Culture

Pilgrimage to Germany: the Aachen Cathedral

One of the great undertakings undertaken by Charlemagne was the construction of the palatine chapel ("Pfalzkapelle"), the forerunner of today's Aachen Cathedral.

José M. García Pelegrín-January 6, 2024-Reading time: 5 minutes

"Urbs Aquensisurbs regalis, regni sedes principalis, prima regum curia".. "City of Aachen, royal city, chief seat of the kingdom, first court of kings." Thus begins the hymn composed in 1165 for the canonization of Charlemagne, which is still sung today at both secular and liturgical celebrations.

Aachen, royal seat

The "Hymn of Aachen" highlights the significant importance of this city, especially during the time of Charlemagne in the late eighth and early ninth centuries.

At that time, the Frankish (pre-German) kingdom had no fixed capital, being an itinerant monarchy to maintain proximity to the vassals. The king and his entourage moved from one "Pfalz" (royal palace) to the next; the time spent in one or the other varied greatly. 

Aachen stood out as a place of residence, not only because of its geopolitical location, but also because of the personal preference of Charlemagne, who, affected by gout, found relief in the thermal waters with medicinal properties since Roman times.

The name "Aquae Granni" or "Aquisgrani", from which both the Spanish and Italian names of the city derive, refers to the thermal waters associated with the Celtic god "Grannus". The German name "Aachen" or the Dutch "Aken" also allude to the thermal waters.

The Carolingian Renaissance

Barbarossa Candlestick

The construction of the "Pfalz" in Aachen began with Pipin the Short, Frankish king from 751 and father of Charlemagne (747/748-814). However, it was the latter who gave it the decisive impetus by making it his winter residence as early as the first of his reign in 768. 

From 777, the royal "curia" hosted leading scholars from all over Europe (Alcuin, Paulinus II of Aquileia, Paulus Diaconus, Theodulf of Orleans). It became a center of Latin scholarship (theology, historiography, poetry), to which the new writing, the so-called "Carolingian minuscule" script, particularly contributed, and the inspiration spread from there to the whole Frankish Empire. Thus began the so-called "Carolingian renaissance", after decades of cultural decline.

Palatine Chapel of Aachen

One of the great undertakings undertaken by Charlemagne was the construction of the palatine chapel ("Pfalzkapelle"), the forerunner of today's Aachen Cathedral.

The octagonal building, erected between 795 and 803, was modeled on Byzantine churches, especially San Vitale in Ravenna. 

Built on the remains of a Roman thermal complex, it used building materials from various parts of the Frankish Empire, including "spolia" such as ancient columns and other Roman building materials.

The interior octagon is surrounded by a hexadecagonal construction (16-sided polygon), crowned by an imposing dome.

At 31.40 meters high, the chapel was not only unparalleled north of the Alps; it would take more than 200 years for a similar building to be constructed.

The 1:1 ratio between height and width of the central construction alludes to the harmony of the heavenly Jerusalem: "the length, height and breadth of it are equal" (Rev 21:16).

The palatine chapel will be the place of coronation of the German kings between 936 and 1531. More than the presentation of the crown and other imperial insignia, the constitutive act is the enthronement of Charlemagne on the throne.

Especially in the first centuries, until the "Investiture Quarrel" (1075-1122) achieved the division between "throne" and "altar" - one of the most significant milestones of Western culture, considered by some as its founding event - the coronation/ enthronement has a sacred character.

According to one of the oldest coronation ordinances, used for the Ottonians in the 10th century, the king was acclaimed with the words "Thou art Melchizedech", the paradigm of the personal union between king and priest.

At the coronation Mass, the king read the Gospel and wore the episcopal miter. For this reason, Henry II ordered the construction, between 1002 and 1014, of the pulpit covered with gold, precious stones and ivories, one of the most splendid treasures of Ottonian art, and the most precious of the present cathedral, together with the altar with the front ("Pala d'oro") of the 9th century and the "Barbarossa candlestick", donated by Emperor Frederick I "Barbarossa" on the occasion of the canonization of Charlemagne.

Pilgrimage destination

In addition to being the eternal resting place of Charlemagne and Otto III (died 1002), today's Aachen Cathedral stands out as one of the most important places of pilgrimage since the Middle Ages.

Four textile relics are venerated in Aachen (Virgin's dress, swaddling clothes of the Infant Jesus, perizonium or canvas of the crucifixion and the cloth used in the beheading of St. John the Baptist), which probably arrived in Aachen under Charlemagne.

Pilgrimage to Aachen. 1622

Frankish imperial annals relate that a legendary treasure of relics was sent from Jerusalem for the consecration of the Palatine Chapel in 799.

Although pilgrimages were already taking place at that time, they experienced a great impulse in the 13th century, during the reign of Emperor Frederick II.

Devotion to the relics also had constructive repercussions. Although they had been displayed from the tower gallery since 1322, the construction of the Gothic choir began in 1355, since the Carolingian building was insufficient to accommodate the large number of pilgrims visiting Aachen. 

This construction was completed in 1414 and has remarkable dimensions: 25 meters long, 13 meters wide and 32 meters high. Its outer wall, largely divided by stained glass windows, is 25.55 meters high, one of the highest Gothic style in Europe.

With more than 1,000 square meters of glass, it is known as the "Aachen Glass House". Simultaneously, a set of chapels was erected around the octagon to offer pilgrims a space for devotion and prayer.

After the devastating plague epidemic that struck Europe from 1349 onwards, pilgrimages were held every seven years. In the 14th and 15th centuries, Aachen became the third most important pilgrimage destination in the West along with Santiago de Compostela and Rome.

The last one was scheduled for 2021, but due to COVID restrictions, it was postponed to June 2023. However, the next pilgrimage is planned for 2028, resuming the original cycle. 

Marian dedication

The dedication of the Palatine Chapel or Church of the Virgin as a cathedral is relatively recent, as Aachen did not become an episcopal see until the 19th century. Until then it was under the jurisdiction of the diocese of Maastricht/Liege or that of Cologne.

It was Napoleon who designated Aachen as the episcopal see of the diocese he founded in 1802 for the new departments of Roer and Rhine and Moselle. In 1821, however, the diocese was abolished by the papal bull "De salute animarum" and incorporated into the archbishopric of Cologne.

The re-establishment of the diocese of Aachen would not take place until August 13, 1930, by decision of Pope Pius XI. Joseph Vogt became the first bishop of the diocese after his election in December 1930. Since September 2016, Helmut Dieser, until then auxiliary bishop of Trier, has held the episcopal see.

Today's Aachen Cathedral was recognized as a World Heritage Site in September 1978, during the second session of the UNESCO committee.

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Evangelization

Thirst for God, wealth of youth

Youth is the "future of the Church" and the "torch of hope. This is indicated by the Popes and is demonstrated by the many initiatives by and for young people who work throughout the world to bring the faith and love of Christ to others.

Paloma López Campos-January 5, 2024-Reading time: 3 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsBrock MartinYoung people are the future leaders of the Church".Related NewsThe youth of Benedict XVIRelated News"Christ is the most beautiful youth of this world."Related News"Young people are needed to resist the aging of the soul."

"Youth by itself is a singular richness of man, of a girl or of a boy," said St. John Paul in his apostolic letter "Dilecti AmiciThe "Youth and Youth" campaign is aimed at young people around the world.

In 1985, the Polish Pope addressed the younger generations to remind them of their privileged role in the Church. "Your youth is not only something of yours, something personal or of a generation, but something that belongs to the whole of that space that every man travels in the itinerary of his life, and is at the same time 'a special good of all'. A good of humanity itself".

St. John Paul II recalled that youth is a treasure, "it is the richness of discovering and at the same time of planning, of choosing, of foreseeing and of taking one's first decisions as one's own". Also "the question about the meaning of life is part of the particular richness of youth".

The Polish Pope also expressed that youth has to be "growth", a "gradual accumulation of all that is true, good and beautiful". To achieve this, the Holy Father said, "of enormous importance is 'contact with the visible world, with nature'".

At the end of his letter, the saint recalled that "the Church looks at young people". And he went even further by affirming that "the Church in a special way 'looks at herself in the young'". He encouraged everyone to recognize, care for and value this responsibility.

Not afraid to love

For his part, Pope Benedict XVI also encouraged young people to grow, saying in a message in 2027 that they have to cultivate their talents "not only to conquer a social position, but also to help others 'to grow'". In this way they will succeed in being "witnesses of charity" throughout the world.

The German Pope invited young people to be courageous, to "dare to love, to desire nothing more than a strong and beautiful love, capable of making your whole life a joyful realization of the gift of yourselves to God and to your brothers and sisters, imitating Him who, through love, has conquered hatred and death forever." To achieve this love, Benedict said, "the indispensable help of divine grace" is essential. He also indicated that "the great school of love is the Eucharist".

Youth of hope

In recent years, Pope Francis has also addressed young people on several occasions. In his message for the XXXVIII World Youth Day wanted to encourage the hope of the new generations. However, he also admitted the complexity of the current situation in the world.

That is why with great affection the Holy Father said: "Dear young people, when the thick fogs of fear, doubt and oppression surround you, and you fail to see the sun, follow the path of prayer".

Francis encouraged young people to be "torches of hope for others". But for this, he noted, faith has to be "concrete, attached to reality and to the stories of brothers and sisters."

Young initiatives

This "active" faith and hope of youth has thousands of different representations within the Catholic Church. The initiatives of the new generations to bring the light of Christ to the world are multiplying all over the globe. Since it is not possible to mention all the existing ones, here are some of the initiatives that the youth of the Church have in place:

-"Christ in the City". College students and young professionals take to the streets in the United States to care for the underprivileged. Their main motivation is to create bonds of friendship with those who are homeless.

-"FOCUS". Apostolate in universities by and for young people.

–Hakuna. The well-known group of young people enthusiastic about their faith. It is widely known for its songs.

Of course, there are also the hundreds of young people who share their faith on social media and the internet to help other Catholics. For example:

–Father Casey. A Franciscan monk who uploads videos to YouTube talking about Catholic Church topics, from the most controversial to the simple ones.

–Grilex. A famous rapper who talks about God in his songs.

–Katie Ascough. A young Irish mother who has a platform for the formation of Catholics.

It seems that, in one way or another, the youth of the Church are aware of their role. They are thirsty for God and that is their richness.

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RelatedRelated NewsBrock MartinYoung people are the future leaders of the Church".Related NewsThe youth of Benedict XVIRelated News"Christ is the most beautiful youth of this world."Related News"Young people are needed to resist the aging of the soul."
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United States

Las Vegas: Catholic faith amidst neon lights

The Archdiocese of Las Vegas encompasses 39,000 square miles comprising five counties in Nevada. It has one cathedral, one shrine, 28 parishes and five missions.

Gonzalo Meza-January 5, 2024-Reading time: 4 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsOmnes delves into the archdiocese of Las Vegas

Seen from the international space station, Las Vegas is one of the most illuminated spots on the planet. On land it is an ocean of neon lights that illuminate its streets, hotels and establishments. Along the downtown avenues, dozens of cars and people move from one place to another walking among imposing hotels or replicas of monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, the pyramids of Egypt or the canals of Venice, 24 hours a day. There are extravagant shows for all tastes, from circus arts to expensive Broadway productions featuring local and international artists.

However, the most notable feature of this city is its casinos. "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" announces a marquee welcoming visitors to the "entertainment capital of the world". Located in the Nevada desert, Las Vegas is synonymous with gambling and casino games inside sumptuous hotels. Inside, hundreds of people bet tens or even thousands of dollars on slot machines, table games, poker or roulette wheels. They hope to win, although most of the time they are disappointed. 

History of the city

The native peoples, particularly the "Paiutes" or "people of the desert" already inhabited some parts of the territory centuries before its founding. The city of Las Vegas was founded in 1905, when a new railroad station was opened linking this town with southern California and Salt Lake City.

Las Vegas grew gradually, first with small businesses and ranches and then starting in 1931 in the midst of the economic depression (the economic crisis of 1929-1933) with the construction of a water dam called "Hoover Dam". This new project attracted a considerable flow of workers to the area. In that same decade, Nevada's residency and divorce laws were liberalized, making it easier to obtain legal residency in Nevada.

As the years went by and the population increased, it was necessary to establish schools, infrastructure and establishments to provide services to the new settlers. Among these services was entertainment. The first gaming license was granted in 1931. Ten years later, in 1941, during the Second World War, the construction of the Las Vegas Army Air Field, today called "Nellis Air Force", began.

The decade of the 1940s also marked the appearance of numerous theme resorts (hotel-casinos), which multiplied after 1960. The proliferation of these establishments led to an enormous increase in population in the following decades. Las Vegas went from 556,000 inhabitants in 1985 to almost 3 million in the year 2022, in addition to 38 million tourists who visited the place in just one year, 2022. It is expected that the number of visitors will continue to increase every year.

Archdiocese of Las Vegas

The first Mass in the territory of what would become Nevada was celebrated by Franciscan priest Francisco Garces in 1776, in the town of Laughlin on the Colorado River. At that time the state of Nevada was part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain (until the beginning of Mexican Independence in 1810). For 38 years it was part of the nascent Mexican Republic, but in 1848 the country lost a considerable part of its territory during the Mexican-American War. That is why until 1840 the territory of Nevada was under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Diocese of Sonora, then it passed to the Diocese of Monterey, California. In 1853, as Nevada became a U.S. territory, it came under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

Later, in 1886, the Apostolic Vicariate of Salt Lake City was established in the state of Utah, which also included the future Diocese of Las Vegas. It was in 1931 when the Diocese of Reno, Nevada was created with Thomas K. Gorman with its first bishop. In 1976 it acquired the name "Diocese of Reno-Las Vegas".

In the 1990s, due to population growth, the Holy See separated the dioceses of Reno and Las Vegas and thus the new Diocese of Las Vegas was established in 1995. Its first bishop was Daniel F. Walsh. Almost 30 years later, on May 30, 2023, Pope Francis elevated Las Vegas to the rank of archdiocese, leaving as suffragans the dioceses of Reno, Nevada and Salt Lake City, Utah. George Leo Thomas is the first Archbishop, although he had already begun his ministry as Bishop of Las Vegas in May 2018. 

The Archdiocese of Las Vegas encompasses 39,000 square miles comprising five counties in Nevada. It has one cathedral, one shrine, 28 parishes and five missions. The official count of the registered Catholic population is 620,000 (26% of the Las Vegas population) although the actual figure is higher because many Hispanic families, estimated at 200,000, do not register with their parishes. The Hispanic community represents 30% of its population, followed by the Asian community with 10%. In addition to Archbishop Thomas, Las Vegas has one auxiliary bishop and one bishop emeritus.

As of August 2023, there are a total of 87 priests, of whom 52 are active, 36 are incardinated, 22 are externs and 29 are priests of religious orders or institutes. There are also 32 active permanent deacons, 2 religious brothers and 8 religious sisters.

In the territory there is a Catholic hospital, with three branches; 16 social assistance centers and 8 schools where more than eleven thousand students study. Thousands of members join the church every year. In 2021, 3,520 children received the sacrament of baptism; 1,644 received first communion and 1,281 received confirmation. In that period, 419 couples received the sacrament of marriage. Today, these figures are higher because the data correspond to the pandemic period.

On June 29, 2023, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Archbishop Thomas received the Pallium from Pope Francis at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. The ceremony for the imposition of the Pallium will take place on October 2 at the Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer in Las Vegas. The Apostolic Nuncio to the U.S., Cardinal Christophe Pierre, will be present. "I am deeply honored," said Archbishop Thomas upon receiving the Pallium in Rome, "It is a testament to the tireless work and dedication of our priests, deacons and lay people who contribute to our community. Their commitment and hard work have played an integral role in the growth and transformation of our archdiocese," said the prelate.

Gregory W. Gordon, auxiliary bishop of Las Vegas, said: "Las Vegas has grown in population and size since we became a diocese in 1995. It has also grown spiritually with an increase in baptisms, vocations to the priesthood and religious life. And we continue to build new parishes and welcome the newly ordained. This new archdiocese rank reflects that growth," Bishop Gordon said.

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Culture

"Leo" and "Abbé Pierre", the proposals to watch this month.

Two very different stories for different audiences. Leochildren's animated film and the film Abbé Pierreabout the story of the French priest Henri Groues are the proposals to watch this month.

Patricio Sánchez-Jáuregui-January 5, 2024-Reading time: < 1 minute

Each month, we recommend new releases, classics, or audiovisual content that you have not yet seen from your favorite platforms. This month, the recommendations focus on the adventures of a unique lizard and a beautiful story of humanity and vocation.

Leo

Adam Sandler expands his professional and dramatic range with an animated musical comedy about aging as seen through the eyes of a lizard. Leo is one of the mascots of a class of elementary school children, and when he discovers he has only a year to live, he plans to escape to experience life on the outside. Instead, he is chained to, and then devoted to, the students' problems.

Witty animations, catchy songs and excellent voice work from a cast led by Adam Sandler help Leo strike a nice balance between the satirical and the affectionate, which builds an uplifting message for the whole family.

Leo

DirectorsRobert Marianetti, Robert Smigel, David Wachtenheim
ScriptRobert Smigel, Adam Sandler, Paul Sado
ActorsAdam Sandler, Bill Burr, Cecily Strong, Cecily Strong
PlatformNetflix

Abbé Pierre

Born and raised Catholic, Henri Groues is determined to become a priest. The Second World War begins and he decides otherwise: he joins the Resistance.

Losing a friend on the battlefield, facing the horrors of war but the beauty and strength of brotherhood, Henri Groues emerges as a new man: Abbé Pierre.

From the end of World War II until his death in 2007, Abbé Pierre will live many lives and face many battles. Founder of Emmaus, he will fight for the homeless and give voice to those who are speechless.

Abbe Pierre is a beautifully crafted commercial dramatization of life aimed at a general audience, although it may err on the side of being coffee for very coffee drinkers.

Abbé Pierre

DirectorFrédéric Tellier
ScriptOlivier Gorce, Frédéric Tellier
ActorsBenjamin Lavernhe Emmanuelle Bercot, Michel Vuillermoz
Platform: Movistar+
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Gospel

Getting down to work. Baptism of the Lord (B)

Joseph Evans comments on the readings for the Baptism of the Lord (B) and Luis Herrera offers a short video homily.

Joseph Evans-January 5, 2024-Reading time: 2 minutes

Why is the Baptism of Our Lord so important and why does the Church return us to Ordinary Time with this feast? The point is that, just as Baptism launched Christ's public ministry, our baptism launched our mission as Christians, to be lived out in ordinary activity. Strengthened every day by our baptism, no matter how many years ago it took place, we enter into our ordinary life to proclaim God and his saving plan.

As already mentioned, the Baptism of Christ is precisely the launching of his public mission. After 30 years of hidden life, it is made public with a spectacular demonstration. In modern marketing, to launch a new product, special guests are invited and an attempt is made to do something memorable so that people see why the product is so significant. This "launch" of Christ far surpasses any human marketing act. The guests are the three persons of the Trinity: we hear the voice of the Father, the Holy Spirit descends in the form of a dove, and what is "launched" is not just a product, but a divine person, the second person of the Trinity. The demonstration is the opening of heaven: the heavens were rent, as Mark so dramatically puts it. And the message could not be clearer and more dramatic: "Thou art my beloved Son, in Thee I take pleasure".

During the last few weeks we have seen how God hides his glory and comes to us in weakness: like a small and helpless baby. But today God draws back the veil for a moment, as he will also do later in the Transfiguration, to let us glimpse his glory. The almighty God, whose sandals we are not worthy to untie, comes down to our level.

We can go out into ordinary life aware, yes, of our unworthiness, but certain that we are God's beloved children, and that he has the power to break down all the barriers that humanity has erected between itself and him. As children of God, we too, as we heard in the first reading, have received the Holy Spirit in order to make "justice to the nations"We miss Christmas with all its connotations of tenderness, the sweetness of the Child God, the intimacy of the stable. We miss Christmas with all its connotations of tenderness, the sweetness of the Christ Child, the intimacy of the stable. But just as the Child Jesus grows up and launches himself into public activity, with all its demands, so must we. Life cannot be a perpetual Christmas. It is time to get to work.

Homily on the readings of the Baptism of the Lord (B)

The priest Luis Herrera Campo offers its nanomiliaA short one-minute reflection for these Sunday readings.

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ColumnistsLupita Venegas

Grilex, from vacuum to kenosis

Grilex is a famous rap singer who has dared to be different, to go against the current and be free.

January 5, 2024-Reading time: 2 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsKénosis, music with sense to the Sense

I invite you to meet Grilex. He is a famous and different rap singer. He heard a young girl say: "I want you to know that thanks to a song of yours I have not committed suicide".

Wow, this surprised the young musician and defined the definitive direction for his compositions.

It was not always like that. In order to sign with his label, he initially produced violent, insolent, aggressive lyrics with which he had great success, but an existential void reigned in the depths of his heart. 

He met a girl with whom he had a deep conversation and was happy to talk like this. At the end, she wanted to give him an opinion about his lyrics, Grilex was very interested of course, he expected her to congratulate him without further ado, but the phrase he heard marked him decidedly... She said: "what a pity that with the gift you have, you make such garbage".

For 7 months she was unable to write anything. She wondered what she was doing with her talents and decided to embrace faith (which her friend was introducing her to) and dedicate her work to God. 

Thanks to her and a group of young people doing apostolate in Spain, Grilex had a real encounter with God. A unique experience that allowed him to experience authentic love. We are all thirsty for love and our yearnings are filled to the full by letting ourselves be embraced by Our Good God.

Pope Francis has made many appeals to young people to live happiness in God's way, which is the way of love. He wrote to them: a better world is built thanks also to you, young people, to your desire for change and your generosity. Do not be afraid to listen to the Holy Spirit suggesting bold choices, do not delay when your conscience asks you to take the risk of following the Master. The Church also wants to hear your voice, your sensitivity, your faith; even your doubts and criticisms. May your cry be heard, may it resound in the communities and reach the pastors.

And he published in March 2019 a beautiful letter to young people entitled "Christus Vivit"Christ lives, our hope"... He is the most beautiful youth of this world. Everything He touches becomes young, becomes new, becomes full of life. He lives and wants you alive!

You young people are the present and the future of humanity. You will keep alive the faith that you will carry more than in words, in your skin. Grilex has dared to be different, to go against the current and be free. After learning about that girl who did not commit suicide because of the new lyrics she composed, he dedicated a new song to this girl and to all those who might have suicidal ideation, young people who are deeply sad, with low self-esteem, with anorexia problems or any other kind of problems because they do not feel loved and accepted. Only God has the answers that today's young people need. The letters of gratitude he receives are abundant.

It is up to you to carry the essence of the Gospel in the language of the 21st century. Grilex invites us not to be afraid to be heroes of love.

Get to know him and be inspired by his testimony. Become a light for other young people today.

The authorLupita Venegas

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The Vatican

Doctrine of the Faith clarifies certain points of the Fiducia suplicans

The Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has issued a press release to clarify several questions about the Declaration. Fiducia Supplicans.

Maria José Atienza-January 4, 2024-Reading time: 4 minutes

Just two weeks after the publication of Fiducia suplicans, Victor Manuel Fernandez, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, has issued a press release in which he intends to clarify various problems that have arisen in the reception of the document.

On December 18, 2023, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issued the Declaration Fiducia suplicanswhich opened the door to "the possibility of blessing couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples" under certain conditions.

The declaration stressed that it is a pastoral and not a doctrinal document, and recalled the doctrine on marriage as "an exclusive, stable and indissoluble union between a man and a woman, naturally open to the begetting of children" and on sexuality, reiterating that this is an unaltered teaching. However, both the somewhat convoluted wording of the document and the novelty it introduced in allowing non-ritual blessings for irregular or same-sex couples have opened the door to widely differing interpretations, leading to a situation of confusion in many places.

Opposing reactions

In this regard, in fact, the reactions have been very diverse. Bishops such as Georg BatzingThe President of the German Bishops' Conference, expressed their satisfaction with this document and welcomed "the pastoral perspective it brings". It is worth remembering the particular context of the Church in Germany, where various groups have demanded and implemented public blessings of homosexual couples.

Oscar Ojea, who pointed out that "living in an irregular situation or in a homosexual union does not obscure many aspects of the lives of people who seek to be enlightened with a blessing, and when they receive it, it becomes the greatest possible good for these brothers and sisters, since it leads to conversion".

On the other hand, many bishops, especially in African and even Asian dioceses, have taken a stand against these blessings. The bishops of Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo or Ivory Coast have refused to allow such blessings in their dioceses, as have Archbishop Tomash Peta and Auxiliary Bishop Athanasius Schneider of the Archdiocese of St. Mary in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Other prelates, such as the Spanish Jose Ignacio Munilla, have stressed that, although the document is not contrary to doctrine, it creates a state of confusion that must be addressed pastorally. And Ukrainian Archbishop Sviestoslav Shevchuk, of the Byzantine rite, explained that the document cannot be applied in his church, precisely because of the disciplinary difference.

A clarifying statement

These diverse, and even opposing, reactions to the document have been Fiducia suplicans This was the reason why the Prefect of the Dicastery of the Faith wanted to "clarify" some points of this statement that, in his opinion, have not been well understood by the faithful. He did so through a press release issued by the Dicastery.

The Prefect shows understanding for the difficulties of some bishops or Episcopal Conferences, and points out that "what these Episcopal Conferences have expressed cannot be interpreted as doctrinal opposition, because the document is clear and classic on marriage and sexuality", and reiterates that it seeks to bless the couple (persons) and not the union (state). All this, through "blessings without liturgical form that do not approve or justify the situation in which these people find themselves" made in a spontaneous way, brief and far from any element that confuses them with a liturgical blessing.

The prefect recalls that many of these opposing reactions come from countries that "to varying degrees condemn, prohibit and criminalize homosexuality. In these cases, beyond the question of blessings, there is a broad, long-term pastoral task that includes formation, defense of human dignity, teaching of the Social Doctrine of the Church and various strategies that do not admit of haste".

The novelty of Fiducia suplicans

Cardinal Fernandez explains in the communiqué the real novelty of the document: the invitation to distinguish between two different forms of blessings: "liturgical or ritualized" and "spontaneous or pastoral".

The prefect maintains that in this sense, Fiducia suplicans offers "a specific and innovative contribution to the pastoral meaning of blessings, which makes it possible to broaden and enrich the classical understanding of blessings closely linked to a liturgical perspective", i.e. it is about "increasing pastoral blessings, which do not require the same conditions as blessings in a liturgical or ritual context" and asks the bishops "to make an effort of serene reflection, with the heart of pastors, outside of any ideology".

The note even includes an example of what such blessings might look like in which God's help is asked for in a spontaneous and non-ritual way:

Bishop Victor Manuel Fernandez appeals to the pastoral prudence and knowledge of his own faithful on the part of each bishop who can, on the other hand, "enable this type of simple blessings, with all the recommendations of prudence and care, but in no way are they authorized to propose or enable blessings that may resemble a liturgical rite".

Neither approval nor acquittal

"Gestures of pastoral closeness": this is the nature of this type of blessing, clarifies the prefect of the doctrine of the faith. Nor are they absolution, because these gestures are far from being a sacrament or a rite. they are simple expressions of pastoral closeness that do not have the same requirements as a sacrament or a formal rite.

A "novel" figure for which the cardinal calls for a previous catechesis that helps to understand them and "to free us from the fear that our blessings may express something inadequate".

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  • Christ, light of the Gentiles. Epiphany Preface
Resources

Christ, light of the Gentiles. Epiphany Preface

On Saturday, January 6, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. In the Preface of Christmas I, the light illuminated the mind of everyone; here, the manifestation of Christ illumines all nations. God manifests himself not only to the chosen people, but to all men, represented by the Magi who came from the East to adore the King of the Jews.

Giovanni Zaccaria-January 4, 2024-Reading time: 2 minutes

The original text of this preface was obtained from the union of two very ancient prefaces: the first is found in the Veronese Sacramentary and, according to some authors, is the work of Pope Damasus (366-384), while others place its origin in the 5th century; the second text is present in the ancient Gelasian Sacramentary, as well as in the Ambrosian tradition.

Quia ipsum in Christo salútis nostræ mystérium

hódie ad lumen géntium revelásti,

et, cum in substántia nostræ mortalitátis appáruit,

nova nos immortalitátis eius glória reparásti.

For [Today] in Christ, the light of the world, 

you have revealed to the nations the mystery of salvation,  

and in Him who appeared in our mortal flesh, 

you have renewed us with the glory of divine immortality.

Epiphany Preface

The text is very well constructed, since there are two coordinated parts. The first is contained in the first two stanzas of the text and affirms that, in Christ, the Father revealed the very mystery of our redemption, so that the nations might be enlightened by him.

As we saw in the Christmas Preface IThe theme of light also returns in this Preface: if there it was the light that illumines the mind of each person, here the manifestation of Christ takes on a universalist tinge, for he is the light that illumines all nations; after all, the very heart of this feast is precisely the manifestation of God not only to the chosen people, but to all men, represented by the Magi from the East to worship the King of the Jews.

The content of this illumination is the revelation of the mystery of the salvation of the human race in Christ Jesus. His person, his actions, his words, his whole life, but also and above all his death and resurrection are the way that the Father, in his design of ineffable love, has chosen to bring us salvation.

The theology of the Incarnation

The second part of the Preface explains that this is possible thanks to the reparation (reparasti) made by the Incarnation (apparuit). Here we return to the idea of the admirabile commercium, that admirable interchange, which underlies our salvation and which we have already seen in the Christmas Preface IIIThe substantia nostrae mortalitatis is saved by the immortalitatis eius gloria, which is expressed here by a beautiful antithetical parallelism in the form of a chiasmus: the substantia nostrae mortalitatis is saved by the immortalitatis eius gloria.

In a few words the whole theology of the Incarnation is summed up, according to which "what is not assumed is not saved, but what is united to God is also redeemed" (St. Gregory of Nazianzus, Epistle 101).

This is expressed in a very plastic way with the use of the terms substantiaas if to indicate the materiality of mortal human nature, and gloryThe link between the two parts of the Preface is thus made manifest: the true epiphany is the EncarnacionThe Father, through the flesh of Christ, opens to humanity the possibility of salvation, thus tearing away the darkness that enveloped human life with the light of his eternal splendor.

The authorGiovanni Zaccaria

Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (Rome)

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United States

Elizabeth Seton, a record-breaking saint

Elizabeth Ann Bailey Seton, the first American Catholic saint, died on January 4, 1821. She was also the founder of the first congregation of women religious in the United States, the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph.

Paloma López Campos-January 4, 2024-Reading time: 2 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsSisters of Charity: "Where there is charity and love, there God is".

In 1774, the Charlton family lived in New York. That Episcopalian household, where there was no economic hardship, suffered a hard blow in 1777: the mother died during childbirth, followed shortly after by the death of one of the younger members of the family.

Elizabeth Ann Bailey Charlton lived through these events when she was only three years old. The girl's father remarried another woman of strong Christian convictions, who taught Elizabeth from an early age to care for the vulnerable.

Stability did not last long in the Charlton household and the couple separated after having five children. The father left for England and the stepmother refused to take Elizabeth in. Together with her sister, the young girl went to live with her uncle and during this time she recorded her strong spiritual concerns in a diary.

Marriage and birth of children

While staying with her aunt and uncle, Elizabeth met William Magee Seton. At the age of nineteen she married him at a wedding celebrated by the first Episcopalian bishop of New York. Together they had five children and, at first, lived comfortably. However, her husband's business went bankrupt over the years and they decided to take a trip to Italy in search of new opportunities.

The move killed William, who contracted tuberculosis during the journey. Widowed before her thirtieth birthday and with five children to support, Elizabeth sought help in the home of her husband's partner, Felipe Felicchi.

Conversion to Catholicism

The Italian home of Felicchi and his wife was deeply Catholic. They welcomed the Setons and there Elizabeth came to Catholicism. In fact, when she returned to New York she asked to be baptized, after spending hours praying before the Blessed Sacrament in a New York City parish.

Elizabeth Seton's conversion was a courageous step that took its toll on her. As a means of subsistence she had opened a school in New York. However, when it became known that she had embraced the Catholic faith, many friends and family members turned their backs on her. The parents of her students gradually removed the girls from the school and Seton found herself on the edge.

While trying to find a solution, she met a French priest who offered her a position in Baltimore as the founder of a Catholic school for girls. Elizabeth accepted the position and moved with her daughters.

Last stage of his life

A year after arriving in the new city, in 1809, Seton took private vows and founded the religious community of the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph, dedicated to the education of destitute girls.

When Elizabeth Seton died on January 4, 1821, those who knew her said that she had always been a very pleasant woman, with great devotion to the Virgin Mary and the Eucharist. In spite of the difficulties she encountered, she broke several records in the United States: first saint and founder of the first American congregation of religious sisters. Her merits have not only elevated her to the altars, but have also earned her a place in the "The Eucharist".National Women's Hall of Fame" in New York.

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  • Nobility and splendor of Christian celibacy
ColumnistsRafael Domingo Oslé

Nobility and splendor of Christian celibacy

Celibacy is a kind of falling in love with the divine. The celibate person directs all his erosthat is, his desire for possessive love, towards God, and from God, to others.

January 4, 2024-Reading time: 3 minutes

The Christian celibacyThe celibate heart, whether of the laity, priests or religious, is a divine gift by which the human heart is embedded in the Heart of Christ. To the rhythm of the beating of its Beloved, the celibate heart is progressively enlarged until it incorporates within it all humanity without distinction of race, culture, age or language, thus announcing to the world the radiant love of the Kingdom of God.

The celibacy spiritual life is not properly an act of human choice, but the free acceptance of a divine invitation. The human person does not choose between getting married and being celibate, as he chooses, on the other hand, between getting married and remaining single.

What the celibate really does is to accept, with an unconditional yes, fruit of a loving and free discernment, a divine proposal of eternal spousal love.

Celibacy is accepted in the same way as the Son of God freely accepted his passion and death out of love for his Father, or the Virgin Mary, the divine design to be the Mother of the Redeemer. Yes was indispensable for the development of a plan lovingly designed by the Father from all eternity.

The celibacy contributes to the sanctification of the world and all creation in a different way than marriage. They are two complementary spousal modes: one sacramental, the other donational.

Marriage forms a family; celibacy cares for humanity as a family. Marriage divinizes human love. Celibacy humanizes divine love. Marriage begets carnal children; celibacy, spiritual children. Marriage propagates and educates the human species, celibacy the offering.

The celibate person must value marriage highly, but must also learn to transcend it. For this reason, celibacy exalts marriage. Without the institution of marriage, there is no celibacy, but pure singleness; and without celibacy, marriage is easily degraded and trivialized.

The celibate person loves all human beings, beginning with those to whom he owes the most: his parents, relatives and friends. But in the celibate heart there is no room for an exclusive love other than God himself.

In this sense, celibacy is a sort of falling in love with the divine. The celibate person directs all his or her erosthat is, his desire for possessive love, towards God, and from God, towards others, this time already in the form of agape. The married person loves God in his or her spouse; the celibate, on the other hand, loves everyone in God.

Celibacy as a gift

It is true that the celibacy is not only a gift but also a task that demands total continence. But this joyful duty does not imply the repression of the sexual impulse but rather its liberation through the education of the affections and the redemption of one's ego with the grace that flows from the gift received.

A celibacy not properly discerned or not nourished with the love of God day by day, like a burning bonfire, runs the risk of turning into a caricature of celibacywith disastrous consequences for the ecclesial and human community. I refer to the facts.

Celibacy and marriage

The person who has received the precious gift of celibacy admires and loves the institution of marriage, even if he or she realizes in the depths of his or her soul that it is only and exclusively for God.

The sacramentally married person, for his part, admires and loves the gift of celibacy in the world, also for his children, as a sign and a foretaste of the kingdom of Heaven. But let each traveler follow his own path, as the poet said, for there is no such a thing as too much, too little.

The celibate person should have in much the capacity of effort and sacrifice of the married person for her spouse and children; the married person, on the other hand, should admire the contemplative capacity of the celibate, her total detachment, even living in the midst of the world, and her desire to give herself to every human being, to every child of God, without distinction of race, color or religion.

Marriage and celibacy thus constitute two ways of living the same and unique Christian vocation in a holy way: the first emphasizes the union of Christ with his Church, the second the certain and actual presence of Christ's kingdom among us.

*The print magazine Omnes January 2024 delves into the topic of celibacy with competent authors, and notes on the teaching of the Popes and the Tradition of the Church.

The authorRafael Domingo Oslé

Professor and holder of the Álvaro d'Ors Chair
ICS. University of Navarra.

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Gospel

A new star. Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (B)

British priest Joseph Evans comments on the readings for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord corresponding to cycle B.

Joseph Evans-January 4, 2024-Reading time: 2 minutes

To the Magi, who were looking at the stars, a new star suddenly appeared in the sky. It was certainly different and much brighter than any other star they had seen so far, but they still noticed it and gave it importance. Others either did not see it, or saw no special significance in it. The Magi set out, the others did not.

We all face the danger of blind routine, which leads to a general insensitivity to the people and life around us. Too often we live insensitive to the world, to beauty, to nature, to others and, of course, to God. We fail to recognize the stars that God sends us to guide us to joy and to Himself. The Magi saw the star in their daily activity, as wise men and astronomers.

God speaks to us in different ways in our daily lives, and we should not get used to these "stars". It is not a matter of daydreaming, wishing our daily reality were different: "I wish a star would come to me and take me somewhere else, on a long and exotic journey like that of these Magi".

They were not wise by indulging in escapist fantasies or by running away from responsibility: they did neither one nor the other. They were wise because they responded to God's call. We can all find our daily work and family obligations demanding, and sometimes we are tempted to run away from them.

We can all wish we were somewhere else. We can all be tempted to want to leave our clothes on the beach and disappear into a better life, free of worries and responsibilities. This is not the answer. We would not find happiness, we would not escape our weaknesses and shortcomings, and we would not escape God.

Centuries ago, one of the people who wrote the Psalms experienced something similar: the desire to flee from God. But as he contemplated the impossibility of doing so, it also led him to consider that God's presence and vision everywhere are not to oppress us, but to sustain us and lead us to happiness. Read Psalm 139 for yourself to delve deeper into this.

It was precisely this God who sees and acts everywhere who saw and loved those Magi in their distant eastern land and sent them a star to call them to Himself.

As they looked to heaven for meaning, God came down from heaven to lead them to an answer. And in our place too, God looks down on us and continues to send us his stars, if only - like the Magi - we are willing to perceive them.

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Pope's teachings

Passion for evangelization

Throughout the year 2023, Pope Francis has dedicated numerous catecheses of the Wednesday general audiences to the theme of evangelization. This article presents the Holy Father's main teachings on this theme.

Ramiro Pellitero-January 4, 2024-Reading time: 8 minutes

The Pope has dedicated 29 general audiences from January 11 to December 6, 2023 to the passion for evangelization. First of all, we should ask ourselves if evangelization is something that really "impassions" us Christians. 

At the same time, the fact that an entire year has been dedicated to this theme undoubtedly highlights the priority that evangelization has in Francis' teachings. 

What evangelization is or what it consists of is something that should be evaluated according to its own teachings, since it is a word that has been used since the beginning of time. Vatican Council II has been acquiring different meanings. It began by signifying the first missionary proclamation of the faith.

Today it means the entire apostolic work of the Church: everything that is done in her, both individually by individual Christians and institutionally, to spread the message of the Gospel, the "good news" of salvation in Christ. All this, knowing that it is not simply a matter of "informing" about a message, but of continuing to exercise the "divine pedagogy" of Revelation: with deeds and words, communicating a message that is, at the same time, Life for each person and for the world. 

The contemporary magisterium conceives evangelization as a process with different stages or moments (cf. Paul VI, Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii nuntiandi1975, n. 17 ff.): each of them is distinguished from the others and represents, at the same time, a dimension that in some way is present in all of them. Thus, for example, the first is the witness, which is like the preparation for the first proclamation (kerygma).

However, both are still present in the later elements. "Evangelization, we have said, is a complex step, with varied elements: renewal of humanity, witness, explicit proclamation [clear proclamation of Jesus Christ], adhesion of the heart, entry into the community, acceptance of the signs [sacraments], apostolic initiatives. These elements may seem contrasting, even exclusive. In reality, they are complementary and mutually enriching. Each of them must always be seen as integrated with the others." (ibid., 24).

Due to space constraints, we limit ourselves here to presenting the first part of the catechesis (up to and including March 22). That is, the first eight Wednesdays, in which the Pope explained the nature and structure of evangelization. Then, and almost to the end, he showed us the figures of Christians who have left us an exemplary testimony of what passion for the Gospel means.

All Christians must be "Church in going out".

Francis introduced his catechesis as ".an urgent and decisive theme for Christian life: the passion for evangelization, that is, apostolic zeal. [...] This is a vital dimension for the Church, the community of the disciples of Jesus is born apostolic and missionary".. Everything starts from the call to the apostolate (January 11, 2023) that Christ addressed to his apostles (cf. Mt 9:9-13). 

From the beginning it is revealed who is the protagonist of the evangelization that manifests the being "going out" of the Church: "...".The Holy Spirit shapes her going out - the Church going out, going forth - so that she does not close in on herself, but is extroverted, a contagious witness of Jesus - faith is also contagious - spreading out to radiate her light to the ends of the earth.". 

But what happens if this apostolic ardor wanes, eclipses or cools?"When Christian life loses sight of the horizon of evangelization, the horizon of proclamation, it becomes sick: it closes in on itself, becomes self-referential, atrophies. Without apostolic zeal, faith withers. Mission, on the other hand, is the oxygen of Christian life: it invigorates and purifies it.".

The Pope is preparing to "to rediscover the evangelizing passion, starting from Scripture and the teaching of the Church, in order to draw apostolic zeal from its sources.". And it begins with the call of Matthew, whom Jesus chooses after looking at him with mercy (cf. Mt 9:9-13) and changing him interiorly, healing him of his miseries. The apostle begins his task from his own home, from his own environment, with those who know him. He went there and gave an attractive and joyful witness of Jesus. 

Jesus, model and teacher of proclamation 

In fact, the model of evangelizing proclamation is Jesus himself (cf. General Audience, January 18, 2023). "God does not stand contemplating the fold of his sheep, nor does he threaten them so that they will not leave. Rather, if one goes out and gets lost, he does not abandon it, but seeks it out. He does not say, 'She's gone, it's her fault, it's her own business!' The pastoral heart reacts differently: the pastoral heart suffers, the pastoral heart takes risks. It suffers: yes, God suffers for those who leave and, as he weeps for them, he loves them even more.". 

In evangelization, therefore, it is not a matter of seeking others so that they may be "one of us" (which would be mere proselytism), but of loving them so that they may be happy children of God. "Because without this love that suffers and risks, our life does not go well: if we Christians do not have this love that suffers and risks, we run the risk of shepherding only ourselves. Shepherds who are shepherds of themselves, instead of being shepherds of the flock, dedicate themselves to combing sheep. We must not be shepherds of ourselves, but shepherds of all.".

Jesus is not only a model, but also a master of evangelizing proclamation (cf. General Audience, January 25, 1992). In his preaching in the synagogue of Nazareth (cf. Lk 4:17-21), Jesus manifests the essential elements of proclamation: joy, because he affirms that he has been anointed and "sent to bring the Good News to the poor(v. 18); liberation, because he has come to proclaim liberation to the captives (ibid.), not to impose burdens, but to show the beauty of the Christian life; light: he comes to restore the "..." (ibid.).sight for the blind(ibid.) bringing the light of sonship, because life is illuminated when we know we are children of the Father; healing, because it comes to "..." (ibid.).to set the oppressed free"(ibid.) for the sicknesses and faults of sin (cf. v. 19); and, finally, amazement, before the action of God's grace.

And all this without forgetting that it is a "happy announcement", precisely because it is addressed "to the poor. "To welcome the Lord, each one of us must become 'poor inside'. With that poverty that makes you say... 'Lord, I need forgiveness, I need help, I need strength'". 

Root, content and mode of the announcement 

And what did Jesus' disciples do? What was their first apostolate like? (cf. General Audience, Feb. 15, 2023). He called them and "instituted twelve, whom He called apostles, to be with Him and to send them out to preach, to preach the gospel." (Mk 3:14). Following the tradition of Christian preaching, the Pope points out this need to "be" with Jesus in order to be able to "go", to evangelize; and vice versa (for there is no "being" without "going"). 

And there he underlines three aspects: firstly, the reason for evangelization, the beauty and gratuitousness of the proclamation of faith; its content (the closeness, mercy and tenderness of God); and finally, the fundamental aspect, the witness of the faith., which involves thought, affection and action. Other conditions are: humility and meekness, detachment and ecclesial communion. 

The Holy Spirit and the "principle of proclamation".

Jesus commands "make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"(Mt 28:29). The protagonism of the Holy Spirit is seen continually after Pentecost, in the book of the Acts of the Apostles (cf. General Audience, 22 Feb. 2023). The historic decision of the "Council of Jerusalem" (cf. Acts 15:28) teaches us what the Pope calls "the principle of proclamation", that is to say: "Every option, every use, every structure, every tradition must be evaluated to the extent that it favors the proclamation of Christ.".

If it is important to start from surveys and sociological analyses of the situation, challenges, expectations and complaints, it is much more important to start from our own experiences of the Spirit (to seek them out, study them, interpret them).

The duty of evangelization

The Pope dedicated two audiences to the teachings of the Second Vatican Council on evangelization. In the first, he presented evangelization as ecclesial service (cf. 1 Cor 15:1-2) (cf. General Audience, 8-III-2023). Since the Holy Spirit is the principle of unity and life, "architect of evangelization"This is always done by transmitting what we have received. in Ecclesia. This ecclesial dimension of evangelization is important, because there is always the temptation to go "alone", especially when there are difficulties and more effort is required.

"Equally dangerous -the bishop of Rome said. is the temptation to follow easier pseudo-church paths, to adopt the mundane logic of numbers and polls, to rely on the strength of our ideas, programs, structures, on the 'relationships that matter'.". And that, he says, is secondary. 

You have a lot of resources in "the school of the Second Vatican Council"(and specifically in the decree Ad gentes, on the missions) we learn that the impetus for evangelization arises from God the Father's love for all, because no one is excluded.. It is the duty of the Church to continue the mission of Christ and to follow the same path of poverty, obedience, service and immolation until death, a path that ends in the resurrection.

Therefore, apostolic zeal is not enthusiasm, but God's grace and service.. And that corresponds to all Christians, not only to those who preach. That is why: "If you do not evangelize, if you do not set an example, if you do not give testimony of the Baptism you have received, of the faith the Lord has given you, you are not a good Christian.". What we have received we must give to others, with a sense of responsibility, even if it is sometimes by difficult paths. 

This is also expressed in the "creative search for new ways of proclaiming and witnessing, for new ways of encountering the wounded humanity that Christ took upon himself. In short, new ways of rendering service to the Gospel and of rendering service to humanity.".

On the following Wednesday (cf. General Audience 15-III-23), Francis insisted on the declaration of the Council: ".The Christian vocation, by its very nature, is also a vocation to the apostolate."(Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, 2). This is, in the Church, for all and the responsibility of all, each according to his or her own condition and gifts. It is therefore also the duty of the laity, who are made sharers in the priestly, prophetic and kingly mediation of Christ.

We all have the vocation to serve others, and for that we must try to dialogue, to begin, among ourselves, to know how to listen to each other and to flee from the vanity of positions. 

– Supernatural Evangelii nuntiandithe magna carta magna of evangelization

The magna carta of evangelization is the apostolic exhortation of St. Paul VI Evangelii nuntiandi (EN) of 1975. The Pope elaborated on this text in his audience of March 22. 

Paul VI points out that evangelization is more than a simple doctrinal and moral transmission: it is first and foremost a witness.. Pope Montini famously said: "The world needs "evangelists who speak to them about a God whom they themselves know and treat familiarly." (EN, 76). "Contemporary man listens more willingly to those who bear witness than to those who teach [...], or, if they listen to those who teach, it is because they bear witness." (EN, 41).

This is, following the witness of Christ and united to Him, the primary means of evangelization (cf. ibid.) and an essential condition for its efficacy (EN, 76), so that the proclamation of the Gospel may be fruitful. Witness, says Francis, is "to transmit God who becomes life in me".

The Pope notes that witness includes professed faith, that is, faith that transforms our relationships, criteria and evaluations. "Witness, therefore, cannot do without consistency between what is believed and what is proclaimed and what is lived." That is why the opposite of witnessing is hypocrisy. Hence the question: Do you believe what you proclaim? Do you live what you believe? Do you proclaim what you live? 

In this sense, the witness of Christian life implies the path of holiness, based on baptism: "...".Paul VI teaches that zeal for evangelization springs from holiness, flows from a heart full of God. Nourished by prayer and above all by love for the Eucharist, evangelization in turn makes the people who carry it out grow in holiness." (EN, 76). At the same time, without holiness the word of the evangelizer "It will hardly make a breakthrough in the hearts of the men of this time. It runs the risk of becoming vain and infertile". (ibid.).

It is also important to be aware that the recipients of evangelization are not only others, but also ourselves. This is why Paul VI says that "the Church as such must also begin to evangelize itself". (EN, 15). 

This means, Francis points out, "to walk a demanding path, a path of conversion, of renewal"without taking refuge in the "it has always been done this way". To this end, we must enter into dialogue with the contemporary world, weave fraternal relationships, seek spaces for encounter, carry out good practices of hospitality, welcome, recognition and integration of the other and of otherness, and care for the common home that is creation. 

As a synthesis of the catechesis, in his last audiences (from November 15 to December 6), the Pope emphasized four fundamental characteristics of evangelization: the proclamation of evangelization is joy; it is joy for all; it must be joy today (in a way that is meaningful and relevant in today's circumstances); and it must be joy as a gift of the Holy Spirit. "In fact -warns the Bishop of Rome-In order to 'communicate God', the joyful credibility of the witness, the universality of the proclamation and the timeliness of the message are not enough. Without the Holy Spirit, all zeal is vain and falsely apostolic: it would be ours alone and would not bear fruit.".

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Christian life involves constant struggle, Pope says

The Christian life requires a constant struggle against sin and growth in holiness, the Pope said at the first General Audience of this year 2024, in his summary for English-speaking pilgrims and faithful. He also wished them "the joy of this Christmas, finding in prayer the Savior who wants to be close to everyone".

Francisco Otamendi-January 3, 2024-Reading time: 3 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsJesus Christ at the center of Christian life and evangelization

Today, Wednesday, in the first General Audience Pope Francis continued this year's cycle of catecheses on "vices and virtues", and on this occasion he focused on the spiritual struggle of the Christian, based on the reading of Mt 3:13-15, the "Vices and Virtues". baptism of the Lordwhose feast is celebrated next Sunday.

This reflection "helps us to overcome the nihilistic culture in which the contours between good and evil remain blurred," he said. "The spiritual life of the Christian is not peaceful, linear and unchallenged, but, on the contrary, requires a constant struggle. It is not by chance that the first anointing that every Christian receives in the sacrament of Baptism - the catechumenal anointing - symbolically announces that life is a struggle."

The anointing of the catechumens makes it immediately clear that Christians, like everyone else, "will have to descend into the arena, because life is a succession of trials and temptations," the Pontiff said.

Jesus was tempted

He also reminded the English pilgrims and faithful that "Jesus, Himself without sin, submitted to John's baptism and was baptized by John. tempted in the desertto teach us the need for spiritual rebirth, conversion of mind and heart, and unwavering trust in God's mercy and grace". 

"May our weekly reflections on the virtues and vices help us to imitate the example of the Lord, to grow in wisdom and self-understanding, and to discern between good and evil. As we grow in the knowledge and practice of the virtues, let us experience the joy of closeness to God, the source of all good, of authentic happiness and of the fullness of eternal life," he said.

He then expressly welcomed "all the English-speaking pilgrims, especially the groups from Malta and the United States of America. I wish you and your families the joy of this Christmas, finding in prayer the Savior who wants to be close to everyone. God bless you!

Message of peace among friends and colleagues

At various points during the Audience, in his message to the faithful and pilgrims who filled the Paul VI Hall, Francis reminded young Italians "like Mary, to know how to keep, meditate and follow the Word that became flesh in Bethlehem, so as to spread his message of Christmas and peace among their friends and companions".

He also greeted the priests of Modena, who are commemorating their 40th anniversary of ordination, and encouraged them "to persevere on the path of fidelity to the Lord".

And he pleaded that "we should not forget the people who are at war. War is madness, it is a defeat, it is always a defeat". With several Ukrainian flags at the General Audience, the Pope asked that "we pray for the people in Palestine. Israel, Ukraine, and for so many other places where there is war. And let us not forget our brothers rohingyawho are persecuted.

Finally, he addressed the young, the sick, the elderly and the newlyweds. "To all I exhort you to continue in faithful adherence to Jesus, and in generous support for the spread of his Gospel."

"Not living on the moon."

Our whole life is a struggle, marked by contrasts and temptations, which are necessary to advance on the path of virtue, because they bring us face to face with the reality of our littleness, the Pope reiterated in various ways in his catechesis. 

"Whoever considers that he has already achieved a certain degree of perfection, that he does not need conversion, that he does not need to go to confession, or that it is not worth the effort, lives in the moon, lives in darkness and does not know right from wrong. On the contrary, we must ask Jesus to give us the ability and the strength to confront our weakness, the courage to abandon ourselves to his mercy and the wisdom not to let our guard down in this effort. The enemy is lying in wait and we must be alert so as not to be deceived," the Pope encouraged.

Specifically, to the Spanish-speaking pilgrims he pointed out. "Today we remember the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. Let us ask the Lord for light to keep us on the path of goodness and his grace to persevere in it, without fearing challenges and trials. May God bless you and the Holy Virgin watch over you."

At the end, before saying the Our Father and giving the Blessing, Pope Francis prayed and invited people to address the Lord in this way: "Jesus, do not go away from me, I am a sinner".

The authorFrancisco Otamendi

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Gospel

Contemplating with Mary. Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (B)

Joseph Evans comments on the readings for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (B) and Luis Herrera offers a short video homily.

Joseph Evans-January 3, 2024-Reading time: 2 minutes

When the shepherds went to see the baby Jesus in Bethlehem it was like a new beginning for humanity. They became the first witnesses, outside of the Holy Family, to the birth of the God-man. Through these poor, simple men, God's saving plan began to be known to mankind, and later, through the Magi, the news of this plan would spread to the pagan world.

In this text the Greek verb is used three times laleówhich means "to speak" or "to tell". The shepherds come and repeat what the angels had "told" them; the people are amazed at what the shepherds "tell" them; and they return praising God "...".for all that they had heard and seen, according to what had been told them". It is precisely Good News, and the very nature of news is that it is meant to be told, to be spread.

It is not surprising, therefore, that we begin the New Year with this Gospel, and under Mary's protection, for every new year is a new beginning. We begin another year in human history by going with the shepherds to see this wonder, God made man, made baby, for our salvation. With this vision, with this knowledge, having received this news, we can face the year ahead. All that the angel told the shepherds is true: the "sign" of God's saving plan for humanity is in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes (Lk 2:12). God has come down in humility to save us from our pride and its disastrous effects. 

But Maria tells nothing. She treasures and reflects. Interestingly, the word "treasure" or "keep safe" is also used in Mk 6:20, when Herod was guarding John the Baptist, protecting him (at least until that moment) from Herodias' desire to kill him. And Jesus, in his parable, uses the same verb to teach that new wine is kept in new wineskins (Mt 9:17). While counting is a form of "pouring out," there is also the need to preserve, to keep safe, the action of God in our lives.

Counting can be a holy action to proclaim God's great works (Mary herself does so in her Magnificat), entering into an exchange that includes even the angels in heaven. But if we limit ourselves to counting, we will merely pour out words and our conversation will be empty. We also need to "drink," as Mary did while contemplating the Child God on her lap. Prayer is certainly talking, talking to God, and it can lead us to talk about God to others. But even higher forms of prayer are meditation and contemplation, often without words, like Mary treasuring, keeping safe, the divine life she carried in her womb.

Homily on the readings of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (B)

The priest Luis Herrera Campo offers its nanomiliaa small one-minute reflection for these readings.

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The Vatican

This is what the College of Cardinals will look like in 2024

Rome Reports-January 3, 2024-Reading time: < 1 minute
rome reports88

Of the 132 cardinal electors who make up the College of Cardinals, 13 will reach the age of 80 in 2024 and will therefore lose the right to vote.

Italy is the country with the highest number of purpurates (14), followed by the United States (11) and Spain (8).

AhNow you can enjoy a 20% discount on your subscription to Rome Reports Premiumthe international news agency specializing in the activities of the Pope and the Vatican.
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Photo Gallery

SEEK24. Thousands of young Catholics take St. Louis

General view of the opening Mass of the SEEK24 congress at the America's Center Convention Complex in St. Louis (Missouri) in which some 20,000 young people are participating.

Maria José Atienza-January 3, 2024-Reading time: < 1 minute
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EditorialOmnes

Omnes launches a comprehensive ebook on celibacy

The "Synthesis Report," which contained a summary of the topics discussed during the first Roman phase of the Universal Synod on Synodality, included a mention of the celibacy of priests.

January 3, 2024-Reading time: 2 minutes

The "Synthesis Report", which contained a summary of the topics dealt with during the first Roman phase of the Universal Synod on Synodality, included a mention of the celibacy of priests. It was among the "questions to be faced" as a topic to be "taken up again at a later date". This ebook wants to contribute to this more detailed study, and brings together some articles that deal with celibacy and consider it from different perspectives. 

The "Report" was based on the recognition, accepted by the assembly, of its "theological convenience", while at the same time taking up the insecurity of some who "wonder whether it should necessarily be translated into a disciplinary obligation"; hence the interest in addressing it. In fact, it is well known that reservations about celibacy are frequent and stem from various considerations. 

For example, it is not uncommon to hear that abolishing or relaxing it would open the path to the priesthood to a greater number of potential candidates, without forgetting, they point out on the other hand, that it would allow "readmitting" to the priesthood those who once left it to marry; or that the cause of a good part of the sexual abuses by members of the clergy would lie in possible psychological deficiencies caused by it. It seems that none of these suppositions have been proven.

This leads us to reflect on the profound nature of celibacy, which is either a gift of God - and therefore accompanied by the graces that make it possible, in any situation and with the cooperation of man - or it is conceived as a human choice and product, which can be vain.

In the same way, one often hears the statement that for the Church this is a purely disciplinary matter; but does that mean that it has no justification other than an imposed decision, that there is lacking in the history of theology or spirituality a conviction that it is a way of life theologically rooted in the very essence of the priesthood?

On the other hand, it should be remembered that the celibate form of the Christian vocation is not exclusive to the priesthood, but also accompanies the consecrated life and the vocational journey of many lay people. 

In short, there are so many aspects of this issue that it would have been impossible to deal with them exhaustively. But the following pages do offer an interesting and useful overview and a wealth of information. The main arguments are outlined, thanks to the contributions of experienced and competent authors.

His articles are completed with brief notes on the teachings of recent Popes and the most significant documents of the Church's Tradition, as well as references to some places where the subject can be further explored. It is not in vain that, in the words of St. Paul VI, it is a question of "a precious gift of Christ to his Church, a gift that needs to be constantly meditated upon and strengthened"..

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The ebook can be purchased here.

The authorOmnes

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Evangelization

Christ always present: a story of conversion

A young student tells his testimony of conversion after a few years away from the faith, his family and his friends.

Louis Ricapet-January 3, 2024-Reading time: 4 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsOmnes arrives at SEEK24Related NewsBrock MartinYoung people are the future leaders of the Church".

Years before writing this essay, I led a very ordinary life with my French Christian family with whom I grew up all my life. I was baptized very early, at the age of 2, and I followed the religious teachings that had been instilled in me throughout my childhood. However, when I reached the age of 17, 3 years ago, I realized that I knew nothing of what faith was.

Like many people who call themselves Christians, during my childhood I went to church very often, prayed almost every evening and loved to read a lot of religious books. Throughout this childhood I learned many things about the Christian faith, through catechism from the age of 10 to 13 and from my family, I made Communion and then received Confirmation. Deep down I thought I knew God and that was the basis of my faith. In reality, my faith consisted more of going to church, praying the same thing every night and going to catechism classes. This relationship was obviously fragile, and this fragility had consequences later on.

In the distance

1 year later, at the age of 14, my father died and after that everything was very different. I didn't pray anymore, I had no motivation to go to church, I didn't even take time to read the Bible or other religious texts. What was happening was my first fall in faith. Months later I tried to gradually resume my prayer habits, but something was wrong, it was not like before.

This situation lasted 3 years, during these three years I only prayed when I felt the need and no longer to establish a relationship with God. The truth was that, deep down, I did not know anything about my creator, who he was, why we are on earth... So many questions I asked myself without even wanting to look for the answers.

At the age of 17 I started to discover what life was really about, I am talking about the adult problems that we started to understand, I started to make my first big mistakes and the first difficult decisions of my life. A dark period in my life in which a light appeared in the most unexpected way possible.

Christ reappears

In 2017 I discovered the Tiktok app, like any teenager I installed this app and used it daily. Before long my news feed was filling up with Christian videos, people sharing their experiences, their testimonies as well as their advice. Without me expecting it, I started to realize through other people that I didn't know anything about what faith was. I learned a lot of verses, prayers and new perspectives to understand certain passages of the Bible that I didn't understand before, and little by little God came back into my life, in the most unexpected way possible.

A few months later I felt God begin to act in my life, I felt His presence for the first time in various ways, from people He put in my life to videos that spoke to my specific situation every time I opened the Tiktok application. At that moment I sincerely felt my faith being strengthened, but what was it really?

Far from God, far from home

Two years later, at the age of 19, I made the hardest decision of my life: to leave my family and everything I knew to live in the United States and realize my dream. I decided to settle in Florida for 8 months. These 8 months would be the hardest of my life. Five months after settling in, the loneliness, the lack of loved ones and the distance from my friends made me fall into one of the worst periods of my life, and obviously my faith was impacted.

I could no longer pray, I slept and ate little, to this was added that I no longer had college due to a failed exam, and at that moment I had the impression that everything was going against me, nothing was going well. However, I had that voice, deep inside me, that reassured me, whispering that I should not worry anymore and that everything would return to normal. Since I had no other solution but to find a new university as soon as possible, I searched and found a new university, but day after day new problems arose.

The miracle

A week before the deadline I had before I had to return to my home country, France, I was missing an answer from a member of the university admissions, a wait that lasted months. This answer was decisive for my life and for this dream I had been following. As problems loomed over me, I suddenly decided to pray, to pray from the depths of my heart as I had not done for months. That day, a miracle happened in my life, after praying from the depths of my heart, I received an email the same day, with the answer I was waiting for.

A few days later, almost, I had the impression that all the problems I had at that moment could be solved in an instant. I understood at that moment that my Father, Jesus Christ, had never abandoned me, it was He who had made me understand that I should not worry anymore, He simply wanted me to ask Him for things and from that day on, I know that no matter how many trials, how many times I will have to face whatever happens, He will always be there, and in me forever.

In conclusion, what I would like to convey with this essay is not so much my journey as a message of hope for anyone who feels empty inside having forgotten the power of his Creator, the Father of all. If we listen to Him from the depths of our hearts, He will guide us to the wonderful plan He has prepared for us. The main thing is to trust Him and entrust your life to Him. The process is not easy but what awaits us can only be happiness and peace.

The authorLouis Ricapet

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The Vatican

Pope prays for the "gift of diversity in the Church".

In January 2024, Pope Francis' prayer intention is for Catholics to pray for "the diversity of charisms in the Church."

Paloma López Campos-January 2, 2024-Reading time: < 1 minute
RelatedRelated News"Religious, ethnic and cultural diversity is a resource, not an obstacle."Related NewsSilvio Ferrari: "Respect for diversity must start with religions".

This first month of 2024, Pope Francis asks Catholics not to be afraid "of the diversity of charisms in the Church". The Holy Father encourages in his January video to "rejoice in living this diversity," which has been present since "the first Christian communities."

Francis affirms that "to advance along the path of faith we also need ecumenical dialogue" with other religious confessions and different Christian denominations. The Pontiff emphasizes that these conversations cannot be seen as "something that confuses or bothers, but as a gift that God gives to the Christian community so that it may grow as one body, the Body of Christ".

To live this gift, we must allow ourselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit, the Pope explains. Thanks to him, we remember "that above all we are God's beloved children. We are all equal in God's love and all different.

For this reason, Francis commends Catholics to pray that the Holy Spirit "will help us to recognize the gift of different charisms within Christian communities and to describe the richness of the different ritual traditions within the Catholic Church."

This intention The Holy Father's message comes just in the month in which the Octave for Christian Unity is celebrated. Precisely the motto for the octave of this year 2024 is "You shall love the Lord your God... And your neighbor as yourself" (Luke 10:27).

The full video with the Pope's prayer intention can be seen below:

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  • Focus
  • Vocations
  • Asitha Sriyantha: "Training is key to address the challenges of our mission".
Vocations

Asitha Sriyantha: "Training is key to address the challenges of our mission".

Asitha Sriyantha is a native of Sri Lanka. He is now in Pamplona, completing his theological and philosophical formation. From a Catholic family, she studied in a Buddhist school where she was able to explain to her classmates her desire to surrender to God. 

Sponsored space-January 2, 2024-Reading time: 3 minutes

His full name is Asitha Sriyantha Lakmal, Kekulu Thotuwage Don. This Sri Lankan seminarian is very clear that his preparation prior to the priesthood is key to the exercise of a fruitful and joyful ministry. 

What was your path to the seminary?

-Since my childhood I have had the desire to become a priest. I come from a devout Catholic family, with parents who actively participate in parish activities. Thanks to them, I grew in faith and in my relationship with God. I studied elementary school in the school next to the parish church. It was normal for me to serve at the morning mass.

In high school, I attended a Buddhist school. Many times, when teachers asked us about our ambition, my only answer was: "I want to be a priest." My teachers and friends did not understand. Later, when I explained it to them, they understood my desire a little better and even encouraged me.

At the age of sixteen I entered the minor seminary of St. Aloysius in Colombo. After three years of formation in the minor seminary, I entered the propaedeutic seminary. I did three years of philosophical studies at Our Lady of Lanka National Seminary, Kandy and now I am able to study Theology in Pamplona thanks to CARF Foundation. 

How did your family experience the announcement of your vocation?

-At first, my father was not very happy that I entered the seminary, because I am the only son. Now he is proud to have a son preparing to become a priest. My mother is a very devout Catholic, from whom I always learn to pray, and my only sister is always there for whatever is needed. My grandmother lives with us in our home and I admire the simple faith she has. My relatives and friends are happy because I am the first one to become a priest. I hope and pray that some of my relatives will choose this wonderful path of life, to become a priest. 

What does the Church in Asia bring to the world?

-Asia is incredibly diverse, with numerous ethnicities, languages and cultural practices. 

The Church in Asia contributes to the rich tapestry of Christianity in various ways, reflecting the diverse cultures, traditions, religions and histories of the continent. Indeed, the Church in Asia often embraces and integrates this diversity, fostering a sense of unity in the midst of differences. Asia is home to several major religions, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and others. 

The Church in Asia participates in interreligious dialogue, promoting mutual understanding and cooperation among people of different religions, contributing to peace. In many Asian countries Christians carry out their mission in peace and freedom, but in others there are situations of violence and persecution. 

Now that you live with young people from other cultures, how has your perspective on the Church changed?

-More than changing, it is expanding. In Sri Lanka, we experienced the local Church. But at Bidasoa International College, where I live in Pamplona, the universality of the Catholic Church is palpable. We may be different with our cultures and languages, but we are one in our faith.

God willing, we will be ordained priests and we will be serving in different parts of the world, but our life is one and we serve one Master. Our thoughts and ideas may differ, but we work together and walk together towards one goal. 

What are the challenges for a young priest today?

-I am not yet a priest, but I believe that every priest must fulfill his mission in the face of the thinking of the modern world. Many societies are becoming more and more secular. It is a challenge for priests to engage and attract the interest of the younger generation. There are problems similar to those of previous generations and others that are more specific to the present.

Formation is very important to find innovative ways to address these challenges and to serve actively in the divine mission. If we build on faith in ourselves, we will never bear the fruit that God wants, but if we seek God's grace and guidance, maintaining a close relationship with Him, life will be fruitful and there will be abundant fruit.

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United States

Brock Martin: "Young people are the future leaders of the Church"

In this interview, Brock Martin talks about the community that is created during the SEEK event, young people as the future of the Church and the commitment of Catholics to the people around them.

Paloma López Campos-January 2, 2024-Reading time: 5 minutes
RelatedRelated News"Young people are needed to resist the aging of the soul."Related News"May young people be open to gratitude for what they have received."

Brock Martin is senior director of Regional Evangelization of FOCUS. Being a young father himself, he is aware of the potential of young people to spread the Gospel. He knows that they are full of vitality and that "they long to be part of something bigger than themselves".

Brock Martin, director of regional evangelization at FOCUS

That's why he collaborates with the SEEK organization and knows first-hand the important details of the event. In this interview, he talks about the community that is created during the five days of the meeting, the youth as the future of the Church and the commitment of Catholics to the people around them.

What is the origin of SEEK and why is it oriented towards young people?

- FOCUS has hosted annual conferences since the very beginning in 1998. In 2013, the name, SEEK, was adopted and it really has become an amazing hub for leaders in the new evangelization to encounter tens of thousands of young people who are asking life's deeper questions. While there will be many participants from all age groups and demographics, young people remain the focal point as they are the future leaders in the Church and in the world.

Thanks to these events, you can be in contact with the youth of the U.S. What do young people miss, what are they looking for?

- I think young people today are starving for authentic connection, and the pandemic exacerbated this! Many of the institutions young people interact with are simply trying to sell them something. At SEEK, people aren't "sold" something, rather they are invited into the dynamic adventure of following the person of Jesus Christ. It reminds me of the great St. Augustine quote, " To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him the greatest adventure, and to find him the greatest human achievement." Young people crave being a part of something bigger than just themselves and at SEEK, they will see and hear that invitation clearly.

One of SEEK's mottos is "Be the light". What does it mean and why is it important?

- The motto "be the light" flows from Jesus' words in Matthew 5 where he tells his followers "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden" We live in a day and age where we are often told that our faith must remain relegated to our private lives and shouldn't affect our public lives. Unfortunately, this has led to many problems as people separate their faith from their practice.

At SEEK, we will be reminded of the truth that God desires not just a part of our lives but our "whole" lives and it is contagious! Watching thousands of people commit to following the Lord inspires others to do the same, and when they go back home they can bring that light with them to others in their communities.

How do you achieve a sense of community when you bring together thousands of young people?

- Evangelization should be relational because human beings are relational. Community can be difficult to foster with so many attending, but community is fostered at SEEK in two ways.

First, ideally nobody would attend SEEK alone. Throughout history we know that saints come in clusters and journeying with friends is always more fruitful than journeying alone. Second, What happens at SEEK should notstay at SEEK!

The hope would be that SEEK provides the tools and encouragement to go home and begin or continue to live missionary discipleship with those you know and love at home. This is true whether you are returning to a campus as a student or a parish as a parishioner.

What is the focus of the event? What is the most important thing when you organize it?

- The focus of SEEK is to provide attendees with a powerful encounter with the Jesus Christ who is alive and active, and to inspire them to take that encounter home and live as missionary disciples with new fervor.

The most important thing when organizing the conference is to make sure we are getting out of the way and letting the Holy Spirit drive what happens in each individual's heart. We believe and have come to know that God desires to captivate hearts more than we ever could. We are called to set up an environment where he can work and then we step aside and let it happen!

How do you find the balance between making an event entertaining and maintaining God's presence?

- This balance is extremely important. Some people have said in the past that it is a sin to bore somebody with the gospel. We hope to create an environment that is entertaining and attractive to anyone. However, merely trying to entertain the audience would fall short of the larger purpose of the event, which as I said is to provide attendees with powerful encounters and inspire them to take that home.

We try to balance this by bringing in world-class speakers and entertainment, but the focus of the event remains bringing people together and placing them in God's presence. This is most notable on night 3 where there will be several hours of adoration and worship music all at the feet of Jesus in the Eucharist.

There are many renowned speakers at SEEK, what criteria do you follow to choose the people who participate and give the talks?

- At SEEK we are blessed to welcome so many renowned speakers. At its core, our vetting process starts with our main goals for the event: will this speaker help provide attendees with a powerful encounter with God? Will they help inspire people to take this home and live it out? Furthermore, the world offers people today so many cheap alternatives to the Gospel.

We want those speaking at SEEK to be able to wade into some of the typical questions people are asking and to provide a distinctly catholic way of responding to the issues facing humanity today.

For many young people participating in SEEK the event will be an experience that touches their hearts, what do you expect of them as Catholics who then take to the streets across the country?

- Three key takeaways I hope every attendee receives, in whatever way God is calling them, are: Divine Intimacy, Authentic Friendship, and Clarity and Conviction about living as a missionary disciple.

Regarding divine intimacy, I pray that each and every attendee walks away with the desire to cultivate a daily prayer life and receives the tools and encouragement to take the next step, regardless of where they are.

For authentic friendship, I hope people experience a taste of what it looks like when people commit to living as saints and doing so together. God created us as social creatures and our hearts long to be known, loved, and cared for.

And finally, I hope each attendee hears that, due to their baptism, they are called to be missionary disciples themselves. This isn't a "rule" the Church gives us but an overflow from what God is doing in our hearts. If attendees walk away with these three things then SEEK will have been a success!

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  • Resources
  • Exchange between the divine and the human. Christmas Preface III
Resources

Exchange between the divine and the human. Christmas Preface III

The third Christmas Preface is the result of a reworking of a text found in the Veronese Sacramentary and probably dating from the fifth century, possibly by Leo the Great. Christmas is the mystery of that "marvelous exchange": God assumed human nature so that we could participate in the divine nature.

Giovanni Zaccaria-January 2, 2024-Reading time: 2 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsChristmas Philosophy

The third Preface of Christmas is, as a whole, strongly Christological and is affected by the polemics of the time in which it was composed. It is a strong affirmation of the true faith against AriansApollinarians, Apollinarians, Docetists, etc.

"Per quem hódie commércium nostræ reparatiónis effúlsit, quia, dum nostra fragílitas a tuo Verbo suscípitur, humána mortálitas non solum in perpétuum transit honórem, sed nos quoque, mirándo consórtio, reddit ætérnos."

In Him [today] shines forth in full light the sublime exchange that has redeemed us: our weakness is assumed by the Word, our mortal nature is raised to eternal dignity, and we, united to you in marvelous communion, participate in your immortal life.

Christmas Preface III

The Mystery of Christmas is presented here with the pair of terms commercium-consortium: Christmas is the mystery of this "marvelous exchange": 

"O admirable commercium! Creator generis humani, animatum corpus sumens, de Virgine nasci dignatus est; et procedens homo sine semine, largitus est nobis suam deitatem - O marvelous commercium! The Creator took a soul and a body, he was born of a Virgin; made man without the work of man, he gives us his divinity' [Ant. of Vespers in the Octave of Christmas]" (CCC, 526).

The heart of the Christian message at Christmas

After all, this is the heart of the Christian message: that admirable exchange between the divine and the human, thanks to which God assumed human nature so that we could participate in the divine nature. An unequal exchange, brought about by love, the supreme gift of grace.

And at the same time the Mystery of Christmas is consortium, participation, communion. "By the Incarnation, the Son of God united himself in a certain way to every man" (GS, 22).

Concreteness of the Redemption for each person

Around this pair of terms revolves the entire text of the prayer, which gives thanks to God for the gift received with a series of antithetical parallels: thanks to our frailty being assumed by the Word of God, human mortality is not only elevated to perpetual dignity, but each of us is also made eternal. 

One perceives in these expressions the desire to underline the concreteness of redemption for each individual person: it is not only humanity in the abstract that is the object of sublime honor, but every human being acquires the immortality that comes from God.

The authorGiovanni Zaccaria

Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (Rome)

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Vocations

Carter Griffin: "Celibacy is life-giving"

Carter Griffin, seminary director and author of "Why Celibacy? Reclaiming the Spiritual Fatherhood of the Priest" talks in this interview about the essence of celibate self-giving and the impact this lifestyle has on today's society.

Paloma López Campos-January 2, 2024-Reading time: 5 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsCristián Sahli, priest and writer: "Marriage and celibacy are paths to happiness".Related NewsThe gift of celibacy

Priest Carter Griffin is the rector of St. John Paul II Seminary in Washington. While at Princeton University he converted to Catholicism and, after serving as a naval officer, entered the seminary.

For years he has been speaking on issues of anthropology and theology, aware that currently "there is a lot of confusion", something that of course also reaches celibacy. In order to shed light and theological depth on this aspect, he wrote his book on Theology of Celibacy."Why celibacy?: Reclaiming the Fatherhood of the Priest".

In this interview he develops some of the most important points for understanding spiritual paternity, the meaning of celibacy and its value inside and outside the Catholic Church.

What does supernatural fatherhood exactly mean?

– Supernatural fatherhood is living life in the order of grace, which means that you are a part of souls being nourished in grace. It’s healing, protecting, feeding… All those aspects that you find in natural fatherhood and motherhood can be found in supernatural fatherhood.

Some people may be surprised to find the idea of priesthood and fatherhood linked, how are these concepts related?

– I think it’s also probably a language thing, because in English we usually call the priest “father”. So even though people haven’t really thought through why they call them “father”, there is this understanding that priests are fathers. I guess it is a little bit more of a shock for people who don’t have that custom, and believe it or not, that custom in English speaking countries is not even two hundred years old.

Fatherhood and motherhood is really about giving life to others. And ordinarily, we do that in a biological and natural way. But there’s still, for human beings an immortal soul that is generated and that requires an act of God. So just as the mother and father come together to generate a third through the agency of God, so too in the order of grace we generate others. The celibacy of the priest enables him to live a life completely dedicated to that level of fatherhood, of generating life in the order of grace.

What we are made for is to love as human beings,and that love is supposed to be fruitful. Every human being is called to have fruitful love. And so even if people are not married, they are still called to have that kind of love. And the way that the priest does that is through living that kind of spiritual fatherhood.

Celibacy is today a choice that is considered radical, just as it was in Jesus' time, since it was strange for a rabbi or teacher to be unmarried. Do you think that those who say that celibacy is unnatural are partly right?

– I wouldn’t be unnatural in a negative way, it doesn’t do harm to our nature. But it is supernatural. It’s something we are not normally capable of living without grace.

Having said that, I also wanna kind of modify it a little bit, because there have always been people in History that did not get married. They weren’t necessarily celibate for the Kingdom, maybe they were taking care of other people or never found a spouse.

We always see sex and marriage through the lense of sexual revolution, which sort of sees these as an indispensable human need, which is just not true. People can live perfectly good lives, whether or not they are married.

So, on the one hand it is a supernatural vocation to live in the order of grace. On the other hand I think we make so much of the role of sex in the modern world that we forget that people can live a perfectly satisfied and good life without sex in it.

Does celibacy have the same value today as it had in the early days of the Church?

– I would say as much or more. In the early Church many saw celibacy as a way of continuing that complete give of self, which was martyrdom. And after Christianity became legal, you started to have groups of men and women that we would now call religious or consecrated life. There is a piece of History there.

But I think that something that connects us with the early Church culturally is a real misunderstanding about the human person. There's anthropological confusion today, related to what makes a man or a woman, sex, the meaning of marriage… There is a lot of confusion about what it means to have a healthy integrated sexuality, just like there was back then. And I think that what celibacy does when it’s well lived is that it helps to dethrone the idolatry of sex.

One of the reasons why I think that celibate priests and women are so threatening in a way to our culture today is not because they are particularly interested in whether I get married or not, it’s because if it’s true that you can live a fulfilling life without sex, then it dismantles one of the key ingredients of the sexual wisdom of today.

Apart from all the other reasons of supernatural fatherhood and all of that, just on a sociological level celibacy teaches something that is indispensable for people today. So we can recover the true dignity of the human person, which is that we are not animals craving the next sexual experience, we are sons and daughters of God. Celibacy has a unique way of helping to restore that.

Is celibacy important in the Catholic Church?

– Yes. The main reason would be at the supernatural level I talked about earlier. Celibacy is ordered to the good of the members of the Church. Celibacy has a really strong order to the building up of the Kingdom of God.

You are a seminary rector, how do you help students understand and integrate celibacy into their lives?

– An important part is understanding that celibacy is not ordered to just growing in discipline or having more time available, but that is something really life-giving. The way we form our virtues of celibacy and supernatural fatherhood are very similar to the way that we should be forming virtues for a natural husband and father.

If you think about the virtues that make a really good husband and father, they are the exact same for the priest. When we put this in the context not of merely ascetism or discipline, but we put it in the context of love, what it means is that so much of our formation happens of natural formation.

I would say that there is a sense of availability in the celibate heart, but it’s different from the availability of time. It’s more like an emotional availability. A husband and father should be, first of all, available to his wife and children, and then other people get what’s left. Whereas for a celibate person, they can focus on whoever is coming.

You wrote the book “Why Celibacy? Reclaiming the Fatherhood of the Priest”. Can you explain the main idea of the book?

– The original idea came from my doctoral dissertation, which I wrote on supernatural fatherhood and celibacy. That topic came around because I went to Rome to do my doctorate and my original idea had to do with John of Ávila and his influence in the Council of Trent. But the two people that could’ve directed that dissertation both had just retired, so I needed to find a new topic. I contacted a priest friend of mine who had worked with Pope Benedict and I asked him what he thought the Pope would want me to write on. He immediately said the theology of celibacy. Pope Benedict had in his mind that there was a real need for a deeper understanding and awareness of the theology of celibacy.

Then the idea of turning the dissertation into a book came about. I think there is a really superficial understanding of celibacy, so having something that can give a little bit more of a theological underpinning for it was really the goal.

If you could give us three main short ideas about what celibacy actually is, what would they be?

– Celibacy is first of all a way of foregoing marriage and human love and sexuality, for the sake of a higher love.

Celibacy is a witness to a reality beyond ourselves and above ourselves. It’s a witness to the fact that God exists and that we have another life that we are living for.

And I think that celibacy is something that helps us, those who are celibate, give ourselves more completely. It’s not just for the people that we serve, but also for us, to expand our hearts.

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The Vatican

Saint Mary, "cathedral of God" and teacher of prayer

Pope Francis has focused his first interventions of 2024 on St. Mary, who teaches us to pray and to be "builders of unity."

Paloma López Campos-January 1, 2024-Reading time: 3 minutes
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Pope Francis made his last public address of 2023 during the celebration of the Vespers of the Solemnity of St. Mary, Mother of God. The Holy Father noted that Christians can live the end of a year with "hope and gratitude", thanks to "faith in Jesus Christ".

The Pope explained that worldly hope and gratitude are different from those of the Christian. The former "lack the essential dimension which is the relationship with the Other and with others, with God and with our brothers and sisters".

In order not to live these virtues in a humanistic way alone, Francis explained that the Church has to learn from the Virgin Mary. She "has always been full of love, full of grace, and for this reason she is also full of trust and hope".

Saint Mary and the Christian's hope

The Holy Father explained that this way of living is not optimism, but something else. "It is faith in God who is faithful to his promises. This faith takes the form of hope in the dimension of time." In short, it implies that "the Christian, like Mary, is a pilgrim of hope." Precisely for this reason, the theme of the Jubilee of 2025 will be "Pilgrims of Hope".

To prepare for the Jubilee, Francis proposed dedicating 2024 to prayer. He pointed to St. Mary as the best teacher to "live every day, every moment, every occupation with our inner gaze turned towards Jesus."

The Pope continued to deepen the figure of Our Lady during the Mass on January 1. During the homily he stressed that "at the beginning of the time of salvation is the Holy Mother of God, our holy Mother".

Francis underscored the title "Mother of God," because it expresses "the joyful certainty that the Lord, tender Child in his mother's arms, has united himself forever to our humanity, to the point that it is no longer ours alone, but also his." This, the Pope said, is not only a dogma of faith, "it is also a 'dogma of hope'; God in man and man in God, forever."

Mother's Creativity

The Holy Father took this opportunity to vindicate the role of women in the Church, which "needs Mary to rediscover its own feminine face". But not only the Church, "the world also needs to look to mothers and women to find peace". Francis said that "every society needs to welcome the gift of women, of every woman: to respect her, to care for her, to value her, knowing that whoever hurts a woman profanes God, born of woman".

The Pontiff ended his homily by asking us to "look to Mary to be builders of unity" and to learn from her "creativity as a Mother, who cares for her children, gathers them together and consoles them, listens to their sorrows and wipes away their tears".

The Pope also dedicated the Angelus January 1 to the Virgin Mary. However, during his reflection he noted "the silence of the Mother", a "beautiful trait". Thanks to "her silence and humility, Mary is the first 'cathedral' of God, the place where He and man can meet".

Wishes for 2024

At the end of the meditation, the Holy Father prayed that "at the beginning of the new year let us look to Mary and, with a grateful heart, let us also think and look to mothers, to learn that love that is cultivated above all in silence, that knows how to give space to others, respecting their dignity, leaving them free to express themselves, rejecting every form of possession, oppression and violence."

Finally, Pope Francis expressed his wish for 2024: that "we may grow in this meek, silent and discreet love that generates life, and open paths of peace and reconciliation in the world."

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Omnes arrives at SEEK24

In this edition of SEEK24, Omnes is attending as a sponsor. During the next few days, you will be able to participate in the activities organized by Omnes at Booth #1816.

Omnes-January 1, 2024-Reading time: < 1 minute

SEEK24 has started and this time Omnes is participating as a sponsor. Over the next few days, attendees will be able to come to booth #1816 to take part in live conversations with people in the Holy Land.

Thanks to the help of CRETIO Voices, Omnes will set up a call at noon on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th with different people living in the Holy Land to discuss current issues.

On January 2, the live conversation will focus on Christians in the land of Jesus, and the relationship with other religious confessions. In addition, they will delve into the importance of the Holy Land for all Catholics.

On January 3, the call will have a strong interfaith character, as a connection will be established between Christians, Jews and Muslims. They, too, will tell those present what daily life is like in the land of Christ.

On January 4 Omnes will connect with people in the Holy Land who will talk about the connection we have with the Bible and its essential role in the life of every Catholic.

Don't miss the opportunity to connect with our friends in the Holy Land during SEEK24! We look forward to seeing you at booth #1816 from January 2-4 at noon.

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The World

Voices from the Holy Land: Testimonies of the War

The international media have long been reporting on the situation in the Holy Land. To better understand the complex reality, two women living there, one Israeli and one Muslim, give their testimony.

Paloma López Campos-January 1, 2024-Reading time: 7 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsFrancis on the war in the Holy Land: "In the name of God, enough".Related NewsPierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem: "We have to work for the cessation of hostilities."

It is difficult to understand what is currently happening in the Holy Land. The complexity of the historical, political and social context is coupled with the impartiality of the media and the difficulty of finding reliable sources that shed some light on what is really happening.

Often, the best thing to do when you want to find information is to ask the people on the ground. That's why Omnes, in partnership with CRETIO Voices, has interviewed two women from the Holy Land, one Jewish and one Muslim, and asked them about what is happening.

Testimony from the Israeli side comes from Sarah Sassoon, a Jewish mother, writer and researcher at Bar Ilan University. On the Muslim side, Omnes spoke with Ranin Jojas, an Arab woman who is involved in marketing and content creation, having been a teacher at the Polis institute for years.

The dialogue with both women focused on current events in the Holy Land, the media's approach and the lessons that can be learned by society in the aftermath of the war.

Beginning and current status of the conflict

Sarah Sassoon, Israeli mother, author and researcher

On Saturday, October 7, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel. Gunmen fired on the Israeli population, while thousands of rockets fell on people. Israel's response was almost immediate and the army bombed the Gaza Strip. Benjamin Netanyahu then reported that Israel was at war. Two days later, Gaza was under siege, causing a humanitarian crisis that still affects more than two million people. 

When asked about the start of the conflict, Sarah Sassoon summarized what happened by explaining that "Israel was attacked on the Jewish holiday of 'Simchat Torah' on Saturday, October 7, by an army of between 2500 and 3000 Hamas terrorists". On that day, Sassoon continues, the attackers "killed 1200, kidnapped 240 and wounded more than 4500 Israelis."

In the aftermath of that October 7, Ranin Jojas describes the current situation as "frustrating, depressing and full of confusion," to the extent that Jerusalem has become "complicated, complex and unpredictable." The city is today "a gray zone where Palestinians do not know whether they will return home every day or not."

Ranin Jojas, marketing professional and Arabic content creator

In the streets of Jerusalem "the daily situation is the falling missiles" and "the funerals of soldiers who die every day," says Sarah Sassoon. Despite everything, the Israeli woman stresses, "the children go to school, and we try to keep things as normal as possible". In the end, what the inhabitants of the city are trying to do is "to hide our pain. We try to put on a brave face. We refuse to be victims, so we try to maintain a kind of routine punctuated by a lot of volunteering, visiting bereaved homes and supporting our neighbors and friends who are in distress."

Something similar is expressed by Jojas, who says that "routine is no longer really routine". The only thing they can now consider as routine is "the enormous number of wounded and dead". It is a situation that "is causing enormous damage to the mental health of each one of us. We are too exposed to live massacres".

Questions to the outside

Since the outbreak of the conflict, the international media have followed the steps taken by each of the parties. In turn, governments around the world have positioned themselves, provoking tensions in a diplomatic context already weakened by the war in Ukraine. Some have openly shown their support, while others deny it despite funding resources. However, the blocs seem relatively defined.

Among the countries supporting Israel there are the United States, Portugal, England, Norway and Australia. On the other hand, Palestine has the support of states such as Chile, Iran, Afghanistan, Algeria and Venezuela.

Both Ranin and Sarah confess to having doubts about the international reaction. The former high school teacher considers that "the most demanding question is how is it that all human rights and international law and the United Nations 'suddenly' can neither implement protection for the Palestinians nor indict Israel for its war crimes."

For her part, the Israeli mother thinks that Israel and its actions are being criticized "harshly". She thinks that "the facts are being ignored", that "anti-Semitism has increased and people freely protest calling for the death of Israel and the Jews". In the face of this, Sarah Sassoon asks, "where can Jews live in safety? Why is Israel being attacked for defending itself against new attacks like the one on October 7? Why aren't people angry at Hamas and the way it uses its people as a human shield?"

The media

Both women are of the opinion that the international media do not provide a complete picture of the conflict. The Israeli researcher believes that "the international media is overlooking the broader history of the Middle East." Relying on the theories of professors such as Gad Saad, she explains that "if the problem was land, this conflict would have been resolved with the UN Partition Plan in 1947. But Hamas's stated goal is to wipe Israel off the map." For the media to shed real light on the situation, she believes they need to "look at the broader issues and the deeper problems of the 'jihad,' rather than creating a binary story in which Israel is the strong aggressor and Hamas are freedom fighters."

Sassoon also highlights that not all Muslims see what is happening with the same eyes and not all agree with the October 7 attack. "In fact, the World Council of Imams in the first week of the war issued a 'fatwa' against Hamas and anyone who supports it, and the crown prince of Bahrain has openly condemned Hamas."

For her part, Ranin Jojas believes that "the vision of the international media is absolutely biased towards Israel's narrative, without any consideration for the narrative of the Palestinian people". She asserts that the people, everyone, should be given a voice through information. However, she believes, in everything related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, "the international media is the voice of the Israeli government. And not only that, but they hide information, giving a biased perspective, because the media "do not take into account the daily life of the cities outside Gaza".

Lights of hope

Despite the dreadfulness of the conflict, Ranin Jojas and Sarah Sassoon remain hopeful. The Arab content creator thinks there will be hope as long as "the Palestinians continue to believe first in their rights and then in having their own voice in the world." She also thinks it is important that "the world decides to raise its voice as they did with Ukraine".

On the other hand, the Israeli writer not only trusts in the end of the conflict, but hopes for "a vibrant and free Middle East that would take advantage of the cultural richness, knowledge and beauty that this part of the world has to offer". She thinks that "in this dream there is more love and creativity than hate and destruction," and that this is an idea shared by Israelis and Arabs alike.

However, Sassoon considers that in order to achieve this dream it is necessary "the acceptance by the Arabs of the Middle East of the Jewish State". Something that, despite its difficulty, has been reflected in reality in recent years, since Jews live in Israel "with two million Arabs, many of them peacefully and on an equal footing."

Lessons for the future

Still looking to the future, both the Muslim woman and the Jewish mother think there is room to learn from the conflict. Both believe that future generations, and today's society as a whole, can draw important lessons amid the chaos. Both call for common sense, not to be swayed by prejudices or unbiased opinions.

Ranin Jojas wants what is happening to encourage everyone to "educate themselves, to have a space for humanity, to doubt their previous resources and do their own research, and to summon the courage to talk, discuss and debate."

Sarah Sassoon says she would like "society to learn to use its heart wisely." In short, she says, "I want us to support coexistence, love and joy, not hate."

Information warfare

The war between Israel and Palestine is still raging. It is difficult to calculate the damage it is causing, as neither side provides information in a transparent manner. Nevertheless, it is estimated that the Hamas bloc has more than fourteen thousand casualties, thirty-six thousand wounded and seven thousand missing in the Gaza Strip alone. On the Israeli side, it appears that the death toll is over twelve hundred, seven thousand two hundred wounded and over two hundred kidnapped.

In addition, many foreign nationals have also died during the conflict. Especially during the first days several countries denounced the deaths, kidnappings or disappearances of people who were in the Holy Land at the time. From the United States, Thailand, Spain, Ireland or the Philippines, governments from all over the world raised their voices about the death of their citizens.

The situation became so dramatic at the end of November that the combatants had to agree to a temporary truce to allow access for medical supplies and food. During the cease-fire, hostages were also released from both Israel and Palestine.

The reality of what is happening in the Holy Land is difficult to see. Many voices denounce the media manipulation by the fighters, as well as the death of several journalists who were on the ground covering the events.

The core

In the testimonies of Ranin and Sarah, voices from the Holy Land are heard. They are voices involved in a conflict that mixes the religious with the political, the historical with the social. However, both testimonies emphasize that in the Holy Land what is being talked about is people, fallen soldiers, wounded children and separated families.

What is happening, beyond the destruction of a territory, affects thousands of people, and that is where the focus should be. This is what thousands of international organizations that are trying to alleviate the harsh effects of the combat are asking for. They are joined by many members of different religious denominations, including the Pope, who has been calling for peace since the beginning of the conflict.

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RelatedRelated NewsFrancis on the war in the Holy Land: "In the name of God, enough".Related NewsPierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem: "We have to work for the cessation of hostilities."
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  • Resources
  • Celibacy, and SEEK-USA congress, in the January issue of Omnes magazine
Resources

Celibacy, and SEEK-USA congress, in the January issue of Omnes magazine

The January 2024 issue of the printed magazine Omnes delves into the topic of celibacy with competent authors and notes on the teaching of the Popes and the Tradition of the Church. It also addresses the SEEK congress, a Catholic event with thousands of young people being held in January in the United States, the ten years of Pope Francis, and the Omnes Forum on the thought of Ratzinger.

Francisco Otamendi-January 1, 2024-Reading time: 2 minutes

One of the topics that usually generates most interest in the Catholic Church is celibacy, which Omnes magazine addresses in its January 2024 dossier with the contributions of experienced and competent authors, the arguments that are put forward, and the teaching of recent Popes and the Tradition of the Church.

The dossier takes into account that the celibate form of the Christian vocation is not exclusive to the priesthood, but also accompanies the consecrated life and the vocational journey of many lay people. 

The "synthesis report" on the first Roman phase of the recent Universal Synod on Synodality placed the celibacy of priests as one of the "questions to be faced". This issue of Omnes aims to contribute to this more detailed study, and includes articles that approach it from various perspectives.

SEEK Congress with young people in Missouri

SEEK is one of the largest Catholic events in the United States. Each year, thousands of young people gather for several days to foster intimacy with Christ and grow in community with the whole Church.

Brock Martin, FOCUS member and regional evangelism director, told Omnes about the main parameters of the congress, which takes place January 1-5 in St. Louis, Missouri (USA). This year's attendees are expected to exceed the 2023 figure: more than 19,000 people.

Last year's congress was attended by 1,000 parishes, more than 500 priests and 24 bishops, with the participation of 386 university campuses.

Pope Francis' tenth year in 12 steps

Twelve holy cards for 10 years of Pope Francis is another of Omnes' January themes. 87 years of age, 54 years of priesthood, 10 years of pontificate. The last twelve months of pontiff have been marked by various international trips, including World Youth Day in Lisbon and a visit to two African countries (DR Congo and South Sudan), Hungary and Mongolia. In addition, the first Roman phase of the Synod on Synodality, and new documents, such as the encyclical Laudate Deum.

The issue also contains a synthesis of the Pope's catechesis on the passion for the evangelizationThe theme to which he has dedicated 29 general audiences in 2023.

Ratzinger's thought

In December, an Omnes Forum was held with the participation of Professor Pablo Blanco, an expert in the thought of Benedict XVI and recipient of the Ratzinger Prize 2023 by the Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation. The theme was Reason and faithwith a special analysis of the Regensburg speech. 

In the January issue of Omnes you can find an extensive review of the Forum, whose colloquium was moderated by Juan Manuel Burgos, president of the Spanish Association of Personalism, and an interview with Professor Pablo Blanco.

St. Augustine, Teilhard de Chardin, Artificial Intelligence...

Among other topics, readers will find in this issue St. Augustine of Hippo, Juan Luis Lorda's analysis of the French Jesuit thinker Teilhard de Chardin, current challenges regarding Artificial Intelligence, the work of the British priest Peter Walters in caring for children in the streets of Medellin (Colombia), or Eugenio d'Ors.

The content of this magazine is available to Omnes subscribers. The January 2024 issue of Omnes is now available in its digital version for Omnes subscribers. In the next few days, it will also arrive at the usual address of those who have this type of subscription. subscription.

The authorFrancisco Otamendi

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Integral ecology

Pamela Godoy: Passion for promoting and defending life

Pamela Godoy defines herself as "a spoiled daughter of God". This Guatemalan lover of life and family combines her professional work with training in family and life and action in defense of the unborn and most vulnerable.

Juan Carlos Vasconez-January 1, 2024-Reading time: 3 minutes
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Pamela Godoy defines herself as "a spoiled daughter of God". This Guatemalan lover of life and family combines her professional work with her training in family and life and action in defense of the unborn and most vulnerable. Raised in a family of strong convictions, her faith is for her a driving force for her multiple tasks.

When asked about her life and studies, Pamela emphasizes that she has a degree in Business Engineering, in which she graduated "Magna Cum Laude" from Universidad Francisco Marroquín in Guatemala in 2014. She also studied a postgraduate degree in International Trade (2016) and holds a Master's degree in Engineering and Innovation Management (2019) from Universidade Federal do ABC in São Paulo, Brazil. During his working life he has held positions in multinational companies such as Colombina, Procter & Gamble and United Way Guatemala. Currently, he serves as Go-to-Market Manager, in the corporate accelerator of a multinational cement company, Progreso X. 

Her restlessness to do something more, especially in the field of promotion and defense of life and marriage, led her to do the Diploma in Culture of Life of the International Institute Together for Life (Juvid) in 2019 in the XXI promotion. She has belonged to Juvid since the end of 2019 and for the last 3 years she has been acting as coordinator of that diploma course. Additionally, she studied a Diploma in Family Pastoral from the Catholic University John Paul II of Managua and the Integral Pro-Life Course of the Hispano-American Academy of Politics and Culture. 

His life in faith 

Pamela points out that she was born in a Catholic home: "I was baptized on February 25, 1990 at St. Anthony Mary Claret Parish in Guatemala, and my godparents were my uncles Plinio Eduardo and Ana Lucrecia Cortes Urioste. Right there, on September 12, 1999, I received the Holy Eucharist for the first time in my First Communion".

his life of faith was linked, in his early youth, to the San Cayetano parish in Guatemala City. In 2002, she learned of the existence of a youth group, Mi Aventura con Cristo, in this parish and began to attend. There, she says, "I was an animada [member/participant] for two years and in 2004, they made me animadora [leader]. I was the advisor [coordinator] of the second stage (Adventure II: 13-17 years old). Being in Cuarto Magisterio (fourth year of high school), many of my friends were confirmed. However, I was not sure about taking such an important and decisive step. In Quinto Magisterio, I finally made up my mind and looked for a place where I could really get to know more about God and have a closer experience with Him.

That search led her to the Confirmation group of the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Guatemala City and "my experience in the group was so good that I decided to do the same for other young people and that is why I was a confirmation catechist for three years". Pamela has also participated as part of the facilitating team for the past 17 years in a retreat on the theme of the Exodus for graduates of the Belgian School. At one of these retreats she saw the testimony of Gianna Jessen, a survivor of a saline abortion and it changed her life: "God planted the seed of passion to promote and defend life from conception". 

In favor of life 

Pamela began participating in pro-life actions from conception, and in 2019 she organized a 7 Days for Life campaign in Santo André in São Paulo, Brazil. Upon her return to Guatemala, she met the person in charge of the 40 Days for Life, joined the peaceful vigils held twice a year, praying for unborn children or those at risk of being aborted. At that same time, she recalls, "I learned from a friend of mine about Juvid's Diploma in Culture of Life, where I was trained in relation to this topic and many more (euthanasia, gender ideology, feminism, among others). At Juvid, it was where I rediscovered Catholicism and fell in love with the riches of our Church!". 

The legacy I would like to leave 

Pamela states: "It is interesting to think about how one wants to transcend. I think I would like to leave my legacy along three lines: First, I would love (with much humility) that the people who have met me have been able to experience God through me, in a smile, a hug, a word or a look. Secondly, to be able to impact many people through education. Finally, I would like many people to know the truth of what is happening in our times regarding attacks on life and the family. We are called to be the saints of our times!"

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The presence of Benedict XVI at the Vatican

Rome Reports-December 31, 2023-Reading time: < 1 minute
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One year after the death of Joseph Ratzinger, the figure and the memory of the German pope are still very present in the Holy See.

Among the most important moments of 2023 about Benedict XVI, the following stand out awards The Ratzinger Foundation organizes the annual Ratzinger Foundation's annual events, which bear his name. 

AhNow you can enjoy a 20% discount on your subscription to Rome Reports Premiumthe international news agency specializing in the activities of the Pope and the Vatican.
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A year without Benedict XVI

On December 31, 2022, Benedict XVI, the Pope who stood out for his theological depth and musical and artistic sensitivity, died. One year after his death, his legacy is more alive than ever.

Maria José Atienza-December 31, 2023-Reading time: < 1 minute
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The Vatican

More than 4,000 child singers from around the world celebrate the new year in Rome

There are more than four thousand young people who, together with their conductors, organists and accompanists, are bringing joy to Rome with their singing from Thursday, December 28 until January 1, 2024.

Antonino Piccione-December 31, 2023-Reading time: 3 minutes

Thousands of "Pueri cantores" populate the streets of Rome these days. More than a hundred singing groups from about twenty nations from four continents are gathered in the Italian capital for their International Congress: an event that brings together a hundred choirs, eight years after the last international assembly. 

Most of them have an average age of 14 years, but there are singers of 7/8 years and even of about 25 years. The national group with the largest number of choirs present - according to the Italian newspaper Avvenire - is Germany (21), just ahead of the United States, which has come to Italy with 19 choirs. In third place for number of groups present is France, with 12, while Italy will be represented by nine choirs.

The motto chosen for the meeting is "Et in Terra pax" (And peace on Earth), precisely to pursue the goal not only of celebrating concerts, but also to see these young people as ambassadors of peace, thanks to the encounter and appreciation of different cultures and forms of expression.

On Friday the 29th, the four thousand choristers were distributed among the 15 churches in the center of Rome to participate in the celebration of the Mass. From 12.30 to 6.30 p.m., in Santa Maria in Trastevere, in collaboration with the Community of Sant'Egidio, the puericantores will offer prayers for peace, which they will try to spread, combining faith and music.  

On Friday evening, 29th, a double event was scheduled: in the Basilica of Sant'Andrea della Valle, a concert entitled "Colors of Pueri Cantores", with the participation of nine choirs of different nationalities, while in the Basilica of Santi XII Apostoli a Gala Concert was held, with the participation of four of the best choirs belonging to the International Federation (FIPC).

It has its origin in the Schola cantorum of the Petits Chanteurs à la Croix de Bois founded in Paris, France, by two music students, Paul Berthier and Pierre Martin, following the motu proprio Tra le sollecitudini (1903) of St. Pius X, which aimed at the renewal of sacred music in worship services and with which the Pontiff intended to offer the Church guidelines in the liturgical sector, presenting them "almost like a juridical code of sacred music".

History of the Pueri Cantores

In 1921, the Schola joined the Cantoria de Belleville. In 1931, it began a period of travels to spread the ideals of the Petits chanteurs à la Croix de Bois throughout the world.

In 1944, the first Pueri Cantores federation was formed and, in 1947, it was officially recognized as a Catholic Action movement by the Assembly of Cardinals and Archbishops of France.

In 1951, following the third International Congress held in Rome, the Holy See approved the first statutes of the Federation.

On January 31, 1996, the Pontifical Council for the Laity decreed recognition of the Foederatio Internationalis Pueri Cantores as an international association of the faithful of pontifical right.

– Supernatural Foederatio Internationalis Pueri Cantores works for the promotion of liturgical chant, from Gregorian chant to classical and modern polyphony, including contemporary music, composed according to the ecclesiastical norms of the various countries; for the spiritual, intellectual, musical and aesthetic formation of directors and young singers; for the understanding, friendship and mutual help among its members.

In pursuing its goals, the FIPC, by making children experience the joy of serving God through liturgical singing, offers them a path of education in the faith and in the practice of human virtues.

FIPC has 32 federations, 11 of which are correspondents, and is present in 24 countries, as follows: Africa (4), Asia (1), Europe (15), North America (2), Middle East (1), South America (1).

On Saturday, December 30, these children gave three Christmas concerts in three different churches in Rome: St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. John Lateran and Sant'Andrea della Valle. 

On Sunday, January 31, the choirs will be present in various parishes in Rome for the 10 o'clock Mass. The International Congress will culminate with the participation, on January 1, in the Mass that Pope Francis will celebrate in St. Peter's Basilica on the occasion of the World Day of Peace.

The authorAntonino Piccione

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The Holy Family and applause for Benedict XVI fill Saint Peter's

On this last Sunday of the year, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. God has come to dwell in our lives and to save us in a family. Let us defend and sustain the family, the Pope said, after encouraging the faithful to applaud Benedict XVI, who died a year ago today. May he "bless and accompany us from heaven.

Francisco Otamendi-December 31, 2023-Reading time: 3 minutes

On Holy Family Sunday, the last day of 2023, the Church paid tribute to Benedict XVI on the first anniversary of his death. 

After its brief meditation The Pope recalled that on 31 December last, Benedict XVI concluded his earthly journey, "after having served the Church with love and wisdom. We feel so much affection, so much gratitude, so much admiration for him. May he bless and accompany us from heaven". 

He then asked for a round of applause for his predecessorHe invited all the faithful to join in the applause in St. Peter's Square.

Defending and sustaining the family

Before the tribute to Benedict XVIthe Church has addressed an appeal in tune with today's feast through the Roman Pontiff: "A special greeting to the families and to those connected by the media. Let us not forget that the family is the fundamental cell of society. It must always be defended and sustained. 

The meditation began by recalling the prophecy received by Mary: "A sword will pierce your soul", in order to emphasize that "they arrive in poverty and leave loaded with suffering. It is surprising: how is it possible that the Family of Jesus, the only family in history that can boast of the presence of God in the flesh, instead of being rich, is poor! Instead of being relieved, it seems to be hindered! Instead of being free from toil, it is immersed in great pain!".

A tiny baby in a woman's womb

The arrival of Jesus into this world, "in the womb of a family, that of Mary and Joseph, a poor family, means something very beautiful: God, whom we often imagine to be beyond problems, although useful to eliminate them from our lives, has come to dwell in our lives with his problems," said the Pope, who stressed that God "has saved us in this way, dwelling among us: 'he did not come as an adult, but as a tiny baby in the womb of a woman; he lived in a family, the son of a mother and a father; there he spent most of his time, growing up, learning, in a life made of daily life, concealment and silence'." 

You are not alone!

Jesus comes to tell the familiesIf you are having difficulties, I know what you are feeling, I have experienced it: my mother, my father and I have experienced it, to tell your family too: you are not alone!"

Mary and Joseph "were amazed at the things they said about Jesus. The ability to be amazed can be a secret to get along well in the family. Knowing how to be amazed first of all by God". How? "By living simple moments of prayer at home, together, as if inviting him to be among us, and thus allowing ourselves to be regenerated by the peace and love that only he can give. But it is also good to know how to be amazed by one's spouse, for example, by taking him or her by the hand and looking into his or her eyes at night for a few moments, with tenderness". 

The miracle of life

"And then to marvel at the miracle of life, of children, finding time to play with them and to listen to them. find time to play and walk with the children. And to marvel at the wisdom and serenity of grandparents, who bring life back to basics. And, finally, to marvel at one's own love story, in which God believes, even when it seems to us that the negative aspects prevail".

At the end of the meditation, he asked "Mary, Queen of the family, to help us to be surprised every day by the good and to know how to see it in the faces of those around us".

Nigeria, Ukraine, Holy Land, Sudan...

In his concluding remarks, Francis asked God to deliver Nigeria from the horrors of violence, and reminded us to continue to pray for those in need. peoples suffering from warThe people of Ukraine, the people of Israel and Palestine, the Sudanese people, and so many others," as well as the Rohingyas.

The authorFrancisco Otamendi

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ColumnistsAntonio Moreno

Restart

We people also need to reboot ourselves from time to time, and this last day of the year is an unbeatable occasion. Because we have all made mistakes that have caused small or large cracks in the system.

December 31, 2023-Reading time: 3 minutes

Who hasn't had this happen to them? After hours of putting up with unbearably slow internet speed, after blaming the phone company, the last family member who touched the device and the sales clerk who sold it to me, I call technical support, but, on the other end of the phone, no one answers as one would wish.

You would want a telecommunications engineer or cybersecurity expert to apologize for a worldwide network meltdown or to help you reconfigure the TCP/IP protocol on the computer that the child has misconfigured or, if anything, to explain that the manufacturer of your device had reported a manufacturing flaw in that model that caused the browsing speed to drop considerably. But no. Instead, a typical callcenterAfter giving me the usual data protection talk, that the call can be recorded and that in the end I give him a nine in the evaluation, he tells me as a solution to the problem:

-Have you tried rebooting the router?

-Sorry, maybe I didn't hear you correctly. Reboot the router? That's it?

-Don't worry, it will only take a minute. In fact, I'll reboot it myself from here.

As I listen to the operator type, still not getting over my astonishment, I ask him:

-But hey, isn't this more of a global apocalyptic glitch? haven't you checked to see if there has been a solar storm that has impacted the Earth's electromagnetic field affecting every electronic device in the world? are you sure it's not a problem with my IP address or some interference in my wifi network?

And just when I finish saying the "fi" for wifi or the "fai" for "waifai" as our Spanish-speaking friends say, the computer suddenly recovers all its processes and starts running like Usain Bolt in the Berlin 2009 World Cup.

-Did you get the connection back, sir? -The operator continues, "Is there anything else you need? Don't forget to rate my service with the highest score if you found it useful, blah, blah, blah, blah...

Humiliated, crestfallen, downhearted, depressed, depressed by such an easy solution to my big problem; I say goodbye to the nice guy, listen to the score locution, say "nine" out loud, repeat "nine" again with better diction because the machine did not understand me right the first time, and hang up.

It seems incredible that a problem as big as the one I had set up in my head could have such a simple solution. Turning off and on any electronic device fixes 99 percent of the failures. They tell the joke that, at the end of the computer engineering course, a professor gathers all the students and reveals the great secret: "and the summary, ladies and gentlemen, of what you have learned in all these years is: reboot".

There is nothing magical about this trick of every good computer scientist. When rebooting, the microprocessors forget the error commands they received, reload them, and make everything from the washing machine to the smart TV, from the microwave to the cell phone work again as if nothing had happened after hours of despair from their users. Rebooting saves us from costly repairs, and it's so simple! But, believe it or not, sometimes we forget and it takes the experts to remind us.

We people also need to reboot ourselves from time to time, and this last day of the year is an unbeatable occasion. Because we have all made mistakes that have caused small or large cracks in the system. There are processes that no longer work well with certain people and loops in which we have got into and from which we cannot get out. Failures leave their mark and prevent us from continuing with business as usual. That is why it is important to recognize our mistakes and ask for forgiveness for them.

I am not talking about asking God for forgiveness, that too; but to the people we have around us and whom, in the daily friction, we surely hurt in one way or another. Asking for forgiveness does not make us smaller but bigger because the wisdom that comes with knowing oneself and one's own mistakes is not within everyone's reach. The ordinary thing is to believe that it is others who are wrong and to blame others for what happens to us.

So, at the beginning of 2024, I take this opportunity to apologize to you, dear reader, if I have offended you in any way with my words. I apologize for not having been more incisive in my denunciation of injustice, for having tiptoed around issues in which I should have been more involved, for not having sufficiently defended the weak, for having sought myself out and been cowardly, flattering, arrogant, vain, complacent, iniquitous, naive... Add any negative adjectives you think fit, because they will surely be true, and forgive me for them. I will try to do better this new year, with your help. That is my New Year's resolution.

And if you also want to start 2024 on the right foot and at full speed, you know, restart. And don't forget to give me a nine for your rating at the end of the voiceover.

The authorAntonio Moreno

Journalist. Graduate in Communication Sciences and Bachelor in Religious Sciences. He works in the Diocesan Delegation of Media in Malaga. His numerous "threads" on Twitter about faith and daily life have a great popularity.

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The Vatican

The ever-living legacy of Benedict XVI

The death of Benedict XVI in 2022 did not stop his impact on the world and the Church. Throughout 2023, the intellectual and spiritual witness of the German Pope has continued to enlighten everyone.

Paloma López Campos-December 31, 2023-Reading time: 4 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsFarewell, Benedict XVIRelated NewsFive days to bid farewell to Benedict XVIRelated NewsJesus of Nazareth' is the life's work of Benedict XVI

The December 31, 2022 the world received shocking news. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died on that last day of the year. A few days earlier, Pope Francis had asked for prayers for his predecessor, who was residing in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery.

Death did not stop Benedict XVI's impact on the world and the Church. Throughout 2023, the German pope's intellectual and spiritual witness has continued to enlighten everyone. From his works such as "Jesus of Nazareth," his travels around the world (he made 24 apostolic journeys during his pontificate) to his speeches, Benedict XVI left a very complete and profound legacy for all Catholics.

Homilies of Benedict XVI

The thoughts of the Pope Emeritus are still waiting to see the light of day. According to the "Catholic News Service" portal, a volume with about 130 homilies of Benedict XVI will be published in 2024. Some of them were delivered while he was Pope, but the vast majority are private sermons he gave after his retirement.

Although the date of publication is not yet known, a preview of the content can already be read. At the beginning of December, both "L'Osservatore Romano" and "Die Welt" published a homily that Benedict XVI focused on the figure of St. Joseph.

The Ratzinger Prize

The German Pope was always noted for his intellectual capacity. It is not surprising, therefore, that every year the Holy Father awards a Ratzinger Prize to "scholars who have distinguished themselves by particular merit in publications and/or scientific research."

In 2023 they received the award Pablo Blancoone of the most renowned experts on Benedict XVI, and Francesc Torralba, a Spanish theologian and philosopher. On the day of the awards ceremony, both Torralba and Blanco indicated that Ratzinger's thought and legacy will illuminate the Church of the present and the future.

Benedict XVI and politics

As already mentioned, Benedict traveled extensively during his pontificate. While it is true that apostolic journeys always have an essentially spiritual character, this does not exclude the fact that there are also social needs and policies that are of concern to the Pontiffs.

One of the Pope Emeritus' most famous trips was to Germany in 2006. On that occasion, Benedict gave a speech in Regensburg during which he stressed the relationship between faith and reason, especially in the academic field.

Shortly after that trip to his native country, the German pontiff spoke to the members of the United Nations in New York. He reminded them of the importance of upholding human rights.

Benedict XVI during a Mass in New York (OSV News photo / CNS file, Nancy Phelan Wiechec)

Three encyclicals

His travels did not prevent Benedict XVI from writing documents with which to nourish the Church. He wrote three encyclicals that are still the subject of study today. The first of these was published at the beginning of his pontificate under the title "Deus Caritas est". In it he wanted to deepen man's capacity to live charity, since he is created in the image and likeness of God.

The German pope's second encyclical was "Spe Salvi". With it, Ratzinger wanted to encourage Catholics to live in hope, without settling for modern substitutes. Two years later, on June 29, 2009, he published "Caritas in veritate", an encyclical in which the Pope developed the idea of social justice and the importance of putting the person at the center of business and economic relations.

Faith in Jesus Christ, trust in the Church

Perhaps aware that the Church always encounters obstacles, the Pope emeritus wanted to encourage everyone in his spiritual testament. These last words of his, which can still encourage Catholics today, show his faith in Christ and how much he trusted the Church.

At the end of his spiritual testament, after remembering his relatives and his homeland, and after asking forgiveness for his mistakes, Benedict said: "Jesus Christ is truly the way, the truth and the life, and the Church, with all her inadequacies, is truly his body".

The soul in vigil

It would be a grave error to think that Benedict XVI stopped serving the Church the day he retired. When he announced that he felt incapable of "administering well the ministry entrusted to me," in reference to being head of the Church, Ratzinger moved to a monastery in the Vatican. There he never ceased to watch over "the boat of St. Peter" and spent years praying for the Church.

The German Pontiff affirmed that he would continue to serve the Lord from that retired place, with his prayer and the sacrifice of a worn-out body. Undoubtedly, the whole Church has benefited from the sometimes strong and dynamic, sometimes prayerful and reflective dedication of Benedict XVI's vigilant soul.

Pope Benedict strolling during a few days of rest in the Italian mountains (CNS photo / L'Osservatore Romano).
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The Vatican

The centenary picture of Our Lady at the celebrations with Pope Francis

The end and beginning of the year celebrations presided over by Pope Francis will take place under the gaze of an ancient painting in the style of a late Byzantine icon depicting the Virgin Mary.

Giovanni Tridente-December 31, 2023-Reading time: 2 minutes
RelatedRelated News"The Child asks us to be a voice for those who have no voice", Pope stresses on Christmas Day

The end-of-year and beginning-of-year celebrations presided over by the Pope Francis will take place under the gaze of the Infant Madonna, an ancient painting in the style of a late Byzantine icon preserved in the Sanctuary Museum of the Abbey of Montevergine, in southern Italy, founded nine centuries ago by St. William of Vercelli.

The last celebration of the year will be the First Vespers of the Solemnity of Mary Most Holy Mother of God, which will take place on Sunday in St. Peter's Basilica, followed by the customary singing of the Te Deum in the presence of the patriarchs, cardinals, archbishops and bishops present in Rome.

On the following day, the first day of the year 2024, at 10 a.m., Pope Francis will preside at Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Blessed Virgin Mary. 57th World Day of Peace.

The special painting that will accompany the celebrations is done in tempera on chestnut wood boards, 3.5 centimeters thick, 231 centimeters high and 99 centimeters wide. It is dated between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, made by a master from Campania, and was the first to be venerated in the sanctuary. It represents the Virgin suckling the Child. The Virgin wears a cap in which her hair is gathered and a golden crown on her head. Her eyes are fixed and she wears a red tunic and a blue mantle with golden ornaments, as well as pearls and corals.

Galaktotrophousa

This is the classic representation of the Mother of God in the recurring late Byzantine iconography of Galaktotrophousa, the one who feeds with milk, in the act of offering her bare breast to the Child to be fed, in a solemn and sacred pose. The classical imperial attire in which she is dressed resembles a basilisa of the Eastern Roman Empire.

At the feet of the Madonna is depicted a monk dressed in white in adoration; in it is recognized the long history of the Benedictine monastic community that for nine centuries has been taking care of the Sanctuary dedicated to the Madonna, located at the top of Mount Parthenium, about 70 km from Naples.

Virginal Jubilee

The abbey has decided to bring the ancient image to Rome for the liturgical veneration of Pope Francis, and of the faithful who will be present at the celebrations at the end and beginning of the year in St. Peter's Basilica, as a tribute and thanksgiving for the Pontiff's granting of the celebration of the "virginal jubilee", which will end on Pentecost 2024.

It was the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, who opened the celebrations for the 900th anniversary of the foundation of the Benedictine Abbey on May 28, recalling in his homily that Our Lady always "helps us to accept with simplicity what we are and to place our whole being - temperament, abilities, past, dreams... - in God's hands so that his salvation may be realized in us and, through us, in everyone."

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United States

Communities in the U.S. remember homeless people who have died

Each year the Catholic Church along with other Christian denominations organize religious services on December 21 or 22 in the United States in commemoration of people who live or died on the streets.

Gonzalo Meza-December 30, 2023-Reading time: 3 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsChrist in the cityMeeting Christ in the city

In 2023, 1,665 homeless people died on the streets of Los Angeles, California. This figure is only a fraction of the thousands of homeless people who die each year in the country in abandonment and homelessness. They are part of the discarded of which Pope Francis speaks.

According to the organization "Homeless Deaths Count", at least twenty homeless people die every day on the streets of the United States. According to this organization, the number of people without fixed housing has increased since 2017 by 6 %, reaching more than 582 thousand in 2022. Five states concentrate more than 50 % of this segment of the population: California, New York, Florida, Washington and Texas. 

In order not to forget these lives and to highlight their dignity, every year the Catholic Church along with other Christian denominations organize religious services throughout the country on December 21 or 22 to commemorate those who live or died on the streets. The day was not chosen at random. It corresponds to the longest night of the year: the winter solstice. The night represents the most important challenge for the homeless, because not only do they have to face inclement temperatures, but also the dangers that night brings.

Ecumenical religious services organized throughout the country help not only to underline the dignity of every human being, but also to prevent and warn about the phenomenon of homelessness. In 2023, nearly 200 communities organized different services in various cities, including the U.S. capital and the cities of Green Bay, Madison, Orange and Los Angeles, among others. 

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles hosted an interfaith service at the cathedral on December 21. The ceremony was attended by Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles, as well as civil and religious representatives and leaders from Southern California. During the ceremony, 1,665 candles were lit with the names of the homeless who died in 2023. In this city, far from the glamour and celebrities of Hollywood or the sumptuous beaches, more than 75,000 people live on the streets, a figure that increased dramatically from 2022 to 2023. This reality can be seen with the naked eye when walking or driving on the main avenues, where people can be seen living in tents or in makeshift shelters made of cardboard, plastic or brass. 

Homelessness in the United States is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. Among its main causes are the lack of affordable rental housing, the scarcity of government programs, and the lack of permanent shelters where homeless people can go. Added to this is the fact that many homeless people suffer from addictions or mental health problems, and local, municipal and state governments lack the human and financial resources necessary to remedy the problem.

In one of his columns for the archdiocesan newspaper, "Angelus," Bishop Gomez noted: "I am concerned that we are becoming accustomed to seeing this in our city. We cannot accept that the streets of Los Angeles become the permanent residences of our neighbors". Evoking Pope Francis in Laudato SiThe earth is our common home and we all deserve a place we can call 'my home'. For me, the housing crisis is a reminder that in God's creation there is an ecology of the human person and an ecology of the natural environment. God made this earth to be a home for the human family. The goods of creation are meant to be shared, developed and used for the good of all his children."

The Catholic Church in the country, through Catholic Charities and the St. Vincent de Paul Association, is one of the largest institutions helping people in need. Throughout its various establishments, these and other Catholic agencies help thousands of people by offering temporary shelter, food and medical assistance.

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  • Restoring creation. Christmas Preface II
Resources

Restoring creation. Christmas Preface II

The second Preface of this Christmas season dates back to at least the ninth century, and is the result of a reworking of a discourse on Christmas by St. Leo the Great, supposedly composed between 440 and 461.

Giovanni Zaccaria-December 30, 2023-Reading time: 2 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsDeciphering Christmas

The entire text of this Christmas Preface is interwoven with antithetical parallels. They show the relationship between God and man, between time and eternity, between that which has been ruined by sin and the restoration brought about by the Son in the mystery of the God made man.

"Qui, in huius venerándi festivitáte mystérii, invisíbilis in suis, visíbilis in nostris appáruit, et ante témpora génitus esse coepit in témpore; ut, in se érigens cuncta deiécta, in íntegrum restitúeret univérsa, et hóminem pérditum ad cæléstia regna revocáret".

In the holy mystery we celebrate today, He, the invisible Word, appeared visibly in our flesh to take upon Himself all creation and raise it from its fall. Generated before the ages He began to exist in time, to restore the universe according to your plan, O Father, and to restore to you the scattered humanity.

Christmas Preface II

The Preface opens with a look at the celebration of the mystery of Christmas. One notices immediately the relationship between Liturgy and Mystery that is woven into every liturgical manifestation. In fact, the verbs in the first section of the text are all in the perfect tense ("apparuit...coepit"), but the first reference is to the present solemnity ("festivitate"). The relationship between the fact of the past - the birth of Christ in the flesh - and the liturgical celebration of that fact, which precisely by means of the rite makes present here and now what has been given once and for all, is thus manifested.

The liturgical hodie overcomes the barriers of time in Christ. It allows even us, who are not contemporaries of Jesus, to contemplate the Mystery so that we may adore it ("huius venerandi mysterii").

History of salvation and of our redemption

This Mystery is then described through two very dense and rich parallels: God, who is essentially invisible because He is pure spirit ("invisibilis in suis"), from the Incarnation ("in nostris") became visible; the Sonbegotten in eternity, began to exist in time.

We can already see here the presence in the watermark of the text from Col 1:15-20Pauline hymn that summarizes the history of salvation and our redemption.

Indeed, the purpose of the Incarnation, as the text of the Preface shows, is to restore all things in their integrity ("in integrum restituiret universa"). Almost as if to show the work of renewal of the whole cosmos carried out by the Redeemer. And within this work that involves the universe, a privileged place is occupied by the human being fallen because of sin ("hominem perditum"), whom Christ calls to share once again in the heavenly dwellings ("ad caelestia regna revocaret").

The divine redeems all that is human

This whole marvelous process of salvation takes place thanks to the fact that the Son raises up in his person all that had collapsed ("erigens cuncta deiecta"). The image is precisely that of the one who rebuilds the ruins, and that in itself underlines that the divine nature assumes all that is human and redeems it.

The reason for thanksgiving in this Christmas Preface is therefore Redemption, both in the cosmic and human aspects.

The authorGiovanni Zaccaria

Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (Rome)

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Evangelization

Mamela Fiallo, a "counter-revolutionary" in the beauty industry

Mamela Fiallo Flor was born in Ecuador and is barely one and a half meters tall. Small in stature but with big ideals, this history and language teacher and influencer uses her social networks to fill the world with positive messages about femininity, the defense of life and against the culture of cancellation.

Juan Carlos Vasconez-December 30, 2023-Reading time: 3 minutes
RelatedRelated News"We women have been looked at with short-range lights."

Mamela Fiallo Flor was born in Ecuador and is barely one and a half meters tall. Small in stature but with big ideals, this history and language teacher and influencer uses her social networks, where she has tens of thousands of followers, to fill the world with positive messages about femininity, the defense of life and against the culture of cancellation.

"I am an influencer and a teacher," says Mamela, who explains how she began her career in social media: "Pope Francis told us to make a mess and that is certainly what I do most. In social networks, in the media I write and in the history classes I teach, I try to shake souls and minds to get to the truth, even if it generates tension because it alters the prevailing narrative". 

Mamela grew up in a somewhat religiously cold family, as she herself relates: "Thank God, I had a very pious grandmother who has always been my guide and the most cultured and loving woman I knew. My parents were always more alternative and my re-emergence in the faith was as an adult, hand in hand with the pro-life cause". 

In fact, Mamela began to participate in the pro-life cause for political and not religious reasons: "I understood the importance of not giving to Caesar what belongs to God: the power to give and take life, along with charity. I did not want to limit being pro-life to being anti-abortion. I dedicated myself fully to supporting initiatives in orphanages, children's hospitals, feeding people in street situations and the crudest thing: accompanying post-abortion retreats".

These initiatives were led by Christians, and he became more and more involved in this struggle for life. "The more I became involved in these social endeavors, the more attacks I received," he recalls. In that struggle he realized "that the 'battle' is cultural, but the war is spiritual. I got closer to the faith, and I had supernatural support in several people who have been guiding me to deepen my Catholic formation". 

Now Mamela has found a loudspeaker in the social networks: "With my publications I encourage others to raise their voices in the face of injustice and if they are shy, they know that they can turn to others to do so. I try to sow the idea that we must recognize our role in this battle, according to the gifts we have received. Do not pretend to be like the other, but give the best of ourselves". 

Beauty defense 

Mamela is a strong advocate of Dostoevsky's maxim "the beauty will save the world. She conceives it as "the resurgence of the muses that will awaken the heroes" and points out how "in an era where art tends to decadence, it is beautiful to know that there are artists who swim against the current", highlighting values such as healthy masculinity and true femininity. Among her actions is also that of a lecturer. Recently, she was invited to give a lecture in Brazil before a prominent audience: "I was the only woman on the billboard". In front of her audience "I gave a talk on femininity as counterrevolution and it was very well received. I try to motivate, to love, to be a woman and to project it externally. It is an act of healthy rebellion". 

Her work is not always a bed of roses, she also receives messages against her. When she receives these attacks, Mamela confesses: "I think of that 'blessed are the persecuted' and I try, although it is not easy, to respond to hatred with love and a good dose of humor and mischief. 

Her positivity and education are some of the characteristics of her way of acting. Mamela is very clear: "It is a contrast to the prevailing vulgarity. It is important to always leave a positive mark. To externalize the world in which we want to live and to show who are the truly violent ones". 

Among the anecdotes or events she remembers most are some truly surprising ones, such as the day she was physically attacked for defending a statue of Isabella the Catholic. "That was a before and after in my life," she says, "I experienced firsthand the hatred that exists against our roots, especially towards the truth that makes us free. This in turn affirmed my need to not bow down to attacks. This is what has strengthened my faith the most. 

More than one legacy 

When asked what legacy she would like to leave, she replies: "I would love to leave a legacy of blood, being a mother and a wife. I suspect that my tombstone will say: 'Here lies the defender of statues, while she lived none of them were toppled' because there have been several incidents of this kind. But, while in other countries they tear down these statues, in my hometown they do not".

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  • Carlos Esteban: "The Church's educational work deserves to be shared with society."
Education

Carlos Esteban: "The Church's educational work deserves to be shared with society."

Carlos Esteban Garcés is a professor of Pedagogy of Religion at Centro Universitario La Salle and at the Pontifical Institute of St. Pius X. In this interview, he talks about the congress "The Church in Education", which will culminate on February 24, 2024.

Loreto Rios-December 29, 2023-Reading time: 4 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsAlfonso Carrasco: "It is important to be aware of the educational task carried out by the Church."

Carlos Esteban Garcés is a professor of Religious Pedagogy at the Centro Universitario La Salle and at the Pontifical Institute of St. Pius X, as well as in charge of teacher training in the Archdiocese of Madrid. He directs the Observatory of Religion in the School. He has published several books and numerous articles on the presence of religion in the educational system, and this year he has published his latest work: "La ERE en la LOMLOE", a work of four books on the new curriculum of Religion and the keys of its didactic programming.

In addition, it collaborates with the Episcopal Commission for Education in the organization of the congress "The Church in Education".The initiative, an initiative of the Spanish Episcopal Conference that will culminate on February 24, 2024, about which he talks to us in this interview.

Could you explain the proposal of the education congress that the Church will hold in 2024?

The congress "The Church in Education". is an initiative of the Spanish Episcopal Conference approved at its 2023 Plenary Assembly. The essential objectives of the congress are fourfold: firstly, to bring together all the actors, persons and institutions involved in Catholic education in its various fields in order to strengthen communion and the journey together; secondly, to assess the social and cultural impact of the various educational projects of the Church and its service to the common good; thirdly, the congress aims to recognize the challenges that the present moment poses to Catholic education; finally, it wants to celebrate the ecclesial presence and commitment in education by renewing it from the permanent novelty of the Gospel.

Ehe congress seems to have started before that date of February 2024.

Thus, the congress has been planned as an itinerary of participation that began in October 2023 and continues from then until February, culminating in the final session on February 24.

In its first phase, nine experience panels were held, one for each area in which the Church is present in its educational mission. In each of these panels, good practices from each of these scenarios were shared. Seventy-eight experiences were shared in the panels, the videos of which can be seen on the congress website; the texts of all the experiences presented can also be read. In addition, we are in a second phase of open participation in which we can all participate, both at a personal and institutional level, presenting other experiences and educational projects, also sharing the reflection through the questionnaires that are proposed in each of the areas. On the website there are tabs where you can share your experience and reflection.

With all the contributions of the participation process, we are preparing the celebration of the final session of the congress, on Saturday, February 24, 2024, in Madrid, where we will experience a meeting in which we can achieve the objectives of the congress to convene, walk together, evaluate the work done, and renew our ecclesial mission in education.

What are the most relevant conclusions of the panels and how is participation going so far?

The sessions held met the objectives of facilitating the exchange of experiences, the creation of collaborative networks among the participants and making visible the presence of the Church in many social and cultural spheres that usually go unnoticed.

I think that the presence of the Church in schools and universities, or through Religion teachers, is better known; but there are other presences that are not so well known in society, even in our ecclesial environments. I can give you some examples of what is hardly known and that the panels have highlighted: the panel held in Valencia made visible, in addition to the projects presented, that there are almost 400 special education centers of the Church that serve more than 11,000 students with various disabilities. Another panel, held in Barcelona, showed how the Church is also present in the field of non-formal education, among other projects, with its network of second-chance schools, which we learned about from La Salle. Some experiences were also presented that represented an enormous number of free time projects that from parishes, movements and schools accompany the free time of thousands of children and young people. And let me give another last example: transformative education and inclusion, the promotion of justice is present in many other projects, among them the more than 370 centers of the Church that take care of minors whose guardianship is not possible in their families of origin. These minors number nearly 50,000

What can the congress contribute to society?

I believe that the enormous educational work of the Church, in the many different areas in which it is carried out, deserves to be shared with the whole of society. The congress could contribute to making visible this presence, which is carried out precisely as a contribution to the common good. In fact, the economic dimension of this presence belongs to the so-called third sector, and its social contribution is evident, because all its projects are at the service of human promotion and inclusion. The congress should contribute to advancing the cultural perception that education is a public good, in which the presence of the State is essential, but that it does not have to monopolize all its management; the conclusions of the congress can better value the also essential contribution of civil society; and cooperation among the actors should take into account the principle of subsidiarity.

To conclude, what are why do you recommend attending the congress?

I have had the privilege of attending in person the celebration of all the best practices panels in October and it has been very edifying. Meeting the protagonists of the experiences that are shared and experiencing the synergies that are generated is a richness that is immediately transformed into renewed motivation and commitment to continue working. I have no doubt that participating in the congress will be a very edifying experience for everyone and that it will bear fruit on a personal and institutional level. I am convinced that it will generate networking among people and projects, renew our passion for education and humanization. I believe that the Church will be strengthened in the exercise of its educational mission, we will all be more co-responsible for it, and we will confirm our faith in it.

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Evangelization

#BeCaT. Catechists with professional level

More than 6,000 catechists around the world have received training in the teaching of the faith thanks to #BeCaT, which also has among its objectives training within the family environment.

Maria José Atienza-December 28, 2023-Reading time: 4 minutes
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To make the formation of catechists and those who have the task of transmitting the faith truly professional and complete. This is the key to #BeCaTThe project offers resources and updated didactic proposals, systematized formation and personal accompaniment to the students of its courses. All this, with the aim of contributing to the renewal of catechesis throughout the world.

"The great challenge we have in the Church is formation," says Fernando Moreno, coordinator of #BeCaT. Magisterio of the Church. Or it is unaware of those that exist, among other things, because these resources are often offered in a very scattered and unsystematic way".

A tool, not a solution

#BeCaT is, in Moreno's words, "a formation tool. It is neither an integral solution nor a substitute for the work of catechesis that is done in parishes, schools and, above all, in families". 

#BeCaT offers complete, short, online courses to train catechists. These courses are adapted to the needs of each institution (diocese, parish, school, ...), which makes their development more practical. 

The option for online training does not take away the need for personal support, which is another of the characteristics of this project: thanks to new technologies, training is accessible to a greater number of Spanish-speaking people, but this is combined with the support offered to those who take these courses. "We are aware that personal support is always necessary, it is very different to have this help than not to have it at all", emphasizes Fernando Moreno.

Unitary but complementary courses

The courses range from Catechesis of Christian Initiation in the family, catechesis of engaged couples and young couples, aimed at those who carry out formative activities involving young couples, engaged couples... or Quo Vadis, an interesting course designed to train critical thinking skills and reflection, based on different current issues that an educator must master. Among the subjects in the different modalities that can be chosen on this platform are, for example, family catechesis, Christian anthropology, Christology, Liturgy or Church History. All of them are taught by professors of high academic level and experts in the various subjects.

Each of the courses has a duration of one month and a very affordable price since a donation of 10€ is made with the aim of financing those people who cannot afford this money to take a course in Latin America. "No one should be left without training because they cannot afford it, even if it is very little", emphasizes the coordinator of #BeCaT.

Although each course is independent, you can take one, several or all of them, those who complete all the subjects of the study plans, that is, the 5 semesters, receive the title of University Expert in Catechetical Didactics, a degree awarded by the International University of La Rioja.

Varied and current resources 

In addition to the level of formation offered in #BeCaT, another of the characteristics of this initiative is the variety and usefulness of the resources that are obtained by taking these courses. The virtual classrooms, for example, are platforms that facilitate the educational task for priests, teachers and catechists, in addition to promoting the participation of families for formation in the truths of the faith. From these classrooms it is possible to access the content of the chosen courses and choose the content to be shown in order to adapt it to the different audiences to which it is addressed. It also has a series of printed manuals and useful guides for parents and catechists that focus on the key points of each section of the course. 

Particularly interesting is the wide range of audiovisual resources that deal with aspects such as the sacraments, the salvation that comes from Christ, etc., through various videos of interventions by different Popes, audiovisual formation channels such as Se buscan rebeldes or songs.

The family, the center of training

The #BeCaT project has a clear idea: the family is always the key center of a good faith formation, that is why its courses are directed in a very special way to fathers and mothers, because they have, by nature, that role of educators in the faith of their children and, in the case of the catechist courses, a very important part of the formation is directed to a meeting and joint action of the catechist with the families. 

"There are tasks that the family cannot delegate because neither the school nor the parish have the transforming capacity of a family", emphasizes Fernando Moreno, "in the family environment, education is based on experiences and that is key, whether in the education of faith, temperament, character or virtues". "If in faith education we address only to children, we have wasted our time, it is a temporary patch that in the end, as we are seeing, leads to a cynical attitude", points out this professor who emphasizes that "what we are currently experiencing, this cultural crisis, is basically a crisis of faith".

Hence the importance of a project such as #BeCaT, which aims to provide this formation in a professional manner, following the Magisterium of the Church and in such a way that those who follow its courses can give solid answers to the questions of faith, morals and family life that society poses at any given moment.

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United States

Rector Enrique Salvo and the parish of America

In the last part of the interview with Father Salvo, the rector talks about immigration and the search for God that people who come to America embark on.

Jennifer Elizabeth Terranova-December 28, 2023-Reading time: 4 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsThe rebirth of the Eucharist in New York CityRelated NewsThe day-to-day life of the rector of St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City

In the last moments of the interview Salvo, spoke of today's immigrants and those who came before them to America, to New York City, a place where many seek and need a new life, a new dream, and simply food and shelter, but above all God and the Catholic Church.

Like many U.S. cities, New York has received a large influx of immigrants in the past two years, and many of them will gravitate toward the Church. Father Salvo has this to say about what he hopes they will feel when they are in the Church. St. Patrick's Cathedral"We hope that they, when they come to St. Patrick's Cathedral in this period of their life, which can be scary and can be daunting, that they feel at home here because that's what every Church is meant to be, because wherever we are in the world when we come to a Church, we are at home because that's one thing that belongs to us wherever we are, as Catholics."

Christmas tree decorated by Rector Enrique Salvo at St. Patrick's Cathedral

He also mentions the Roosevelt Hotel, located a few blocks from St. Patrick's Cathedral, which has become temporary housing and processing center for immigrants. His hope for Hispanics and any newly arrived immigrants is that they "feel at home...". He is proud to share that the "Church is very much alive in New York and in the United States, and it's because each generation has brought a new group of immigrants who have brought their faithfulness" and as a result, "the Church expands, and the faith expands."

While there are many who politicize the current situation, Father Salvo says that the "Catholic Church will always be there for everyone's pastoral needs." Regardless of the story behind the problem, whether "right or wrong," "at the end of the day, our goal, once a person is here, is to let them know that they are a son of God and a daughter of God, and that we have a responsibility to give them the faith and offer it to them."

He is also realistic and recognizes the limitations of the Church's ability to help, but is confident in the excellent support Catholic Charities provides to those in need. He says that in addition to "pastoral and spiritual care, Catholic Charities has been helping immigrants settle and meet their basic needs, such as food" and other necessities for years.

At the beginning of his rectorship, Father Salvo said it was "exciting." Still, "there was a bit of nervousness" about how things would be done. And, with any new job, there are some "growing pains." He says he felt "at home from day one." As time went on, he felt "even more comfortable in the sense that when you already learn the most basic parts of the job, it frees you up to be able to start envisioning new projects and doing things better."

A place of comfort

Throughout our talk, Father Salvo continued to speak of the importance of the Church being a place of refuge and consolation for all who come to it. "We live in difficult times in the world...[and] it's not just about celebrations," but the Church "has to be a place of consolation, a place of healing, a place where people find a refuge from the problems of the world." We must be prepared for whatever happens to us, and the cathedral must be a "beacon of hope."

Choose a saint

In his first interview, Father Salvo said that his favorite saints were the Virgin Mary and St. John the Evangelist. Most things have not changed. However, St. Patrick got an honorable mention and perhaps was always present. He says, "I pray to St. Patrick, of course, and now I have a great devotion to St. Patrick."

He also recalled his time at St. Joseph's Seminary in New York, "When I would look out the window at the seminary, I would see from afar...in the courtyard...an orchard of trees, in the middle of which was a beautiful statue of St. Patrick, and it wasn't until I was here that I realized that the statue was originally in the church...and so I always prayed to St. Patrick, and now he is the patron saint of the archdiocese....."

St. Patrick, pray for us

Father Salvo begins most Masses with the Hail Mary and always asks St. Patrick to "pray for us".

He talks about the challenges and hardships St. Patrick had to endure and relates them to the suffering of the average Catholic. "He took his adversity...and made something beautiful out of it."

And he continues: "When we go through difficult times, personally or globally, we should remember that so many saints and so much Church history have already seen it happen, and we should draw inspiration from them and try to imitate them. He recommends that we don't just ask for the intercession of the saints. He suggests that we learn from them.

He also spoke of a summer visit to Ireland with Cardinal Dolan. He recalled, "It was mostly Irish immigrants who built this magnificent cathedral, and if they hadn't gone through the adversity that they went through with the potato famine, and all the injustices that the Irish faced, especially in the 19th century, they might never have come...or they might have come bitter and faithless, but instead they came with their problems and gave them to God and made something beautiful out of it; so when we live in times of adversity, we have to learn from all those in the past."

In Omnes' first interview with Father Salvo, he said he never asks and never says no to new positions as a priest. So I asked him if he was happy to have accepted the position of rector of St. Patrick's Cathedral, and he replied, "Of course I am!" He added, "That's why that tactic works."

We are happy that you said yes, Father Salvo!

Altar in St. Patrick's Cathedral
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Gospel

Symphony of generations. Feast of the Holy Family

Joseph Evans comments on the readings for the Feast of the Holy Family and Luis Herrera offers a brief video homily.

Joseph Evans-December 28, 2023-Reading time: 2 minutes

The beauty of the Church's triennial cycle is that some feasts can be considered in different lights aided by the particular readings for that year.

The Solemnity of the Holy Family is one of them. And this year's readings take us to the Temple in Jerusalem, when Joseph and Mary brought the infant Jesus to consecrate him to the Lord. What we see in this gospel is how one form of fidelity to God inspires another.

We also see a wonderful union in God across the generations, what we might call "a symphony of generations," in which a young couple and two elders join together to serve and praise God.

"When the days of his purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, according to what is written in the law of the Lord, 'Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord,' and to give the oblation, as the law of the Lord says, 'a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons'".

Joseph and Mary are scrupulously faithful to the law. What a joy it gives God that young couples bring their newborns to Baptism as soon as possible, so that they may be made children of God without delay. "Let them, do not prevent the children from approaching me."said Jesus.

But the faithfulness of Joseph and Mary "triggers" that of the elder Simeon, inspired by the Holy Spirit who choreography clearly everything that happens. He, the Paraclete, was preparing everything, also through the years of prayer and fasting of the aged Anna, who appears a little later.

"Prompted by the Spirit, he [Simeon] went to the temple."at that precise moment. Because a man open to the Holy Spirit is always right at the right time. And soon after, Anna arrives, after some 60 years of constant adoration of God in the Temple. 

The four adults, two young, two old, share a song of praise to God that is all the more beautiful because it includes young and old voices.

How inspired by the Spirit Pope Francis is to insist so much on the role and value of the elderly in the Church and in society, at a time when so many of them are being discarded. Their voice, too, is part of the symphony of praise that God desires. 

The family extends across generations: it must include children, many of them, with a generous openness to life, but with an equally generous care for its older members.

Homily on the readings of the Feast of the Holy Family

The priest Luis Herrera Campo offers its nanomiliaA short one-minute reflection for these Sunday readings.

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The Vatican

Angelus from the Vatican: Pope Francis encourages "not to dialogue with the devil".

At the beginning of a new cycle of catecheses dedicated to the theme "Vices and virtues", Pope Francis focused his reflection this morning on the theme "Introduction: guarding the heart". The Pontiff encouraged us "not to stop to dialogue with the devil" and to "discern whether our thoughts come from God or from his adversary."

Francisco Otamendi-December 27, 2023-Reading time: 4 minutes
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On Wednesday, December 27, Pope Francis began a new cycle of catecheses on the vices and virtues. 

In the Audience The Holy Father made some introductory remarks on the "custody of the heart", and in his catechesis to the pilgrims of different languages and of Italy itself, he made several references to the "custody of the heart". birth of the Savior, Prince of Peace, to the Holy Family, and to its Christmas message.

For example, in his words to the Spanish-speaking people, he referred to the request for help from St. Joseph: "In these days of Christmas, let us ask the intercession of St. Joseph, custodian of Jesus and Mary, so that he may teach us to take care of our hearts and to be attentive to everything that could take us away from the Lord. May God bless you and may the Blessed Virgin watch over you".

Thanks to the Polish people 

In Italian, before giving the final blessing, he again asked for prayers for the peoples at war: "May the Child of Bethlehem give his light to all of you, so that you may inspire your daily actions in the New Year with the Gospel. And let us not forget to pray for all those who suffer the terrible consequences of violence and war, especially for the tormented Ukraine and for the peoples of Palestine and Israel".

Greeting the Poles, he referred to the support for the Ukrainian victims: "I cordially greet the Poles. At the end of the year, we give thanks to God for all the

good things we have received, including those realized by the hands of so many people in support of the victims of war in Ukraine and elsewhere in the world. We pray with confidence that the Prince of Peace will grant us hope, love and true peace. From my heart I bless you and your homeland".

New cycle of catechesis: vices and virtues

In his summary of Wednesday's catechesis, the Pontiff emphasized that, as a starting point, "we situate ourselves in the Book of Genesis, where the dynamics of evil and temptation are presented in various ways".

"In the story of Adam and Eve, for example, we see how God wants to preserve humanity from the presumption of omnipotence, of wanting to be like gods. Instead, they succumb to temptation, they do not recognize their own limits, pride enters their hearts and they break the harmony with God, being evil itself their punishment."

"With these stories, the Bible teaches us," the Pope emphasized, "that we must not stop to dialogue with the devil, thinking that we will be able to defeat him. He often acts under the guise of good. For this reason, in our Christian life it is fundamental to discern whether our thoughts and desires come from God or, on the contrary, from his adversary. In order to do this, we must always remain vigilant, guarding one's own heart".

In his reflection, in a broader way, the Pope had stated: "In the idyllic picture that represents the Garden of Eden, there appears a character that becomes the symbol of temptation: the serpent. The serpent is an insidious animal: it moves slowly, slithering along the ground, and sometimes its presence is not even noticed, because it manages to blend in well with its surroundings. That is the main reason why it is dangerous.

"As we know, Adam and Eve were unable to resist the temptation of the serpent. The idea of a not-so-good God, who wanted to keep them in submission, crept into their minds: hence the collapse of everything. Soon the progenitors realized that, just as love is reward in itself, evil is also punishment in itself. They will not need God's punishments to realize that they have done wrong: it will be their own actions that will destroy the world of harmony in which they had lived until then. They thought they resembled the gods, and instead they realize that they are naked, and that they are also so afraid: because when pride has penetrated the heart, then no one can protect himself from the only earthly creature capable of conceiving evil, that is, man", the Pope continued.

"Evil does not begin in a crash," but "much earlier."

"With these stories, the Bible explains to us that evil does not begin in man in a resounding way, when an act has already manifested itself, but much earlier, when one begins to entertain it, to lull it to sleep with imagination and thoughts, and ends up being trapped by its temptations," Francis warned.

"Abel's murder did not begin with a thrown stone, but with the grudge that Cain perversely harbored, turning him into a monster within himself. Here, too, God's advice is of no avail: "Sin is crouching at your door; its instinct is directed toward you, but you will subdue it" (Gen 4:7). 

With the devil you should never argue. He is cunning and clever. He even used biblical quotations to tempt Jesus. He is capable of disguising evil under an invisible mask of good. That is why we must always be alert, immediately closing the slightest loophole when he tries to penetrate us," he reiterated. 

Addictions, how the vice arrives, difficult to eradicate

"There are people who have fallen into addictions that they could no longer overcome (drugs, alcoholism, gambling) only because they underestimated a risk," the Pope's meditation has been ending. "They thought they were strong in a battle of nothing, but instead they ended up prey to a powerful enemy. When evil takes root in us, then it takes the name of vice, and it is a weed that is difficult to eradicate. It is only achieved at the cost of hard work." 

In his conclusion, Francis encouraged us to take care of our hearts: "One must be the guardian of one's own heart. This is the recommendation we find in several desert fathers: men who left the world to live in prayer and fraternal charity. The desert - they said - is a place that spares us some battles: the battle of the eyes, the battle of the tongue and the battle of the ears, only one last battle remains, the most difficult of all, the battle of the heart".

The Christian acts as a wise guardian

"Before every thought and every desire that arises in the mind and in the heart, the Christian acts as a wise guardian, and interrogates it to know where it has come from: whether from God or from his Adversary. If it comes from God, it is to be welcomed, for it is the principle of happiness. But if it comes from the Adversary, it is only weeds, it is only pollution, and although its seed may seem small to us, once it takes root we will discover in ourselves the long branches of vice and unhappiness. The success of every spiritual battle is at stake in its beginning: in always watching over our heart".

The Pope also greeted the priests and seminarians of the Focolare Movement, the Minor Seminary of Nuoro, the Italian parishes of Supino and San Vito dei Normanni, and, as he always does, the young people, the sick and the newlyweds.

The authorFrancisco Otamendi

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ColumnistsMaria Candela Temes

A young man, 87 years old

Although we have been listening to Francis speak of peripheries for ten years, there are still many Catholic environments where it is not yet understood that the evangelizing style proposed by the Pope does not seek security but dialogue.

December 27, 2023-Reading time: 2 minutes

This last month of the year will mark the first anniversary of the death of the Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Then this same magazine was kind enough to publish a text I wrote about the German pontiff, which was entitled "Benedict, a misunderstood".. I believe this is a heading equally applicable to its successor.

On December 17, the Pope Francis turned 87 years old. In recent months, news about the Pontiff's state of health has multiplied and worsened, as is logical for a person of advanced age.

Last November 26, the Pope recited the Sunday Angelus from the chapel of Casa Santa Marta, broadcasting the images on the screens of a St. Peter's Square full of pilgrims. A lung inflammation prevented him from leaning out of the window of the Apostolic Palace, something he had not stopped doing even in the hardest moments of his confinement due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

It was the solemnity of Christ the KingThe Church proposes for the meditation of the faithful the 25th chapter of the Gospel of St. Matthew, with its consideration of the Last Judgment. A providential coincidence because it is, as he has affirmed on several occasions, the Holy Father's favorite Gospel passage, together with the discourse on the Beatitudes. With a visibly tired face and with Monsignor Braida acting as a loudspeaker for his words, the Pope recalled that true kingship is mercy.

Although we have been listening to Francis speak of compassion and tenderness for ten years, although he has reminded us countless times that he wants a poor Church, with open doors and a field hospital, although he has managed to incorporate words like "periphery" into our vocabulary, there are still many Catholic environments where it is still not fully understood that the evangelizing style proposed by the Pope does not seek security but dialogue, initiating processes and going out to meet people. With a vision of the world and of the Church proper to a young person. A young man of 87 years old.

The authorMaria Candela Temes

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The Vatican

Pope remembers martyrs on St. Stephen's Day

Today, December 26, is the feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr. Pope Francis reflected on his figure at the Angelus, prayed in St. Peter's Square.

Loreto Rios-December 26, 2023-Reading time: 2 minutes
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The Pope recalled in the Angelus that the account of St. Stephen's martyrdom is narrated in the Acts of the Apostles, chapters 6-7. In this book of the Bible, the saint is described "as a man of good reputation, who served in soup kitchens and administered charity. Precisely because of this generous integrity, he cannot fail to bear witness to what is most precious to him: his faith in Jesus".

It is this faith that leads his opponents to stone him to death. "Everything happens before a young man, Saul, a zealous persecutor of Christians, who acts as 'guarantor' of the execution," the Pope affirmed. The Holy Father then reflected briefly on this situation: "Let us think for a moment about this scene: Saul and Stephen, the persecutor and the persecuted. Between them there seems to be an impenetrable wall (...) However, beyond appearances, there is something stronger that unites them: through Stephen's testimony, in fact, the Lord is already preparing in Saul's heart, without his knowing it, the conversion that will lead him to become the great apostle Paul".

Therefore, even though Stephen dies, his life bears fruit: "His service, his prayer and the faith he proclaims, especially his forgiveness at the point of death, are not in vain".

Martyrs today

The Pope then drew a parallel between what happened then and what is still happening today in many parts of the world: "Today, two thousand years later, we sadly see that persecution continues: there are still - and there are many - who suffer and die for bearing witness to Jesus, just as there are those who are penalized at various levels for behaving in a manner consistent with the Gospel, and those who struggle every day to remain faithful, without fuss, to their good duties, while the world laughs at them and preaches something else".

The Pope launched some reflections on this theme: "Do I care and pray for those who, in various parts of the world, continue to suffer and die for the faith? Do I try to bear witness to the Gospel with consistency, meekness and trust? Do I believe that the seed of good will bear fruit even if I do not see immediate results?

In conclusion, Francis asked the intercession of Mary, Queen of Martyrs, to help us bear witness to Jesus.

After the Angelus

At the end of the Angelus prayer, the Pope recalled all individuals and peoples who suffer discrimination "and struggle for their faith". He also recalled the peoples suffering from war, especially Gaza, Syria and Ukraine.

Francis greeted all the faithful present in the square and invited them to stop in front of the Nativity Scene in the Vatican. "I invite you to let yourselves be carried away by this amazement that becomes adoration," Francis said. Finally, he reminded them "not to forget to pray for me".

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The World

Pierre-André Dumas: "The Church in Haiti celebrates Christmas with the poor".

Despite the current poverty and violence in Haiti, Christmas is lived with great joy and hope, especially among the poor. Bishop Pierre-André Dumas, bishop of the diocese of Anse-à-Veau-Miragoâne, spoke to Omnes about how the Church celebrates Christmas in this Caribbean country.

Federico Piana-December 26, 2023-Reading time: 2 minutes
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Christmas is still expected in Haiti; despite the constant violence of armed gangs, despite extreme poverty, despite the changes in the terrain due to climate change that has caused earthquakes, landslides and floods. In this Caribbean country of more than 11 million inhabitants, half of whom are chronically malnourished, hope does not seem to have been completely erased.

About sixty kilometers from the capital, Port-au-Prince, is the diocese of Anse-à-Veau-Miragoâne. Here, as in any other Christian-majority area of the country, the population is living a more complicated situation every day. Bishop Pierre-André Dumas explains to Omnes that "it is not only the violence of the warring armed groups that is frightening, but also the political and economic crisis that is developing amidst the indifference of politicians and institutions".

Signs of hope in despair

And if even the spirit of Christmas seems somewhat tarnished by pain and, in many cases, despair, Monsignor Dumas affirms that "the Church is doing everything possible to revitalize this spirit, preparing Christmas celebrations especially with the poorest, with the forgotten, with those who live in the narrowest and most dangerous suburbs". After all, he adds, "the Child Jesus was not born in a big city". And if it is true that this Christmas is difficult for us, it is also true that it is "a Christmas in which we must find the signs of hope that God places in history, also in our history".

Rediscovering fraternity

Next year Haiti will celebrate the 220th anniversary of its independence and the Catholic bishops of the country wish that this Christmas the people and the governed be taught the spirit of fraternity. The bishop of the diocese of Anse-à-Veau-Miragoâne, in explaining this passage also included in a letter of the Haitian Episcopal Conference addressed to all the Catholic faithful, refers precisely to the acceptance "of Christ as the firstborn of a multitude of brothers. A model that should inspire us to adopt an attitude of fraternity that is also the foundation of our nation". It is also an attempt to try to reconcile this divided and bloodied country.

Clashes increase

Armed clashes provoked by rival gangs have increased in recent times and are concentrated mainly in the shantytowns, which have become battlefields. "Fortunately," says Monsignor Dumas, "in my diocese, the rival groups have reached an agreement to live in peace and unity: in this way, the people here are calmer." Thus, during the Christmas period, the bishop will be able to visit prisoners, meet with abandoned children for a festive moment and have lunch with the most vulnerable. However, the situation is different in Port-au-Prince and other cities in the south of the country, where people live in fear: "They are helpless," says the bishop, "and they cannot escape. They will live a Christmas in the dark, but I am sure that the Church will help them all to rediscover the joy of the coming of the Lord, in spite of everything".

The authorFederico Piana

 Journalist. He works for Vatican Radio and collaborates with L'Osservatore Romano.

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The Vatican

"The Child asks us to be a voice for those who have no voice", Pope stresses on Christmas Day

In the traditional Christmas message accompanying the benediction Urbi et Orbi Francis recalled the many places on earth where peace is still a goal and also the little ones of Jesus: aborted children, migrants and victims of war.

Maria José Atienza-December 25, 2023-Reading time: 3 minutes

The Holy Land was very present in the message that Pope Francis addressed to the whole world before the Urbi et Orbi blessing that he gave from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, on a cold and somewhat cloudy morning in Rome, but that did not prevent hundreds of people from approaching the heart of the Vatican to accompany the Pope on Christmas Day.

The Pope began by recalling that "there, where in these days pain and silence reign, resounded the announcement awaited for centuries". An announcement that "fills us with confidence and hope to know that the Lord was born for us".

The Pope, following the line of the homily of the Christmas Eve MassHe recalled that the incarnation of Christ means that "we human beings, with our limitations, embrace the certainty of an unprecedented hope, that of having been born for heaven.

The Pope focused his message on peace. In that peace that does not seem to accompany the life of Christ, not even at his birth. The Pontiff recalled that many children do not have a peaceful life even at birth: "How many innocent people are killed in the world: in the womb, on the roads of the desperate in search of hope, in the lives of so many children whose childhood is devastated by war. They are the little Jesuses of today," the Holy Father emphasized.

Francis compared our times to the situation in Bethlehem where Jesus was born: "Today, as in the time of Herod, the intrigues of evil, which oppose the divine light, move in the shadow of hypocrisy and concealment. How many massacres due to weapons take place in deafening silence, hidden from everyone's view".

But the hope of peace is more relevant today than ever, the Pope stressed: "Christ was born for you! Rejoice, you who have abandoned hope, because God holds out his hand to you; he does not point his finger at you, but offers you his little childlike hand to free you from your fears, to relieve you of your fatigue and to show you that you are precious in his eyes".

Peace petition from the Holy Land to America

Particularly important was the Pope's request for peace for the whole world. Francis asked that peace, from the Prince of Peace, "may come to Israel and Palestine, where war is shaking the lives of these populations; I embrace both, in particular the Christian communities of Gaza and the entire Holy Land".

The Pope renewed "an urgent appeal for the release of those who are still being held hostage. I plead for an end to the military operations, with their dramatic consequences of innocent civilian casualties, and for the desperate humanitarian situation to be remedied by allowing aid to arrive. That violence and hatred no longer be fueled, but that a solution to the Palestinian question be found through sincere and persevering dialogue between the parties, sustained by strong political will and the support of the international community".

In addition to Israel and Palestine, the Pope's thoughts turned to other conflicts, less present in the media, such as "the martyred Syria, as well as Yemen, which continues to suffer. I am thinking of the beloved Lebanese people and I pray that they may soon recover political and social stability.

With my eyes fixed on the Child Jesus, I implore peace for Ukraine. Let us renew our spiritual and human closeness to his martyred people, so that through the support of each one of us we may feel God's love in the concrete.

May the day of definitive peace between Armenia y Azerbaijan. That the pursuit of humanitarian initiatives, the safe and legal return of displaced persons to their homes, and mutual respect for the religious traditions and places of worship of each community be encouraged.

Let us not forget the tensions and conflicts that trouble the regions of the Sahel, the Horn of Africa and Sudan, as well as Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

May the day come when fraternal ties are consolidated on the Korean peninsula, opening avenues for dialogue and reconciliation that can create the conditions for lasting peace."

The pontiff's continent of origin was also present in this appeal for peace. The Pope asked for the American continent to "find suitable solutions to overcome social and political dissensions, to fight against forms of poverty that offend the dignity of people, to resolve inequalities and to confront the painful phenomenon of migration".

Francis attacked "the interests and profits that pull the strings of wars" such as the buying and selling of armaments and mercantilist interests.  

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Pope Francis on Christmas Eve: "Tonight love changes history".

The Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter's was marked by the participation of a large group of children from different parts of the world. In his homily, the Pope recalled that, for Christ, we are not a number but a face.

Maria José Atienza-December 25, 2023-Reading time: 2 minutes

St. Peter's Basilica hosted the solemn celebration of the Nativity of the Lord. The Pope presided at the Mass, which began in the late afternoon of December 24. He was joined by faithful from Rome and other places and members of the Roman Curia.

The Pope, visibly tired, was helped in all the movements and remained seated for a large part of the celebration.

The account of the census ordered by the emperor of Rome, which led Mary and Joseph to travel the roads between Nazareth and Bethlehem, has also been the guide for the homily Pope Francis said at Christmas Eve Mass in 2023.

The Pope began by drawing a comparison between the logic of human power, which wants to know the extent of its hand, counting people, showing its greatness to the world: "The census of the whole earth, in short, manifests on the one hand the all too human plot that runs through history: that of a world that seeks power and strength, fame and glory, where everything is measured by successes and results, by figures and numbers". On the other hand, "God enters the world almost in secret," the Pope recalled, and he does so as one of us, allowing himself to be counted.

Christ "descends to our limitations; he does not avoid our frailties, but assumes them," the Pope said.

Jesus incarnate has another measure, the measure of love that makes that, in his census, "you are not a number, but a face; your name is written in his heart". The logic of the incarnation is, the Pope recalled, the logic of salvation, personal and world salvation. The logic of humility that must lead us to let Jesus take the initiative in our lives because Christ loves us, even though "it is hard for us to believe this, that God's eyes shine with love for us".

"Worship tonight"

"Tonight, brothers and sisters, is the time of worship: worship.

Adoration is the way to embrace the Incarnation. For it is in silence that Jesus, the Word of the Father, becomes flesh in our lives," stressed the Pope, who did not want to miss the opportunity to recall that this is "the wonder of Christmas: not a mixture of sappy affections and worldly comforts, but the unheard-of tenderness of God who saves the world by becoming incarnate."

History was changed by the birth of Christ, "tonight love changes history," concluded the Pope who recalled, in his homily, one of the letters of J.R.R. Tolkien who entered the Catholic Church at Christmas time 120 years ago: "I offer you the only great thing to love on earth: the Blessed Sacrament. There you will find enchantment, glory, honor, fidelity and the true way of all your loves on earth'.

After the Mass, the adoration of the Child Jesus took place, in which the Pope was accompanied by a group of children who received the pontiff's blessing.

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"May God infuse humanity into hearts," Pope asks on the 24th

At the Angelus on this Fourth Sunday of Advent, a few hours before the Mass of the Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord, Pope Francis encouraged us to imitate God's kindness so that we may know how to "welcome and respect others." The Pope prayed that we think of the marginalized and disadvantaged, and of those who suffer in Palestine, Israel and Ukraine.

Francisco Otamendi-December 24, 2023-Reading time: 2 minutes

The last time the last Sunday of Advent coincided on the day before Christmas was in 2017, and the next will be in 2028, according to the Vatican agency. Today, in 2023, the IV Sunday of Advent takes place on the eve of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the 25th, as this very evening the Pope at St. Peter'sIn the same way as in so many other places in the world, the Mass of the Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord is celebrated.

In the Angelus Sunday, in his brief meditation to the Romans and pilgrims on the gospel Pope Francis has focused in a special way on the words of the angel: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you".

"The shadow is a gift that restores," the Pope said. "It is God's way of acting. God always acts in a gentle, embracing, fruitful and caring way, without doing violence, without wounding freedom (...). "The shadow that protects is a recurring image in the Bible." "The shadow speaks of God's gentleness. It is as if He were saying to Mary, but also to us: Come, today I am here for you, and I offer myself as your refuge and shelter. Come under my shadow, stay with me!".

In this ChristmasAs we treat relatives and friends, if we know of someone who is lonely, the Pope asked if we can be "a shade that repairs, a friendship that consoles," for people who are lonely and in need.

The Pontiff invited in his reflection that we attend to others "in a delicate and discreet way: listening, accompanying, visiting, making ourselves also for others "shadow of the Most High", and suggested as a test: do I want to let myself be enveloped by the shadow of the Spirit, by the gentleness and meekness of God, making room for Him in my heart, approaching His forgiveness, the Eucharist?"

"May Mary help us to be open and welcoming to the presence of God, who with meekness comes to save us," the Pope concluded.

Sobriety, no to consumerism

After praying the Marian prayer of the Angelus, Francis recalled that the feast is not consumerism, and it is not necessary to spend more than necessary, but to live in sobriety. He also encouraged us to be close to those who are disadvantaged, whether economically or because of loneliness, and to those who suffer because of the warsciting in particular Palestine and Israeland the tormented Ukraine.

The Pope also recalled those who suffer from misery, hunger and slavery. "God, who has taken the human heart, infuse humanity in the hearts of men," prayed Pope Francis, before asking for prayers for him, as he always does.

The authorFrancisco Otamendi

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