Subject: VISnews 120203
Organization: VIS
From: Vatican Information Service - Eng - txt
VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
TWENTY SECOND YEAR - N. 25
ENGLISH
FRIDAY, 3 FEBRUARY 2012
SUMMARY:
- Feast of Presentation of the Lord, Day of Consecrated Life
- Day of Reflection and Prayer for Forthcoming Consistory
- Audiences
- Other Pontifical Acts
___________________________________________________________
FEAST OF PRESENTATION OF THE LORD, DAY OF CONSECRATED LIFE
VATICAN CITY, 3 FEB 2012 (VIS) - At 5.30 p.m. yesterday, Feast of the
Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and the Day of Consecrated Life, the
Pope presided at second Vespers in the Vatican Basilica, in the presence of
numerous members of institutes for consecrated life and societies of
apostolic life. In the course of the ceremony, which began with the
exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and concluded with the Eucharistic
blessing, the Holy Father pronounced a homily.
Benedict XVI recalled the fact that the Feast of the Presentation
commemorates the visit by Mary and Joseph to the Temple to present their
firstborn to the Lord, in accordance with Mosaic law. There they met Simeon
and the Prophet Anna who, the Pope explained, "recognised that Child as the
Messiah announced by the prophets. In the meeting between the elderly Simeon
and the young mother Mary, the Old and the New Testaments came together to
give thanks for the gift of Light, which shines in the shadows and prevents
the victory of darkness: Christ the Lord, a light to illuminate the Gentiles
and a glory for His people Israel".
The Day of Consecrated Life coincides with the Feast of the Presentation
of Jesus in the Temple because that evangelical episode "is an important
symbol of the gift of life made by people who, through the evangelical
counsels, are called to demonstrate before the Church and the world the
characteristic traits of Jesus: virgin, poor, obedient, consecrated in the
Father. What we celebrate in today's feast, then, is the mystery of
consecration: the consecration of Christ, the consecration of Mary, the
consecration of all those who follow Jesus for love of God's Kingdom".
The Day of Consecrated Life was instituted by John Paul II in 1997 with a
threefold purpose. Firstly, to thank God "for the gift of this way of
living, which is part of the sanctity of the Church". Today the entire
community invokes this gift with faith, and prays for all consecrated
people. Moreover, the Day aims "to promote knowledge of and respect for
consecrated life among the people of God", expressing appreciation for the
witness of people who have chosen to follow Christ by practising the
evangelical counsels. Thirdly, for consecrated people themselves the Day is
"an important opportunity to renew the intentions and feelings which
inspired their gift" of self to the Lord. "This is what we wish to do today,
this is the task you are called to carry out every day of your lives",
Benedict XVI told consecrated people.
The Year of Faith, due to begin in October, will be another favourable
moment for interior renewal. During that time consecrated people "will be
called to intensify their relationship with God. The evangelical counsels,
accepted as an authentic rule for life, reinforce the faith, hope and
charity which unite us to God", the Holy Father said. "Intense vicinity to
the Lord - which must characterise your entire existence - will lead you to
a renewed adherence to Him and have a positive influence on the particular
form of your presence and apostolate among the People of God. This will make
you - through the contribution of your charisms and remaining faithful to
the Magisterium - witnesses of faith and grace; credible witnesses for the
Church and the world today". Benedict XVI also made it clear that
consecrated people should participate enthusiastically in new
evangelisation.
In conclusion he quoted some words of Blessed John Paul II, calling on the
Virgin Mary to intercede with the Lord, so that "all who have received the
gift of following Him in consecrated life may be enabled to bear witness to
that gift by their transfigured lives, as they joyfully make their way with
all their brothers and sisters towards our heavenly homeland and the light
which will never grow dim".
HML/ VIS
20120203 (660)
DAY OF REFLECTION AND PRAYER FOR FORTHCOMING CONSISTORY
VATICAN CITY, 3 FEB 2012 (VIS) - In preparation for the forthcoming
consistory, the Holy Father has called the members of the College of
Cardinals and the new cardinals-elect to participate in a day of reflection
and prayer to be held on 17 February in the Vatican's New Synod Hall. The
day will begin with Lauds at 10 a.m. and conclude with Vespers at 5 p.m.,
according to a communique released today by the Holy See Press Office.
The main theme of the meeting - "the announcement of the Gospel today,
between 'missio ad gentes' and new evangelisation" - will be introduced by
one of the cardinals-designate: Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York.
The day will also include a report on the forthcoming Year of Faith, to be
delivered by Archbishop Salvatore Fisichella, president of the Pontifical
Council for Promoting New Evangelisation.
Today's communique also announces that, due to ill health,
cardinal-designate Fr. Karl Josef Becker S.J. will not be created a cardinal
during the public ceremony of 18 February, but in private at another time.
OP/ VIS
20120203 (190)
AUDIENCES
VATICAN CITY, 3 FEB 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience:
- Eleven prelates of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, on
their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Allen Henry Vigneron of Detroit, accompanied by Auxiliary
Bishops Francis R. Reiss, Donald F. Hanchon, Michael J. Byrnes and Jose
Arturo Cepeda.
- Bishop Bernard Anthony Hebda of Gaylord.
- Bishop Walter Allison Hurley of Grand Rapids.
- Bishop Paul Joseph Bradley of Kalamazoo.
- Bishop Earl Alfred Boyea of Lansing.
- Bishop Alexander King Sample of Marquette.
- Bishop Joseph Robert Cistone of Saginaw.
- Cardinal William Joseph Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith.
AL:AP/ VIS 20120203
(120)
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 3 FEB 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Leslie
Tomlinson, auxiliary of Melbourne, Australia, as bishop of Sandhurst (area
45,195, population 383,000, Catholics 103, priests 39, religious 51),
Australia.
NER/ VIS
20120203 (40)
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