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| HOLY SEE AND REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN ESTABLISH DIPLOMATIC TIES Vatican City, 22 February 2013 (VIS) – The Holy See and the Republic of South Sudan, desirous of promoting bonds of mutual friendship, have decided by common accord to establish diplomatic relations at the level of Apostolic Nunciature on the part of the Holy See and of Embassy on the part of the Republic of South Sudan, according to information provided in a communique today. POPE’S FINAL ACTIVITIES, POSSIBILITY OF A MOTU PROPRIO, RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SOCIETY OF ST. PIUS X Vatican City, 21 February 2013 (VIS) – This morning Fr. Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, presented information related to the Holy Father’s calendar and clarified some issues that have been raised in the past few days. (Image share – Google) At 9:00am on Saturday, 23 February, the Holy Father and the Roman Curia will conclude their spiritual exercises. Traditionally, the Pope addresses those present briefly. That same day, at 11:30am, he will meet with the President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano. On Sunday, 24 February, Benedict XVI will pray the last Angelus of his pontificate with the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square. On Wednesday, 27 February, Benedict XVI’s final general audience will take place in St. Peter’s Square in the usual fashion, except for his re-entry to the Apostolic Palace, the path of which will wind around the square in the popemobile so that he may greet the many participants who are expected (to date, over 30,000 people have requested tickets). On 28 February, as announced in a notice from the Papal Household, he will personally greet all the cardinals present in Rome, that is, both those who are resident here and those who have come to the capitol in recent days. There will be no speech. Regarding his departure from the Vatican, shortly before 5:00pm, the Pope will greet Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B., in the San Damaso Courtyard and, upon reaching the Vatican heliport, will bid farewell to Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals. On arrival at Castel Gandolfo he will be received by the president and secretary of the Governorate of Vatican City, the mayor of the town, and other civil authorities and will appear at the balcony of the Apostolic Palace to greet the faithful present. On a different topic, the director of the Holy See Press Office has stated that the date of the conclave is established by the congregation of cardinals during the Sede vacante, independently of a possible Motu Proprio from the Holy Father that could specify some details of the Apostolic Constitution “Universi Dominici Gregis”. Regarding the issue of the Society of St. Pius X, he reaffirmed that the date of 22 February to decide the issue is pure hypothesis and that Benedict XVI has decided to entrust the matter to the next Pope, therefore, a definition of relations with that society should not be expected by the end of this pontificate. In conclusion, he confirmed that the Commission of Cardinals (Julian Herranz, Jozef Tomko, and Salvatore De Giorgi) set up by the Holy Father to prepare a report on the Holy See has made its results known exclusively to the Pope. The cardinals will not grant interviews or otherwise comment on the results. |
| OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS Vatican City, 22 February 2013 (VIS) – Today, the Holy Father: - appointed Fr. Miguel Angel Olaverri Arroniz, S.D.B., as bishop of Pointe-Noire (area 13,500, population 2,384,000, Catholics 1,392,000, priests 76, religious 89), Democratic Republic of the Congo. The bishop-elect was born in Pamplona, Navarre, Spain in 1948 and was ordained a priest in 1976. Since ordination he has served in several missionary, congregational, and pastoral roles in African dioceses, most recently in DR Congo as apostolic administrator for the Diocese of Pointe-Noire, director of National Caritas, Migrant Pastoral Services, and the Justice and Peace Commission, and president of the national office for Social Communications. - erected the Diocese of Gamboma with territory taken from the Diocese of Owando, Democratic Republic of the Congo, making it a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Brazzaville. - appointed Fr. Urbain Ngassongo as the first bishop of the new Diocese of Gamboma (area 38,400, population 193,000, Catholics 110,000, priests 15, religious 14), Democratic Republic of the Congo. The bishop-elect, previously secretary of the Episcopal Conference of DR Congo, was born in Kinshasa, DR Congo in 1961 and was ordained a priest in 1996. Since ordination he has served in several academic and pastoral roles, most recently as pastoral administrator of Balvano in Potenza, Italy. - appointed Msgr. Ettore Balestrero as apostolic nuncio to Colombia, at the same time elevating him to the dignity of archbishop and assigning him the titular see of Vittoriana. The archbishop-elect, previously under-secretary for the Holy See’s Relations with States, was born in Genoa, Italy in 1966 and was ordained a priest in 1993. On entering the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1996, he has served as a papal legate in Korea, Mongolia, Holland, and in the section of Relations with States of the Secretariat of State. - appointed Archbishop Leon Kalenga Badikebele as apostolic nuncio to El Salvador. Archbishop Badikebele, titular of Magnetum, was previously apostolic nuncio to Ghana. - appointed Msgr. Miroslaw Adamczyk as apostolic nuncio to Libera, at the same time elevating him to the dignity of archbishop and assigning him the titular see of Oticoli. The archbishop-elect was born in Gdansk, Poland in 1962 and was ordained a priest in 1987. On entering the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1993, he has served in the apostolic nunciatures of Madagascar, India, Hungary, Belgium, South Africa, and Venezuela. - appointed Msgr. Michael W. Banach as titular archbishop of Memfi, at the same time assigning him the office of apostolic nuncio. The archbishop-elect was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA and was ordained a priest in 1988. He previously served as Holy See permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (AIEA), to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and to the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), and Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations Organization for Industrial Development (ONUDI), and to the Office of the United Nations in Vienna, Austria. - appointed Msgr Brian Udaigwe as titular archbishop of Suelli, at the same time assigning him the office of apostolic nuncio. The archbishop-elect was born in Tiko, Southwest Province, Cameroon in 1964 and was ordained a priest in 1992. On entering the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1994, he has served as a papal legate in Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Haiti, Bulgaria, Thailand, and Great Britain. - appointed Msgr. Antoine Camilleri as under-secretary for the Holy See’s Relations with States. Msgr. Camilleri was previously a nunciature counsellor of the Secretariat of State. |
AMERICA : BISHOPS RELEASE FREE GUIDE TO POPE'S ELECTION - LINK
USCCB RELEASE
Catholic dioceses, parishes and schools have permission to download and reproduce these materials for free distribution. Click on the PDF links to download. Printed copies of all of these resources may also be purchased from USCCB. Click on the "order" links for more information.
Prayer for Pope Benedict XVI
O God, true shepherd of all the faithful,
look with kindness on your servant Pope Benedict XVI,
whom you set as head and shepherd of Your Church.
look with kindness on your servant Pope Benedict XVI,
whom you set as head and shepherd of Your Church.
We give you thanks for your grace at work in him
as he had led us by word and example:
in his teaching, in his prayer and in his great love.
as he had led us by word and example:
in his teaching, in his prayer and in his great love.
Grant him your strength in frailty, comfort in sorrow,
and serenity amid the trials of this world;
and guide your Church, built on the rock of Peter,
with the power of your Spirit as we continue on the path that leads to you.
Through Christ our Lord.
and serenity amid the trials of this world;
and guide your Church, built on the rock of Peter,
with the power of your Spirit as we continue on the path that leads to you.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
English Version | Spanish Version |
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| PDF ι Order | PDFι Order |
Prayer for the Election of a New Pope
O God, eternal shepherd, who govern your flock with unfailing care,
grant in your boundless fatherly love a pastor for your Church
who will please you by his holiness and to us show watchful care.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
grant in your boundless fatherly love a pastor for your Church
who will please you by his holiness and to us show watchful care.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
English Version | Spanish Version | ||
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| PDF ι Order | PDF ι Order |
Bulletin Insert: How a New Pope is Chosen (2-sided)
Download the PDF to read the text.
EUROPE : WYD 2013 OFFICIAL ANTHEM BY OOBERFUSE
IND. CATH. NEWS REPORT
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AUSTRALIA : E-CONFERENCE FOR WYD 2013 - Q AND A
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese, REPORT
22 Feb 2013
22 Feb 2013
Pilgrims in Rio will celebrate their faith under the welcoming outstretched arms of Christ the Redeemer
A nation-wide eConference is set for next Wednesday for pilgrims, participants, parishes, students and schools to receive the latest info on Rio-WYD13 and to have their questions answered without having to leave their home or their desks.
"The eConference will also feature first-hand testimonies from pilgrims who were at World Youth Day in Madrid and Sydney, and will speak about how each of these events deepened their faith and the impact each of these experiences has had on their lives," says Jake Ryan, Projects and Events Officer for the Archdiocese of Sydney and one of the key instigators and organisers of next week's eConference.
"We have had so many enquiries about Rio-WYD13 that an eConference seemed the ideal way to answer questions and give information and also create an open forum so people across the country can share their thoughts without leaving home," says Jake.
The eConference which will take place via international social networking site, Xt3.com at 7.pm on Wednesday, 27 February, will not only give detailed info on how Australian pilgrims will be housed together at specially-fitted out warehouses on Rio's spectacular waterfront, but will give details of the many different missions open to pilgrims in the week or two before the start of this year's WYD in Brazil," he says.
At previous World Youth Days, pilgrims were encouraged to spend several days or as long as a week in different towns and cities of the host country as part of the Days in the Diocese initiative.
For all questions about WYD13 join
next week's eConference
But this has now been expanded to enable pilgrims to engage with the missions of religious communities and South American parishes- spending time helping out and working alongside the poor, oppressed, the homeless, disabled and with children housed at orphanages in city slums.
"Helping the vulnerable and those on the margins is very much part of the Catholic ethos," says Jake and while he admits the poverty in parts of South America may be confronting, he believes the experience will also be spiritually rewarding and life-changing.
For the past five or six years, Australian students and young people have spent their university holidays in January in countries like Peru where they have worked with members of the Fraternas, the Marian Community of Reconciliation and helped construct or repair village churches, taught English and RE to children at orphanages and brought comfort to the poor.
"More and more young people are becoming involved in mission work and see this as an important part of their faith, and a way of giving back to the community," says Jake.
Just as the 2012 London Olympic Games became known as the world's first Social Media games, WYD13 in Rio de Janeiro is set to become even more of a global social media event.
Converted warehouses along waterfront port will become Aussie Central during WYD2013
Already thousands of young people worldwide are using social media to share their faith and enthusiasm for WYD13 on Twitter, Facebook, Xt3.com, SMS as well as on blogs and on the many specially-created WYD13 websites. Others are using WYD phone apps or logging on to the Pilgrim e-news.
The eConference planned for next week is yet further acknowledgement of the amazing advances in technology that have not only changed the way we communicate but now enable people no matter where they live to participate in forums, panels, and group discussions in real time as if they were in the same room or hall and not thousands of kilometres apart.
To find out more about the eConference and Rio-WYD13 go tohttp://www.sydneycatholic.org/youth2/index.asp?id=1§ionid=0 or to Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/events/424730574282374/?ref=3
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
2013
NOVENA FOR POPE BENEDICT XVI AND ELECTION OF A NEW POPE - SHARE
Heavenly father, Your Providence guides the Church and the successor to St. Peter, Pope Benedict XVI. May he be protected at all times from spiritual attacks so that he may lead Your Church to greater holiness and unity through your Holy Spirit.
We invoke our Mother Mary, united in prayer with the disciples in the Upper Room, to intercede for our cardinals to select the next Holy Father in docility to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, her divine Spouse. With Mary, Mother of God and of the Church, we entrust this conclave to your maternal and Immaculate Heart, and offer these prayers for your guidance and protection over the choosing of the next Vicar of your Son. (Section from Dr. Miravelli)
We invoke our Mother Mary, united in prayer with the disciples in the Upper Room, to intercede for our cardinals to select the next Holy Father in docility to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, her divine Spouse. With Mary, Mother of God and of the Church, we entrust this conclave to your maternal and Immaculate Heart, and offer these prayers for your guidance and protection over the choosing of the next Vicar of your Son. (Section from Dr. Miravelli)
Prayer for the Pope:
Let us pray for Benedict, the pope.
May the Lord preserve him,
give him a long life,
make him blessed upon the earth,
and not hand him over
to the power of his enemies.
May your hand be upon your holy servant.
And upon your son, whom you have anointed.
Prayer of St. Benedict
Gracious and holy Father,
please give to our Pope, his successor and
to we the faithful:
intellect to understand you;
reason to discern you;
diligence to seek you;
wisdom to find you;
a spirit to know you;
a heart to meditate upon you;
ears to hear you;
eyes to see you;
a tongue to proclaim you;
a way of life pleasing to you;
patience to wait for you;
and perseverance to look for you.
Grant your servant the
Pope, his successor and we the faithful:
a perfect end,
your holy presence.
A blessed resurrection,
And life everlasting.
Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...
Amen.
TODAY'S MASS ONLINE : FRI. FEB. 22, 2013
Matthew 16: 13 - 19 | |
| 13 | Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesare'a Philip'pi, he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that the Son of man is?" |
| 14 | And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Eli'jah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." |
| 15 | He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" |
| 16 | Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." |
| 17 | And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. |
| 18 | And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. |
| 19 | I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." |
TODAY'S SAINT : FEAST OF THE CHAIR OF ST. PETER
Feast of the Chair of St. Peter the Apostle
Feast: February 22
 Information:
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St Peter having triumphed over the devil in the East, pursued him to Rome in the person of Simon Magus. He who had formerly trembled at the voice of a poor maid now feared not the very throne of idolatry and superstition. The capital of the empire of the world, and the centre of impiety, called for the zeal of the prince of the apostles. God had established the Roman empire, and extended its dominion beyond that of any former monarchy, for the more easy propagation of his gospel. Its metropolis was of the greatest importance for this enterprise. St. Peter took that province upon himself; and repairing to Rome, there preached the faith and established his episcopal chair, whose
It was an ancient custom, as Cardinal Baronius and Thomassin show by many examples, observed by churches to keep an annual festival of the consecration of their bishops. The feast of the chair of St. Peter is found in ancient Martyrologies, as in one under the name of St. Jerome, at Esternach, copied in the time of St. Willibrord, in 720. Christians justly celebrate the founding of this mother-church, the centre of catholic communion, in thanksgiving to God for his mercies on his church, and to implore his future blessings.
Christ has taught us, in the divine model of prayer which he has delivered to us, that we are bound to recommend to him, before all other things, the exaltation of his own honour and glory, and to beg that the kingdom of his holy grace and love be planted in all hearts. If we love God above all things, and with our whole hearts, or have any true charity for our neighbour, this will be the centre of all our desires, that God be loved and served by all his creatures, and that he be glorified, in the most perfect manner, in our own souls. By placing this at the head of our requests, we shall most strongly engage God to crown all our just and holy desires. As one of his greatest mercies to his church, we most earnestly beseech him to raise up in it zealous pastors, eminently replenished with his Spirit, with which he animated his apostles.
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source: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/F/feastofthechairofstpetertheapostle.asp#ixzz1n7QwMYb1
