SUMMARY:
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ANGELUS: JOSEPH, EXAMPLE OF FREEDOM AND OPENNESS TO GOD
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POPE FRANCIS WISHES EVERYONE A CHRISTMAS OF HOPE, JUSTICE AND
FRATERNITY
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THE POPE SPENDS SATURDAY AFTERNOON WITH THE CHILDREN IN ROME'S BAMBIN
GESU HOSPITAL
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THE POPE TO THE ROMAN CURIA: PROFESSIONALISM, SERVICE AND SANCTITY IN
LIFE
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AUDIENCES
-
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
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NOTICE
______________________________________
ANGELUS:
JOSEPH, EXAMPLE OF FREEDOM AND OPENNESS TO GOD
Vatican
City, 23 December 2013 (VIS) – At midday the Pope appeared at the
window of his study to pray the Angelus with the faithful gathered in
St. Peter's Square, and reflected on the Gospel reading of this
fourth Sunday of Advent, which relates the events preceding the birth
of Jesus from the point of view of St. Joseph.
Mary
and Joseph lived in Nazareth but they did not live together, as they
had not yet celebrated marriage. However Mary, after receiving the
annunciation from the Angel, was with child through the work of the
Holy Spirit, and when Joseph discovered this, he was perplexed.
“The
Gospel does not explain his thoughts, but it tells us the basics: he
seeks to do God's will and is ready to make a radical renunciation.
Instead of defending himself and asserting his rights, Joseph chooses
a solution that represents, for him, a great sacrifice. And the
Gospel tells us that Joseph, 'being a righteous man and unwilling to
disgrace her, decided to divorce her secretly'. This short sentence
encapsulates a real inner drama, if we consider Joseph's love for
Mary. But, as in the case of Abraham, the Lord intervenes: 'Joseph,
son of David', he said, 'don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife,
because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit'.”
The
text, continued the Pope, “shows us the greatness of St. Joseph's
soul. He was leading a good life and had plans, but God had other
plans for him, a greater mission. Joseph was a man who always
listened to God's voice … attentive to the messages that came from
the heart and from on high. He did not insist on pursuing his life's
plans, or to allow resentment to poison his soul, but rather was
willing to place himself at the service of the novelty presented to
him in this troubling way. He did not hate, and he did not allow
resentment to poison his soul”.
“But
how often do hate, antipathy and resentment contaminate our souls!
Never allow this to happen!” exclaimed the Holy Father. “Joseph
is an example of this. And in this way, he became even freer and
greater. Accepting himself in accordance with the Lord's plan, Joseph
finds himself fully, and goes beyond himself. This freedom of his, to
give up all that he has and to renounce his own existence, and his
full inner openness to the will of God, challenges us and shows us
the way”.
“We
therefore celebrate Christmas contemplating Mary and Joseph: Mary,
the woman full of grace who had the courage to entrust herself
totally to God's word; Joseph, the faithful and just man who
preferred to believe in the Lord instead of listening to the voices
of doubt and human pride. With them, we walk together towards
Bethlehem”.
POPE
FRANCIS WISHES EVERYONE A CHRISTMAS OF HOPE, JUSTICE AND FRATERNITY
Vatican
City, 22 December 2013 (VIS) – A group of demonstrators protesting
to the Italian authorities about the difficult current economic
situation was also present in St. Peter's Square. Pope Francis
noticed the large banner they were carrying, and commented, following
the Angelus prayer, “I see there, written in large letters, 'The
poor cannot wait'. That's nice! And this makes me think that Jesus
was born in a stable, not in a house. Afterwards he had to flee to
Egypt to save his life. At the end, he returned to his own home, in
Nazareth”.
“And
I also think, today, reading this banner, of the many families who
are without a home, either because they have never had one, or
because they have lost it, for various reasons. Family and home go
hand in hand. It is very difficult to raise a family without a home.
In this Christmas period I invite all – individuals, social
organisations, authorities – to do everything possible to enable
every family to have a home”.
“To
those from Italy who are gathered today to demonstrate their social
commitment, may you offer a constructive contribution, rejecting the
temptations of conflict and violence, and may you always choose the
path of dialogue, in defending rights”.
“I
wish you all a good Sunday and a Christmas of hope, justice and
fraternity”, concluded the Pontiff.
THE
POPE SPENDS SATURDAY AFTERNOON WITH THE CHILDREN IN ROME'S BAMBIN
GESU HOSPITAL
Vatican
City, 22 December 2013 (VIS) – Yesterday afternoon the Holy Father
visited the patients of the Bambin Gesu Paediatric Hospital, situated
on the Roman Janiculum Hill. Part of the patrimony of the Holy See,
it is the largest paediatric hospital and paediatric research centre
in Europe. It employs almost 2,600 staff, including doctors,
researchers, nurses, hospital technicians and other employees. Each
year more than a million patients are treated in clinic, and it
manages 27 thousand hospitalisations, 25 thousand surgical
procedures, and 71 thousand emergency room cases.
Italy's
first paediatric hospital, it was founded in 1869 upon the initiative
of the Salviati dukes and donated to the Holy See in 1924. It is
commonly known to families as “the Pope's hospital”, and Pope
Francis' visit follows a tradition dear to his predecessors,
inaugurated by Pope John XXIII at Christmas 1958.
Four
thousand people awaited the arrival of the Holy Father, accompanied
by Archbishop Pietro Parolin, secretary of State, and his predecessor
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B. The Pope spent three hours with the
children and their families, and chose not to deliver the address he
had prepared in favour of spending more time with the young patients
and visiting all the departments in the hospital, such as neonatal
intensive care, reanimation and nephrology.
Shortly
before 5 p.m. the Pope arrived at the chapel where around thirty
children affected with cancer were gathered with their relatives. A
basket had been placed in the chapel, containing pieces of paper upon
which the patients in the hospital had written their “dreams and
prayers”.
“Dear
children, thank you for the dreams and your prayers you have gathered
in this basket and offered to me”, said the Holy Father. “Many
thanks. We will present them together to Jesus; He knows them best of
all. He knows what resides in the depths of our hearts. Jesus has a
special bond with you children in particular, and He is always close
to you. Now, let us pray together to Our Lady before this beautiful
statue of the Virgin with Jesus”.
After
praying the “Hail Mary”, the Pope blessed all those present and,
instead of pronouncing the planned address, continued his visit of
the hospital, stopping to speak to all those who crowded the rooms
and hallways. He also spoke with the parents of the group “Children
in Heaven”, who have lost their young sons and daughters. One of
the mothers gave the Pope a figure of an angel in memory of those
children, and the president of the Bambin Gesu Hospital, Giuseppe
Profitti, dedicated to the Bishop of Rome a new structure, a project
for the assistance of mothers and children in difficulty, organised
in collaboration with the diocesan branch of Caritas.
THE
POPE TO THE ROMAN CURIA: PROFESSIONALISM, SERVICE AND SANCTITY IN
LIFE
Vatican
City, 21 December 2013 (VIS) – During the final days of Advent, the
Holy Father traditionally meets with the cardinals, superiors and
officials of the Roman Curia to exchange Christmas greetings. Today
this took place for the first time during the pontificate of Pope
Francis, Bishop of Rome, who warmly thanked all his collaborators and
in particular Archbishop Pietro Parolin, who “recently began his
service as Secretary of State, and who needs our prayers”.
The
Holy Father thanked the Curia for “the work which you do each day:
for the care, diligence and creativity which you display; and for
your effort – I know it is not always easy – to work together in
the office, both to listen to and challenge one another, and to bring
out the best in all your different personalities and gifts, in a
spirit of mutual respect”. He also expressed his particular
gratitude those now concluding their service and approaching
retirement.
“As
priests and bishops, we know full well that we never really retire,
but we do leave the office, and rightly so, not least to devote
ourselves a little more to prayer and the care of souls, starting
with our own!” he remarked. So a very special and heartfelt 'thank
you' goes to those of you who have worked here for so many years with
immense dedication, hidden from the eyes of the world. ... I have
such high regard for these 'Monsignori' who are cut from the same
mould as the curiales of olden times, exemplary persons … We need
them today, too! People who work with competence, precision and
self-sacrifice in the fulfilment of their daily duties. Here I would
like to mention some of them by name, as a way of expressing my
esteem and my gratitude, but we know that, in any list, the first
names people notice are the ones that are missing! Besides, I would
also risk overlooking someone and thus committing an injustice and a
lack of charity. But I want to say to these brothers of ours that
they offer a very important witness in the Church’s journey through
history”.
Based
on this model and this witness, Pope Francis went on to speak about
the two crucial qualities that should characterise the curial
official, and, in particular, curial superiors: professionalism and
service.
Professionalism,
a “basic requisite for working in the Curia”, means “competence,
study, keeping abreast of things. … Naturally, professionalism is
something which develops, and is in part acquired; but I think that,
precisely for it to develop and to be acquired, there has to be a
good foundation from the outset”.
The
second hallmark is “service to the Pope and to the bishops, to the
universal Church and to the particular Churches. In the Roman Curia,
one learns – in a real way, 'one breathes in' – this twofold
aspect of the Church, this interplay of the universal and the
particular. I think that this is one of the finest experiences of
those who live and work in Rome: 'to sense' the Church in this way.
When professionalism is lacking, there is a slow drift downwards
towards mediocrity. Dossiers become full of trite and lifeless
information, and incapable of opening up lofty perspectives. Then
too, when the attitude is no longer one of service to the particular
Churches and their bishops, the structure of the Curia turns into a
ponderous, bureaucratic customs house, constantly inspecting and
questioning, hindering the working of the Holy Spirit and the growth
of God’s people”.
To
these two qualities, the Pope added a third: “holiness of life”,
which is “in the hierarchy of values, … the most important” as
it provides the basis for “the quality of our work, our service.
And I would like to say that here, in the Curia, there have been and
there are holy men. I have said this publicly on more than one
occasion, to give thanks to God. Holiness means a life immersed in
the Spirit, a heart open to God, constant prayer, deep humility and
fraternal charity in our relationships with our fellow workers. It
also means apostleship, discreet and faithful pastoral service,
zealously carried out in direct contact with God’s people. For
priests, this is indispensable”.
“Holiness,
in the Curia, also means conscientious objection to gossip! We
rightfully insist on the importance of conscientious objection, but
perhaps we too need to exercise it as a means of defending ourselves
from an unwritten law of our surroundings, which unfortunately is
that of gossip. So let us all be conscientious objectors; and mind
you, I am not simply preaching! Gossip is harmful to people, our work
and our surroundings.
“Dear
brothers and sisters”, concluded Pope Francis, “let us feel close
to one another on this final stretch of the road to Bethlehem. We
would do well to meditate on Saint Joseph, who was so silent yet so
necessary at the side of Our Lady. Let us think about him and his
loving concern for his Spouse and for the Baby Jesus. This can tell
us a lot about our own service to the Church! So let us experience
this Christmas in spiritual closeness to Saint Joseph. I thank you
most heartily for your work and especially for your prayers. Truly I
feel 'borne aloft' by your prayers and I ask you to continue to
support me in this way. I too remember you before the Lord, and I
impart my blessing as I offer my best wishes for a Christmas filled
with light and peace for each of you and for all your dear ones”.
AUDIENCES
Vatican
City, 23 December 2013 (VIS) - Today, the Holy Father received in
audience:
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Rodney Alejandro Lopez, the new ambassador of Cuba to the Holy See,
presenting his letters of credence.
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Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for the
Oriental Churches.
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Msgr. Javier Echevarria Rodriguez, prelate of the personal Prelature
of Opus Dei.
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Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, archbishop of Naples, Italy, with a
delegation for the presentation of the Nativity display offered in
St. Peter's Square.
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Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana, apostolic nuncio.
On
Saturday, 21 December, the Holy Father received in audience Cardinal
Marc Ouellet, P.S.S., prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
OTHER
PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican
City, 23 December 2013 (VIS) - Today, the Holy Father appointed
Bishop Vicente Bokalic Iglic, C.M., as bishop of Santiago Del Estero
(area 81,969, population 699,500, Catholics 628,000, priests 76,
permanent deacons 13, religious 83), Argentina. Bishop Bokalic Iglic,
previously auxiliary of Buenos Aires, was born in Lanus, Argentina in
1970, was ordained to the priesthood in 1978, and received episcopal
ordination in 2010. He succeeds Bishop Francisco Polti Santillan,
whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese upon
having reached the age limit was accepted by the Holy Father.
On
Saturday, 21 December, the Holy Father:
-
appointed Archbishop Charles Daniel Balvo as apostolic nuncio to
South Sudan. Archbishop Balvo was previously apostolic nuncio to
Kenya.
-
appointed Bishop Gustavo Gabriel Zurbriggen as bishop of the
territorial prelature of Dean Funes (area 28,700, population 62,600,
Catholics 58,261, priests 17, permanent deacons 1, religious 16),
Argentina. Bishop Zurbriggen, previously coadjutor of the same
territorial prelature, succeeds Bishop Aurelio Jose Kuhn O.F.M.,
whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same prelature, upon
having reached the age limit, was accepted by the Holy Father.
-
appointed Msgr. Wieslaw Szlachetka as auxiliary of the archdiocese of
Gdansk (area , population , Catholics , priests , permanent deacons ,
religious ), Poland. The bishop-elect was born in Mala Komorza,
Poland in 1959 and was ordained a priest in 1986. He holds a
doctorate in biblical theology from the Catholic Academy of Theology
in Warsaw, now the Cardinal Stefan Wyszy?ski University. He has
served as vicar in the parish of Christ Saviour in Gdansk-Osowa, and
is currently lecturer in biblical theology at the major seminary of
Gdansk and in the theological college of Gdansk, and priest in the
parish of St. Polycarp, Gdansk.
NOTICE
Vatican
City, 23 December 2013 (VIS) - The Vatican Information Service wishes
its readers a holy and happy Christmas. During the Christmas holiday
there will be no VIS bulletin from Tuesday 24 December to Saturday 28
December. The next bulletin will be transmitted on Monday 30
December.
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