Sunday, September 29, 2024

Pope Francis concludes his visit to Belgium

Holy Mass in the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels

POPE

Pope appeals for immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, Gaza, Palestine, Israel

Pope Francis expresses great concern for “the escalation and intensification” of the conflict in the Middle East and appeals for an immediate ceasefire.

By Linda Bordoni

Speaking after Holy Mass in Brussels’ King Baudouin Stadium at the conclusion of his apostolic visit to Belgium, Pope Francis appealed to all parties involved in the ongoing war in the Middle East “to cease fire immediately in Lebanon, in Gaza, in the rest of Palestine, and in Israel.”

“I ask all parties to cease fire immediately in Lebanon, in Gaza, in the rest of Palestine, and in Israel.”

“Hostages must be released, and humanitarian aid must be allowed,” he said.

The Pope launched his appeal after saying he continues “to follow with pain and great concern the escalation and intensification of the conflict in Lebanon.”

“Lebanon is a message,” he said, addressing the over 30,000 people present at the Mass, “but at this moment, it is a message that is being torn apart.”

The Pope’s reiterated appeal came as Israel’s military said it struck more Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Sunday, killing another top Hezbollah leader, a day after the militant group confirmed the death of Hassan Nasrallah, deepening fears of a wider war. Hundreds of people have been killed in the strikes and thousands injured. Israel, which has devastated Gaza in 11 months of relentless bombardment, launched an offensive in Lebanon on Monday after months of deadly border exchanges following the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023.

“This war, Pope Francis continued, “has devastating effects on the population: Many, too many people continue to die day after day in the Middle East.”

And asking for prayers for the victims and for their families, and reminding all men and women of goodwill not to forget the suffering Ukraine, he said: “Let us pray for peace.”

“Let us pray for peace.”

World Day of Migrants and Refugees

The Holy Father also recalled the celebration on Sunday of the 110th World Day of Migrants and Refugees” on the theme “God walks with His people”.

“From this country, Belgium, which has been and still is a destination for many migrants, I renew my appeal to Europe and the international community to consider the phenomenon of migration as an opportunity to grow together in fraternity,” he said.

“And I invite everyone to see in the face of every migrant brother and sister, the face of Jesus, who became a guest and a pilgrim among us.”

Beatification King Baudouin

The Pope also announced his intention, upon his return to Rome, to “begin the process of beatification for King Baudouin, whose example as a man of faith should illuminate leaders.”

“I ask that the Belgian bishops commit to advancing this cause," he said.

“King Baudouin, a man of faith, whose example should illuminate leaders.”

The Pope’s appeals for peace and fraternity came as he thanked his Belgian hosts for their hospitality and for the work of all who have organized his visit.

He also thanked the many faithful who travelled from “the Netherlands, Germany, and France to share this day,” and concluded entrusting the gift of peace to the Virgin Mary:

“Through Mary’s intercession, let us ask God for the gift of peace, for war-torn Ukraine, Palestine and Israel, for Sudan, for Myanmar and all the lands scarred by war.”

The Pope offers Mass in Brussels on last day in Belgium

POPE

Pope at Mass in Brussels: ‘Do not cover up abuse'

Pope Francis presides at Mass in the Belgian capital of Brussels, and urges all members of the Church never to cover up abuse but to listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking in those who suffer.

By Devin Watkins

The Mass at Brussel’s King Baudouin Stadium on Sunday morning was the final public event of Pope Francis’ 4-day Apostolic Journey to Luxembourg and Belgium.

During the Mass, the Pope beatified Anne of Jesus, a 17th-century Spanish nun who brought St. Teresa of Avila’s reform of the Carmelite Order to Belgium and other parts of Europe.

In his homily, the Holy Father praised Blessed Anne of Jesus for bearing witness to the Christian faith through poverty, prayer, and charity, especially at a time “marked by painful scandals.”

“Let us gratefully welcome the example she has given us of ‘feminine styles of holiness,’ gentle but strong,” he said.

Pope Francis also recalled the many examples of holiness throughout the history of the Belgian Church, including St. Damien de Veuster, St. Guy of Anderlecht, and St. Gudula.

Openness to Spirit’s invitation to all

The Holy Father went on to warn Christians against setting up “a stumbling block before one of these little ones” through scandal.

The day’s liturgical readings, he noted, speak about the “free action of the Holy Spirit,” as Jesus rebukes His disciples for forbidding a man to cast out demon’s in His name simply because the man was not himself a disciple.

Every Christian, by virtue of our Baptism, has a mission in the Church, which is a gift that transcends our limitations and sins.

“The community of believers is not a select circle of a privileged few; it is the family of those who are saved,” said the Pope. “We have been sent into the world to preach the Gospel based not on our own merits, but by the grace of God.”

Listening to cries of oppressed as prophetic voices

Pope Francis turned then to the communion that unites Christ’s disciples across the ages, since we are bound together in “love that unites through mutual self-donation.”

Each of us, he said, is tempted by selfishness that stifles charity and “crushes those who are little.”

“The path of selfishness generates closed-mindedness, walls and obstacles—we can call them ‘scandals’—that chain us down to material things and separate us from God and from our brothers and sisters,” he said.

Speaking off-the-cuff, Pope Francis spoke about his encounter on Friday in Brussels with people who had suffered abuse by clergy members.

"I heard their suffering as abuse victims," he said, "and I repeat here: in the Church, there is room for everyone, everyone, everyone, but we will all be judged, and there is no place for abuse, no place for covering up abuse. I ask everyone: do not cover up abuses! I ask the bishops: do not cover up abuses! Condemn the abusers and help them to heal from this disease of abuse."

"Evil must be brought to light," continued the Pope. "Let it be known, as some abuse victims have done, and with courage. Let it be known. And let the abuser be judged. Let the abuser be judged, whether layperson, priest, or bishop: let the abuser be judged."

Returning to his prepared homily, the Pope pointed to the plight of refugees and undocumented migrants who dream of a better future but often end up as victims of exploitation.

Their cries of affliction, he said, cannot be erased and must be welcomed as prophetic voices.

“They are the living voice of the Spirit because they remind us that we are all poor sinners called to conversion,” he said. “We must not suffocate this prophetic voice or silence it by our indifference.”

Allowing Gospel of mercy to guide us

The Pope spoke again about the need to avoid giving scandal by allowing love and “the Gospel of mercy” to guide our choices.

He recalled Jesus’ forceful message in the Gospel: “Get behind me, scandalous eyes that see the needy and look away! Get behind me, scandalous hands that close your fists to hide your treasures and stash them away! Get behind me, scandalous feet that run quickly, not to draw near to those who suffer, but to avoid them and stay away!”

Saturday, September 28, 2024

The Feasts of the Archangels - Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael

Ordinary Time: September 29th

Feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels

The liturgy celebrates the feast of these three archangels who are venerated in the tradition of the Church. Michael (Who is like God?) was the archangel who fought against Satan and all his evil angels, defending all the friends of God. He is the protector of all humanity from the snares of the devil. Gabriel (Strength of God) announced to Zachariah the forthcoming birth of John the Baptist, and to Mary, the birth of Jesus. His greeting to the Virgin, "Hail, full of grace," is one of the most familiar and frequent prayers of the Christian people. Raphael (Medicine of God) is the archangel who took care of Tobias on his journey.

According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of St. Michael. St. Gabriel is observed on March 24 and St. Raphael on October 24.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that, "The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls "angels" is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition" (#328).

"In her liturgy, the Church joins with the angels to adore the thrice-holy God. She invokes their assistance (in the funeral liturgy's In Paradisum deducant te angeli. . .["May the angels lead you into Paradise. . ."]). Moreover, in the "Cherubic Hymn" of the Byzantine Liturgy, she celebrates the memory of certain angels more particularly (St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, and the guardian angels)" (#335).

Angels are pure, created spirits. The name angel means servant or messenger of God. Angels are celestial or heavenly beings, on a higher order than human beings. Angels have no bodies and do not depend on matter for their existence or activity. They are distinct from saints, which men can become. Angels have intellect and will, and are immortal. They are a vast multitude, but each is an individual person. Archangels are one of the nine choirs of angels listed in the Bible. In ascending order, the choirs or classes are 1) Angels, 2) Archangels, 3) Principalities, 4) Powers, 5) Virtues, 6) Dominations, 7) Thrones, 8) Cherubim, and 9) Seraphim.

The previous liturgical calendar (1962) celebrated solely the feast of St. Michael on September 29. St. Gabriel was observed on March 24 and St. Raphael on October 24. This is why there are more traditions regarding "Michaelmas" instead of all three archangels.

St. Michael
The name of the archangel Michael means, in Hebrew, who is like unto God? and he is also known as "the prince of the heavenly host." He is usually pictured as a strong warrior, dressed in armor and wearing sandals. His name appears in Scripture four times, twice in the Book of Daniel, and once each in the Epistle of St. Jude and the Book of Revelation. From Revelation we learn of the battle in heaven, with St. Michael and his angels combatting Lucifer and the other fallen angels (or devils). We invoke St. Michael to help us in our fight against Satan; to rescue souls from Satan, especially at the hour of death; to be the champion of the Jews in the Old Testament and now Christians; and to bring souls to judgment.

This day is referred to as "Michaelmas" in many countries and is also one of the harvest feast days. In England this is one of the "quarter days," which was marked by hiring servants, electing magistrates, and beginning of legal and university terms. This day also marks the opening of the deer and other large game hunting season. In some parts of Europe, especially Germany, Denmark, and Austria, a special wine called "Saint Michael's Love" (Michelsminne) is drunk on this day. The foods for this day vary depending on nationality. In the British Isles, for example, goose was the traditional meal for Michaelmas, eaten for prosperity, France has waffles or Gaufres and the traditional fare in Scotland used to be St. Michael's Bannock (Struan Micheil) — a large, scone-like cake. In Italy, gnocchi is the traditional fare.

Patronage: against danger at sea; against temptations; ambulance drivers; arms manufacturers; artists; bakers; bankers, banking; barrel makers, coopers; battle; cutlers, knife grinders, knife sharpers; dying people; emergency medical technicians, EMTs, paramedics; fencers; fencing; Greek Air Force; greengrocers; grocers; Guild of Tanners and Weavers of Barcelona, Spain; haberdashers; hatmakers, hatters, cap makers; holy death; knights; mariners, sailors, watermen; boatmen; milliners; paratroopers; police officers; radiologists (proclaimed on 15 January 1941 by Pope Pius XII); radiotherapists; scale makers; security guards; sick people; soldiers; Spanish police officers; storms at sea; swordsmiths. See CatholicSaints.info for a whole list.

Symbols and Representation: Angel with wings; dressed in armor; lance and shield; scales; shown weighing souls; millstone; piercing dragon or devil; banner charged with a dove; symbolic colors orange or gold.

St. Gabriel
St. Gabriel's name means "God is my strength." Biblically he appears three times as a messenger. He had been sent to Daniel to explain a vision concerning the Messiah. He appeared to Zachary when he was offering incense in the Temple, to foretell the birth of his son, St. John the Baptist. St. Gabriel is most known as the angel chosen by God to be the messenger of the Annunciation, to announce to mankind the mystery of the Incarnation.

The angel's salutation to our Lady, so simple and yet so full of meaning, Hail Mary, full of grace, has become the constant and familiar prayer of all Christian people.

Patronage: Ambassadors; broadcasting; childbirth; clergy; communications; diplomats; messengers; philatelists; postal workers; public relations; radio workers; secular clergy; stamp collectors; telecommunications; Portugal; Archdiocese of Seattle, Washington.

Symbols and Representation: Archangel; scepter and lily; MR or AM shield; lantern; mirror; olive branch; scroll with words Ave Maria Gratia Plena; Resurrection trumpet; shield; spear; lily; symbolic colors, silver or blue.

St. Raphael
Our knowledge of the Archangel Raphael comes to us from the book of Tobit. His mission as wonderful healer and fellow traveller with the youthful Tobias has caused him to be invoked for journeys and at critical moments in life. Tradition also holds that Raphael is the angel that stirred the waters at the healing sheep pool in Bethesda. His name means "God has healed."

Patronage: Blind; bodily ills; counselors; druggists; eye problems; guardian angels; happy meetings; healers; health inspectors; health technicians; love; lovers; mental illness; nurses; pharmacists; physicians; shepherds; against sickness; therapists; travelers; young people; young people leaving home for the first time; Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa; Archdiocese of Seattle, Washington.

Symbols and Representation: Staff; wallet and fish; staff and gourd; archangel; young man carrying a staff; young man carrying a fish; walking with Tobias; holding a bottle or flask; symbolic colors, gray or yellow.

According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of St. Michael. St. Gabriel is observed on March 24 and St. Raphael on October 24.

The angel's salutation to our Lady, so simple and yet so full of meaning, Hail Mary, full of grace, has become the constant and familiar prayer of all Christian people.

According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of St. Michael. St. Gabriel is observed on March 24 and St. Raphael on October 24.

The angel's salutation to our Lady, so simple and yet so full of meaning, Hail Mary, full of grace, has become the constant and familiar prayer of all Christian people.

Pope Francis makes surprise visit at youth event in Belgium

POPE

Pope makes surprise visit to Belgian youth: 'Make noise and pray'

Pope Francis makes a surprise visit to the "Hope Happening" youth event in Belgium, and tells young people to always pray and to rediscover the childlike innocence and joy that God wishes for us all.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

At the conclusion of his encounter with his Jesuit brothers in Belgium on Saturday evening, Pope Francis spent his Saturday night with 6,000 young people gathered at the Brussels Expo in the Belgian capital.

The Hope Happening is an event in the spirit of the World Youth Days, including pilgrimages, creative workshops on faith and spirituality, a real music festival and overnight stay in the shadow of the King Baudouin Stadium.

The event was organized by around 40 Christian youth associations in Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels, with the support of the Bishops' Conference of Belgium.

Remember Lord at your side

Reminiscent of the World Youth Days, the Holy Father was welcomed by the overjoyed young people who did not expect him to pay them a visit.

During the festive encounter, Pope Francis encouraged young people in their faith, inviting them to allow the Lord to guide them in love.

"Young people make noise!" he said. "And if you find a young person like this (mimics the gesture of sitting), boring—that young person is missing their youth."

He urged them to always strive ahead while keeping the Lord in their hearts in prayer.

Always pray

"Do not forget prayer," he said.

He also told them to never look down on others, unless their objective is "to lift them up."

Before concluding his visit by imparting his Apostolic Blessing, Pope Francis pointed out a newborn and encouraged them to reclaim the sense of innocence and purity of an infant.

"You see that [newborn] over there?" he asked. "They are the greatest of all of you, because Jesus told us that the greatest is the one who becomes like a child."

Pope Francis meets student at 600 year-old Catholic University in Belgium

Pope meeting the students of Louvain University

Pope to Louvain students: 'Continue to hope and work for a better future'

Meeting with students of the 600-year-old Catholic University of Louvain, Pope Francis encourages them to continue to hope, to work toward a better future, and to always seek the truth in their studies.

By Lisa Zengarini

In the last public event of the second full-day of his Apostolic Journey to Belgium, Pope Francis met with students of the prestigious Catholic University of Louvain, which is celebrating the 600th since its founding.

He was welcomed by members of the Rectoral Council, the Rector, Françoise Smets, and before entering the auditorium, he signed the Book of Honour.

The letter presented by the students

The students presented him a letter sharing their reflections on the themes of environmental responsibility, the role of universities in fostering awareness and change, and the need for a new cultural and spiritual approach to tackling current ecological and social crises.

The letter is the result of a collective effort involving professors, young researchers, and students who gathered to discuss his Encyclical Letter ‘Laudato si’’ on the care of our common home.

They focus on five themes: the philosophical and theological roots of the current climate crisis; the role of emotions and commitment; the issue of inequality; the position of women and attitudes of sobriety; and, solidarity in the face of the climate emergency.

Hope never disappoints

In his address, Pope Francis warmly thanked the students for sharing their concerns for the future, and praised the “passion and hope” in their desire for justice and the search for truth.

He acknowledged the several issues raised in the letter, including war, the indiscriminate exploitation of resources and peoples in the Global South, and the Church's responsibilities in legitimizing Europe's past colonial domination over other peoples.

The Pope condemned any misuse of religion for domination as a blasphemous distortion of God's image.

In the face of these evils, he encouraged the students to continue to hope, because "hope never disappoints."

We are not masters of God’s-given creation

Turning to the central question raised in the letter on the relationship between Christianity and ecology, the Pope highlighted three attitudes to cultivate.

First of all, he focused on gratitude for God’s creation, which has been entrusted to humanity, making us “not masters but guests and pilgrims on the earth.”

The second attitude is mission, our duty to protect and cultivate creation for future generations.

Pope Francis again lamented that the preservation of the environment continues to be hindered by the prevalence of powerful economic interests over ecological concerns.

“We are guests, not despots,” he insisted, exhorting the students “to consider the cultivation not just of ideas, but also of the world.”

“The devil enters through the pockets. As long as markets are given pride of place then our common home will continue to suffer.”

Pope Francis then mentioned fidelity both to God and humanity, urging a commitment to integral development that respects the physical, moral, cultural, and social dimensions of human life and "opposes all forms of oppression and rejection of others." The Church, he said, "denounces these abuses, committing herself above all to the conversion of each of her members, each one of us, to justice and to truth."

In this regard, he warned against “manipulating nature instead of cultivating it”, pointing to eugenics, cybernetic organisms and artificial intelligence.

'The Church is woman'

Pope Francis went on to reflect on another point addressed in the letter: the role of women in the Church and society, which also regards issue of gender violence and injustice, as well as ideological prejudices.

Recalling the significant role of women in the history of salvation, the Pope reflected on the essential nature of women in the Church and society, and rejected any notion of rivalry between men and women. He called instead for mutual respect and collaboration, rooted in dignity and shared humanity.

“In the Church, men and women have been called from the beginning to love and to be loved,” he remarked.

“What characterizes women, that which is truly feminine, is not stipulated by consensus or ideologies, just as dignity itself is ensured not by laws written on paper, but by an original law written on our hearts.”

We work to live; we don’t live to work

Pope Francis then spoke about the students’ academic formation. He encouraged them to follow their own individual style of study, while keeping in mind that they are part of a community, as education and culture are a collective effort.

He also invited the students to reflect on their motivations and invited them to study with the goal of living a fuller life, warning that work should not be the be-all and end-all of life.

“We should not live to work; instead, we should work in order to live.”

Finally, Pope Francis reminded them that they should study not just for personal gain but to serve the common good.

Study makes sense if it seeks the truth that sets us free

Concluding, the Pope urged the students of the Catholic University of Louvain to always seek and bear witness to the truth in their studies, because, he said, “truth sets us free.”

Without it, he said, study becomes “an instrument of power, a way to control others; it no longer serves but dominates.”

“Go ahead and don’t enter the dichotomy of ideologies.”

abitadeacon

Sunday, September 29, 2024

Pope Francis concludes his visit to Belgium

Pope appeals for immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, Gaza, Palestine, Israel

World Day of Migrants and Refugees

Beatification King Baudouin

The Pope offers Mass in Brussels on last day in Belgium

Pope at Mass in Brussels: ‘Do not cover up abuse'

Openness to Spirit’s invitation to all

Listening to cries of oppressed as prophetic voices

Allowing Gospel of mercy to guide us

Saturday, September 28, 2024

The Feasts of the Archangels - Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael

Ordinary Time: September 29th

Feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels

Pope Francis makes surprise visit at youth event in Belgium

Pope makes surprise visit to Belgian youth: 'Make noise and pray'

Remember Lord at your side

Always pray

Pope Francis meets student at 600 year-old Catholic University in Belgium

Pope to Louvain students: 'Continue to hope and work for a better future'

The letter presented by the students

Hope never disappoints

We are not masters of God’s-given creation

'The Church is woman'

We work to live; we don’t live to work

Study makes sense if it seeks the truth that sets us free

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