VATICAN CITY, 4 OCT 2011 (VIS) - On Sunday 2 October, Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. represented the Holy Father at the beatification of Antonia Maria Verna (1773-1838). The beatification ceremony was held in the cathedral of Ivrea, Italy.
In his homily Cardinal Bertone highlighted the present-day validity of the new blessed's educational ideas, which remind us of the vital need for schools in which the religious dimension "can be revealed in all its positive potential for full human development. This aspect is also very important for our time", he said. "Too often it seems that people are afraid to leave space for the religious dimension of life, which is inherent to the human heart, and would like to hide it in the private world of the individual. Such an attitude greatly impoverishes educational activity".
Mother Verna's message "invites us not to be afraid to educate people in the demanding choices which Jesus continues to present in the Church". She was a pioneer of female education, who worked towards "the authentic promotion of women in the society of the day".
"In collaboration with the civil authorities of her time, Mother Antonia strove for a form of education ... that could reach the largest number of children and help them to develop all dimensions of their personality, completely and harmoniously".
Cardinal Bertone laid emphasis on the many primary and secondary schools founded by the new blessed and her congregation, the Institute of the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception. This, he said, "calls upon us to consider, today more than every, the role of institutions which enjoy parity with State schools as a factor enriching a nation's education". The schools run by the Sisters of Charity in Europe, America, the Middle East and Africa have produced "generations of teachers who have been, and continue to be, true educators whose contribution to the cultural and social development of their countries is difficult to evaluate and too often forgotten".
As a sign of gratitude, a delegation from the diocese of Ivrea, led by Bishop Arrigo Miglio, will participate in the Holy Father's general audience tomorrow.
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Tuesday, October 4, 2011
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 4 OCT 2011 (VIS) - The Holy Father:
- Accepted the resignation from the office of auxiliary of the diocese of Augsburg, Germany, presented by Bishop Josef Grunwald, upon having reached the age limit.
- Appointed Msgr. Vito Angelo Todisco of the clergy of the diocese of Avellino, Italy, defender of the bond at the Tribunal of the Roman Rota, and Msgr. Felipe Heredia Esteban of the clergy of the diocese of Calahorra y La Calzada-Logrono, Spain, judge of the Tribunal of the Rota of the apostolic nunciature to Madrid, as prelate auditors of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota.
- Appointed Fr. Kevin Gillespie, official of the Congregation for the Clergy, and Fr. Massimiliano Matteo Boiardi F.S.C.B. official of the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State, as masters of pontifical ceremonies.
RE:NA/ VIS 20111004 (150)
- Accepted the resignation from the office of auxiliary of the diocese of Augsburg, Germany, presented by Bishop Josef Grunwald, upon having reached the age limit.
- Appointed Msgr. Vito Angelo Todisco of the clergy of the diocese of Avellino, Italy, defender of the bond at the Tribunal of the Roman Rota, and Msgr. Felipe Heredia Esteban of the clergy of the diocese of Calahorra y La Calzada-Logrono, Spain, judge of the Tribunal of the Rota of the apostolic nunciature to Madrid, as prelate auditors of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota.
- Appointed Fr. Kevin Gillespie, official of the Congregation for the Clergy, and Fr. Massimiliano Matteo Boiardi F.S.C.B. official of the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State, as masters of pontifical ceremonies.
RE:NA/ VIS 20111004 (150)
Monday, October 3, 2011
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF PEOPLE IN POSITIONS OF AUTHORITY
VATICAN CITY, 2 OCT 2011 (VIS) - Late yesterday Benedict XVI returned to the Vatican following his summer stay at Castelgandolfo. At midday today he appeared at the window of his study to pray the Angelus with faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.
The Pope commented on today's Gospel reading which ends with a particularly severe admonition addressed by Jesus to the chief priests and Pharisees: "The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom".
"These words", Holy Father explained, "make us think of the great responsibility of those who, in all ages, are called to work in the vineyard of the Lord, especially in positions of authority. They encourage us to pledge total faithfulness to Christ. He is 'the stone that the builders rejected' because they judged Him to be an enemy to the law and a danger to public order. But, although rejected and crucified, He rose again, becoming the cornerstone upon which every human life all over the world can rest with absolute confidence. ... Firmly anchored in the faith to the cornerstone that is Christ, let us abide in Him. ... Only in Him, for Him and with Him can we build the Church, the people of the new Covenant".
"The Lord is always near and operates in human history", the Pope said. "He accompanies us with the presence of His angels, whom the Church today venerates as 'Guardian Angels'; in other words, ministers of God's concern for each man and woman. From life's beginning until the hour of death, human life is under their incessant protection. ... The angels crowned ... our Blessed Lady of the Rosary who on the first Sunday of October, at this very moment, in the Shrine of Pompeii and all over the world, receives fervent prayers that evil be defeated and that God's goodness be revealed in all its fullness".
After praying the Angelus, the Holy Father reminded those present that Sr. Antonia Maria Verna, foundress of the Institute of the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception, is due to be beatified this afternoon in the Italian town of Ivrea. "She was", he said, "an exemplary model of a consecrated woman and educator".
Finally the Holy Father had words of encouragement for "the volunteer institutions and associations which work to dismantle architectural barriers".
ANG/ VIS 20111003 (410)
The Pope commented on today's Gospel reading which ends with a particularly severe admonition addressed by Jesus to the chief priests and Pharisees: "The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom".
"These words", Holy Father explained, "make us think of the great responsibility of those who, in all ages, are called to work in the vineyard of the Lord, especially in positions of authority. They encourage us to pledge total faithfulness to Christ. He is 'the stone that the builders rejected' because they judged Him to be an enemy to the law and a danger to public order. But, although rejected and crucified, He rose again, becoming the cornerstone upon which every human life all over the world can rest with absolute confidence. ... Firmly anchored in the faith to the cornerstone that is Christ, let us abide in Him. ... Only in Him, for Him and with Him can we build the Church, the people of the new Covenant".
"The Lord is always near and operates in human history", the Pope said. "He accompanies us with the presence of His angels, whom the Church today venerates as 'Guardian Angels'; in other words, ministers of God's concern for each man and woman. From life's beginning until the hour of death, human life is under their incessant protection. ... The angels crowned ... our Blessed Lady of the Rosary who on the first Sunday of October, at this very moment, in the Shrine of Pompeii and all over the world, receives fervent prayers that evil be defeated and that God's goodness be revealed in all its fullness".
After praying the Angelus, the Holy Father reminded those present that Sr. Antonia Maria Verna, foundress of the Institute of the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception, is due to be beatified this afternoon in the Italian town of Ivrea. "She was", he said, "an exemplary model of a consecrated woman and educator".
Finally the Holy Father had words of encouragement for "the volunteer institutions and associations which work to dismantle architectural barriers".
ANG/ VIS 20111003 (410)
POPE TO BISHOPS: SEEK NEW PATHS OF EVANGELISATION
VATICAN CITY, 1 OCT 2011 (VIS) - The Pope has exhorted European bishops "courageously to identify new missionary paths of evangelisation, especially in serving the new generations". These words are contained in a message signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. and addressed to Cardinal Peter Erdo, president of the Council of European Episcopal Conferences (CCEE). The council, which is currently celebrating the fortieth anniversary of its foundation, is holding its plenary assembly in Tirana, Albania, from 29 September to 2 October.
Benedict XVI describes the CCEE as "a vital structure connecting the European episcopates, which for forty years has promoted fruitful collaboration in pastoral and ecumenical activities".
The council has chosen to dedicate its assembly this year to the subject of the new evangelisation, also in view of the Synod on that subject called by the Pope for October 2012. In the opening session of the plenary, Cardinal Erdo recalled how the mission of the CCEE "is to support the Church throughout the continent of Europe, focusing particular attention on those Churches which, during the course of last century, suffered greatly under the dictatorship of atheist regimes. ... Today we can confidently affirm that the rebirth of the Church in those countries is proof of Divine Providence and of faith in Christ, Who was crucified and rose again".
MESS/ VIS 20111003 (230)
Benedict XVI describes the CCEE as "a vital structure connecting the European episcopates, which for forty years has promoted fruitful collaboration in pastoral and ecumenical activities".
The council has chosen to dedicate its assembly this year to the subject of the new evangelisation, also in view of the Synod on that subject called by the Pope for October 2012. In the opening session of the plenary, Cardinal Erdo recalled how the mission of the CCEE "is to support the Church throughout the continent of Europe, focusing particular attention on those Churches which, during the course of last century, suffered greatly under the dictatorship of atheist regimes. ... Today we can confidently affirm that the rebirth of the Church in those countries is proof of Divine Providence and of faith in Christ, Who was crucified and rose again".
MESS/ VIS 20111003 (230)
AUDIENCES
VATICAN CITY, 3 OCT 2011 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:
- Cardinal Marc Ouellet, P.S.S., prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
- Seven prelates from the Indonesian Episcopal Conference, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Aloysius Sudarso S.C.I. of Palembang.
- Bishop Hilarius Moa Nurak S.V.D. of Pangkal-Pinang.
- Bishop Andreas Henrisusanta S.C.I. of Tanjungkarang.
- Archbishop Hieronymus Herculanus Bumbun O.F.M.Cap. of Pontianak.
- Bishop Blasius Pujaraharja of Ketapang.
- Bishop Giulio Mencuccini C.P. of Sanggau.
- Bishop Agustinus Agus of Sintang.
On Saturday 1 October, he received in separate audiences ten prelates from the Indonesian Episcopal Conference, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Johannes Liku Ada' of Makassar.
- Bishop Petrus Canisius Mandagi M.S.C. of Amboina.
- Bishop Joseph Theodorus Suwatan M.S.C. of Manado.
- Archbishop Anicetus Bongsu Antonius Sinaga O.F.M.Cap. of Medan.
- Bishop Ludovikus Simanullang O.F.M.Cap. of Sibolga.
- Archbishop Nicolaus Adi Seputra M.S.C. of Merauke.
- Bishop Aloysius Murwito O.F.M. of Agats.
- Bishop Leo Laba Ladjar O.F.M. of Jayapura.
- Bishop Datus Hilarion Lega of Manokwari-Sorong.
- Bishop John Philip Sakil of Timika.
AL/ VIS 20111003 (190)
- Cardinal Marc Ouellet, P.S.S., prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
- Seven prelates from the Indonesian Episcopal Conference, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Aloysius Sudarso S.C.I. of Palembang.
- Bishop Hilarius Moa Nurak S.V.D. of Pangkal-Pinang.
- Bishop Andreas Henrisusanta S.C.I. of Tanjungkarang.
- Archbishop Hieronymus Herculanus Bumbun O.F.M.Cap. of Pontianak.
- Bishop Blasius Pujaraharja of Ketapang.
- Bishop Giulio Mencuccini C.P. of Sanggau.
- Bishop Agustinus Agus of Sintang.
On Saturday 1 October, he received in separate audiences ten prelates from the Indonesian Episcopal Conference, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Johannes Liku Ada' of Makassar.
- Bishop Petrus Canisius Mandagi M.S.C. of Amboina.
- Bishop Joseph Theodorus Suwatan M.S.C. of Manado.
- Archbishop Anicetus Bongsu Antonius Sinaga O.F.M.Cap. of Medan.
- Bishop Ludovikus Simanullang O.F.M.Cap. of Sibolga.
- Archbishop Nicolaus Adi Seputra M.S.C. of Merauke.
- Bishop Aloysius Murwito O.F.M. of Agats.
- Bishop Leo Laba Ladjar O.F.M. of Jayapura.
- Bishop Datus Hilarion Lega of Manokwari-Sorong.
- Bishop John Philip Sakil of Timika.
AL/ VIS 20111003 (190)
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