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The Apostles and the Priesthood ~ Part 2 In the last Circular Letter, we began our meditation on the priesthood, giving particular attention to the Apostles upon whom the Church is founded. These great men and their successors serve down through the centuries as our bridge to the living Jesus. Through the Sacraments which they administer to us, Jesus, God-among-us, is made present in His Person and action. It is Jesus working in and through the priest who forgives our sins and nourishes our souls with His Body and Blood. Through the priest, Jesus consoles us with His word...

On Prayer in the Life of the Holy Family Dear Brothers and Sisters, Our continuing catechesis on prayer leads us, during this Christmas season, to reflect on the place of prayer in the life of the Holy Family of Nazareth. In the home of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we learn to contemplate the mystery of God’s presence and to grow as faithful disciples of Christ. The Gospels present Mary as the supreme model of prayerful medition on the mysteries of Christ’s life; in praying the Rosary, in fact, we unite ourselves to her contemplation of those mysteries in faith and...

On Jesus' Prayer as Love for God and Neighbor "Petition, Praise and Thanksgiving Should Coalesce" VATICAN CITY, DEC. 14, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the Italian language catechesis Benedict XVI gave today during the general audience held in Paul VI Hall. The Pope continued with his reflections on Jesus' prayer. * * * Dear brothers and sisters, Today I would like to reflect with you on Jesus’ prayer as it relates to His prodigious healing action. In the Gospels, various situations are presented in which Jesus prays before the beneficent and healing work of God the Father, who...

The headlines say we should be worried about the Pope's health. Why?   By Phil Lawler | December 19, 2011 5:53 PM This past weekend, dozens of stories appeared in the English-speaking media, reporting that the health of Pope Benedict XVI is slipping. Most of the headlines referred to the same AP report, and the few “independent” accounts seemed obviously prompted by the AP story. Here’s just a quick sampling: Pope Benedict XVI's health in serious decline as 85th birthday, Christmas approach (New York Daily News)Fears grow over health of frail Pope Benedict (Belfast Telegraph)At 84, weakened Pope Benedict is...

On Jesus' Cry of Exultation "We Also - By the Gift of His Spirit - May Address Ourselves to God in Prayer With the Confidence of Children" VATICAN CITY, DEC. 7, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the Italian-language address Benedict XVI gave during today's general audience. He continued with his reflection on Jesus' prayer. * * * Dear brothers and sisters, The Evangelists Matthew and Luke (cf. Matthew 11:25-30 and Luke 10:21-22) have bequeathed to us a “jewel” of Jesus’ prayer, which often is called the Cry of Exultation or the Cry of Messianic Exultation. It is a...

With all due respect, Pope Benedict XVI either lives in an alternate reality or needs better PR handlers. His comments over the weekend to U.S. bishops about the sex abuse of children showed a continued disconnect with the church’s mishandling of this ongoing scandal. The pope referenced the church’s “conscientious effort” to confront sex abuse by priests. Uh? Perhaps the pope meant to say conscientious cover-up. No institution has done more to deny and downplay the sexual abuse of young boys than the Catholic Church. No institution has done more to discredit victims and protect pedophile priests than the Catholic...

On Africa: Protagonist of a New Season of Hope "The Continent Contains Reserves of Life and Vitality for the Future" VATICAN CITY, NOV. 23, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the Italian-language catechesis Benedict XVI gave today during the general audience held in Paul VI Hall. The Pope reflected upon his apostolic journey to Benin. * * * Dear brothers and sisters, Still alive within me are the impressions made during my recent apostolic journey to Benin, which I desire to reflect upon today. Thanksgiving to the Lord flows spontaneously from my soul: in His providence, He willed that...

On Psalm 110(109), to Christ the King "We Are Invited to Look to Christ in Order to Understand the Meaning of True Royalty" VATICAN CITY, NOV. 16, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the Italian-language catecheses Benedict XVI gave today during the general audience held in St. Peter's Square. The Pope continued with his series of catecheses on prayer, concluding today his reflection on the prayer of the Psalter. * * * Dear brothers and sisters, Today I would like to conclude my catecheses on the prayer of the Psalter by meditating on one of the most famous "royal...

On Psalm 119, the Acrostic Psalm "Wholly Pervaded by Love for God's Word" VATICAN CITY, NOV. 9, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave at today's general audience. * * * Dear brothers and sisters, In previous catecheses, we meditated on several of the psalms that exemplify the typical kinds of prayer: lament, trust and praise. In today's catechesis, I would like to turn to a consideration of Psalm 119 according to the Hebrew tradition, 118 according to the Greco-Latin: It is a very special psalm, the only one of its kind. First, it is...

On Death and Life "Man Needs Eternity -- and Every Other Hope, for Him, Is All Too Brief" VATICAN CITY, NOV. 2, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave today at the general audience. * * * Dear brothers and sisters, After celebrating the Solemnity of All Saints, the Church today invites us to commemorate all the faithful departed, to turn our gaze to so many faces that have gone before us and that have completed their earthly journey. In today's audience, then, I would like to offer a few simple thoughts on the reality...

Pope's Homily at Vigil in Preparation for Assisi "It Is Not the Sword of the Conqueror That Builds Peace, But the Sword of the Sufferer" VATICAN CITY, OCT. 26, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the homily Benedict XVI gave today at a liturgy in preparation for Thursday's day of reflection, dialogue and prayer for peace in Assisi. The liturgy replaced the customary general audience held on Wednesdays. * * * Dear brothers and sisters, Today our customary meeting for the General Audience takes on a special character, for it is the vigil of the Day of Reflection, Dialogue...

On Psalm 136 (135) "God Is; God Is Good, and His Mercy Is Eternal" VATICAN CITY, OCT. 19, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the Italian-language catechesis Benedict XVI gave today during the general audience held in St. Peter's Square. The Pope today continued his catecheses on prayer with a reflection on Psalm 136 (135). * * * Dear brothers and sisters, Today I would like to meditate with you on a psalm that summarizes the whole of salvation history as recounted for us in the Old Testament. It is a great hymn of praise that extols the Lord...

On Psalm 126 "It Is Important Not to Lose the Memory of God's Presence in Our Lives" VATICAN CITY, OCT. 12, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the Italian-language catechesis Benedict XVI gave today during the general audience held in St. Peter's Square. The Pope today continued his catecheses on prayer with a reflection on Psalm 126. * * * Dear brothers and sisters, In the previous catecheses, we have meditated on a number of psalms of lament and of trust. Today, I would like to reflect with you on a notably joyous psalm, a prayer that sings with...

On Psalm 23 "The Nearness of God Transforms Reality, the Dark Valley Loses Its Danger" VATICAN CITY, OCT. 5, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the Italian-language catechesis Benedict XVI gave today during the general audience held in St. Peter's Square. The Pope continued his series of catecheses on prayer with a reflection on Psalm 23. * * * Dear brothers and sisters, Turning to Lord in prayer involves a radical act of trust, in the awareness that one is entrusting oneself to God who is good, "merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and...

On the Trip to Germany "Truly a Great Feast of Faith" VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 28, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the Italian-language catechesis Benedict XVI gave today during the general audience held in St. Peter's Square. The Pope reflected on his recent apostolic journey to Germany. * * * Dear brothers and sisters! As you know, last Thursday through Sunday I made a pastoral visit to Germany; and so I am delighted, as is customary, to take the opportunity of today's audience to retrace together with you the intense and splendid days passed in my homeland. I travelled...

In his address before the German parliament, Benedict XVI offers ways to renew politics and social life for the world. Positivism is limiting because it marginalises the ethics and culture of politics and society. Berlin (AsiaNews) – “A German pope in the German capital” is the greeting that welcomed Pope Benedict XVI in his first state visit to his native land (the third of his pontificate). The visit began this morning in Berlin and will continue until Sunday, bringing the Pontiff to Erfurt and Freiburg. However, in his addresses the German pope speaks to the entire world and what he...

On the Prayer of Psalm 22 "Death and Life Have Met in an Inseparable Mystery, and Life Has Triumphed" VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 14, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the Italian-language catechesis Benedict XVI gave today during the general audience held in Paul VI Hall. The Pope continued his series of catecheses on prayer, with a reflection of Psalm 22. * * * Dear brothers and sisters, In today's catechesis I would like to talk about a psalm with strong Christological implications, which continually emerges in the accounts of the Passion of Jesus with its twofold dimension of humiliation...

On Psalm 3 "He Listens, He Responds and He Saves According to His Ways" VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 7, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the Italian-language catechesis Benedict XVI gave today during the general audience held in St. Peter's Square. The Pope continued his series of catecheses on prayer with a reflection on Psalm 3. * * * Dear brothers and sisters, Today we return to the audiences in St. Peter's square, and in the "school of prayer" that we are experiencing together in these Wednesday catecheses, I would like to begin to meditate on some of the psalms,...

On Beauty as a Way to God Art "Is Like a Door Opened to the Infinite" CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, AUG. 31, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the Italian-language catechesis Benedict XVI gave today during the general audience. * * * Dear brothers and sisters, On several occasions in recent months, I have recalled the need for every Christian to find time for God, for prayer, amidst our many daily activities.The Lord himself offers us many opportunities to remember Him. Today, I would like to consider briefly one of these channels that can lead us to God and also...

On World Youth Day 2011 "The Cross of Christ Gives Much More Than It Demands" CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, AUG. 24, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the Italian-language catechesis Benedict XVI gave today during the general audience held at Castel Gandolfo. * * * Dear brothers and sisters, Today I would like to return briefly in mind and heart to the extraordinary days spent in Madrid for the XXVI World Youth Day. It was, as you know, a moving ecclesial event: approximately 2 million youth from every continent gathered for a truly exceptional experience of fraternity, of encounter with...