This thread has been locked, it will not receive new replies. |
Locked on 02/16/2007 9:43:49 PM PST by Religion Moderator, reason:
Picking at the scab |
Posted on 02/11/2007 9:10:57 PM PST by Coleus
Recalling the apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes and the World Day of the Sick, which this year is being celebrated in Seoul, Benedict XVI exhorted health workers and relatives of sick people to offer human support and spiritual accompaniment, especially those who are terminally ill. Vatican City (AsiaNews) On the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, now also the World Day of the Sick, the pope did not stop at talking about miracles and healing. Thanking health workers and relatives of sick people, he called for the development of palliative care that offers holistic support, giving terminally ill people the human support and spiritual accompaniment that they badly need.
Benedict XVI recalled the prodigious event of the first apparition of the Virgin Mary to St Bernadette, which took place on 11 February 1858 in the grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes. This event, continued the pope, made the location, situated in the French slopes of the Pyrenees, a global center for pilgrimages and intense Marian spirituality. In this place, for nearly 150 years now, the call of Our Lady to prayer and repentance still reverberates powerfully, a quasi permanent echo of the invitation with which Jesus inaugurated his preaching in Galilee: The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news. (Mk 1:15).
Although miracles and healings confirmed by a team of doctors often take place at Lourdes, the pope saw fit to draw attention to a more profound miracle: Moreover, the shrine has become a destination of many sick pilgrims who, putting themselves in a position to listen to the Most Holy Mary, are encouraged to accept their sufferings and to offer them for the salvation of the world, uniting them with those of the crucified Christ. Bnedict XVI explained the connection between the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and the World Day of the Sick: It was precisely because of this link between Lourdes and human suffering that, 15 years ago, the beloved John Paul II wanted the World Day of the Sick to be celebrated on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. This year, the focus of this feast is in the city of Seoul, capital of South Korea, where I sent Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragán, President of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Health Care to represent me. I send an affectionate greeting to him and to all those gathered there.
The pope continued: I would like to extend my thoughts to health workers across the world, well aware of the importance of their service to sick people in our society. In particular, I want to express my spiritual closeness and my affection for our sick brothers and sisters, especially those who are afflicted by more serious and painful illnesses. On this Day, our attention is turned towards them in a special way. It is necessary to support the development of palliative care that offers holistic support and gives terminally ill people the human support and spiritual accompaniment that they badly need. Before the Angelus prayer, the pope reminded his audience about a Eucharistic Celebration that will be held this afternoon in St Peters Basilica, with many sick people and pilgrims. Mass will be presided over by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Vicar of the diocese of Rome. Benedict XVI said: At the end of Holy Mass, I will have the joy, like last year, of spending some time with them, reliving the spiritual climate experienced at the grotto of Massabielle. With this Angelus prayer, I would like to entrust to the maternal protection of the Immaculate Virgin all those in the world who are sick and suffering in body and spirit.
Waiting for the standard "She can't hear you" babble to start....
Roman Catholicism appears to be transforming itself into the religion of Mary, not Jesus. Where does this concept come from?
As I said before.... babble.
Seriously...I have been reading more and more articles about the powers of Mary, etc. And there seem to be few articles about Jesus. Why the shift?
Do you mean here on FR, or in general? I've seen plenty of threads on Jesus in the Eucharist. I mean, at least with this Catholic, you need to look no further than my tagline.
A mischaracterization to say the least. A bit like saying that Southern Baptists are modern gnostics.
One asks a serious theological question, and what one gets in return is an insult. I wonder if the Holy Mother is pleased.
Thanks for the invitation...
It is so sad that the Catholic church teaches and encourages it's congregants to avoid the only One who can offer help in time of need...
Mat 11:28 Come unto me, (not Mary, nor the Saints, nor the Church and not the pope) all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
What a profound statement...
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
All your emphasis is on Mary, your pope and your church...
Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15 For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Mary nor anyone other than Jesus Christ sits on that Throne of Grace...Don't waste your time with that extra-biblical junk...Go straight to God...
Are you forgetting something called the Eucharist, which Catholics believe is truly the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ? The Mass and the Eucharist are more important than Marian devotion, the Pope, and the visible Church.
I didn't take it as a serious theological question, because this question has been asked countless times before. If an answer is needed, it can be easily found.
What is this strage fixation on the Catholic Church?
If you're interested in conversion...and saving your soul...just FRmail me...
What's sad is that you actually believe a lie like that.
You are showing your ignorance.
You have NO idea.
Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.
No, I am showing my skepticism. It amazes me how unbiblical the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church is regarding Mary.
Don't show your ignorance about Catholicism. What religion are you?
Look, every time Mary is mentioned, ignorant people, people who are IGNORANT of Catholcism makes ignorant statements, not QUESTIONS.....hope you have noticed.....Mary seems to be fair game here.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.