Category: Church

Pope Francis’ May Prayer Intention

“For ecclesial movements and groups”. Intención de oración de mayo del Papa Francisco “Por los movimientos y grupos eclesiales”

Posted on by Diane Smyth

That ecclesial movements and groups might daily rediscover their evangelizing mission.

Pope Francis is dedicating his May prayer intention to ecclesial movements and groups, which says are a “gift” and a “treasure” in the Church.

Post your prayer for peace in our sacred space here

 

Para que los movimientos y grupos eclesiales redescubran cada día su misión evangelizadora.

El Papa Francisco dedica su intención de oración de mayo a los movimientos y grupos eclesiales, de los que dice que son un “don” y un “tesoro” en la Iglesia.

Publique su oración por la paz en nuestro espacio sagrado aquí

Documentary “In Viaggio”: The Travels of Pope Francis

Posted on by Diane Smyth

This year marks 10 years since Pope Francis’ election.

In the first nine years of his pontificate, Pope Francis made trips to 53 countries, focusing on his most important issues: poverty, migration, environment, solidarity, and war.

Composed mostly of archival footage, In Viaggio (On Voyage) grants rare access to the public life of Pope Francis,”creating a dialogue between footage of Francis’ travels, images taken by the director, Gianfranco  Rosi , recent history, and the state of the world today”.

More information about the documentary and how to watch it online or at the cinema  can be found here

Watch the trailer

Quest’anno ricorrono i 10 anni dall’elezione di Papa Francesco.

Nei primi nove anni del suo pontificato, Papa Francesco ha compiuto viaggi in 53 Paesi, concentrandosi sui temi più importanti: povertà, migrazione, ambiente, solidarietà e guerra.

Composto per la maggior parte da filmati d’archivio, In Viaggio offre un raro accesso alla vita pubblica di Papa Francesco, “creando un dialogo tra i filmati dei viaggi di Francesco, le immagini scattate dal regista, Gianfranco Rosi, la storia recente e lo stato del mondo di oggi”.

Maggiori informazioni sul documentario e sulle modalità di visione online o al cinema sono disponibili qui

Guarda il trailer

Church defends Indigenous peoples: ‘Doctrine of Discovery’ was never Catholic

Posted on by Diane Smyth

A “Joint Statement” from the Dicastery for Culture and the Dicastery for Integral Human Development formally repudiates “those concepts that fail to recognize the inherent human rights of indigenous peoples, including what has become known as the legal and political ‘doctrine of discovery’.”

Pope Francis greets an indigenous leader as he addresses representatives of Indigenous Peoples of the First Nations, the Métis and the Inuit gathered in Maskwacis Park, near Edmonton, Canada, during his 37th Apostolic Journey.
Image: Vatican News

The document states that the “Doctrine of Discovery” – a theory that served to justify the expropriation by sovereign colonizers of indigenous lands from their rightful owners – “is  not a part of the teaching of the Catholic Church.” It further affirms that the papal bulls that granted such “rights” to colonizing sovereigns have never been a part of the Church’s Magisterium.

This important text, coming eight months after Pope Francis’ penitential journey to Canada, clearly reaffirms the Catholic Church’s rejection of the colonizing mentality. Read more

In its statement, issued on 30 March, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) expresses gratitude towards the Holy See for issuing the Declaration.

Source: Vatican News

 

Una “Declaración Conjunta” del Dicasterio para la Cultura y el Dicasterio para el Desarrollo Humano Integral repudia formalmente “aquellos conceptos que no reconocen los derechos humanos inherentes a los pueblos indígenas, incluyendo lo que se ha dado en llamar la “doctrina del descubrimiento” jurídica y política.”

El documento afirma que la “Doctrina del Descubrimiento” -teoría que sirvió para justificar la expropiación por colonizadores soberanos de tierras indígenas a sus legítimos propietarios- “no forma parte de la enseñanza de la Iglesia católica”. Afirma además que las bulas papales que concedieron tales “derechos” a los soberanos colonizadores nunca han formado parte del Magisterio de la Iglesia.

Este importante texto, que llega ocho meses después del viaje penitencial del Papa Francisco a Canadá, reafirma claramente el rechazo de la Iglesia católica a la mentalidad colonizadora.

En su declaración, emitida el 30 de marzo, la Conferencia Canadiense de Obispos Católicos (CCCB) expresa su gratitud hacia la Santa Sede por la emisión de la Declaración.

Fuente: Vatican News

 

Pope Francis’ April Prayer Intention “For a non-violent culture”. Intención de oración de abril del Papa Francisco “Por una cultura de la no violencia”.

Posted on by Diane Smyth

No to violence, no to war, no to arms: Pope Francis calls for a culture of peace.

April 11 marks the 60th anniversary of the publication of the encyclical Pacem in terris written by Pope John XXIII and subtitled “On establishing universal peace in truth, justice, charity, and liberty.” In this month’s video, Pope Francis strongly renews this message, stressing that “Any war, any armed confrontation, always ends in defeat for all.”

Let us all resolve to strongly support non-violence.

Post your prayer for peace in our sacred space here

No a la violencia, no a la guerra, no a las armas: el Papa Francisco llama a una cultura de paz.

El 11 de abril marca el 60 aniversario de la publicación de la encíclica Pacem in terris escrita por el Papa Juan XXIII y subtitulada “Sobre el establecimiento de la paz universal en la verdad, la justicia, la caridad y la libertad”. En el video de este mes, el Papa Francisco renueva con fuerza este mensaje, enfatizando que “Cualquier guerra, cualquier enfrentamiento armado, siempre termina en la derrota de todos”.

Decidámonos todos a apoyar firmemente la no violencia.

Publique su oración por la paz en nuestro espacio sagrado aquí

 

Good Reading for Lent

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Each week on our website Elizabeth Davis rsm provides a written reflection on the Sunday readings. These reflections contain insights and images, poetry and prose.

Sister Elizabeth’s reflections are published online in the Spirituality section under the appropriate liturgical season. They can be read online or downloaded.

As you journey through Lent to Easter, you might find these reflections a source of inspiration and nourishment and “a light for your path” (Ps 119).

 

2023 Season of Creation Launch

Posted on by Diane Smyth

The Season of Creation begins on the 1st September, World Day of Prayer for Creation, and finishes on the 4th October, the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi.

The theme this year is ‘Let Justice and Peace Flow.’

The Prophet Amos cries out: “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5: 24) and so we are called to join the river of justice and peace, to take up climate and ecological justice, and to speak out with and for communities most impacted by climate injustice and the loss of biodiversity.

As the people of God, we must work together on behalf of all Creation, as part of that mighty river of peace and justice.

In this video Faith leaders invite participation in the Season of Creation.

Pope Francis’ March Prayer Intention: “For Victims of Abuse”. Intención de oración del Papa Francisco para marzo: “Por las víctimas de abusos”

Posted on by Diane Smyth

“Asking for forgiveness is necessary, but not enough”: in the month of March, Pope Francis reflects on abuse, “especially to those committed by members of the Church” and asks that we pray with him for the victims, “who have to be ‘at the center’ of everything.”

At the same time, the Pope invites the Church itself to be “a model”: whether of transparency to “bring it to light,” of “concrete actions to repair the horrors they have suffered and to prevent them from happening again,” or of offering “safe spaces for victims to be heard, supported psychologically, and protected.”

“Pedir perdón es necesario, pero no suficiente”: en el mes de marzo, el Papa Francisco reflexiona sobre los abusos, “especialmente a los cometidos por miembros de la Iglesia” y pide que recemos con él por las víctimas, “que tienen que estar “en el centro” de todo.”

Al mismo tiempo, el Papa invita a la propia Iglesia a ser “un modelo”: ya sea de transparencia para “sacarlo a la luz”, de “acciones concretas para reparar los horrores sufridos y evitar que se repitan”, o de ofrecer “espacios seguros para que las víctimas sean escuchadas, apoyadas psicológicamente y protegidas.”

Ash Wednesday: Lent Begins on 22 February

Posted on by Diane Smyth

“Lent comes providentially to awaken us, to shake us from our lethargy” (Pope Francis).

Pope Francis’ Lenten message to the world for 2023 was presented on Friday, February 17. The theme is Lenten Penance and the Synodal Journey. “We need to listen to Jesus he said, “through the Scriptures and through our brothers and sisters, especially in the faces and the stories of those who are in need…Lent is a time of grace to the extent that we listen to him as he speaks to us.”

The full text of the Pope’s  message can be read here

Mercy International Association is offering a prayer service for Ash Wednesday which includes a poem by Brenda Peddigrew rsm and  online spirituality reflection series during Lent. Details can be found here

“La Cuaresma viene providencialmente a despertarnos, a sacudirnos de nuestro letargo” (Papa Francisco).

El mensaje de Cuaresma del Papa Francisco al mundo para 2023 fue presentado el viernes 17 de febrero. El tema es La penitencia cuaresmal y el camino sinodal. “Tenemos que escuchar a Jesús”, dijo, “a través de las Escrituras y de nuestros hermanos y hermanas, especialmente en los rostros y las historias de los necesitados… La Cuaresma es un tiempo de gracia en la medida en que le escuchamos mientras nos habla”.

El texto completo del mensaje del Papa puede leerse aquí

 

Our Common Home: A Guide to Caring for Our Living Planet

Posted on by Diane Smyth

“Our common home: A guide to caring for our living planet,” is the product of the collaboration between the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development  and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI).

It connects the science of climate change, biodiversity and sustainable resource use with the messages of Pope Francis’s Encyclical Laudato Si’

The booklet, available in five languages, launched on 14 February 2023, distils the science on urgent environmental issues and explains how individuals and communities can take action to build a more sustainable and socially just future..

 

“Nuestra casa común: Una guía para cuidar nuestro planeta vivo”, es fruto de la colaboración entre el Dicasterio para la Promoción del Desarrollo Humano Integral y el Instituto de Medio Ambiente de Estocolmo (SEI).

Conecta la ciencia del cambio climático, la biodiversidad y el uso sostenible de los recursos con los mensajes de la Encíclica Laudato Si’ del Papa Francisco.

El folleto, disponible en cinco idiomas, lanzado el 14 de febrero de 2023, destila la ciencia sobre cuestiones medioambientales urgentes y explica cómo los individuos y las comunidades pueden actuar para construir un futuro más sostenible y socialmente justo…

 

World Day of the Sick, 11 February

Posted on by Diane Smyth

February 11 is World Day of the Sick which coincides with the commemoration of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Recognising that “Illness is part of our human condition”, in his message for today Pope Francis “calls for prayer and closeness towards those who suffer.” He reminds us that “Sick people, in fact, are at the centre of God’s people, and the Church advances together with them as a sign of a humanity in which everyone is precious and no one should be discarded or left behind.”

Post your prayer in our sacred space for the ill whom you know and for all in need of prayers, support and compassion.

For Reflection

“These past years of the pandemic have increased our sense of gratitude for those who work each day in the fields of healthcare and research. Yet it is not enough to emerge from such an immense collective tragedy simply by honouring heroes. Covid-19 has strained the great networks of expertise and solidarity, and has exposed the structural limits of existing public welfare systems.  Gratitude, then, needs to be matched by actively seeking, in every country, strategies and resources in order to guarantee each person’s fundamental right to basic and decent healthcare.”
Pope Francis

 

El 11 de febrero es la Jornada Mundial del Enfermo que coincide con la conmemoración de Nuestra Señora de Lourdes.

Reconociendo que “La enfermedad forma parte de nuestra condición humana”, en su mensaje para hoy el Papa Francisco “llama a la oración y a la cercanía hacia los que sufren.” Nos recuerda que “Los enfermos, de hecho, están en el centro del pueblo de Dios, y la Iglesia avanza junto a ellos como signo de una humanidad en la que todos son preciosos y nadie debe ser descartado o dejado atrás.”

Deposita tu oración en nuestro espacio sagrado por los enfermos que conoces y por todos los que necesitan oraciones, apoyo y compasión.

Para la reflexión

“Los años de la pandemia han aumentado nuestro sentimiento de gratitud hacia quienes trabajan cada día por la salud y la investigación. Pero, de una tragedia colectiva tan grande, no basta salir honrando a unos héroes. El COVID-19 puso a dura prueba esta gran red de capacidades y de solidaridad, y mostró los límites estructurales de los actuales sistemas de bienestar. Por tanto, es necesario que la gratitud vaya acompañada de una búsqueda activa, en cada país, de estrategias y de recursos, para que a todos los seres humanos se les garantice el acceso a la asistencia y el derecho fundamental a la salud.”
Papa Francisco