Archive for the ‘Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’ Category

Today Christians Commemorate St. Stephen of Mar Saba, Please Pray For Us!

Sunday, March 31st, 2024

Stephen Mar Saba

(Saint Mary’s Press) Stephen of Mar Saba was introduced to the monastic lifestyle at the age of 10 by his uncle Saint John Damascene whom Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI called a person of prime importance in the history of Byzantine Theology, a great Doctor in the history of the Universal Church.

When Stephen turned 24, he began to serve the monastery by doing a number of jobs according to Franciscan Media including a guest master. After some time, Stephen asked permission to lead a life in religious seclusion–the answer from the Abbott was yes and no.

Stephen could follow his preferred lifestyle during the week but on weekends he was to offer his skills as a Counselor. Stephen put a sign on the door of his room: “Forgive me Fathers, in the name of the Lord but please do not disturb me except on Saturday’s and Sunday’s.”

Even though Stephen would have preferred to live in solitary prayer everyday, he kindly met those seeking his counsel and was a trusted spiritual advisor.

Saint Stephen of Mar Saba’s biographer and disciple wrote: “Whatever help, spiritual or material, he was asked to give, he gave. He (Stephen) received and honored all with the same kindness. He possessed nothing and lacked nothing. In total poverty, he possessed all things.”

Related: Saint Stephen of Mar Saba Monastery –Holy Land Sites

Today Christians Commemorate St. Catharine of Bologna, Please Pray For Us!

Thursday, March 28th, 2024

Saint Catherine...

St. Catharine of Bologna
Image: Catholic Bible 101

(EWTN) Born to a noble family in Italy Bologna, Catharine moved to Ferrara, where she entered the court of Niccolo III d’Este, as a Maid of Honor, there she was educated which later would serve her during her religious life when she used the ‘cultural and artistic knowledge’ she gleaned over the years to her advantage.

In 1427 Catharine at the age of 14 left the court to dedicate herself to a religious life in a community of young Women–two years later, the leader of this community founded an Augustinian Convent but Catharine and 15 other Sisters preferred Franciscan spirituality and established a ‘Poor Clare’ monastery in Florence according to Franciscan Media and as Abbess, Catharine worked to preserve the peace of the new community, her reputation for holiness drew many young Women to the ‘Poor Clare’ life.

Catharine passed away in 1463 and was Canonized in 1712 by Pope Clement XI

On the 29 December, 2010 Pope Benedict XVI spoke of Saint Catharine of Bologna and said that she was a ‘humble Woman–dedicated to prayer but was always ready to serve; generous in sacrifice but full of joy in welcoming Christ with the Cross”

In Catharine’s autobiography The Seven Spiritual Weapons (available from Amazon) Pope Benedict said, “Catharine offers in this regard teaching of deep wisdom and profound discernment, she speaks in the third-person in reporting the extraordinary graces which the Lord gives to her and in the first-person in confessing her sins…she identifies seven weapons in the fight against evil against the devil:

  • (1) Always to be careful and diligently strive to do good;
  • (2) To believe that alone we will never be able to do something truly good;
  • (3) To trust in God and for love of Him, never to fear in the battle against evil, either in the world or within ourselves;
  • (4) To meditate often on the events and words of the Life of Jesus and especially on His passion and His death;
  • (5) To remember that we must die;
  • (6) To focus our minds firmly on memory of the goods of Heaven;

  • (7) to be familiar with Sacred Scripture, always cherishing it in our hearts so that it may give direction to all our thoughts and all our actions. — A splendid program of spiritual life, today too, for each one of us.”

Today Christians Celebrate Feast of St. David of Wales – Please Pray For Us!

Friday, March 1st, 2024

St David of Wales

St. David of Wales –Image: NNDB

(CNA) Saint David is remembered as a missionary Bishop and the founder of many Monasteries during the 6th century United Kingdom, Wales.

Saint David’s conception is believed to have occurred as a result of rape–a detail that seems unlikely to have been invented by later biographers, his mother, Saint Non (or Nonna) may have been the daughter of Lord Cynyr of Caer Goch, according to Fr. Harry Allagree Blogger of ‘The Good Heart’ who gave birth to him atop of a cliff during a storm.

Becoming a renowned teacher and Priest, David was elected Bishop of Menevia, an important port city, linking Wales and Ireland in his time.

Twelve monasteries have their founding by Bishop David, who developed a reputation of strict asceticism. St David’s Cathedrial stands on the site of a monastery that he founded in Wales, Pembrokeshire.

It is believed that Bishop David, lived to be very old and died somewhere around 589, other traditions place his death at 601, his last words to his followers were reportedly:

“Be joyful and keep your faith and your creed. Do little things that you have seen me do and heard about. I will walk the path our fathers have trod before us.”

Saint David of Wales, was Canonized by Pope Callistus II in 1120

In 2010 Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI during his visit to Wales, spoke of today’s Saint of the Day and said:

“Saint David was one of the great Saints of the sixth century, that golden age of Saints and missionaries in these isles and he was thus a founder of the Christian culture which lies at the root of modern Europe. David’s preaching was simple yet profound: his dying words to his Monks were, ‘Be joyful, keep the faith and do little things.” It is the little things that reveal our love for the one who loved us first (1st John 4:19) and that bind people into a community of faith, love and service. May Saint David’s message, in all its simplicity and richness, continue to resound in Wales, drawing the hearts of its people to renewed love for Christ and His Church.”

  • Full Salute here of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
    to Saint David of Wales

Today Christians Celebrate the Feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Patron Saints of Europe – Please Pray For Us!

Wednesday, February 14th, 2024

Saints Cyril & MethodiusSt. Cyril (827-869) & St. Methodius (815-884)
Image Courtesy:
St’s Cyril and Methodius Parish

(Franciscan Media) These brothers the Apostle’s of Slovakia were born in Thessalonica —  After a brilliant course of studies, Cyril (called Constantine until he became a Monk shortly before his death) refused the Governorship of a district such as his brother had accepted among the Slovakia speaking population. Cyril withdrew to a Monastery where his brother Methodius became a Monk after some years in the government post.

A decisive change in their lives occurred when the ‘Duke of Moravia’ (of present day the Czech Republic) asked the Eastern Emperor Michael for political independence from German rule and Ecclesiastical autonomy — Cyril and Methodius, undertook the missionary task.

Cyril’s first undertaking was to invent an alphabet (still used in some Eastern Liturgies) his assistants probably formed the ‘Cyrillic’ alphabet from Greek capital letters–together they translated the Gospels, the Psalter the Liturgical books together with the Letters of Saint Paul (Romans, 1st & 2nd Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, 1st and 2nd Timothy, Titus and Philemon) into Slovakian language.

Cyril’s and Methodius free use of the common language spoken among the people they worked, led to opposition from the German Clergy, the Bishop refused to consecrate Slavic Priests and Bishops, Cyril was forced to appeal to Rome.

On Cyril’s and Methodius visit to Rome, they had the joy of seeing their new liturgy approved by Pope Adrian II. Cyril long  working through his disabilities, died in Rome on the 14 February, 869 just 50 days subsequent to taking the monastic habit.

Methodius continued his missionary work for 16 more years as Papal Legate for the Slovakian people, Consecrated a Bishop.

Legend has it that in a feverish period of activity, Methodius translated the entire Holy Scriptures into the Slovakian language in 8 months. With his health worn out, Methodius passed away on the 06 April, 885 — In 1980 Pope Saint John Paul II declared them Co-Patrons of Europe.

On the 17 June, 2009 Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI addressing Saint’s Cyril and Methodius said, they were classic examples of what today is meant by the term “inculturation” every people must integrate the message revealed into its own culture and express its saving truth in its own language.

An Inspiration Of Time With God For Today

Saturday, September 18th, 2021

Blessed are they who when they hear the Word of God, hold it fast in an honest and good heart and bear fruit with patient endurance. Cf. Luke 8:15   Image Courtesy: Catholic Saints Info

The Parable of the Sower


When a great crowd gathered and people from town after town came to Him (Jesus) He said in a parable:

“A sower went out to sow his seed and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on and the

birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on the rock and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. Some

fell on the thorns and the thorns grew with it and choked it. Some fell into good soil and when it grew, it

produced a hundredfold.”

As Jesus taught this, He called out, “Let anyone with ears to hear listen!”

The ‘Parable of the Sower’ Explained


Jesus then said, “Now the parable is this: The seed is the Word of God. The ones on the path are those

who have heard, the the devil comes and takes away the Word from their hearts, so that they may not

believe and be saved. The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the Word, receive it with joy

but these have no root, they believe only for awhile and in a time of testing fall away. As for what fell

among the thorns, these are the ones who hear but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares

and riches and pleasures of life and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, these are the

ones who, when they hear the Word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart and bear fruit

with patient endurance.”  Luke 8:4-8; 11-15

  • You May Know the Joy of Salvation and Eternal Life Today
    Through The Good News of Christ Jesus!

Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture Readings and More, Visit: -USCCB

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Reflection on the ‘Parable of the Sower’ and St. Benedict  -NC Register

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI 9/11 Message to the Church in the United States

Friday, September 11th, 2020

“Israel Remembers the Victims of 11 September Terrorist Attacks – Jerusalem’s Living Memorial Plaza is a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of hate and evil. Today and every day Israel stands in solidarity with its allies and with those who lost their loved ones on 9/11”
Image Courtesy: State of Israel@Twitter

(LI Catholic) From the Vatican, September, 2011

To My Venerable Brother
The Most Reverend Timothy M. Dolan
President
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

On this day my thoughts turn to the somber events of 11 September, 2001 when so many innocent lives were lost in the brutal assault on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center and the further attacks in Washington, DC and Pennsylvania. I join you in commending the thousands of victims to the infinite mercy of Almighty God and in asking our Heavely Father to continue to console those who mourn the loss of loved ones.

The tragedy of that day is compounded by the perpetrator’s claim to be acting in God’s name. Once again, it must be unequivocally stated that no circumstances can ever justify acts of terrorism. Every human life is precious in God’s sight and no effort should be spared in the attempt to promote throughout the world a genuine respect for the inalienable rights and dignity of individuals and peoples everywhere.

The American people are to be commended for the courage and generosity that they showed in the rescue operations and for their resilience in moving forward with hope and confidence. It is my fervent prayer that a firm commitment to justice and a global culture of solidarity will help rid the world of the grievances that so often give rise to acts of violence and will create the conditions for greater peace and prosperity, offering a brighter and more secure future.

With these sentiments, I extend my most affectionate greetings to you, your brother Bishops and all those entrusted to your pastoral care and I gladly impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of peace and serenity in the Lord.

Pope Benedict XVI

H/T: Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal World

Pope Benedict XVI New Book on Childhood of Jesus has Family Focus

Wednesday, November 21st, 2012

Pope Benedict XVI: The Infancy Narratives–Jesus of Nazareth –Amazon

(CNA) Pope Benedict XVI third and final book on the life of Jesus has been launched and this time he delves into Christ’s childhood.

“The Pope’s book refers especially to the infancy of Jesus in the context of a family and focuses on family tradition…His words aren’t just informative, they are also participative in the sense that they capture the reader and draws him in,” said Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture at a press conference on Tuesday.

Rest here from Catholic News Agency