Subject: VISnews 111205
Organization: VIS
From: Vatican Information Service - Eng - txt
VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
TWENTY FIRST YEAR - N. 213
ENGLISH
MONDAY, 5 DECEMBER 2011
SUMMARY: 3 - 5 DECEMBER
- Pope Attends an Event Organised by Bayerischer Rundfunk
- Preparing for Christmas with a Sober Lifestyle
- Audiences
___________________________________________________________
POPE ATTENDS AN EVENT ORGANISED BY BAYERISCHER RUNDFUNK
VATICAN CITY, 3 DEC 2011 (VIS) - Yesterday evening in the Clementine Hall of
the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father attended a recital of the
"Christmas Alpine Oratory" by the Bavarian composer Hans Berger. The
performance was followed by a projection of the film: "From Heaven to Earth.
Advent and Christmas in the Bavarian Alps" by Sigrid Esslinger. The film was
produced by the German broadcaster Bayerischer Rundfunk, which also
sponsored this evening's event.
At the close Benedict XVI spoke to thank the musicians, the director of
the film and the representatives from Bayerischer Rundfunk for having
brought "a taste of typically Bavarian customs and life into the Pope's
home".
"In our land, Advent is called the 'time of silence'", the Holy Father
remarked. "For the faith, the silence of the home becomes expectation of the
Lord and joy at His presence. ... Today Advent is often precisely the
opposite: a time of frenetic activity, of buying and selling, of
preparations for Christmas, of large meals. ... Yet, as you have seen, the
popular traditions of the faith have not disappeared; rather, they have been
renewed, intensified, updated, creating islands for the soul, islands of
silence, islands of faith, islands for the Lord in our time. I think this is
very important. We must thank everyone ... who brings the truth of faith
into our homes, in our time".
BXVI-ADVENT/ VIS 20111205
(240)
PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS WITH A SOBER LIFESTYLE
VATICAN CITY, 4 DEC 2011 (VIS) - This morning, the Holy Father addressed
some remarks to faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square for the Angelus
prayer. He reminded them that the current liturgical time of Advent
"highlights two figures who had a pre-eminent role in preparing the way for
the historical coming of the Lord Jesus: the Virgin Mary and St. John the
Baptist".
In today's Gospel reading "John is presented as an ascetic figure. ... On
one occasion Jesus Himself contrasted John with those who 'are in royal
palaces' and who wear 'soft robes'. The way of life of John the Baptist
should call all Christians to a sober lifestyle, especially in the lead-up
to Christmas when the Lord (as St. Paul would say), 'though he was rich, yet
for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become
rich'".
"John's mission", the Holy Father went on, "was an appeal to conversion,
his Baptism 'was associated with an ardent call to a new way of thinking and
acting, it was associated above all with announcing the judgement of God'
and the imminent coming of the Messiah". John "called people to inner
conversion on the basis of a recognition and confession of their sins. As we
prepare for Christmas, it is important we look into ourselves and make a
sincere assessment of our lives".
In his language greetings following the Marian prayer, Benedict XVI noted
that this week marks the sixtieth anniversary of the International
Organisation for Migration and of the Convention Relating to the Status of
Refugees, as well as the fiftieth anniversary of the Convention on the
Reduction of Statelessness. "May the Lord protect people who, often under
constraint, have to abandon their own country or who have no nationality of
their own", the Pope said. "While encouraging solidarity towards them, I
pray for all those who strive to protect and assist these our brothers and
sisters in emergency situations, often exposing themselves to serious
fatigue and danger".
ANG/ VIS
20111205 (350)
AUDIENCES
VATICAN CITY, 5 DEC 2011 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience:
- Archbishop Nicola Girasoli, apostolic nuncio to Antigua and Barbuda,
Bahamas, Dominica, Jamaica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia,
Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Suriname, Guyana, and apostolic delegate in
the Antilles.
- Twelve prelates of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, on
their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop John Myers of Newark, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishops
Edgar M. da Cunha S.D.V., Gaetano Aldo Donato and Manuel A. Cruz, and by
former Auxiliary Bishops David Arias O.A.R. and Dominic Anthony Marconi.
- Bishop Paul Gregory Bootkoski of Metuchen.
- Bishop Arthur Joseph Serratelli of Paterson, accompanied by Bishop
emeritus Frank Joseph Rodimer.
- David M. O'Connell C.M. of Trenton, accompanied by Bishop emeritus
John Mortimer Smith.
- Bishop Donald Walter Trautman of Erie.
- Jasna Krivosic-Prpic, ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina, on her
farewell visit.
- Cardinal Marc Ouellet P.S.S., prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
AP:AL/ VIS 20111205
(170)
_____________________________________________
For further information and research of documents visit:
www.visnews.org and www.vatican.va
VIS english (text format) sends its news service only to those who have
requested it. If you no longer wish to receive the service, visit the
following link and click on calcel. Don't forget to select language and text
format:
http://press.catholica.va/news_services/press/vis/englinde.php
COPYRIGHT: The news items contained in the Vatican Information Service
may be used, in part or in their entirety, by quoting the source:
V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service
--- NetMgr/2 1.0y+
* Origin: NetMgr+ @ Sursum Corda! BBS Meridian MS USA (1:396/45)
|
