Tag Archives: Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVI – Mustard Seed in Germany

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The Anchoress has this.

“Peter Seewald, the German journalist and former atheist, encountered that mustard seed when he interviewed then-Cardinal Ratzinger for God and the World — a long discussion that was transcribed word-for-word (and according to Seewald, virtually unchanged in editing) that resulted in both a fascinating book and Seewald’s own conversion. His follow-up conversation with Ratzinger-as-Pope, Light of the World, showed the mustard seed still potent. Now he writes of Benedict’s visit to Germany:

“[Benedict’s success was] a small miracle…shortly before [he arrived] there was a very aggressive, anti-clerical assault by the media.”

“All of this brings to mind George Orwell’s ‘1984,’ in which an imaginary enemy, a nightmare, is created in order to scare people.” “And yet,” Seewald noted, “despite all of this incredible effort by the media, an innumerable amount of people stood up and refused to be deceived.”
[…]
It’s as if they were saying that everything would be wonderful and orderly in the world if the Vatican just ceased to exist.”

“We were all witnesses to something much greater. Where were all the masses of critics and protesters? They never showed up. And yet 350,000 people made great sacrifices in order to personally listen to the Pope and to attend Mass with him. Millions watched on television. The Pope’s books are selling faster than ever … And undoubtedly never before has so much intelligence, wisdom and truth, so much of what is fundamental, been heard in Germany.”
[…]
[The media] work like crazy in a state of antagonism against the Pope…to see Benedict XVI “walk through the ferocious pack of media dogs without losing his composure for one second” was amazing.

2011 Lenten Message of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

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Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI.

Image via Wikipedia

“…In synthesis, the Lenten journey, in which we are invited to contemplate the Mystery of the Cross, is meant to reproduce within us ‘the pattern of His death’ (Ph 3:10), so as to effect a deep conversion in our lives; that we may be transformed by the action of the Holy Spirit, like St. Paul on the road to Damascus; that we may firmly orient our existence according to the Will of God; that we may be freed of our egoism, overcoming the instinct to dominate others and opening us to the Love of Christ. The Lenten period is a favorable time to recognize our weakness and to accept, through a sincere inventory of our life, the renewing Grace of the Sacrament of Penance, and walk resolutely towards Christ….”
(Pope Benedict XVI, 2011 Lenten Message, Nov. 4, 2010)

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS

Pope Benedict XVI on the Universe

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The Hubble Ultra Deep Field, is an image of a ...

The Hubble Ultra Deep Field / Wikipedia

“The universe is not the result of chance, as some would want to make us believe,” Benedict said on the day of the Epiphany, where the Bible says the three kings arrived at the birthplace of Jesus, Reuters reports.

“Contemplating it (the universe), we are invited to read something profound into it: the wisdom of the creator, the inexhaustible creativity of God,” he added in a sermon at St. Peter’s Basilica.

Reuters reports:

“Many scientists believe the Big Bang created the universe 13.7 billion years ago. Although the pope has previously spoken about evolution, he has rarely discussed scientific concepts such as this one.”

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/01/06/god-responsible-big-bang-universe-creation-pope-says/#ixzz1AMaINA2Q

The Pope’s Own Words -Condom Stance

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The headlines read: 

“Pope Benedict says that condoms can be used to stop the spread of HIV? ”

“Pope signals historic leap in fight against Aids: Condoms can be justified”

“Pope says some condom use ‘first step’ of morality”

Read the Pope actual statement here and here, in a note issued by Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. concerning certain remarks by the Pope on the use of condoms, which appear the new book “Light of the World”.

Worldwide Prayer for the Unborn

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The Holy Father has announced a worldwide vigil of prayer for unborn children.  On Saturday evening, November 27, in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome the Holy Father  will begin the season of Advent. He will lift up in prayer all the children living in the womb, and call God’s protection on them.

Please join Pope BenedictXVI in prayer.  He has invited all the bishops of the world to join him.  The Advent prayer may be prayed as a Novena or through the season of Advent:

Advent Prayer for LIfe

God of Life,
We rejoice in the promise of your coming.

You have sent your Son, born in Bethlehem.
He is the Prince of Peace, and
The one in whose name all oppression shall cease.

May we welcome his coming each day
And prepare for his coming at the end of time.
May we build a culture that welcomes him
By welcoming every child, born and unborn.

We pray through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Priests for Life offers Advent Prayer Cards for your parishes (free).

Boston Tea Party for the Catholic Faithful

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Priests’ Secretary writes of Boston Catholics hitting the fan or more to the point:

Now, one blog has announced an all-out “Boston Catholic Tea Party” to drive the communication of their dismay all the way to the Vatican.

“Were fed up” sums up the feelings and furor of Boston Catholics who know better than to sit silent while dissent from Church teaching is tolerated by those responsible for teaching the faithful. Bloggers are making their voices heard at least in the bloggosphere.

Story here

Bloggers here: BostonInsider and ByranHehirExposed

The bloggers set up an on-line letter-signing campaign with concerns addressed to: Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Sean O’Malley, Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Archbishop Raymond L. Burke, Cardinal William J. Levada. These concerns are spelled out in an open letter format in which they ask that two Boston-area priests in particular be banned from future Boston Archdiocesan programs. Specific points of dissent promoted by these priests (one is an archdiocesan official!) are listed in the letter.

Today’s post at BrianHehirExposed states:

…we’re asking you to join the “Boston Catholic Tea Party” and help rid these upcoming conferences from “negative attitudes of the world” such as those the Holy Father alluded to.  Today’s the day to start firing away!

Online letter here