Pope Benedict to visit Britain next year!

The news stories of a papal visit to Great Britain splashed round the websites of the daily newspapers in Britain, and other news services, Yesterday. It will be a great blessing to our country and I am sure that the presence of the Holy Father and his wise words will bring about an increase of faith, and a deepening of the spiritual and liturgical life of the Church.
Archbishop Vincent Nichols, President of the Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales, said:

‘We are encouraged and pleased at the news which has emerged about the possible official visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the UK next year.
‘We are glad the Holy Father is giving such consideration to the invitations he has received from Her Majesty’s Government, which accord closely to the wishes and requests also expressed by the Bishops of England & Wales.
‘The prospect of a visit by Pope Benedict fills us with joy.’

Theme for the World Day of Peace 2010

If you want to cultivate peace, protect the creation" is the theme chosen by Benedict XVI for his Message for the 43rd World Day of Peace, which will be celebrated on 1 January 2010.

"The theme", says a communique made public today, "aims to raise awareness about the strong bond that exists in our globalised and interconnected world between protecting the creation and cultivating peace.

"This close and intimate tie", the communique adds, "is further accentuated by the many problems concerning man's natural environment, such as the use of resources, climate change, the application and use of biotechnology, and demographic growth. If the human family is unable to face these new challenges with a renewed sense of social justice and equity, and of international solidarity, we run the risk of sowing seeds of violence among peoples, and between current generations and those to come".

The communique goes on: "Following the precious guidelines contained in paragraphs 48 to 51 of the Encyclical 'Caritas in veritate', the papal Massage will make it clear that the protection of the environment is a challenge for all humankind. It is shared and universal duty to respect a collective asset destined for everyone".

The communique concludes by noting that "ecological questions must be faced, not just because of the dreadful prospects that environmental degradation presages; they must be translated, above all, into a strong motivation to cultivate peace

(VIS)

Holy Father's Holiday in Valle d'Aosta Comes to an End

This evening the Holy Father's holiday at Les Combes near Introd - his third there since the start of his pontificate - is due to come to an end. The Pope travelled to Les Combes in the Italian alpine region of Valle d'Aosta on 13 July.

Benedict XVI is due to leave his residence at 5 p.m., travelling by helicopter to Caselle airport near the northern Italian city of Turin. From there he will fly by plane to Rome's Ciampino airport.

From Ciampino he will be taken by car to the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo, where he will spend the rest of the summer and continue treatment of his right wrist which he broke in a fall on 17 July.

On Saturday 1 August he is scheduled to receive around 100 athletes who are currently participating in the world swimming championships in Rome. On Sunday 2 August he will pray the Angelus from the balcony overlooking the central courtyard of the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo. Weekly general audiences will resume from Wednesday 5 August.

(VIS)

Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church

The Camerlengo is the administrator of the property and revenues of the Holy See; his responsibilities formerly included the fiscal administration of the Patrimony of St. Peter. As regulated in the Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus , Camerlengo is always a Cardinal. His heraldic arms are ornamented with two keys (one gold, one silver) in saltire surmounted by an ombrellino, a canopy or umbrella of alternating red and yellow stripes, which are also the arms of a Sede Vacante (i.e. a Papal interregnum).

Until the 11th century, the Archdeacon of the Roman Church was responsible for the administration of the property of the Church (i.e., the Diocese of Rome), but its numerous ancient privileges and rights had come to make it a frequent hindrance to independent action on the part of the Pope; as a result, when the last Archdeacon Hildebrand was elected to the papacy as Gregory VII in 1073, he suppressed the Archdiaconate and the cardinal entrusted with the supervision of the Apostolic Camera (Camera Apostolica), i.e., the temporalities of the Holy See, became known as the Camerarius, or Chamberlain.

Chief among the present responsibilities of the Camerlengo is the formal determination of the death of the reigning Pope; the traditional procedure for this was to strike gently the Pope's head three times with a silver hammer and to call his baptismal name ("Albine, dormisne?", i.e. "White One, do you sleep?"). After the Pope is declared dead, the Camerlengo removes the Ring of the Fisherman from his finger and cuts it with shears in the presence of the Cardinals, and also destroys the face of the Pope's official seal. These acts symbolize the end of the late Pope's authority. The Camerlengo then notifies the appropriate officers of the Roman Curia and the Dean of the College of Cardinals. He is then involved with the preparations concerning the conclave and the Pope's funeral.

Until a successor Pope can be elected, the Camerlengo serves as acting head of State of the Vatican City. He is not, however, currently responsible for the government of the Roman Catholic Church during a sede vacante. Universi Dominici Gregis placed that task in the hands of the College of Cardinals — although this power of government is extremely limited, being merely enough to allow Church institutions to continue to operate and perform some basic functions without making any definitive decisions or appointments that are normally reserved to other powers delegated by the Pope. The Camerlengo, though, does keep his office during the sede vacante, as opposed to the rest of the Roman Curia. The only other person who keeps his office is the Major Penitentiary.

Three Camerlengos have been elected Pope: Cosimo Gentile Migliorati (Pope Innocent VII) in 1404, Gioacchino Pecci (Pope Leo XIII) in 1878 and Eugenio Pacelli (Pope Pius XII) in 1939. Two others, Cencio, who was elected as Pope Honorius III in 1216, and Rinaldo Conti di Segni, elected as Pope Alexander IV in 1254, did not occupy that post at the time of their elections to the papacy (Cencio was camerlengo from 1188 until 1198, while Rinaldo from 1227 until 1231).

The current Camerlengo is His Eminence Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone, S.D.B., appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007.

Pope Benedict XVI is set to make an historic visit to the UK

The German pontiff will make the first Papal visit to this country in nearly three decades.

It is understood that the historic event is being timed to coincide with the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman, who is on the path to becoming the first British saint for 40 years.

Details of the visit, which will attract crowds of hundreds of thousands of people, are still under discussion, but cities being considered include London, Birmingham, Oxford, Edinburgh, Armagh and Dublin.

A senior cardinal is due to make a private trip to Britain in the summer to make preparations for the Pope's visit, which could be announced by the end of this year.

The Catholic Church in England and Wales will hope that such an event will capture the imagination of the country's four million Catholics, of whom only a quarter now regularly attend Mass.At the same time, the Government has embarked on a major diplomatic mission in an attempt to change the long-standing law banning Catholics from succeeding to the throne.

Relations between the Catholic Church and the Government have been strained following clashes over the introduction of laws enforcing homosexual equality and the Embryo Bill, which paved the way for the creation of human-animal hybrid embryos.

However, secret talks began between the Catholic Church in England and Wales and the Vatican shortly after Pope Benedict's election in 2005, long before Gordon Brown's private audience last month.

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the Archbishop of Westminster, wrote to the Pope in 2006, suggesting that he should come to Britain in 2007 to mark the 25th anniversary of the visit by the late Pope John Paul II.He proposed that a tour should include a lecture at Oxford University as well as an address to the Houses of Parliament.

The Cardinal was in Rome last week, where he met with Cardinal Bertone, the Vatican's secretary of state, and it is likely they discussed plans for a Papal visit.It has yet to be decided whether the Pope would travel to Britain solely for a service of beatification for Cardinal Newman or whether it would be turned into a tour of the British Isles.

A senior source in Rome revealed that bishops in England are divided over whether the service would be conducted in Birmingham, where his remains are venerated, or in London at Westminster Cathedral or Wembley stadium.The Pope has privately expressed an interest in travelling to Oxford, having previously only visited Cambridge, and would also be likely to visit Scotland and Northern Ireland.

(Telegraph)

Pope recovering from wrist fracture

Recovering well from his wrist fracture, Pope Benedict devoted the first part of his Sunday Angelus address to thanking the doctors who treated him “with such diligence, with such competence and friendship,” as well as the faithful who “reinforced the network of prayer that unites us in every part of the world.”

Pope Benedict’s address took place in Romano Canavese, the northwestern Italian town of 3,000 where Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone was born. The address followed a Mass concelebrated by Cardinal Bertone and Bishop Arrigo Miglio of Ivrea.

Paying tribute to the town’s history, the Pontiff urged the faithful not to cave in to discouragement in the face of economic difficulties. “The fundamental values of the family and respect for human life, sensibility for social justice, the capacity to endure toil and sacrifice, the strong link to Christian faith through parish life and especially through participation at Holy Mass, have been your strength over the centuries,” he said. “These same values will permit today’s generations to build their future with hope, giving life to a true solidarity and a fraternal society, in which all the various spheres, institutions and economy are permeated by an evangelical spirit.”

(CWN)

An update on Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict was released from hospital this afternoon, with his ring on his left hand, because his right wrist is in a cast (see image).For more details please see previous post.

Pope breaks wrist after falling

Pope Benedict XVI has fractured his right wrist after falling while on holiday in northern Italy, the Vatican and hospital officials say.

The 82-year-old Pope went to hospital in the alpine town of Aosta after the accident early on Friday.He underwent an operation to reduce the fracture and a top regional official said the procedure went well.The Vatican said Pope Benedict fell during the night in his chalet and that the injury was not serious.In a statement, it said the pontiff celebrated Mass and ate breakfast before going to hospital.

The operation, performed under local anaesthetic, went well, the president of the Val d'Aosta region said in televised remarks quoted by AFP news agency.He has been staying at a house in the village of Les Combes in the Valle d'Aosta region. It was a favourite vacation spot of his predecessor, Pope John Paul II.

(BBC)

Pope Benedict begins Alpine vacation

Pope Benedict XVI left Rome on Monday, July 13, to begin a 2-week vacation in the Italian Alps. The Pontiff flew from Rome to Turin, continuing by helicopter to Les Combes, where he will stay in the same chalet that he chose for his vacation in 2005 and 2006. The chalet is located in the mountains about 12 miles from Aosta, with views of Mont Blanc. Local police have deployed a team of 200 men to guard the Pope's privacy and security. Pope Benedict told reporters that he planned to "rest and also work-- but above all rest."

Tests support belief that St. Paul's tomb has been discovered, Pope reveals

As he presided at ceremonies closing the Pauline Year, Pope Benedict XVI made the dramatic announcement that new scientific tests have strengthened the traditional belief that human remains buried beneath the altar of the Roman basilica of St. Paul-outside-the-Walls are those of St. Paul himself.

The Pope led a Vespers service on Sunday evening, June 28, to conclude the observance of the Pauline Year. In his homily he mentioned the initiatives that had been taken during the year, especially the pilgrimages that many Christians have made to sites connected with St. Paul's missionary journeys. Commenting then on the Apostle's letter to the Romans, the Holy Father said that the world cannot be renewed unless we ourselves undergo renewal first, and we can experience that renewal only throught the New Man, Jesus Christ. Pope Benedict also took note of St. Paul's references to an adult faith, and said that phrase has unfortunately been invoked by many Catholics who want to uphold only those truths of faith that they find comfortable for themselves.

As he neared the conclusion of his homily, the Pope announced that carbon-14 dating tests have established that bones and scraps of clothing found in the tomb below the basilica date back to the 1st century, thus supporting the belief-- which, he pointed out, has never been contested-- that this is the burial place of St. Paul. That likelihood, the Pontiff said, "fills our souls with profound emotion" as the Church pays homage to the Apostle.

Tony Blair encourages Catholic priests

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair encouraged Catholic priests to press ahead with their work, "unafraid, or if afraid, undaunted," during a speech to the National Leadership Roundtable on Church Management annual meeting in Philadelphia. Blair-- who entered the Catholic Church shortly after leaving public office-- said that the Church is "at its best" when offering concrete help to those in need.
More infomation on this here

(CWN)

Pope Benedict XVI will impose the pallium, symbolic of metropolitan authority, on Archbishop Vincent Nichols

Today is the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Pope Benedict XVI will impose the pallium, symbolic of metropolitan authority, on 34 archbishops who were appointed during the course of the past year. The pallium, a thin strip of white wool, is a liturgical vestment worn by metropolitan archbishops. It is conferred on newly appointed archbishops each year on the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, which is a holiday at the Vatican. Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster, the newly installed leader of England's Catholic hierarchy, will also receive the pallium.

(CWN)

Pope signs deal for Christmas-music recording

A Post from the Catholic News Agency website that stood out:

Pope Benedict has signed a record deal for an album of religious music and prayers for Christmas to be released under the Geffen label, which also distributes music for Lady GaGa and U2.

Benedict XVI, 82, and Vatican priests will record music and prayers for new label Geffen UK, expected to be a hit with millions of Catholics worldwide, according to the UK Daily Mirror.

Geffen is part of the US entertainment giant Universal Music Group. Other stars in the group's stables include Lady GaGa, Marilyn Manson, Eminem, U2 and Black Eyed Peas.

"Everyone thought it was a wind up when we got a call from the Vatican," a source at the London based label was quoted as saying. "But it was the Pope's representative inviting us to Rome."

"Two senior managers flew out. The Pope wasn't there in person, sadly. But we didn't hesitate to offer His Holiness a deal."

(CWN)

Year of the Priest begins

Pope Benedict XVI has called the whole Church to celebrate a Year for Priests beginning on 19th June 2009, the Feast of the Sacred Heart.

His purpose for this year is to encourage priests in their “striving for spiritual perfection on which, above all, the effff ectiveness of their ministry depends” and to highlight “the importance of the priestʼs role and mission in the Church and in contemporary society”.

To do this the Holy Father calls us to a renewed focus on the centrality of Christ in our lives and in the Church and that “brings with it the correct appreciation of the ministerial priesthood, without which there would be neither the Eucharist, nor even the mission nor the Church herself”.

This same year is the 150th anniversary of the death of St John Vianney, the patron saint of priests, and also the occasion of the visit to England of the relics of St Therese of Lisieux – who from her Carmelite convent showed her life-long devotion to priests by praying for them, supporting them and corresponding with them.

We join with these great saints in praying for our own priests and priests throughout the world. In the next few days we shall publish a prayer for the "Year for Priests".

The Eucharist and St John Vianney

As Pope Benedict closes the Year of St Paul, he is preparing to open the Year of the Priest. So as we near the end of our series on saints and the Eucharist it is good to reflect on the life and thought of St John Vianney, the patron of parish priests. In his early years he seemed an unlikely candidate for this honour. He was born at Dardilly near Lyons in 1786 and early in life expressed his desire to be a priest. His primary education was sketchy and his greatest difficulty was in understanding Latin. His problems increased when he was drawn into conscription into Napoleon’s troops. This was solved when his brother volunteered to take his place and he thankfully returned to the seminary. There, despite his serious limitations, his teachers never doubted his vocation and he continued to struggle until his ordination in 1815.
Three years later he was made parish priest of Ars, a remote village where he spent the rest of his life. A few years later he founded the “Providence”, an institution for destitute girls which became a model of its kind throughout France. His catechetical instructions to children were so popular and they drew crowds of adults to the church every day.
The Curé was best known, however, for his spiritual direction and gift as a confessor. Again people flocked to his church and confessional where he often spent up to 18 hours a day. Penitents ranged from bishops and religious to sinners and the sick and all were helped by his care and his sanctity.
The Curé d’Ars gave great emphasis to the Holy Eucharist in his preaching and teaching. For him it was the great gift of love in which Jesus laid down His life for His friends. Instituted as it was in a celebration meal of friends, it was the vulnerability of Jesus in the Host which Father Vianney emphasised. For him it was almost a repetition of the Passion in which Jesus was exposed to the
ruelty and contempt of the crowd. Catholics therefore were called to the utmost respect, reverence and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament as a sign of their faith. His instructions to children in particular were very strong on this point. All his life the Eucharist was for him the adored Master who, before all others, had a right to his homage.
His extremely austere way of life was probably detrimental to his health but he continued in his exhausting ministry until he died in 1859. He was canonised in 1925 when he had already been proposed as a model for parish priests.

Make time for God, Pope reminds audience

At his regular weekly public audience on June 3, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about the work of Rabanus Maurus, a Benedictine abbot and archbishop whose scholarly influence is evident across a broad range of fields including poetry, music, theology, and Scripture study. At a time when Christian scholarship was in eclipse, the Pope noted, he helped to preserve and to build "that theological, exegetical and spiritual culture from which succeeding centuries would draw."

For Christians of the early 21st century, the Holy Father continued, Rabanus Maurus has an important message: "Whether immersed in the frenetic rhythms of work or on holiday, we must reserve time for God."

How to get tickets to papal audiences and Masses

To attend a Papal Mass or the Wednesday general audience, visitors to Rome need to have tickets, which are free. Visitors should remember that there is a strictly enforced dress code for entering St. Peter's Basilica - shoulders must be covered, shorts are not allowed and skirts should reach the knees.

Visitors to Rome should write directly to the Vatican (The Prefecture of the Papal Household) for tickets. Letters should be addressed to: Archbishop James Harvey, Prefect of the Pontifical Household, Vatican City 00120, Europe. The requests may also be faxed to the archbishop's office: (00 39-06) 6988-5863.

A written request with number of tickets required, names of those wishing to attend, and the date of the Audience or Liturgical Celebration should be submitted to the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household with as much notice as possible (at least 10 days in advance of the Audience/Mass).

Tickets can be collected on the afternoon before the Audience or the Liturgical celebration (from 15.00 to 19.30) or on the morning of the Audience (from 8:00 to 10:30) from the ticket office at the Bronze Door (end of the right-hand colonnade in St. Peter's Square).

The location of the general audience varies; they are held in St. Peter's square, the Paul VI Hall (Aula Nervi), or in St Peter's Basilica. During the summer, audiences may also be held at Castel Gandolfo, the pope's summer residence (40 min outside Rome by car).

Should you be unable to get tickets for an audience, you can always attend the Sunday Angelus, held at noon in St. Peter's Square and presided over by the Pope. While the Pope is at his summer residence, Castel Gandolfo, he says the Angelus from his study window; space is very limited in the courtyard. Please note that private audiences with the Pope are reserved for heads of state and other high-ranking officials.

The best guarantee for a good position is to arrive early and get a seat near one of the aisles where the pope may pass.

You can also follow the weekly General Audience live on Wednesdays at 10:15 am CET on internet, produced by the Vatican Television Center, and hear the most recent Angelus on the website of Vatican Radio.

(from the Diocesan website)

Pope2You

Pope2You is a new project from the Pontifical Council for Social Communications with links to the YouTube channel, WikiCath, and Facebook and iPhone apps.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations 2009

Pope Benedict XVI has decided that today shall be World Day of Prayer for Vocations 2009.

Not only is today about Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life, but also to other professions.However i am going to promote Vocations to the Catholic Priesthood. Our website has a regular updated section on Vocations to the Priesthood which features Booklets, Prayers, Videos and links.
The Section on the Priesthood can be accessed if you click here.

It’s All About Prophets is the tagline for this year’s poster that is being sent to parishes and schools all over England and Wales for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations on Sunday 3rd May.

The image (above) shows a number of men and women around a board-room table; some of them have name-plaques indicating the vocational choices they have made and others are writing down possible choices to indicate that they are ‘discerning’. The business setting is a timely reminder that a vocation is an active decision not necessarily to pursue money, power or fame but to follow Christ use our talents in the service of others.

In addition to the poster, schools will have access to resources that will encourage students to reflect on the varieties of vocation in today’s Church and their own faith journey.

Usefull websites:

www.ukvocation.org

www.ukpriest.org.uk

www.lancastervocations.blogspot.com

The sixth Bishop of Lancaster

Your New Bishop:
Tonight Bishop O'Donoghue retired from the Diocese of Lancaster and Bishop Campbell became Bishop of Lancaster. The occasion was marked with Mass at St Peter's Cathedral with; over 180 clergy, Cardinal Keith O'Brien (St Andrews & Edinburgh) and the Papal Nuncio His Excellency Archbishop Faustino Saniz James (Pope Benedict XVI Representative).Unfortunately His Eminence Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor could not be there due to health reasons.

New Titles:
Bishop Michael Campbell - Sixth Bishop of Lancaster
Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue - Emeritus Bishop of Lancaster