It is a profound consolation to know that you are crowned not only with the silver and gold of our joys and hopes, but also with the 'bullet' of our anxieties and sufferings.In an act of humilty, he also thanked Our Lady for encouraging prayers for the Successor of Peter, that the Pope "may be strong in faith, bold in hope and zealous in love." Following this the Pope celebrated Vespers with priests, religious, deacons, seminarians, and consrated in the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, an impressive Church that holds a capacity of over 8,500 people. The Church's construction was finished three years ago in time for the 90th anniversary of the apparitions of Fatima. In the Holy Father's Address to the religious he thanked them for being witnesses to the Gospel and to the Church. He stressed the importance of fidelity to one's vocation and noted the importance of prayer as a "powerful and intense experience of the Lord's love" to help respond to his love that is exclusive and spousal. See his homily below:
CELEBRATION OF VESPERS WITH PRIESTS,RELIGIOUS, SEMINARIANS AND DEACONS ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Fátima Dear Brothers and Sisters, “When the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son born of woman, […] so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Gal 4:4,5). The fullness of time came when the Eternal broke into time; by the grace of the Holy Spirit the Son of the Most High was conceived and became man in the womb of a woman, the Virgin Mary, type and lofty model of the believing Church. The Church does not cease to beget new sons in the Son, whom the Father willed to be the first-born of many brothers. Each one of us is called to be with Mary and like Mary, a humble and simple sign of the Church who offers herself constantly as a spouse into the hands of her Lord. Continue readingAfter celebrating Evening Prayer, and just before Benediction, the Pope pronounced an Act of Entrustment and Consecration of Priests to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Most striking, was how he included himself as a humble servant among the priests. You can view the consecration HERE. - CNS photo/Alessia Giuliani, Catholic Press Photo
At the Manresa Spiritual Renewal Centre in Pickering, ON, retreatants of all ages can encounter a God of surprises.
In June, 2024, the domed roof and interior of St. Anne's Anglican Church in Toronto tragically burned down. However, the parish community continues to stand strong and serve its neighbourhood.
Pope Francis invites us to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ’s mission in the priesthood and religious life.
Pope Francis invites us to pray for the right to an education for migrants, refugees and those affected by war; that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, may always be respected.
I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with the CND sisters and enjoy a special lunch of soup, pizza, salad, and dessert. While I was there, I thought it would be a great opportunity to ask the sisters about what they were looking forward to this Christmas.