Evangelii Gaudium

Pope Francis' just published Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium , is wonderful Advent reading.

3. I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since “no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord”.[1] The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step towards Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with open arms. Now is the time to say to Jesus: “Lord, I have let myself be deceived; in a thousand ways I have shunned your love, yet here I am once more, to renew my covenant with you. I need you. Save me once again, Lord, take me once more into your redeeming embrace”. How good it feels to come back to him whenever we are lost! Let me say this once more: God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy. Christ, who told us to forgive one another “seventy times seven” (Mt 18:22) has given us his example: he has forgiven us seventy times seven. Time and time again he bears us on his shoulders. No one can strip us of the dignity bestowed upon us by this boundless and unfailing love. With a tenderness which never disappoints, but is always capable of restoring our joy, he makes it possible for us to lift up our heads and to start anew. Let us not flee from the resurrection of Jesus, let us never give up, come what will. May nothing inspire more than his life, which impels us onwards!

Encyclicals

Within Catholicism in recent times, an encyclical is generally used for significant issues, and is second in importance only to the highest ranking document now issued by popes, an Apostolic Constitution. Encyclicals indicate high Papal priority for an issue at a given time. Pontiffs define when, and under which circumstances encyclicals should be issued.

Recent Encyclicals (links to Wikipedia articles):

• Pope Paul VI (1963–1978)
  • Ecclesiam Suam 1964
  • Mense Maio 1965
  • Mysterium Fidei 1965
  • Christi Matri 1966
  • Populorum Progressio 1967
  • Sacerdotalis Caelibatus 1967
  • Humanae Vitae 1968
• Pope Blessed John Paul II (1978–2005)
  • Redemptor Hominis 1979
  • Dives in Misericordia 1980
  • Laborem Exercens 1981
  • Slavorum Apostoli 1985
  • Dominum et Vivificantem 1986
  • Redemptoris Mater 1987
  • Sollicitudo Rei Socialis 1987
  • Redemptoris Missio 1990
  • Centesimus Annus 1991
  • Veritatis Splendor 1993
  • Evangelium Vitae 1995
  • Ut Unum Sint 1995
  • Fides et Ratio 1998
  • Ecclesia de Eucharistia 2003
• Pope Benedict XVI (2005-2013)
  • Deus Caritas Est 2005
  • Spe Salvi 2007
  • Caritas in Veritate 2009
• Pope Francis (2013 to present)
  • Lumen Fidei 2013

Peter Claver

An excerpt from the website, http://www.kofpc.org/index.php/the-order/st-peter-claver

Into these yards Peter Claver plunged with medicines and food, bread, brandy, lemons, tobacco to distribute among them, some of whom were too frightened, others too ill to accept them. Claver would say frequently: “We must speak to them with our hands before we try to speak to them with our lips.” When he came upon any who were dying he baptized them and then sought out all babies born on the voyage that he might baptize them. During the time that the blacks spent in the sheds, they were penned so closely that they had to sleep almost upon one another and, thereby, freely handed on their diseases …nonetheless, Claver was seen caring for the bodies of the sick and the souls of all.

Unlike many, even among some of the clergy, Claver did not consider that ignorance of their African languages absolved him from the obligation of instructing them in the truths of religion and morals and bringing to their degraded spirits the consolation of the words of Jesus. Claver had a team of seven interpreters, one of whom spoke four African dialects, and with their help he taught the slaves and prepared them for baptism, not only in groups but individually; for the language difficulty was too great for him to make himself understood otherwise. Claver made use of pictures, in accordance with standard catechetical pedagogy of the time, showing our Lord suffering on the cross for them; above all did he try to instill in them some degree of self respect, to give them at least some idea that as redeemed human beings they had dignity and worth, even if as slaves they were outcast and despised. Not otherwise could he ever hope to arouse in them shame and contrition for their sins more perfect than that evoked by the picture of hell which he held up as a warning.

Run For The Nuns~5K at the Carmelite Fair

Come run, walk, or jog!

Date:
Start: Sunday, September 15, 2013 @ 8:00 am (MDT)

Address:

Carmelite Monastery
5714 South Holladay Boulevard
Holladay , UT 84117
 

Registration Closing Date:
Thursday, September 12, 2013 @ 3:00 pm (MDT)

Register Here:
http://beta.active.com/holladay-ut/running/run-for-the-nuns-2013 

Carmelite Fair

Detailed information about the 2013 Carmelite Fair can be found here.

The main financial support of the monastery is the Annual Fair, which is normally held on the third Sunday in September (September 15, 2013) from 11:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.

The Fair has many ethnic foods such as Mexican food, Italian food, and Asian Cuisine as well as burgers and hot dogs, and ice cream. In addition to the wonderful food, every hour there is entertainment including a live auction, children's games, and various dancers.

What's the Deal with Guardian Angels?

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John,
 Bless this bed that I lay on.
Four corners to my bed,
Four angels ‘round my head.

One to guide, one to pray,
Two to keep me safe all day.

 So goes the modern version of an ancient English bedtime prayer. The original version, recited 100’s of years ago by children much more used to watching friends and family die, ended with the line, “Two to bear my soul away.”  

Both versions are comforting reminders of the two main responsibilities our Guardian Angels have been given: to protect and guide us during the day, and to escort us safely into the arms of our loving God at the moment of our death. 

My son has a childlike, unshakable belief in his own Guardian Angel. After living with him for 30 years, I’ve come to believe he has several on duty at all times. When he was 6 or 7, I woke up one night to the sounds of a conversation coming from, of all places, the bathroom. I got up to investigate, and while I couldn’t make out any words, I could definitely recognize Travis’ voice. I opened the door to find him sitting on the floor, teary-eyed, trying to control his sobs.

“Oh, Sweetheart, what’s the matter?” I cried.

“I” sob “had” sob “a nightmare,” he answered.  

“But who were you taking to?” I asked, checking to see if one of his brothers was hiding under the sink.

“My Guardian Angel,” he said.

He was so matter-of-fact that there could be no doubt he had either suffered a psychotic episode complete with beautiful hallucinations, or he had just experienced the blessed and consoling presence of his Guardian Angel.  

A few days later, I asked him to draw a picture of his angel. He willingly sat at the dining room table, notebook and colored pencils in hand. From the next room I heard him talking to himself, as he said, “Yes, that looks golden.”  

I assumed he was drawing her hair, as I always imagined angels had flowing blonde hair with a few glittery silver highlights. Or perhaps it was her wings that glowed. Or maybe she wore a flowing golden gown with a starry sash. 

When he showed me his picture, I was surprised to see she had medium brown hair, the outline of wings that were not colored in, and a blue gown. It was her face that was golden and glowing--a detail I find hard to imagine a child inventing.

In today’s world of science and technology, Guardian Angels seem to have been relocated to the category of imaginary friends and pleasant bedtime stories; things that are entertaining and appropriate for children, but expected to be outgrown and abandoned as we mature.

Yet St. Basil said, “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd…” Notice he did not mention that they discriminate on the basis of age. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us, “From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession.” And St. Paul wrote, “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”

Have you, as an adult, ever had an experience, perhaps a close call or an odds-defying incident that made you stop for just a moment to acknowledge your good luck or recognize the improbability of the amazing “coincidence?” Have you considered that you may have experienced the intervention of your Guardian Angel? 

Here’s the thing. Angels have been among us since creation, and they will be present at Christ’s return. In the meantime, we can all benefit from the mysterious and powerful help of our own Guardian angels. Perhaps it’s time to refresh in our hearts the little prayer we learned as children:
                                              

 Angel of God, my Guardian dear,
To whom God’s love commits me here,
Ever this day be at my side
To light and guard, to rule and guide.

Summer Bible Study

A 12-week Bible study on The Letter to the Hebrews began Wednesday, 19 June in the Rectory Board Room at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. Meetings are from 7:00-8:15 PM and continue to September 18th. The study is led by Deacon Scott Dodge.

Sacred Music Colloquium

The Sacred Music Colloquium is again at the Cathedral of the Madeleine this year. Public events include:

Masses, etc at the Cathedral of the Madeleine

during the Colloquium

Tuesday, June 18
8:30am: Morning prayer
1:30pm – 2:30pm: Plenary Lecture, Msgr. Andrew Wadsworth: “Life-long Learning”
5:15 pm: Mass, 11th Sunday of the Year (English; Missal Chants; SEP) [David Hughes, organist]
7:30pm: Organ Recital (Charles Cole); Compline

Wednesday, June 19
8:30am: Morning prayer
1:30pm – 2:30pm: Plenary Lecture: Archbishop Alexander K. Sample
5:15 pm: Mass (11th Sunday; OF, English, Latin and Weber propers) [Jonathan Ryan, organist]
 
Thursday, June 20
8:30am: Morning Prayer
1:30pm – 2:30pm: Plenary Session: “The Art of Effortless Singing,” Dr. MeeAe Nam
5:15 pm: Mass (EF Polyphonic Solemn Requiem)

Friday, June 21
8:30am: Morning prayer
1:30pm – 2:30pm: Plenary Lecture: “Gregorian Chant as the splendor formae 
                   of the Liturgy,” Dr. Mahrt
5:15 pm: Mass (EF Missa Cantata, St. Aloysius) [David Hughes, organist]Mass VII
7:45pm Vespers (psalmody of Friday) [Ann Labounsky, organist]
 
Saturday, June 22
8:30 a.m.: Morning prayer
2:00 p.m. – Mass (Solemn OF, Latin, Gloria, Credo;) [Jonathan Ryan, organist]

Sunday, June 23

10:00am  Lauds
11:00 a.m.: Mass (OF, 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time) [Doug O’Neill, organist]

Pope Francis' homily on the Church

Dear brothers and sisters,

Last Wednesday I stressed the deep connection between the Holy Spirit and the Church. Today I would like to start some reflections on the mystery of the Church, a mystery that we all live and of which we are part. I would like to do this, using some well-known phrases taken from the documents of the Second Vatican Council.

Today the first: the Church as Family of God
In recent months, more than once I have made reference to the parable of the prodigal son, or rather of the merciful father (cf. Lk 15:11-32). The youngest son leaves the house of his father, squanders everything, and decides to return because he realizes he made a mistake, though he no longer considers himself worthy of sonship. He thinks he might be welcomed back as a servant. Instead, the father runs to meet him, embraces him, gives him back his dignity as a son, and celebrates. This parable, like others in the Gospel, shows well the design of God for humanity.

What is this God’s plan? It is to make us all the one family of his children, in which each of you feels close to Him and feels loved by Him – feels, as in the Gospel parable, the warmth of being the family of God. In this great design, the Church finds its source. [The Church is] is not an organization founded by an agreement among [a group of] persons, but - as we were reminded many times by Pope Benedict XVI - is the work of God: it was born out of the plan of love, which realises itself progressively in history. The Church is born from the desire of God to call all people into communion with Him, to His friendship, and indeed, as His children, to partake of His own divine life. The very word “Church”, from the Greek ekklesia, means “convocation”. 

God calls us, urges us to escape from individualism, [from] the tendency to withdraw into ourselves, and calls us – convokes us – to be a part of His family. This convocation has its origin in creation itself. God created us in order that we might live in a relationship of deep friendship with Him, and even when sin had broken this relationship with God, with others and with creation, God did not abandon us. 

The whole history of salvation is the story of God seeking man, offer[ing] humanity His love, embracing mankind. He called Abraham to be the father of a multitude, chose the people of Israel to forge an alliance that embraces all nations, and sent, in the fullness of time, His Son, that His plan of love and salvation be realised in a new and everlasting covenant with humanity. When we read the Gospels, we see that Jesus gathers around him a small community that receives His word, follows Him, shares His journey, becomes His family – and with this community, He prepares and builds His Church.

Whence, then, is the Church born? It is born from the supreme act of love on the Cross, from the pierced side of Jesus from which flow blood and water, a symbol of the sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist. In the family of God, the Church, the lifeblood is the love of God that is realised in loving Him and others, loving all without distinction, without measure. The Church is a family that loves and is loved.

When does the Church manifest itself? We celebrated [the Church’s manifestation] two Sundays ago: the Church manifests itself when the gift of the Holy Spirit fills the hearts of the Apostles and pushes them to go out and start the journey to proclaim the Gospel, to spread the love of God.

Even today, some say, “Christ yes, the Church no,” like those who say, “I believe in God, but in priests, no.” They say, “Christ: yes. Church: no.” Nevertheless, it is the Church that brings us Christ and that brings us to God. The Church is the great family of God's children. Of course it also has the human aspects: in those who compose it, pastors and faithful, there are flaws, imperfections, sins – the Pope has his, as well: he has lots of them; but the beautiful thing is that, when we become aware that we are sinners, we find the mercy of God. God always forgives: do not forget this. God always forgives, and He receives us in His love of forgiveness and mercy. Some people say – this is beautiful – that sin is an offence against God, but it is also an opportunity: the humiliation of realising [that one is a sinner] and that there is something [exceedingly] beautiful: the mercy of God. Let us think about this.

Let us ask ourselves today: how much do I love the Church? Do I pray for her? Do I feel myself a part of the family of the Church? What do I do to make the Church a community in which everyone feels welcomed and understood, [in which] everyone feels the mercy and love of God who renews life? Faith is a gift and an act that affects us personally, but God calls us to live our faith together, as a family: as the Church.

We ask the Lord, in a special way in this Year of the faith, that our communities, the whole Church be ever more true families that live and carry the warmth of God.

Knowledge of the Trinity

Regarding the question of whether the Trinity of divine persons can be known by natural reason, in Summa Theologica 1.32.1 Aquinas answers that:

It is impossible to attain to the knowledge of the Trinity by natural reason. For, as above explained (12, 4, 12), man cannot obtain the knowledge of God by natural reason except from creatures. Now creatures lead us to the knowledge of God, as effects do to their cause. Accordingly, by natural reason we can know of God that only which of necessity belongs to Him as the principle of things, and we have cited this fundamental principle in treating of God as above (Question 12, Article 12). Now, the creative power of God is common to the whole Trinity; and hence it belongs to the unity of the essence, and not to the distinction of the persons. Therefore, by natural reason we can know what belongs to the unity of the essence, but not what belongs to the distinction of the persons. Whoever, then, tries to prove the trinity of persons by natural reason, derogates from faith in two ways.

Firstly, as regards the dignity of faith itself, which consists in its being concerned with invisible things, that exceed human reason; wherefore the Apostle says that "faith is of things that appear not" (Hebrews 11:1), and the same Apostle says also, "We speak wisdom among the perfect, but not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world; but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery which is hidden" (1 Corinthians 2:6-7).

Secondly, as regards the utility of drawing others to the faith. For when anyone in the endeavor to prove the faith brings forward reasons which are not cogent, he falls under the ridicule of the unbelievers: since they suppose that we stand upon such reasons, and that we believe on such grounds.

Therefore, we must not attempt to prove what is of faith, except by authority alone, to those who receive the authority; while as regards others it suffices to prove that what faith teaches is not impossible. Hence it is said by Dionysius (Div. Nom. ii): "Whoever wholly resists the word, is far off from our philosophy; whereas if he regards the truth of the word"--i.e. "the sacred word, we too follow this rule."

Catholicism Adult Formation Program

CATHOLICISM 

On 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 7-8:45pm in the Social Hall of St Ambrose Catholic parish (1975 E 2300 S, Salt Lake City) and continuing through July, we will be watching the Catholicism video series and then will have small group discussions about what we've seen. There have been over 50 folks attending at each session so far; each session is fairly independent and you do not have to attend all sessions.

Fr Robert Barron's Catholicism documentary is a ten episode video series, filmed at 50 locations throughout 15 countries, presenting the history, teaching, and culture of the Catholic Church via high quality cinematography (the series has run on the BBC).

Noted author George Weigel describes the 10 hour series as “A stimulating and compelling exploration of the spiritual, moral, and intellectual riches of the Catholic world. This is the Catholic story told from inside, with knowledge, sympathy, and passion, rooted in friendship with Jesus Christ.”

Episode titles:

March 5th: Amazed and Afraid: The Revelation of God become Man

March 19th: Happy are We: The Teachings of Jesus
April 2nd: The Ineffable Mystery of God: That than which nothing greater can be 

thought
April 16th: Our Tainted Nature's Solitary Boast: Mary, the mother of God

The Indispensable Men: Peter, Paul and the missionary adventure

A Body both Suffering & Glorious: The mystical union of Christ and the Church

Word Made Flesh, True Bread of Heaven: The Church's sacrament and worship

A Vast Company of Witnesses: The communion of saints

The Fire of His Love: Prayer and the life of the Spirit

World without End: The last things

Come and See

Outgoing

HOMILY OF POPE FRANCIS
HOLY THURSDAY CHRISM MASS
ST PETER'S BASILICA
28 MARCH 2013

Dear Brothers and Sisters, This morning I have the joy of celebrating my first Chrism Mass as the Bishop of Rome. I greet all of you with affection, especially you, dear priests, who, like myself, today recall the day of your ordination.

The readings of our Mass speak of God’s “anointed ones”: the suffering Servant of Isaiah, King David and Jesus our Lord. All three have this in common: the anointing that they receive is meant in turn to anoint God’s faithful people, whose servants they are; they are anointed for the poor, for prisoners, for the oppressed… A fine image of this “being for” others can be found in the Psalm: “It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down upon the collar of his robe” (Ps 133:2). The image of spreading oil, flowing down from the beard of Aaron upon the collar of his sacred robe, is an image of the priestly anointing which, through Christ, the Anointed One, reaches the ends of the earth, represented by the robe.

The sacred robes of the High Priest are rich in symbolism. One such symbol is that the names of the children of Israel were engraved on the onyx stones mounted on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, the ancestor of our present-day chasuble: six on the stone of the right shoulder-piece and six on that of the left (cf. Ex 28:6-14). The names of the twelve tribes of Israel were also engraved on the breastplate (cf. Es 28:21). This means that the priest celebrates by carrying on his shoulders the people entrusted to his care and bearing their names written in his heart. When we put on our simple chasuble, it might well make us feel, upon our shoulders and in our hearts, the burdens and the faces of our faithful people, our saints and martyrs of whom there are many in these times…

From the beauty of all these liturgical things, which is not so much about trappings and fine fabrics than about the glory of our God resplendent in his people, alive and strengthened, we turn to a consideration of activity, action. The precious oil which anoints the head of Aaron does more than simply lend fragrance to his person; it overflows down to “the edges”. The Lord will say this clearly: his anointing is meant for the poor, prisoners and the sick, for those who are sorrowing and alone. The ointment is not intended just to make us fragrant, much less to be kept in a jar, for then it would become rancid … and the heart bitter.

A good priest can be recognized by the way his people are anointed. This is a clear test. When our people are anointed with the oil of gladness, it is obvious: for example, when they leave Mass looking as if they have heard good news. Our people like to hear the Gospel preached with “unction”, they like it when the Gospel we preach touches their daily lives, when it runs down like the oil of Aaron to the edges of reality, when it brings light to moments of extreme darkness, to the “outskirts” where people of faith are most exposed to the onslaught of those who want to tear down their faith. People thank us because they feel that we have prayed over the realities of their everyday lives, their troubles, their joys, their burdens and their hopes. And when they feel that the fragrance of the Anointed One, of Christ, has come to them through us, they feel encouraged to entrust to us everything they want to bring before the Lord: “Pray for me, Father, because I have this problem”, “Bless me”, “Pray for me” – these words are the sign that the anointing has flowed down to the edges of the robe, for it has turned into prayer. The prayers of the people of God. When we have this relationship with God and with his people, and grace passes through us, then we are priests, mediators between God and men. What I want to emphasize is that we need constantly to stir up God’s grace and perceive in every request, even those requests that are inconvenient and at times purely material or downright banal – but only apparently so – the desire of our people to be anointed with fragrant oil, since they know that we have it. To perceive and to sense, even as the Lord sensed the hope-filled anguish of the woman suffering from hemorrhages when she touched the hem of his garment. At that moment, Jesus, surrounded by people on every side, embodies all the beauty of Aaron vested in priestly raiment, with the oil running down upon his robes. It is a hidden beauty, one which shines forth only for those faith-filled eyes of the woman troubled with an issue of blood. But not even the disciples – future priests – see or understand: on the “existential outskirts”, they see only what is on the surface: the crowd pressing in on Jesus from all sides (cf. Lk 8:42). The Lord, on the other hand, feels the power of the divine anointing which runs down to the edge of his cloak.

We need to “go out,” then, in order to experience our own anointing, its power and its redemptive efficacy: to the “outskirts” where there is suffering, bloodshed, blindness that longs for sight, and prisoners in thrall to many evil masters. It is not in soul-searching or constant introspection that we encounter the Lord: self-help courses can be useful in life, but to live by going from one course to another, from one method to another, leads us to become pelagians and to minimize the power of grace, which comes alive and flourishes to the extent that we, in faith, go out and give ourselves and the Gospel to others, giving what little ointment we have to those who have nothing, nothing at all.

A priest who seldom goes out of himself, who anoints little – I won’t say “not at all” because, thank God, our people take our oil from us anyway – misses out on the best of our people, on what can stir the depths of his priestly heart. Those who do not go out of themselves, instead of being mediators, gradually become intermediaries, managers. We know the difference: the intermediary, the manager, “has already received his reward”, and since he doesn’t put his own skin and his own heart on the line, he never hears a warm, heartfelt word of thanks. This is precisely the reason why some priests grow dissatisfied, become sad priests, lose heart and become in some sense collectors of antiques or novelties – instead of being shepherds living with “the smell of the sheep”, shepherds in the midst of their flock, fishers of men. True enough, the so-called crisis of priestly identity threatens us all and adds to the broader cultural crisis; but if we can resist its onslaught, we will be able to put out in the name of the Lord and cast our nets. It is not a bad thing that reality itself forces us to “put out into the deep”, where what we are by grace is clearly seen as pure grace, out into the deep of the contemporary world, where the only thing that counts is “unction” – not function – and the nets which overflow with fish are those cast solely in the name of the One in whom we have put our trust: Jesus.

Dear lay faithful, be close to your priests with affection and with your prayers, that they may always be shepherds according to God’s heart.

Dear priests, may God the Father renew in us the Spirit of holiness with whom we have been anointed. May he renew his Spirit in our hearts, that this anointing may spread to everyone, even to those “outskirts” where our faithful people most look for it and most appreciate it. May our people sense that we are the Lord’s disciples; may they feel that their names are written upon our priestly vestments and that we seek no other identity; and may they receive through our words and deeds the oil of gladness which Jesus, the Anointed One, came to bring us. Amen.

Pope Francis

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio is our new pope, Pope Francis.  He is the first pope to take the name Francis, in primary reference to Saint Francis of Assisi.

Pope Francis is the first Jesuit priest chosen to be pope. He is also the first pope from the Americas and the first from the Southern Hemisphere and is the first non-European pope in 1,272 years. There is an interesting biographical article, from 2005, at: http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/features/2013/03/13/quiet-thunder-in-argentina/

In his initial greeting to the Church (http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/elezione/index_en.htm), Pope Francis said:


Brothers and sisters, good evening!

You know that it was the duty of the Conclave to give Rome a Bishop.  It seems that my brother Cardinals have gone to the ends of the earth to get one... but here we are... I thank you for your welcome.  The diocesan community of Rome now has its Bishop.  Thank you!      And first of all, I would like to offer a prayer for our Bishop Emeritus, Benedict XVI.  Let us pray together for him, that the Lord may bless him and that Our Lady may keep him. 
Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...
And now, we take up this journey:  Bishop and People.  This journey of the Church of Rome which presides in charity over all the Churches.  A journey of fraternity, of love, of trust among us.  Let us always pray for one another.  Let us pray for the whole world, that there may be a great spirit of fraternity.  It is my hope for you that this journey of the Church, which we start today, and in which my Cardinal Vicar, here present, will assist me, will be fruitful for the evangelization of this most beautiful city. 

And now I would like to give the blessing, but first - first I ask a favour of you: before the Bishop blesses his people, I ask you to pray to the Lord that he will bless me: the prayer of the people asking the blessing for their Bishop.  Let us make, in silence, this prayer:  your prayer over me. 
[...]
Now I will give the Blessing to you and to the whole world, to all men and women of good will.
[Blessing]
Brothers and sisters, I leave you now.  Thank you for your welcome.  Pray for me and until we meet again.  We will see each other soon.  Tomorrow I wish to go and pray to Our Lady, that she may watch over all of Rome.  Good night and sleep well!

In his first Mass, Pope Francis said:

The same Peter who professed Jesus Christ, now says to him: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. I will follow you, but let us not speak of the Cross. That has nothing to do with it. I will follow you on other terms, but without the Cross. When we journey without the Cross, when we build without the Cross, when we profess Christ without the Cross, we are not disciples of the Lord, we are worldly: we may be bishops, priests, cardinals, popes, but not disciples of the Lord.

My wish is that all of us, after these days of grace, will have the courage, yes, the courage, to walk in the presence of the Lord, with the Lord’s Cross; to build the Church on the Lord’s blood which was poured out on the Cross; and to profess the one glory: Christ crucified. And in this way, the Church will go forward.

My prayer for all of us is that the Holy Spirit, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother, will grant us this grace: to walk, to build, to profess Jesus Christ crucified. Amen.

Pope Benedict XVI Retiring

From the Vatican (http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2013/february/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20130211_declaratio_en.html):

DECLARATIO

Dear Brothers,
I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.  I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the barque of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me. For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.

Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects.  And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.

From the Vatican, 10 February 2013

BENEDICTUS PP XVI

Meeting Rev. Robert Barron

Yesterday was a great day, an exciting day, and if you’re familiar with Rev. Robert Barron, the Catholic priest and theologian, you’ll understand my enthusiasm. I was lucky enough to meet Father Barron while he was here in Salt Lake City speaking at a convention of cathedral people. I’m not sure exactly who cathedral people are or what they do, but I was thrilled they decided to meet here in Salt Lake City, and that they invited Father Barron to attend their convention as a keynote speaker.

I’ve be a Father Barron fan for years, I came across one of his YouTube videos while surfing the Internet looking for information on science and religion (needed to show my 15 year-old that you can believe in both). One thing led to another, which led me to his website, which led me to his 10 part Catholicism series and I'm happy to say that our parish is planning to present his magnificent series to our parishioner’s in the upcoming Year of Faith. Today, I was able to see and hear him in person at the Cathedral Ministry Conference.

He was as remarkable in person as I had hoped he would be.

I admire his vast knowledge, his infectious enthusiasm, his commitment to the church and to evangelization, but mostly I admire his speaking skills. Why? Because you can have all of the earlier mentioned qualities, but if you aren’t a great speaker the message gets lost in translation. Father Barron is a great speaker and his message comes across loud and clear.

Catholicism: It's Your Story 

Visit Father Barron's website. You might be surprised by what you find there, but you won't be disappointed!

The Rev. Robert Barron in Salt Lake City

The Rev. Robert Barron, a Catholic priest and theologian, will discuss “Proclaiming Christ to a Secular World,” at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan 10^th. The location is the Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek and tickets are available for $7.50 in advance from Laurel Dokos, Cathedral of the Madeleine, 801-328-8941, or for $10 at the door.

The Rev. Robert Barron, commentator in a TV series on Catholicism will deliver the keynote speech at the Cathedral Ministry Conference and his speech will be open to the public. St. Ambrose will be presenting Father Baron’s 10 part documentary series “Catholicism” starting in the very near future and this is a wonderful opportunity to see and hear from the man behind this great program.

“Many people, we expect, will want to come to that talk,” said Rev. Msgr. Joseph Mayo, one of the organizers of the Cathedral Ministry Conference. “We were very fortunate to get him [Father Barron].”

Father Barron’s written and video commentaries are posted on his ministry website, Word on Fire, and on YouTube. He often reviews movies, engages in conversation with atheists, educates Catholics and gives the Catholic take on issues of interest to the secular world.

Father Barron was appointed last year as rector-president of Mundelein Seminary/University of St. Mary of the Lake, the largest Catholic seminary in the country. He has taught theology at the Illinois seminary since 1992.

The conference, which begins Monday afternoon, is expected to draw 100 Catholics who work in cathedrals throughout the country. A cathedral is a parish that is also the seat of a bishop, so there is a cathedral in every diocese. Cathedrals often stage public events, such as concert series or art lectures.

The Cathedral of the Madeleine has never before hosted the conference, but there is great interest in both the cathedral and Salt Lake City, Rev. Mayo said. For instance, rectors of other cathedrals are interested in learning about the Madeleine Choir School, one of only two such Catholic choir schools in the country.

The Rev. Michael G. Ryan, pastor of St. James Cathedral in Seattle, will give a keynote address, “Cathedral: Curiosity or Crossroads?” at 9 a.m. on Tuesday. 

Patricia Wittberg, a Sister of Charity and professor of sociology at Indiana University-Purdue University, will give another keynote, “From Generation to Generation: Thoughts on Passing on Our Faith,” at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday.

Source: Salt Lake Tribune