at the age of 91.
In the text of his telegram Benedict XVI recalls the cardinal's three decades as archbishop of Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro and his almost seventy years of priesthood, which were distinguished for "showing to all the path of truth in charity and service".
COMMUNIQUE ON EPISCOPAL ORDINATIONS IN CHINA
Vatican City, 10 July 2012 (VIS) - Following is the communique released this morning on the episcopal ordination of the Reverend Joseph Yue Fusheng in Harbin and the Reverend Thaddeus Ma Daqin as Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Shanghai.
"With regard to the episcopal ordination of the Reverend Joseph Yue Fusheng, which took place in Harbin (Province of Heilongjiang) on Friday 6 July 2012, the following is stated:
1) The Reverend Joseph Yue Fusheng, ordained without pontifical mandate and hence illicitly, has automatically incurred the sanctions laid down by canon 1382 of the Code of Canon Law. Consequently, the Holy See does not recognize him as Bishop of the Apostolic Administration of Harbin, and he lacks the authority to govern the priests and the Catholic community in the Province of Heilongjiang.
The Reverend Yue Fusheng had been informed some time ago that he could not be approved by the Holy See as an episcopal candidate, and on several occasions he had been asked not to accept episcopal ordination without the pontifical mandate.
2) The Bishops who took part in the illicit episcopal ordination and have exposed themselves to the sanctions laid down by the law of the Church, must give an account to the Holy See of their participation in that religious ceremony.
3) Appreciation is due to those priests, consecrated persons and lay faithful who prayed and fasted for a change of heart in the Reverend Yue Fusheng, for the holiness of the Bishops and for the unity of the Church in China, particularly in the Apostolic Administration of Harbin.
4) All Catholics in China, pastors, priests, consecrated persons, and lay faithful, are called to defend and safeguard that which pertains to the doctrine and tradition of the Church. Even amid the present difficulties, they look to the future with faith, comforted by the certainty that the Church is founded on the rock of Peter and his Successors.
5) The Apostolic See, trusting in the concrete willingness of the Government Authorities of China to dialogue with the Holy See, hopes that the said authorities will not encourage gestures contrary to such dialogue. Chinese Catholics also wish to see practical steps taken in this direction, the first among which is the avoidance of illicit celebrations and episcopal ordinations without pontifical mandate that cause division and bring suffering to the Catholic communities in China and the universal Church.
The ordination of the Reverend Thaddeus Ma Daqin as Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Shanghai on Saturday 7 July 2012 is encouraging and is to be welcomed. The presence of a bishop who is not in communion with the Holy Father was inappropriate and shows a lack of consideration for a lawful episcopal ordination".
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 10 July 2012 (VIS) - Today the Holy Father appointed Bishop Pedro Mario Ossandon Buljevic as auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of Santiago de Chile (area 9,132, population 5,905,000, Catholics 4,098,000, priests 801, permanent deacons 332, religious 2978), Chile. The bishop, who is titular of La Imperial, was formerly auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Concepcion, Chile.
AMERICA : RECORD NUMBER AT FORNIGHT TO FREEDOM CLOSING MASS
USCCB REPORT:
WASHINGTON—A crowd of almost 5,000 people filled the 3,500-seat capacity of Washington's Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, July 4. The Mass in the nation's capital was the closing bookend liturgy of the June 21-July 4 Fortnight for Freedom.
The Fortnight opened with another overflow Mass at Baltimore's historic Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrated by Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, June 21.
Dioceses nationwide included local events to stress religious freedom during the two-week period, from special prayers and liturgies to processions, educational forums and picnics.
Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington celebrated the Mass at the Washington shrine, with 180 priest concelebrants.Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia preached the homily and stressed that freedom comes from God.
"Real freedom isn't something Caesar can give or take away," he said. "He can interfere with it; but when he does, he steals from his own legitimacy." (The full homily is found at http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/fortnight-for-freedom/upload/Fortnight-Closing-Mass-Archbishop-Chaput-Homily.pdf)
At the start of the celebration Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, read a message from Pope Benedict XVI, sent through the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.
"The Holy Father encourages the American Catholic community, and young people in particular, to continue to bring the wisdom and insight born of their faith to the task of building a society worthy of America's highest moral and constitutional principles," it said. (The full message is found at http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/fortnight-for-freedom/upload/Bertone-Cardinal-Papal-message-for-July-4-Mass.pdf)
The Fortnight was called for by the U.S. bishops' Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty last April as the signature spiritual and educational event for the launch of a campaign to highlight threats to religious liberty both in the United States and abroad.
On-going events include a text campaign, where those who would participate text "Freedom" or "Libertad" to 377377 to receive regular updates on the ongoing efforts to promote and protect religious freedom. One of the first updates sent to participants in the text campaign noted that the Affordable Healthcare Act is flawed because it compels religious institutions to pay for services it opposes morally, such as female sterilization and contraception, including abortion-inducing drugs.
Specific U.S. threats to religious liberty cited by the bishops include not only the HHS mandate but also threats to Catholic foster care and adoption services, unjust state immigration laws, discrimination against small church congregations, against Catholic humanitarian services, against Christian students on campus and forcing religious groups to host same-sex marriage and civil-union ceremonies (http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/current-threats-to-religious-liberty-bulletin-insert-summer-2012.cfm).
Recent threats abroad include assaults in churches in Iraq, Nigeria and Kenya.
---SHARED FROM USCCB
WASHINGTON—A crowd of almost 5,000 people filled the 3,500-seat capacity of Washington's Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, July 4. The Mass in the nation's capital was the closing bookend liturgy of the June 21-July 4 Fortnight for Freedom.
The Fortnight opened with another overflow Mass at Baltimore's historic Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrated by Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, June 21.
Dioceses nationwide included local events to stress religious freedom during the two-week period, from special prayers and liturgies to processions, educational forums and picnics.
Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington celebrated the Mass at the Washington shrine, with 180 priest concelebrants.Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia preached the homily and stressed that freedom comes from God.
"Real freedom isn't something Caesar can give or take away," he said. "He can interfere with it; but when he does, he steals from his own legitimacy." (The full homily is found at http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/fortnight-for-freedom/upload/Fortnight-Closing-Mass-Archbishop-Chaput-Homily.pdf)
At the start of the celebration Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, read a message from Pope Benedict XVI, sent through the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.
"The Holy Father encourages the American Catholic community, and young people in particular, to continue to bring the wisdom and insight born of their faith to the task of building a society worthy of America's highest moral and constitutional principles," it said. (The full message is found at http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/fortnight-for-freedom/upload/Bertone-Cardinal-Papal-message-for-July-4-Mass.pdf)
The Fortnight was called for by the U.S. bishops' Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty last April as the signature spiritual and educational event for the launch of a campaign to highlight threats to religious liberty both in the United States and abroad.
On-going events include a text campaign, where those who would participate text "Freedom" or "Libertad" to 377377 to receive regular updates on the ongoing efforts to promote and protect religious freedom. One of the first updates sent to participants in the text campaign noted that the Affordable Healthcare Act is flawed because it compels religious institutions to pay for services it opposes morally, such as female sterilization and contraception, including abortion-inducing drugs.
Specific U.S. threats to religious liberty cited by the bishops include not only the HHS mandate but also threats to Catholic foster care and adoption services, unjust state immigration laws, discrimination against small church congregations, against Catholic humanitarian services, against Christian students on campus and forcing religious groups to host same-sex marriage and civil-union ceremonies (http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/current-threats-to-religious-liberty-bulletin-insert-summer-2012.cfm).
Recent threats abroad include assaults in churches in Iraq, Nigeria and Kenya.
---SHARED FROM USCCB
AUSTRALIA : ARCHBISHOP RECEIVES HONORARY DOCTORATE
ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE REPORT:
Archbishop Forte farewelled with an honorary
doctorate
Tuesday 10 July 2012
LAST night, international guest speaker Archbishop Bruno Forte, spoke on the topic of "The New Evangelisation: A challenge and a promise,” at the Australian Catholic University (ACU).
Read Archbishop Forte's speech: “The New Evangelisation: A challenge and a promise."
At the conclusion of the evening Archbishop Forte who is a renowned European theologian, member of the Papal International Theological Commission and Bishop of Chieti-Vasto, Italy, was awarded an honorary Doctorate from ACU.
Archbishop Forte's public lecture yesterday, was the last of his speaking engagements for his Melbourne tour.
Photo by Tiffany Orbien
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE
LAST night, international guest speaker Archbishop Bruno Forte, spoke on the topic of "The New Evangelisation: A challenge and a promise,” at the Australian Catholic University (ACU).
Read Archbishop Forte's speech: “The New Evangelisation: A challenge and a promise."
At the conclusion of the evening Archbishop Forte who is a renowned European theologian, member of the Papal International Theological Commission and Bishop of Chieti-Vasto, Italy, was awarded an honorary Doctorate from ACU.
Archbishop Forte's public lecture yesterday, was the last of his speaking engagements for his Melbourne tour.
Photo by Tiffany Orbien
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE
ASIA : VIETNAM : OVER 10000 AT PRAYER FOR VICTIMS
ASIA NEWS REPORT:
by Paul N. Hung
People take part in peaceful demonstrations and prayer vigils across the country. Their thoughts also go to the Communist Party, urging its leaders to respect religious freedom because without it, development in Vietnam is impossible.
Hanoi (AsiaNews) - More than 10,000 Catholics and non-Catholics prayed for the victims of the attack against the community of Con Cuông (Vinh Diocese) and for the many young Catholics arrested and held in custody. Their action comes in the wake of the violent attack on 1 July, which casts a dark shadow on religious freedom in Vietnam. Despite constitutional guarantees, the latter is increasingly violated by the authorities, especially true in rural areas, where a religious revival is underway, especially among Christians, after decades of atheistic and Communist indoctrination.
Last night, many Catholic communities, including Cầu Rầm, Bội Đà, Thuận Giang, Ngọc Long, Văn Hạnh, and Redemptorists in Saigon and Hanoi organised prayer vigils in their respective parishes on behalf of young Catholics arrested and jailed by the authorities.
People also prayed for the Communist Party, that it might understand the import of its actions, and respect once again human rights as well as build peace and seek a balanced development for the country.
A few days ago, ordinary Vietnamese showed their solidarity towards Catholics in Con Cuông. On Friday, every parish in Vinh Diocese organised a peaceful protest. Banners were raised. One said, "In opposition to the authorities in Con Cuông, officials and armed people who have violated Vietnamese law and beat up priests and believers".
The following evening, parishes in Vinh Diocese, also lighted candles on behalf of their brothers and sisters, victims of aggression, and for all those who have been persecuted fighting for justice.
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS IT
by Paul N. Hung
People take part in peaceful demonstrations and prayer vigils across the country. Their thoughts also go to the Communist Party, urging its leaders to respect religious freedom because without it, development in Vietnam is impossible.
_0709_-_Prayers.jpg)
Hanoi (AsiaNews) - More than 10,000 Catholics and non-Catholics prayed for the victims of the attack against the community of Con Cuông (Vinh Diocese) and for the many young Catholics arrested and held in custody. Their action comes in the wake of the violent attack on 1 July, which casts a dark shadow on religious freedom in Vietnam. Despite constitutional guarantees, the latter is increasingly violated by the authorities, especially true in rural areas, where a religious revival is underway, especially among Christians, after decades of atheistic and Communist indoctrination.
Last night, many Catholic communities, including Cầu Rầm, Bội Đà, Thuận Giang, Ngọc Long, Văn Hạnh, and Redemptorists in Saigon and Hanoi organised prayer vigils in their respective parishes on behalf of young Catholics arrested and jailed by the authorities.
People also prayed for the Communist Party, that it might understand the import of its actions, and respect once again human rights as well as build peace and seek a balanced development for the country.
A few days ago, ordinary Vietnamese showed their solidarity towards Catholics in Con Cuông. On Friday, every parish in Vinh Diocese organised a peaceful protest. Banners were raised. One said, "In opposition to the authorities in Con Cuông, officials and armed people who have violated Vietnamese law and beat up priests and believers".
The following evening, parishes in Vinh Diocese, also lighted candles on behalf of their brothers and sisters, victims of aggression, and for all those who have been persecuted fighting for justice.
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS IT
AFRICA : KENYA : 1500 ACCOMODATED IN NEW REFUGEE SCHOOL
Agenzia Fides REPORT - The construction of the first
multi-storey school in the refugee camp in Dadaab, Kenya has just been finished.
Over 1500 children in the camp of Dagahaley will have the opportunity to study.
It was necessary to build this new school because of the influx of refugees who
arrived in Dadaab. The project was co-funded by UNHCR, the Italian Cooperation
and AVSI that, for the completion of the work, had to deal with situations of
great difficulty due to a new kind of threat: terrorism. Although kidnappings
and sudden explosions have become a common thing in Dadaab, the AVSI team was
able to complete the project successfully carrying out one of the finest schools
in the area. On July 3 activities started in the school complex consisting of 29
classrooms, a center for early childhood, a library and a kitchen. Next to the
primary school Dagahaley, AVSI finished another storey building consisting of 8
classrooms that are located in one of the most crowded schools in the Dadaab
complex, Illyes, a primary school which is attended by more than 3000
children.
These buildings are the first in Dadaab to be two-story buildings, and provide quality education to thousands of children. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 09/07/2012)
These buildings are the first in Dadaab to be two-story buildings, and provide quality education to thousands of children. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 09/07/2012)
EUROPE : PEACE GARDEN LAUNCHED FOR OLYMPICS
IND. CATH. NEWS REPORT:
|
TODAY'S MASS ONLINE : MONDAY JULY 9, 2012
| Matthew
9: 18 - 26
| |
| 18 | While he was thus speaking to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live." |
| 19 | And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. |
| 20 | And behold, a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment; |
| 21 | for she said to herself, "If I only touch his garment, I shall be made well." |
| 22 | Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well. |
| 23 | And when Jesus came to the ruler's house, and saw the flute players, and the crowd making a tumult, |
| 24 | he said, "Depart; for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. |
| 25 | But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. |
| 26 | And the report of this went through all that district. |
TODAY'S SAINT: JULY 9: ST. VERONICA GIULIANI
St. Veronica Giuliani
CAPUCHIN MYSTIC
Feast: July 9
 Information:
|
|
Born
at Mercatello in the Duchy of Urbino, Italy, 1660; died at Citt' di Castello, 9
July, 1727. Her parents, Francesco Giuliana and Benedetta Mancini, were both of
gentle birth. In baptism she was named Ursula, and showed marvelous signs of
sanctity. When but eighteen months old she uttered her first words to upbraid a
shopman who was serving a false measure of oil, saying distinctly: "Do justice,
God sees you." At the age of three years she began to be favoured with Divine
communications, and to show great compassion for the poor. She would set apart a
portion of her food for them, and even part with her clothes when she met a poor
child scantily clad. These traits and a great love for the Cross developed as
she grew older. When others did not readily join in her religious practices she
was inclined to be dictatorial. In her sixteenth year this imperfection of
character was brought home to her in a vision in which she saw her own heart as
a heart of steel. In her writings she confesses that she took a certain pleasure
in the more stately circumstances which her family adopted when her father was
appointed superintendent of finance at Piacenza. But this did not in any way
affect her early-formed resolution to dedicate herself to religion, although her
father urged her to marry and procured for her several suitors as soon as she
became of marriageable age. Owing to her father's opposition to her desire to
enter a convent, Veronica fell ill and only recovered when he gave his
consent.
In
1677 she was received into the convent of the Capuchin Poor Clares in Citt' di
Castello, taking the name of Veronica in memory of the Passion. At the
conclusion of the ceremony of her reception the bishop said to the abbess: "I
commend this new daughter to your special care, for she will one day be a great
saint." She became absolutely submissive to the will of her directors, though
her novitiate was marked by extraordinary interior trials and temptations to
return to the world. At her profession in 1678 she conceived a great desire to
suffer in union with our Saviour crucified for the conversion of sinners. About
this time she had a vision of Christ bearing His cross and henceforth suffered
an acute physical pain in her heart. After her death the figure of the cross was
found impressed upon her heart. In 1693 she entered upon a new phase in her
spiritual life, when she had a vision of the chalice symbolizing the Divine
Passion which was to be re-enacted in her own soul. At first she shrank from
accepting it and only be great effort eventually submitted. She then began to
endure intense spiritual suffering. In 1694 she received the impression of the
Crown of Thorns, the wounds being visible and the pain permanent. By order of
the bishop she submitted to medical treatment, but obtained no relief. Yet,
although she lived in this supernaturally mystical life, she was a practical
woman of affairs. For thirty-four years she was novice-mistress, and guided the
novices with great prudence. It is noticeable that she would not allow them to
read mystical books. In 1716 she was elected abbess and whilst holding that
office enlarged the convent and had a good system of water-pipes laid down, the
convent hitherto having been without a proper water supply. She was canonized by
Gregory XVI in 1839. She is usually represented crowned with thorns and
embracing the Cross.
|
SOURCE: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/V/stveronicagiuliani.asp#ixzz1RbmSZIZn
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