Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. - Romans 12:12

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for March are:

General:   That the world economy may be managed according to the principles of justice and equity, taking account of the real needs of peoples, especially the poorest.

Mission:   That the Churches in Africa may be signs and instruments of reconciliation and justice in every part of that continent.

Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for February are:

General:   For all scholars and intellectuals, that by means of sincere search for the truth they may arrive at an understanding of the one true God.

Mission:   That the Church, aware of its own missionary identity, may strive to follow Christ faithfully and to proclaim His Gospel to all peoples.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

For the full conversion of abortion providers who are considering leaving the abortion industry.

Why was Eve formed from Adam's Rib?

In a new feature, messages from the Holy Father will be featured on a regular basis. These words of wisdom will include quotes from addresses by the Holy Father along with a link to learn more about the full text and context of the address.

This installment is from the Holy Father's Wednesday Audience on December 30, 2009. His address focused on Peter Lombard and the impact that this Twelfth Century theologian had and continues to have especially through his seminal work known as The Sentences. In this quote, Benedict XVI illustrates the reason that here is still interest today in Peter Lombard's work.

"Inspired by St Augustine's Commentary on the Book of Genesis, Peter wonders why woman was created from man's rib and not from his head or his feet. And Peter explains: 'She was formed neither as a dominator nor a slave of man but rather as his companion' (Sentences 3, 18, 3). Then, still on the basis of the Patristic teaching he adds: 'The mystery of Christ and of the Church is represented in this act. Just as, in fact, woman was formed from Adam's rib while he slept, so the Church was born from the sacraments that began to flow from the side of Christ, asleep on the Cross, that is, from the blood and water with which we are redeemed from sin and cleansed of guilt' (Sentences 3, 18, 4). These are profound reflections that still apply today when the theology and spirituality of Christian marriage have considerably deepened the analogy with the spousal relationship of Christ and his Church."

-- Wednesday Audience, December 30, 2009.

From Zenit.

Family is an Icon of God

In a new feature, messages from the Holy Father will be featured on a regular basis. These words of wisdom will include quotes from addresses by the Holy Father along with a link to learn more about the full text and context of the address.

This installment is excerpts taken from the Holy Father's address during the praying of the Angelus on the Feast of the Holy Family on December 27, 2009. The Gospel reading upon which part of his address is based on the account of the twelve-year-old Jesus remaining behind in the Temple unbeknownst to his parents.

"God wished to reveal Himself by being born in a human family, and hence the human family has become an icon of God."

"God is Trinity. He is communion of love, and the family - with all the difference that exists between the Mystery of God and His human creature - is an expression thereof which reflects the unfathomable mystery of God-Love. ... The human family is, in a certain sense, the icon of the Trinity because of the love between its members and the fruitfulness of that love."

"Jesus' decision to remain in the Temple was above all the fruit of his intimate relationship with the Father, but also the fruit of the education received from Mary and Joseph."

"Here we may catch a glimpse of the authentic meaning of Christian education. It is the result of a collaboration that must always be sought between the educators and God. The Christian family is aware that children are God's gift and project. Hence it cannot consider them as it own possessions but, serving God's plan through them, is called to educate them in the greatest of freedoms which is that of saying 'yes' to God in order to accomplish His will."

"God, by having come into the world in the bosom of a family, shows that this institution is a sure way to meet and know Him, and a permanent call to work for the loving unity of all people. Thus, one of the greatest services which we as Christians can offer our fellow men and women is to show them the serene and solid witness of a family founded upon marriage between a man and a woman, defending it and protecting it, because it is of supreme importance for the present and future of humankind."

"In truth, the family is the best school in which to learn to live the values that dignify individuals and make peoples great. There too sufferings and joys are shared, as everyone feels cloaked in the affection that reigns in the home by the mere fact of being members of the same family."

-- Sunday Angelus, December 27, 2009.

From VIS.

Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God's gift of Himself. - Bl. Teresa of Calcutta

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for January are:

General:   That young people may learn to use modern means of social communication for their personal growth and to better prepare themselves to serve society.

Mission:   That every believer in Christ may be conscious that unity among all Christians is a condition for more effective proclamation of the Gospel.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

For the success of the Annual March for Life in Washington and Walk for Life in San Francisco.

God loves to light Little Lights

In a new feature, messages from the Holy Father will be featured on a regular basis. These words of wisdom will include quotes from addresses by the Holy Father along with a link to learn more about the full text and context of the address.

This installment is taken from the Holy Father's Christmas homily.

"At first, beside the manger in Bethlehem, that 'us' was almost imperceptible to human eyes. As the Gospel of Saint Luke recounts, it included, in addition to Mary and Joseph, a few lowly shepherds who came to the cave after hearing the message of the Angels. The light of that first Christmas was like a fire kindled in the night. All about there was darkness, while in the cave there shone the true light 'that enlightens every man' (Jn 1:9). And yet all this took place in simplicity and hiddenness, in the way that God works in all of salvation history. God loves to light little lights, so as then to illuminate vast spaces. Truth, and Love, which are its content, are kindled wherever the light is welcomed; they then radiate in concentric circles, as if by contact, in the hearts and minds of all those who, by opening themselves freely to its splendor, themselves become sources of light. Such is the history of the Church: she began her journey in the lowly cave of Bethlehem, and down the centuries she has become a People and a source of light for humanity. Today too, in those who encounter that Child, God still kindles fires in the night of the world, calling men and women everywhere to acknowledge in Jesus the 'sign' of his saving and liberating presence and to extend the us" 'of those who believe in Christ to the whole of mankind."

-- Christmas homily, December 25, 2009.

From ZENIT.

Through the site www.pope2you.net, you can now send Christmas greetings to Pope Benedict XVI. This initiative is the work of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.

With a custom-built service in 5 languages, users from around the world can also exchange greetings with each other, using the Pope's words and beautiful photographs of the official Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, through Facebook and through the web portal Pope2You.

But the most important and original element will be the option of sending their own personal greetings to the Holy Father, whether in text form or in photographs. Some of the most meaningful messages will then be chosen for publication on the website.

"So once again we have made the opportunity available to young people to send each other postcards with a Christmas image of the Pope, and each card contains a verse, a sentence taken from a particularly powerful message of the Pope for Christmas . We hope that this time the young people know how to use it. Why? So that they may become spokesmen, become witnesses, proclaimers of the values that are fundamental for us in venturing into this Mystery of Love. The Mystery of a God who became man for love of man."

Through Pope2You, which in less than 8 months has had over 7 million hits, you can even share greetings sent by the Pope with your friends on Facebook.

Pope2You - born in May of 2009 - is the official portal of the Vatican that allows users to have contact and begin a friendship with the Holy Father. Again this year, Pope2You will become a real and official "channel of communication" between the Pope and "his" young people.

"This great task is entrusted to young people: to become 'deacons', to be proclaimers of the Word in this digital culture that little by little is affecting everyone."

From H2O News.

Study with a "Little Soul"

In a new feature, messages from the Holy Father will be featured on a regular basis. These words of wisdom will include quotes from addresses by the Holy Father along with a link to learn more about the full text and context of the address.

This first installment is from the Holy Father's meditation during the celebration of Vespers with students in the Roman universities. This is an Advent tradition that was held this year on December 17th.

"At this point, let us ask ourselves: who was there on that Christmas night in the grotto of Bethlehem? Who welcomed newborn Wisdom? ... Not the doctors of law, the scribes or the wise men. Mary and Joseph were there, so were the shepherds. What does this mean? ... Does it mean that study serves no purpose? Even that it is harmful, counterproductive to a knowledge of the truth?

The history of two thousand years of Christianity excludes this hypothesis, and suggests the right answer. We must study, deepen our knowledge, yet while maintaining a 'little' soul, a humble and simple spirit like that of Mary, 'Seat of Wisdom'.

...

In that grotto each of us can discover the truth about God and about man. In that Child, born of the Virgin, these two truths came together. Man's longing for eternal life softened the heart of God, Who deigned to assume the human condition".

-- From meditation given during the celebration of Vespers with students of Roman universities, December 17, 2009.

From the Vatican Information Service.

Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God's gift of Himself. - Bl. Teresa of Calcutta

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for December are:

General:   That children may be respected and loved and never be the victims of exploitation in its various forms.

Mission:   That at Christmas the peoples of the earth may recognize in the Word Incarnate the light which illuminates every man and that the Nations may open their doors to Christ, the Savior of the world.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That God may give eternal rest to the women who died from abortion.

Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God's gift of Himself. - Bl. Teresa of Calcutta

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for November are:

General:   That all the men and women in the world, especially those who have responsibilities in the field of politics and economics, may never fail in their commitment to safeguard creation.

Mission:   That believers in the different religions, through the testimony of their lives and fraternal dialogue, may clearly demonstrate that the name of God is a bearer of peace.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That the children who are now scheduled to be aborted may be protected.

Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God's gift of Himself. - Bl. Teresa of Calcutta

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for October are:

General:   That Sunday may be lived as the day on which Christians gather to celebrate the risen Lord, participating in the Eucharist.

Mission:   That the entire People of God, to whom Christ entrusted the mandate to go and preach the Gospel to every creature, may eagerly assume their own missionary responsibility and consider it the highest service they can offer humanity.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention
That parish pro-life organizations may grow in numbers and effectiveness.

Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God's gift of Himself. - Bl. Teresa of Calcutta

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for September are:

General:   That the word of God may be better known, welcomed and lived as the source of freedom and joy.

Mission:   That Christians in Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar, who often meet with great difficulties, may not be discourage from announcing the Gospel to their brothers, trusting in the strength of the Holy Spirit.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

For blessings upon all pro-life organizations.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for August are:

General:   That public opinion may be more aware of the problem of millions of displaced persons and refugees and that concrete solutions may be found for their often tragic situation.

Mission:   That those Christians who are discriminated against and persecuted in many Countries because of the name of Christ may have their human rights, equality and religious freedom recognized, in order to be able to live and profess their own faith freely.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That preachers in all denominations may courageously preach about abortion and euthanasia.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for May are:

General:   That the laity and the Christian communities may be responsible promoters of priestly and religious vocations.

Mission:   That the recently founded Catholic Churches, grateful to the Lord for the gift of faith, may be ready to share in the universal mission of the Church, offering their availability to preach the Gospel throughout the world.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That God may strengthen those who suffer ridicule and
rejection for their pro-life convictions.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for April are:

General:   That our Lord may bless farmers with abundant harvests and sensitize the richer nations to respond to the ravages of hunger throughout the world.

Mission:   That Christians working in desperate conditions among women, children, the poor, and the weak, may be signs of hope in their courageous witness to the Gospel of solidarity and love.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That God may bless and console the fathers of aborted children.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for March are:

General:   That the role of women may be more appreciated and used to good advantage in every country in the world.

Mission:   That in the light of the letter addressed to them by Pope Benedict XVI, the Bishops, priests, consecrated persons, and lay faithful of the Catholic Church in the Popular Republic of China may commit themselves to being the sign and instrument of unity, communion and peace.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That God may strengthen those who suffer ridicule and rejection for their pro-life convictions.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for February are:

General:   That the Pastors of the Church may always be docile to the action of the Holy Spirit in their teaching and in their service to God's people.

Mission:   That the Church in Africa may find adequate ways and means to promote reconciliation, justice and peace efficaciously, according to the indications of the Synod of the Bishops’ Special Assembly for Africa.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That God may bless and strengthen the pro-life efforts of
college students.

In her efforts to reach all with the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Church makes use of all avenues of communication. Today, the Internet is a major part of how many in the world communicate with one another. In recent years, YouTube has proven to be a popular way of providing communication.

Recently, the Vatican launched a YouTube Channel which features videos on the Holy Father's activities and other features of interest from the Vatican. As might be expected, it is proving to be a popular site.

The URL for the Vatican YouTube Channel is http://www.youtube.com/vatican.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for January are:

General:   That the family may become more and more a place of training in charity, personal growth and transmission of the faith.

Mission:   That the different Christian confessions, aware of the need for a new evangelization in this period of profound transformations, may be committed to announcing the Good News and moving towards the full unity of all Christians in order to offer a more credible testimony of the Gospel.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That the faithful more deeply study the words and actions of Christ, to know how to care for the least of our brothers and sisters.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for December are:

General:   That in the face of a spreading of a culture of violence and death the Church through her apostolic and missionary activity may promote with courage the culture of life.

Mission:   That especially in mission countries Christians may show with acts of fraternal love that the Child born in the stable at Bethlehem is the luminous Hope of the world.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for November are:

General: That the testimony of love offered by the Saints, may fortify Christians in their service to God and neighbor, imitating Christ who came not to be served but to serve. catechists and pastoral workers engaged in the service of the Word of God transmit with courage the truth of the faith in communion with the entire Church.

Mission: That Christian communities in Asia, contemplating the face of Christ, may find the most suitable way to announce Him in full fidelity to the Gospel to the peoples of that vast continent so rich in culture and ancient forms of spirituality.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for October are:

General: That the Synod of Bishops may help bishops and theologians as well as catechists and pastoral workers engaged in the service of the Word of God transmit with courage the truth of the faith in communion with the entire Church.

Mission: That in this month dedicated to the missions, through the promotional activities of the Pontifical Missionary Works and other organisms, the Christian may feel the need to participate in the Church’s universal mission with prayer, sacrifice and concrete help.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That voters may be active in the political process and elect pro-life candidates.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for September are:

General: That those who are forced to leave home and country because of war or oppressive regimes may be supported by Christians in the defense and protection of their rights.

Mission: That faithful to the sacrament of matrimony every Christian family may cultivate the values of love and communion in order to be a small evangelizing community, sensitive and open to the material and spiritual needs of others.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

For the continued growth of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign and Rachel's Vineyard.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for August are:

General: That the human family may learn to respect God’s plan for the world and become ever more aware that Creation is God’s great gift.

Mission: That the answer of the entire people of God to the common calling to holiness and mission may be promoted and fostered by means of careful discernment of charisms and constant commitment to spiritual and cultural formation.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

For the healing of fathers of aborted children.

World Youth Day (WYD) this year is being held from July 15 through 20 in Sydney, Australia. The Holy Father will preside over the week-long event that culminates in a Papal mass on the last day July 20th.

The following links are provided as resources and sites of interest for WYD:

• The Official WYD Web site


• The Vatican's WYD Web site


• EWTN's WYD Web site


• eBenedict - A WYD Web site hosted by the Archdiocese of Sydney’s newspaper


• The National Catholic Register's Pope Blog


• Britain's Catholic Herald WYD Portal


• The Archdiocese of San Antonio Blog on WYD


• The Archdiocese of Indianapolis Blog on WYD

Hat Tip to Charlotte was Both

Today the Holy Father arrives in the U.S. for his first pastoral visit to our country. Here are a listing of the many links that you can access to get more information and follow along with the coverage of his visit.

• The Official USCCB Web Site for the Holy Father's Visit


• EWTN's Web Site for the Holy Father's Visit (including streaming video)


• The Vatican's Web site for the Holy Father's Visit


• Pope 2008 (Blog from the National Catholic Register)


• Benedict in America Blog


• Vatican Radio


• Liturgical Texts for the Holy Father's Visit (PDF)


• Zenit News Service


• Catholic News Service Coverage of the Papal Visit


• Catholic University's Official Web Site for the Holy Father's Visit

The Diocese of Richmond will have 400 tickets available for the papal mass which will be celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI at the Washington Nationals Baseball Park on April 17, 2008 during his visit to the U.S. The tickets will be assigned by lottery.

To enter the lottery for the tickets visit the Diocese of Richmond Web site, print out and fill in the form available there, and send it in to the diocese. Those who are not able to access the form via the Web site, may request a form from the parish office.

A recently published interview of the Holy Father's personal secretary, Monsignor Georg Gaenswein is now available on Catholic Culture. It is very interesting interview because it provides insights on the Holy Father and life in the Vatican. Click here to read the interview. (Photo courtesy of Daily Mail)

MESSAGE OF POPE BENEDICT XVI
FOR THE WORLD DAY OF PEACE
1 January 2008
THE HUMAN FAMILY, A COMMUNITY OF PEACE

1. At the beginning of a New Year, I wish to send my fervent good wishes for peace, together with a heartfelt message of hope to men and women throughout the world. I do so by offering for our common reflection the theme which I have placed at the beginning of this message. It is one which I consider particularly important: the human family, a community of peace. The first form of communion between persons is that born of the love of a man and a woman who decide to enter a stable union in order to build together a new family. But the peoples of the earth, too, are called to build relationships of solidarity and cooperation among themselves, as befits members of the one human family: "All peoples"--as the Second Vatican Council declared--"are one community and have one origin, because God caused the whole human race to dwell on the face of the earth (cf. Acts 17:26); they also have one final end, God".

Click here to read the full text.