Angelus of 8 July 2007 and Vacation

Vatican ^ | July 11, 2007 | Benedict XVI

[ELS]

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 precise instructions on how to behave. He first sent them out "two by two" so that they might help each other and bear witness to brotherly love. He warned them that they would be like "lambs in the midst of wolves". They were to be peaceful in spite of everything, and were to bear a message of peace in every situation; they were not to take clothes or money with them in order to live on whatever Providence offered them; they were to heal the sick as a sign of God's mercy; wherever people rejected them, they were to depart, doing no more than to alert them to their responsibility for rejecting the Kingdom of God. St Luke highlighted the disciples' enthusiasm at the good results of their mission and recorded Jesus' beautiful expression: "Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven" (Lk 10: 20). May this Gospel reawaken in all the baptized the awareness that they are missionaries of Christ, called to prepare the way for him with words and with the witness of their lives.

It is vacation time and tomorrow I am leaving for Lorenzago di Cadore, where I shall be a guest of the Bishop of Treviso in the house in which the venerable John Paul II used to stay. The mountain air will do me good and I shall be able - I hope so - to dedicate myself more freely to reflection and prayer. I hope everyone, especially those in greatest need, will be able to take a bit of vacation to restore their physical and spiritual energy and recover a healthy contact with nature. The mountains call to mind in particular the spirit's ascent towards the heavens, its uplifting towards the "high standard" of our humanity, which daily life unfortunately tends to debase. In this regard, I would like to recall the fifth pilgrimage of young people to the Cross on Mount Adamello, which the Holy Father John Paul II visited twice. The pilgrimage has been taking place in these days and has just culminated in Holy Mass, celebrated at an altitude of 3,000 meters. As I greet the Archbishop of Trent and the General Secretary of the Italian Bishops' Conference, as well as the Authorities of Trent, I remind all young Italians of their appointment in Loreto on 1-2 September.

May the Virgin Mary protect us always, both in our mission and in well-deserved rest, so that we may joyfully and fruitfully carry out our work in the Lord's vineyard.

After the Angelus:

I warmly welcome the English-speaking pilgrims present at this Angelus. In a special way I am pleased to greet those taking part in the Interamnia World Cup handball tournament in Teramo, Italy. The participants in this event come from more than 100 different countries, some of which are in conflict with each other. Yet this peaceful gathering of athletes is an example of how sports can bring us together in the spirit of fellowship between peoples and cultures. Sports are indeed a sign that peace is possible.

In today's Gospel we are reminded that the harvest is plenty but the labourers are few. Let us all pray that the Lord of the Harvest will continue to bless his Church with confident and generous workers. I thank you for your prayerful presence, and I invoke the abundant Blessings of Almighty God upon you and your families.

I wish you all a good Sunday and a good vacation. Good-bye!

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Benedict XVI Calls Vacation "a Gift of God"

Says Respite Good for Mind and Body

VATICAN CITY, JULY 8, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Vacation is a "gift of God," says Benedict XVI, that allows one to revive the physical and spiritual energies necessary for life's journey.

In an address today to those gathered in St. Peter's Square to pray the Angelus, the Pope wished to all, "especially those most in need, the possibility of taking a little vacation to reinvigorate your physical and spiritual energies and recover a salutary contact with nature."

The Holy Father will spend this summer's holidays in Lorenzago di Cadore, in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy. He will stay July 9-27 in a house owned by the Diocese of Treviso, located in the Dolomites, an Alpine mountain range.

"The mountain air will be good for me and I will be able to dedicate myself more freely to reflection and prayer," the Pontiff said.

The house is the same one where his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, had stayed on six occasions between 1987 and 1998.

Surrounded by a forest, the locale is used for seminarians' summer holidays and for youth formation courses. It is being renovated and will be equipped with a piano.

In 2005 and 2006, Benedict XVI spent his holidays in Les Combes, in the Aosta Valley, in northwestern Italy. John Paul II had also vacationed there on numerous occasions.

Upward

In his address today in St. Peter's Square, Benedict XVI praised the mountains, which "in particular, evoke the upward ascent of the spirit, the elevation toward the 'high measure' of our humanity, which daily life unfortunately tends to abase."

In greeting the Polish-speaking pilgrims, the Pope observed that "the time of vacation is a gift of God," and that "thanks to the rest we take we recover the energies necessary for our life's subsequent journey."

"As for those who are unable to leave work -- I am thinking in particular of farmers who are occupied with the harvest -- I hope that they are able to rejoice in the fruits of their labor" and that "in this work they too can find some period of rest and joy," he said.

There will be no Wednesday audiences on July 11, 18 and 25. The general audiences will begin again on Aug. 1.

Benedict XVI will deliver his traditional Sunday address and recite the Angelus July 15 at Castello di Mirabello.

On July 22, the Angelus will be recited by the Pope in the piazza of Lorenzago di Cadore.

The Holy Father will travel July 27 to the summer papal residence at Castel Gandolfo, located some 30 kilometers (18 miles) south of Rome.

Benedict XVI will visit the shrine of Loreto from Sept. 1 to 2 for a meeting with Italian youth. More than 300,000 participants are expected from Italy, and 800 from abroad.

© Innovative Media, Inc.

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Alpine Concert to Honor Benedict XVI

Organizers Invited Pope to Attend

LORENZAGO DI CADORE, JULY 10, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The alpine population of the Veneto region in northeast Italy is hosting a concert to honor Benedict XVI on the feast of his papal namesake.

The organizers of Wednesday's concert at the parish church in Lorenzago di Cadore, on the feast of St. Benedict, are hoping for a papal appearance.

The Holy Father is on vacation in that region of the Alps until July 27. The cottage where he is staying has been set up with a piano. And walking paths through the forest surrounding the area offer the Pontiff a chance to surround himself with nature in a climate of serenity.

The Diocese of Belluno is particularly involved in the organization of Wednesday's concert.

Today, the church is hosting another concert, featuring a renovated Comelli organ. The organ is from 1790; only two organs of its class are still in existence in that region.

The use of the renovated organ is part of the celebrations marking the liturgical feast of St. Benedict. Spanish musician José Luis Uriol will be the organist at the concert honoring the Pope. The local Schola Cantorum will interpret pieces, expected to include selections from Bach and Scarlatti.

In the Dioceses of Belluno-Feltre and Treviso, a committee has been formed to prepare locals for the Holy Father's visit, including celebrations, prayer meetings and cultural activities.

Bishop Giuseppe Andrich of Belluno-Feltre invited the Pontiff to attend the concert, Vatican Radio reported.

"We cling to hope that the Pope will attend because it involves St. Benedict and because he is a passionate fan of music. But they are only hopes," Father Sergio De Martino, pastor in Lorenzago di Cadore, said. "We will not be disappointed if he cannot come. But if he does, it will be a tremendous joy."

© Innovative Media, Inc.

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Benedict XVI Resting, Walking, Writing

LORENZO DI CADORE, Italy, JULY 11, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI spent an hour away from his vacation cottage, taking a small trip to the parish Church of Our Lady of Loreto in Lozzo di Cadore to pray the rosary.

The Pope, on vacation in the Alps in northern Italy, left the cottage just before 6:15 p.m. and returned just after 7:15 p.m. His car did not stop to greet the crowds who lined the road hoping for a glimpse of the Pontiff. The Holy Father did wave at them from the window.

According to the spokesman of the Diocese of Belluno-Feltre, Benedict XVI's third day of vacation was spent in "prayer, study and contemplation."

Today, the feast of St. Benedict, a concert was held in honor of the Pope, but he was not able to attend and sent a message with someone from his entourage.

He is scheduled to meet with the priests of the region, Bishop Giuseppe Andrich of Belluno-Feltre told Vatican Radio, but the date has not been confirmed.

© Innovative Media, Inc.

[ELS]

Pope Benedict XVI arrives by helicopter for his annual holidays in Lorenzago di Cadore, northern Italy July 9, 2007. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo (ITALY)

Pope Benedict XVI waves on his arrival for his annual holidays in Lorenzago di Cadore, northern Italy, July 9, 2007. (Alessandro Garofalo/Reuters)

The bell tower of the Saint Ermagora and Fortunato church and a balcony in the foreground are adorned with Vatican flags in Lorenzago di Cadore, northern Italy, Wednesday, July 11, 2007. Pope Benedict XVI began his Alpine vacation Monday in this mountain resort of the Dolomites where he will remain until July 27. Benedict's private vacation was described as a 'period of rest,' although the 80-year-old pontiff has two scheduled appearances, on July 15 and July 22, to deliver the traditional Sunday noon Angelus prayer. (AP Photo/Alberto Pellaschiar)

[ELS]

There will be no Wednesday audiences on July 11, 18 and 25. The general audiences will begin again on Aug. 1.

Weekly "audience" ping!

Please let me know if you want to be on or off this list.

[MHGinTN]

Thank you for the ping.

[trisham]

It must be rather cool there this week.

[ELS]

Well, he is in the mountains.

[trisham]

Isn’t he in the Alps? I wonder what the altitude is.

[ELS]

Isn’t he in the Alps?

Yes, more specifically, he's in the Dolomite Mtns.

Message from Pope for a Concert Organized in His Honor

VATICAN CITY, JUL 12, 2007 (VIS) - Made public today was a Message from the Holy Father to the pastor of Lorenzago di Cadore, the alpine resort in which the pope is currently spending a vacation. The message concerns a concert organized in his honor yesterday, Feast of St. Benedict.

In the Message, which was read out yesterday evening in the parish church at the start of the concert, the Pope expresses his thanks for "the welcome I was shown when I arrived in this beautiful place surrounded by magnificent woods and the majestic Dolomite Mountains.

"I am especially grateful," he adds, "for people's expression of best wishes for a fruitful period of rest, much appreciated because supported by prayer upon which I depend in order to accomplish the mission the Lord has entrusted to me."

Referring to the concert and to the presentation of an exhibition dedicated to "artistic treasures in the churches of the Alto Bellunese region," to honor "St. Benedict, patron saint of Europe on his feast day," the Pope expresses his gratitude to the musician Jose Luis Gonzalez Uriol for the recital in which he will play the church's "historic organ ... recently restored." He also thanks the members of the "Schola Cantorum" of Lorenzago, recalling St. Augustine's phrase that "one who sings prays twice."

Benedict XVI concludes his brief Message by giving assurances of his "spiritual participation" in the event and sending the community of Lorenzago di Cadore his "cordial and affectionate greetings."

MESS/CONCERT/LORENZAGO  VIS 070712 (260)

[trisham]

I'm glad he's on vacation. He's been pushing himself so hard.