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Dublin, Ireland, Oct 30, 2018 / 12:53 pm (CNA).- Irish voters supported overwhelmingly last week a daily broadcast of the “Angelus Bells” on national broadcasting network RTE. In a centuries-old custom, Church bells have rung daily across Europe at noon and 6 p.m., reminding Catholics to pause in schools, in farm fields, in offices, and in their homes, to pray the Angelus, a short prayer remembering the Annunciation and the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, and asking for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since 1962, Angelus bells have been broadcast on RTE daily- a minute-long video with images of...

The times in which we live are often described as “secular.”  This word comes from the Latin “saecula” meaning “world.” Hence in saying our age is secular is another way of saying our times are  worldly. We may think it has always been so but such is not the case. To be sure, it IS the human condition to be a little preoccupied with the world. But previous times have featured a much more religious focus than our own. The Middle Ages were especially known for way in which faith permeated the culture and daily experience. The Rose window to...

A Venezuelan man has been sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison for shooting and wounding two US military attaches at a strip club in the capital. Carlos Mejias, 32, admitted he shot the US Embassy employees in the early hours of May 28, the attorney general's office said. It said Mejias got into an argument with them at the Antonella 2012 club, better known as "Angelus," in the city's upscale Chacao district. "Later he pulled out a gun and repeatedly fired at the Americans, leaving them wounded at the location," it said in a statement. Five days later, Mejias...

Vatican City, 12 June (AKI) - Harley Davidson has given Pope Francis a leather jacket and two of its classic motorcycles to mark the brand's 110th anniversary and on Sunday hundreds will be allowed to park along the road leading to St Peter's Square while the pontiff recites the Angelus prayer. Between 1,000 and 2,000 bikers are expected to fill St Peter's Square for the Pope's blessing - the highlight of a four-day event in Rome to celebrate more than a century of Harley Davidson. More than half a million Harley Davidson riders and fans from around the world...

Pope Benedict XVI responds to the crowd at the Feb. 17, 2013 Angelus. Credit: Stephen Driscoll/CNA. Vatican City, Feb 24, 2013 / 05:05 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Around 120,000 pilgrims heard Pope Benedict XVI deliver his last Angelus address, in which he said that “the Lord called me to ‘climb the mountain,’ to devote myself even more to prayer and meditation,” a change that does not mean he is “abandoning the Church.” “Dear brothers and sisters,” the Pope said as he dwelt on the Sunday Gospel on the Transfiguration, “the Word of God feels particularly directed at me, at this...

On the Immaculate Conception "Grace Is Greater Than Sin ... God's Mercy Is More Powerful Than Evil" VATICAN CITY, DEC. 8, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave today, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, when reciting the midday Angelus with several thousand pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. * * * Dear Brothers and Sisters: Today our meeting on the occasion of the prayer of the Angelus acquires a special light, in the context of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. In the liturgy of this feast, the Gospel of...

Benedict XVI. at the Angelus for All Saints: The goal of the life of a Christian is to be formed by Christ. Rome [kath.net/as] Holiness means, to be formed by Christ. That is the goal in the life of a Christian. With these words, Pope Benedict XVI addressed today's Feast of All Saints to gathered pilgrims and visitors at St. Peter's Square during the Angelus Prayer. The Feast of All Souls all were invited to raise their eyes to heaven and consider the fullness of divine life, which men await. As children, Christians receive the even the Grace, to bear...

On the Feast of the Epiphany "A Confirmation of the Perfect Harmony Between Human Seeking and Divine Truth" VATICAN CITY, JAN. 6, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave today before and after praying the midday Angelus with those gathered in St. Peter's Square. The Holy Father had just celebrated Mass for the Feast of the Epiphany in St. Peter's Basilica. * * * Dear brothers and sisters! Today we celebrate the great feast of the Epiphany, the mystery of the Lord's manifestation to all peoples, represented by the Magi, who came from the East...

Vatican City, Oct 11, 2009 / 11:27 am (CNA).- Presiding over the Sunday Angelus prayer following the canonization Mass for five new saints, Pope Benedict XVI stressed that "the Virgin Mary is the star that guides" every area of holiness." In several languages, the Pope thanked the faithful from all around the world who were in attendance at the Mass of canonization. He also remarked that Mary’s fiat – her "yes" - makes her a "model of perfect adherence to the divine will." The Holy Father then greeted the English-speaking pilgrims present for the canonization. "May these new saints accompany...

Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Aug 30, 2009 / 11:14 am (CNA).- At Sunday’s Angelus prayer in the courtyard of Castel Gandolfo’s apostolic palace, Pope Benedict XVI recalled the previous week’s liturgical memorial of St. Monica, mother of St. Augustine of Hippo and model and patron of Christian mothers. “Much is recounted about her in her son’s autobiography ‘The Confessions,’ a masterpiece among the most read works of all time,” Pope Benedict said. “There, we understand that St. Augustine imbibed the name of Jesus with maternal milk and was educated in the Christian religion by his mother, the principles of which...

The Pope dwelt both on this First Sunday of the Lenten journey, and this weekend's 150th anniversary of the first apparition at Lourdes at today's Angelus. Translation in full: Dear brothers and sisters! Last Wednesday, with fasting and the rite of Ashes, we've entered into Lent. But what does it mean to "enter into Lent"? It means to begin a time of particular commitment in the spiritual combat that places us against the evil present in the world, in each one of us and around us. It's, so to say, looking evil in the face and fighting against its...

Dear brothers and sisters, The day after Christmas, the liturgy celebrates the 'birth in heaven' of the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen. 'Filled with faith and the Holy Spirit' (Acts 6,5), he was chosen as a deacon by he community if Jerusalem, along with six other disciples who had a Greek education. With the power given to him by God, Stephen performed many miracles and announced the Gospel in the synagogues with "inspired wisdom.' He was stoned at the gates of the city and died, like Jesus, invoking forgiveness for his executioners (Acts 7,59-60). The profound link that united Christ...

BENEDICT XVIANGELUSCastel GandolfoSunday, 20 August 2006 Dear Brothers and Sisters, Today, the calendar mentions among the day's saints Bernard of Clairvaux, a great Doctor of the Church who lived between the 11th and 12th centuries (1091-1153). His example and teachings are proving more useful than ever, even in our time. Having withdrawn from the world after a period of intense inner travail, he was elected abbot of the Cistercian Monastery of Clairvaux at age 25, remaining its guide for 38 years until his death. His dedication to silence and contemplation did not prevent him from carrying out intense apostolic activity. He...

Here is a translation of the words of the Holy Father at the Angelus in Castel Gandolfo today: Dear brothers and sisters! We celebrate today the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is an ancient feast, which has its ultimate foundation in Sacred Scripture which shows us the Virgin Mary closely united to her divine Son and always one with him. Mother and Son appear closely associated in the battle against the infernal enemy until full victory is achieved over him. This victory is expressed, particularly, by overcoming sin and death, a victory over those enemies...

BENEDICT XVIANGELUS Lorenzago di Cadore (Belluno)Sunday, 22 July 2007 Dear Brothers and Sisters, In these days of rest which thanks to God I am spending here in Cadore, I feel even more acutely the sorrowful impact of the news I am receiving about the bloodshed from conflicts and the episodes of violence happening in so many parts of the world. This prompts me to reflect once again today on the drama of human freedom in the world. The beauty of nature reminds us that we have been appointed by God to "tend and care for" this "garden" which is...

BENEDICT XVIANGELUS Lorenzago di Cadore (Belluno)Sunday, 15 July 2007 Dear Brothers and Sisters, I thank the Lord who this year has granted me the opportunity to spend a few days of rest in the mountains, and I am grateful to all who have welcomed me here at Lorenzago, in this enchanting setting with the peaks of Mount Cadore in the background, which my beloved Predecessor Pope John Paul II also visited several times. I offer special thanks to the Bishops of Treviso and Belluno-Feltre, and to all who in various ways have helped to assure me a peaceful stay...

Dear Brothers and Sisters, The Gospel today (cf. Lk 10: 1-12, 17-20) presents Jesus sending out 72 disciples to the villages he is about to visit in order to prepare the way. This is a particular feature of the Evangelist Luke, who stressed that the mission was not exclusive to the Twelve Apostles but extended also to the other disciples. Indeed, Jesus said: "The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few" (Lk 10: 2). There is work for all in God's field. Christ, however, did not limit himself to sending out his missionaries: he also gave them clear and...

Angelus Address Focuses on Jesus' Teaching on Marriage VATICAN CITY, OCT. 8, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The world needs families that go against the current of cultural fashions inspired by hedonism and relativism, says Benedict XVI. Before reciting the midday Angelus from the window of his study today, with thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope also appealed to leaders of public life to support the family. The topic chosen by the Holy Father for his address was inspired by the Gospel passage of the day's liturgy, in which Jesus gives his vision on indissoluble marriage: "What God has...

"The Crib Can Help Us" VATICAN CITY, DEC. 11, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave today at the recitation of the midday Angelus. * * * Dear Brothers and Sisters: After celebrating the solemnity of Mary's Immaculate Conception, we enter these days in the evocative atmosphere of preparations for this coming holy Christmas. In the present-day consumer society, this period suffers, unfortunately, a sort of commercial "contamination," which runs the risk of altering its authentic spirit, characterized by recollection, sobriety, a joy that is not exterior but profound. Therefore, it is providential that, as...

The Ursulines of New Orleans and Galveston once had a traditional version of the Angelus containing the following prayers to Our Lady of Prompt Succor. The prayer was adapted by a friend of mine for use by people in and outside of New Orleans (I'm also including a version of the Litany of Our Lady of Prompt Succor: O Virgin Mary of Prompt Succour, be ever and quickly attendant to our needs! (The Angelus may be said at this point. Then follows these prayers.) Our Lady of Prompt Succour, thou art, after Jesus, our only hope. O Most Holy Virgin,...