Holy Father is close in prayer and thought to American people

L'Osservatore Romano ^ | 19 September 2001 | L'Osservatore Romano

[CommiesOut]

Holy Father is close in prayer and thought to American people

Last Tuesday, 11 September, when the Holy Father heard the news of the two massive terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, in which thousands of persons lost their lives, he sent a telegram to President George Bush in which he expressed "his profound sorrow for the unspeakable horror of the inhuman attacks against innocent persons and his closeness in prayer to the nation in the dark and tragic moment". You can find the text of the Holy Father's telegram on the front page of last week's issue.
On Wednesday, 12 September, the Holy Father laid aside his catechesis on the psalms and turned the General Audience into a Liturgy of Prayer for the victims of the attacks, for their families and for the nation. In this week's issue on page 11, you can find the Holy Father's address and the text of the prayer of the faithful that was used for the prayer service for the living and the dead. The Holy Father noted that the day was a dark one in the history of mankind, but that the last word comes from Christ's victory of love over sin, hatred and death. "Christian hope allows us to pray for those who do evil and for those who have to take the path of recovery. Even if the forces of darkness appear to prevail, those who believe in God know that evil and death do not have the final say. Christian hope is based on this truth; at this time our prayerful trust draws strength from it". The Holy Father prayed that the Lord grant the American people the courage they need in their hour of trial.
On Thursday, 13 September, the Holy Father received the Letters of Credence of the new American Ambassador to the Holy See, H.E. Ambassador James Nicholson. The Holy Father again expressed his closeness in prayer to the American people and his sense of profound sadness over the tragedy. "I pray that this inhuman act will awaken in the hearts of all the world's peoples a firm resolve to reject the ways of violence, to combat everything that sows hatred and division within the human family". He said that it should pave the way for a "new era of international cooperation". The address can be found below.
On Friday, 14 September, at noon, the Holy Father interrupted his activity to join in the prayers for the dead and the survivors. We publish a photo of the Holy Father in prayer on Friday. In the dicasteries and offices of the Holy See, the officials offered the Angelus and prayers for the dead in union with the Italian people and authorities and the rest of Europe.
On Sunday, 16 September, at noon, at the end of his visit to the city of Frosinone, 80 kilometres south of Rome, the Holy Father made one of his intentions for the Angelus a prayer for the American people as they pick up their lives after the tragedy. We offer the text just below: 
"May Mary welcome the dead, console the survivors, support those families who are particularly tried, help all to resist the temptation to hatred and violence, and to dedicate themselves to the service of justice and peace".

(©L'Osservatore Romano - 19 September 2001)

TO NEW US AMBASSADOR

Revolution of Freedom Needs Revolution of Opportunity

On Thursday, 13 September, at Castel Gandolfo, the Holy Father received Mr James Nicholson, the new US Ambassador to the Holy See, who presented his letters of credence. The meeting, scheduled several weeks ago, came two days after the brutal attacks on New York and Washington. The Holy Father expressed his "profound participation in the grief of the American people" and his "heartfelt prayers for the president and the civil authorities, for all involved in the rescue operations and in helping the survivors, and, in a special way, for the victims and their families". John Paul II hopes that the United States' immense tragedy will stir the world's conscience:  "I pray that this inhuman act will awaken in the hearts of all the world's peoples a firm resolve to reject the ways of violence, to combat everything that sows hatred and division within the human family". He said that it should pave the way for a "new era of international cooperation". The new US Ambassador arrived in Castel Gandolfo accompanied by his wife, Suzanne, and one of his three children. During the meeting John Paul II said that the moral leadership of the United States in the world "depends on her fidelity to her founding principles". The Holy Father repeated his appeal for a revolution of opportunity:  "Here I would emphasize again what I said in my recent meeting with President Bush, that the revolution of freedom in the world must be completed by a "revolution of opportunity' which will enable all the members of the human family to enjoy a dignified existence and to share in the benefits of a truly global development". The Holy Father pointed out the basic importance of a strong respect for life policy. "In order to survive and prosper, democracy and its accompanying economic and political structures must be directed by a vision whose core is the God-given dignity and inalienable rights of every human being, from the moment of conception until natural death".
Mr Ambassador,
I am pleased to accept the Letters of Credence appointing you Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Holy See. You are beginning your mission at a moment of immense tragedy for your country. At this time of national mourning for the victims of the terrorist attacks on Washington and New York, I wish to assure you personally of my profound participation in the grief of the American people and of my heartfelt prayers for the President and the civil authorities, for all involved in the rescue operations and in helping the survivors, and in a special way for the victims and their families. I pray that this inhuman act will awaken in the hearts of all the world's peoples a firm resolve to reject the ways of violence, to combat everything that sows hatred and division within the human family, and to work for the dawn of a new era of international cooperation inspired by the highest ideals of solidarity, justice and peace.

Esteem for founding principles of the republic
In my recent meeting with President Bush I emphasized my deep esteem for the rich patrimony of human, religious and moral values which have historically shaped the American character. I expressed the conviction that America's continued moral leadership in the world depends on her fidelity to her founding principles. Underlying your nation's commitment to freedom, self-determination and equal opportunity are universal truths inherited from its religious roots. From these spring respect for the sanctity of life and the dignity of each human person made in the image and likeness of the Creator; shared responsibility for the common good; concern for the education of young people and for the future of society; and the need for wise stewardship of the natural resources so freely bestowed by a bounteous God. In facing the challenges of the future, America is called to cherish and live out the deepest values of her national heritage:  solidarity and cooperation between peoples; respect for human rights; the justice that is the indispensable condition for authentic freedom and lasting peace.

Revolution of freedom must mean a revolution of opportunity
In the century now opening before us, humanity has the opportunity to make great strides against some of its traditional enemies:  poverty, disease, violence. As I said at the United Nations in 1995, it is within our grasp to see that a century of tears, the 20th century, is followed in the 21st century by a "springtime of the human spirit". The possibilities before the human family are immense, although they are not always apparent in a world in which too many of our brothers and sisters are suffering from hunger, malnutrition and the lack of access to medical care and to education, or are burdened by unjust government, armed conflict, forced displacement and new forms of human bondage. In seizing the available opportunities, both vision and generosity are necessary, especially on the part of those who have been blessed with freedom, wealth and an abundance of resources. The urgent ethical issues raised by the division between those who benefit from the globalization of the world economy and those who are excluded from those benefits call for new and creative responses on the part of the whole international community. Here I would emphasize again what I said in my recent meeting with President Bush, that the revolution of freedom in the world must be completed by a "revolution of opportunity" which will enable all the members of the human family to enjoy a dignified existence and to share in the benefits of a truly global development.

Peace process in the Holy Land
In this context, I cannot but mention, among so many disturbing situations throughout the world, the tragic violence which continues to affect the Middle East and which seriously jeopardizes the peace process begun in Madrid. Thanks also to the commitment of the United States, that process had given rise to hope in the hearts of all those who look to the Holy Land as a unique place of encounter and prayer between peoples. I am certain that your country will not hesitate to promote a realistic dialogue which will enable the parties involved to achieve security, justice and peace, in full respect for human rights and international law.

Democracy to survive must have moral vision and resolve
Mr Ambassador, the vision and the moral strength which America is being challenged to exercise at the beginning of a new century and in a rapidly changing world call for an acknowledgement of the spiritual roots of the crisis which the Western democracies are experiencing, a crisis characterized by the advance of a materialistic, utilitarian and ultimately dehumanized world view which is tragically detached from the moral foundations of Western civilization. In order to survive and prosper, democracy and its accompanying economic and political structures must be directed by a vision whose core is the God-given dignity and inalienable rights of every human being, from the moment of conception until natural death. When some lives, including those of the unborn, are subjected to the personal choices of others, no other value or right will long be guaranteed, and society will inevitably be governed by special interests and convenience. Freedom cannot be sustained in a cultural climate that measures human dignity in strictly utilitarian terms. Never has it been more urgent to re-invigorate the moral vision and resolve essential to maintaining a just and free society.

Spiritual and moral education of young people
In this context my thoughts turn to America's young people, the hope of the nation. In my Pastoral Visits to the United States, and above all in my visit to Denver in 1993 for the celebration of World Youth Day, I was able personally to witness the reserves of generosity and good will present in the youth of your country. Young people are surely your nation's greatest treasure. That is why they urgently need an all-round education which will enable them to reject cynicism and selfishness and to grow into their full stature as informed, wise and morally responsible members of the community. At the beginning of a new Millennium, young people must be given every opportunity to take up their role as "craftsmen of a new humanity, where brothers and sisters members all of the same family are able at last to live in peace" (Message for the 2001 World Day of Peace, n. 22).
Mr Ambassador, as you begin your mission as your country's representative to the Holy See, I reiterate my hope that in facing the challenges of the present and future the American people will draw upon the deep spiritual and moral resources which have inspired and guided the nation's growth, and which remain the surest pledge of its greatness. I am confident that America's Catholic community, which has historically played a crucial role in the education of a responsible citizenry and in the relief of the poor, the sick and the needy, will be actively present in the process of discerning the shape of your country's future course. Upon you and your family and all the American people I cordially invoke God's blessings of joy and peace.

(©L'Osservatore Romano - 19 September 2001)

HOMILY:  FROSINONE, SUNDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER

Jesus reveals loving face of the Father

On Sunday, 16 September, the Holy Father made a pastoral visit to Frosinone in Italy's Ciociara region, where about 40,000 people had gathered to greet him with extraordinary enthusiasm. At the Mass, the Pope reflected on the Father's mercy and pardon, clearly shown in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, and in St Paul's conversion. He also emphasized to the members of the Diocese of Frosinone-Veroli-Ferentino, that diocesan renewal will come from the Word and from the Eucharist and prayed that "Mary, Mother of the Church, accompany you with her intercession so that, just as you prayed intensely to prepare this pastoral visit, you may continue to be a lively community, firm in faith, united in hope and persevering in charity". Here is a translation of the Holy Father's homily in Italian.
1. Give us, Father, the joy of your pardon (cf. Responsorial Psalm).
The joy of your pardon:  this is the "good news" that the liturgy makes resound among us today. Pardon is the joy of God even before it becomes the joy of man. God rejoices in welcoming the repentant sinner; indeed, he himself, the Father of infinite mercy, "dives in misericordia", arouses in the human heart the hope of forgiveness and the joy of reconciliation.
With this news of comfort and peace, I come to you, brothers and sisters of the beloved Church in Frosinone-Veroli-Ferentino, to repay the visit that you made to me in St Peter's Square last 2 December, on the occasion of your Jubilee pilgrimage. I thank divine Providence for bringing me among you.
I am grateful to your Bishop, Salvatore Boccaccio, for the warm greeting he has offered me on your behalf. May the Lord reward with abundant fruit his pastoral zeal! With him, I am pleased to greet the Bishop emeritus, Angelo Cella, and the Cardinals and bishops present, as well as the priests concelebrating, and I assure of my special prayer the elderly or sick who are united with us in spirit. I greet the Italian Government representatives and the regional, provincial and municipal authorities, with special gratitude to the Mayor and Administration of Frosinone. To each one of you, brothers and sisters who are gathered here, I extend my cordial greetings and sincere thanks for your warm welcome.

Jesus reveals the face of His Father in his joy over the lost son's return
2. "God is greater than our hearts". So we sang in the Gospel acclamation. If in the First Reading Moses proves that he knows God's heart and can implore forgiveness for his unfaithful people (cf. Ex 32,11-13), it is today's Gospel that fully introduces us to the mystery of God's mercy:  Jesus reveals to all of us the countenance of God, enabling us to know intimately the heart of the Father, who is ready to rejoice when his lost son returns.
The Apostle Paul is also a privileged witness of divine mercy:  as was proclaimed in the Second Reading, in writing to his faithful collaborator, Timothy, he holds up his own conversion as proof that Christ came into the world to save sinners (cf. I Tm 1,15-16).
This is the truth that the Church never tires of proclaiming:  God loves us with an infinite love. He gave to humanity his Only-begotten Son who died on the Cross for the remission of our sins. Believing in Jesus therefore means recognizing him as the Saviour to whom we can say, from the depths of our hearts:  "You are my hope" and, with all our brethren, "You are our hope".

Diocesan programme:  Jesus our hope
3. "Jesus our hope!". Dear friends, I know that this expression is now familiar to you. Indeed, it is the theme of your diocese's pastoral plan for the coming years. How I hope that my visit will help to impress this certainty more deeply on your hearts! The commitment, plans and work of each and every community must become a Gospel witness that is rooted in the joyful hope of God's love and forgiveness!
God's forgiveness! May this joyful announcement that in a special way today's world needs live at the heart of your lives, dear priests, who are called to be ministers of divine mercy, which is expressed in the pardon of sins in its highest degree. I wished to dedicate the Letter to Priests for last Holy Thursday to the sacrament of Reconciliation. Therefore, in spirit, I once again entrust this message to you, dear brothers in the priesthood, imploring for each of you and for the entire presbyterate the superabundance of grace of which the Apostle Paul spoke (cf. I Tm 1,14).
As for you, men and women religious, by your example may you radiate the joy of those who have experienced the mystery of God's love, expressed in the Gospel acclamation:  "We know and believe the love God has for us" (cf. I Jn 4,16).

Meditating, loving and reflection on the Gospel means listening to the Word of the Lord
4. In our time we urgently need to proclaim Christ, Redeemer of man, so that his love may be known by all and may spread in every direction. The Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 has been a providential opportunity to announce him. But we must continue on this path. At the closing of the Holy Year, I repeated to the Church and to the world Christ's invitation to Peter:  "Duc in altum - Put out into the deep" (Lk 5,4).
I renew this invitation to you, people of the Diocese of Frosinone-Veroli-Ferentino, so that it may guide you in a courageous spiritual renewal, to become a concrete pastoral plan. Build your present and your future keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus. He is all:  all for the Church, all for man's salvation. With the Jubilee, the universal Church set out to seek the face of Christ. She must be more conscious of the need, the passion of contemplating the light that comes from that face to reflect it in her own daily journey:  Jesus-Son of God; Jesus-the Eucharist; Jesus-Charity. Jesus our hope! Jesus, all for us.
May strong periods of study and reflection on the Word of God be multiplied in parish communities. Meditating, studying and loving Sacred Scripture means humbly and attentively listening to the Lord, so that the community may grow around the table of his Word:  it enlightens approaches and choices, points to the goals to strive for, but, first and foremost, it kindles faith in souls, feeds hope and invigorates the desire to proclaim the Good News to one and all. This is the new evangelization for which your diocesan community has set up a special "pastoral centre".

Eucharist is the source of parish life
5. Dear brothers and sisters! May the heart and guide of your spiritual and apostolic journey be the Eucharist. Indeed, sacramental life is the source of grace and salvation for the Church. Everything begins with Christ-the Eucharist, everything returns to the living Christ, heart of the world, heart of the diocesan and parish community. If you succeed, as I hope you will, in putting Christ at the centre of your lives, you will find not only that he asks each one of you personally to accept him, but to offer, give, dispense, and communicate him to others. You should do this in his name as "Good Samaritans" among the needy, the poor, the most underprivileged, and the many immigrants who have arrived in this region from far-away countries. You will find that all the pastoral activity of centres "for worship and sanctification" and for "ministeriality and the witness of charity" springs from the overflowing source of holiness that is the mystery of the Eucharist that calls everyone to aspire to holiness.
Walking in the footsteps of the men and women saints of this region of the Ciociaria, you too have set yourselves the fundamental goal of becoming holy, just as your heavenly Father is holy, as his Son Jesus Christ is holy and as the Spirit who dwells in our hearts is holy. And one becomes holy with prayer, with participation in the Eucharist, with works of charity, with the witness of a good life that is humble and generous.

Parents:  holiness is the normal way
6. I would like to address a special word to parents. Dear mothers and fathers, show your children by your own dedication that God is good and greatly loving. Show them with an honest and hard-working life that holiness is the "normal" way for Christians.
On Sunday, 21 October, I will have the joy of raising a couple, a Roman husband and wife to the honour of the altars:  the married couple, Luigi and Maria Beltrame Quattrocchi. Their beatification will be celebrated in the context of the National Meeting for Families organized by the Italian Bishops' Conference in St Peter's Square, Rome, on Saturday afternoon, 20, and on Sunday, 21 October. To both these events, in which I wish to take part personally, I invite the bishops, priests and all Italian families, especially those of the Lazio region in which the two new blesseds lived. They will be an opportunity for us to reflect on the vocation to holiness of Christian families and at the same time, to acquire a greater knowledge of the social role of families and to ask institutions to protect and promote the family with proper laws and norms.
Diocese of Frosinone-Veroli-Ferentino, be a family of saints! In this beloved land of Ciociaria, the home of famous figures and generous servants of the Gospel, may you be the "salt of the earth" and "light of the world" (Mt 5,13-14).
May Mary, Mother of the Church accompany you with her intercession so that, just as you prayed intensely to prepare for this pastoral visit, you may continue to be a lively community, firm in faith, united in hope and persevering in charity.
Amen.
At the end of Mass and before praying the Angelus, the Holy Father addressed a few words to the young people.
I cannot leave without first addressing a special greeting to you, young people of Ciociaria, who wanted to offer me this pleasant and lovely improvisation. I thank the two young people who have expressed your sentiments, sharing with me your enthusiasm and the desire to look at life with confidence, without allowing yourselves to be discouraged by difficulties.
Dear young people, remember! Jesus Christ, "our hope" is a sure compass to guide you on your journey. Look to him and trust in him, advancing courageously on the path to holiness. Continue without hesitation, along with the entire diocesan community, under the guidance of your bishop and priests. The Lord is counting on each one of you; he wants you to play the lead in the civilization of life and love. Help one another to be witnesses of the Gospel and apostles among your peers.
I greet you individually and make an appointment with you, at least in spirit, for the great meeting of the Christian youth of the world which, please God, will take place in July next year, in Toronto, for World Youth Day. Prepare for this great youth meeting, which has henceforth become, as it were, a formative itinerary for thousands and thousands of young Catholics of every continent. Prepare yourselves for it with prayer and make sure that you take advantage of each day to grow in getting to know and love Christ and in serving in a concrete way your brothers and sisters.
The Pope follows you with prayer and blesses you with affection.

(©L'Osservatore Romano - 19 September 2001)

May the Blessed Virgin bring comfort to those who suffer in the tragedy

At the end of the Mass in Frosinone, the Holy Father led the people in the midday Angelus. He set as the intentions for the prayer the well-being of the people and the Diocese of Frosinone and his concern for the recovery of America from the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Here is a translation of the remarks he made in Italian.
1. As this solemn celebration draws to a close, I want to thank you again, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, for your warm reception. Your city, which in the past my venerable predecessors visited, and especially, Blessed Pius IX who stayed here during two visits for a few days each time, has today opened its arms and heart to me. Thank you for your cordial welcome. Thank you for the symbolic gift you have given me in the name of the 5 vicariates of the Diocese. To remember this wonderful visit, in each of them there will be a counselling centre with a house that will welcome persons in trouble. May the Lord reward your generosity and make you witnesses of his goodness, especially toward those in need and suffering.

Heartfelt devotion to Our Lady
2. I place your resolutions for good and your pastoral plan for the Diocese in the hands of Our Blessed Mother whom you love and venerate with deep-seated devotion. To Our Lady I entrust everyone who lives in this region, blessed with so many churches dedicated to her. How many are the titles with which you honour and call upon Mary. They form a rich litany which witnesses in impressive fashion to the faith you received from your fathers:  Our Lady of Grace, Our Lady of Suffrage, Our Lady of Good Health, Our Lady of the Holy Spirit, Our Lady of Mt Carmel, Our Lady of the Snows, Our Lady of Hope....
Yes, your Ciociaria is a Marian region, that in past centuries found support in the heavenly Mother of God. May the Blessed Virgin continue to be the luminous Star of your life, the hope that leads you to "Christ our hope".

Concern for American people
3. May the Blessed Virgin bring comfort and hope to those who suffer on account of the tragic attack of the terrorists, that last week seriously harmed the beloved American people. To all the children of this great Nation I direct my heartbroken and heartfelt consideration. May Mary welcome the dead, console the survivors, support those families who are particularly tried, help all to resist the temptation to hatred and violence, and to dedicate themselves to the service of justice and peace.
May the Virgin Mary nourish in the hearts of all young persons, above all, high human and spiritual ideals and the necessary perseverance to achieve them. May She remind them of the primacy of eternal values, especially in these difficult mo

[GVnana]

The Holy Father prayed that the Lord grant the American people the courage they need in their hour of trial.

And so we pray.

[Lady In Blue]

Thank you CommiesOut.I hope that sorry writer(I've forgotten his name)reads this post.He had the nerve to criticize the Holy Father for not speaking out on the terrorist attack without bothering to check.He would have found that the Holy Father did speakout immediately.I guess he never heard of EWTN let alone L'Osservatore Romano!

[CommiesOut]

I hope that sorry writer(I've forgotten his name)reads this post.

That's what happens with sorry neo-commie writers: people forget about them.

[Lady In Blue]

hehehehehe!

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

+

[CommiesOut]

Just noticed last paragraph truncated by our too small replay window.

Concern for American people
3. May the Blessed Virgin bring comfort and hope to those who suffer on account of the tragic attack of the terrorists, that last week seriously harmed the beloved American people. To all the children of this great Nation I direct my heartbroken and heartfelt consideration. May Mary welcome the dead, console the survivors, support those families who are particularly tried, help all to resist the temptation to hatred and violence, and to dedicate themselves to the service of justice and peace.
May the Virgin Mary nourish in the hearts of all young persons, above all, high human and spiritual ideals and the necessary perseverance to achieve them. May She remind them of the primacy of eternal values, especially in these difficult moments, so that in their daily engagements and activities they may ever continue to be turned toward God and to his kingdom of solidarity and peace.

(©L'Osservatore Romano - 19 September 2001)

[Darheel]

Our God is an Awesome God.

[ppaul]

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