Vatican City, Nov 2, 2014 / 09:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In his Angelus address delivered for the Feast of All Souls, Pope Francis called on the faithful to pray for forgotten souls, as well as Christians who have died for their faith and in the service of others over the past year.  “We remember our brothers and sisters killed because they are Christians,” he said, and the many “who have sacrificed their lives to serve others.” Addressing the crowds gathered in Saint Peter's Square on Nov. 2 beneath an Autumn sun,  the Holy Father also stressed the importance of praying for victims of war and violence, and for the “many 'little ones' crushed by hunger and misery.” Praying for the departed is part of the tradition of the Church, Pope Francis said, especially through the Eucharistic Celebration, which is “the best spiritual help we can give to their souls, especially those who are most abandoned.” “The foundation of prayer for the intercession of souls is found in the communion of the Mystical Body,” he added, quoting Lumen Gentium: “Fully conscious of this communion of the whole Mystical Body of Jesus Christ, the pilgrim Church from the very first ages of the Christian religion has cultivated with great piety the memory of the dead.” The practice of remembering the dead, caring for their graves, and offering intercessory prayers, Pope Francis said, gives testimony of the “certain hope” which has “take root in the certainty that death is not the last word.” “Man is destined to a life without limits, which has its roots and fulfillment in God.” Pope Francis recalled how the feasts of All Saints and All Souls, coming one after the other, are “intimately linked,” in the same way that “joy and tears find a synthesis in Jesus which is fundamental to our faith.” “The Church, a pilgrim in history, rejoices in the intercession of the Saints and Blesseds who sustain it in Her Mission of proclaiming the Gospel,” he said. On the other hand, the Church, “like Jesus, shares the tears of those who suffer the separation of beloved persons, and like him and thanks to him echo the gratitude toward the Father who has liberated us from the dominion of sin and death.” The Pope noted the custom on these two feasts of visiting a cemetery – a “place of rest” in anticipation of “the final awakening.” “Jesus himself revealed that death of the body is a dream from which He awakens us. With this faith we pause – even spiritually – by the tombs of our dear ones, those who loved” and treated us well. Before leading the faithful in praying the Angelus, Pope Francis first offered a prayer for the departed. He asked God to not look upon “our poverty and miseries, and human weaknesses” when we come before His court to be tried either “in happiness or condemned.” “Help us to walk on the path of complete purification,” he said, adding: “May none of your children be lost in the eternal fire of Hell, where there is no more repentance.” Pope Francis also entrusted to God those who have died without the consolation of the Sacraments, as well as those “who did not have the opportunity to repent” before their death.  “May no one fear meeting you, after this earthly pilgrimage,” he said. “May sister death find us vigilant in prayer, and full of the good we have accomplished in our brief or long existence.” Pope Francis turned his reflection to Mary, who “suffered the drama of Christ's death” from the foot of the Cross, as well as the “joy of the Resurrection”. He invoked her intercession in “supporting us in our daily pilgrimage.” Following the recitation of the Angelus prayer in Latin, the Holy Father greeting the many pilgrims who had gathered in Saint Peter's Square. He made special mention of the volunteers of Oppeano and Granzette, who minister to those in hospitals with “clown-therapy.” He concluded his address by wishing everyone a good Sunday, in memory of the departed, and reminding the faithful to not forget to pray for him. Read more

Vatican City, Nov 1, 2014 / 04:02 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Despite continuing theological, ethical and ministerial differences between the Roman Catholic Church and the schismatic Old Catholic Conference, the two communions can continue to work together, Pope Francis counseled on Thursday. “The theological and ecclesiological questions that arose during our separation are now more difficult to overcome due to the increasing distance between us on matters of ministry and ethical discernment,” lamented Pope Francis in an Oct. 30 address to the Old Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Union of Utrecht. However, the two Churches can continue to dialogue and cooperate in order to address spiritual crises in the world. “In the meantime, in the heart of Europe, which is so confused about its own identity and vocation, there are many areas in which Catholics and Old Catholics can collaborate in meeting the profound spiritual crisis affecting individuals and societies,” the Pope said. The Old Catholic Church is a group of Churches that separated from communion with the Catholic Church over the question of papal authority.   After the First Vatican Council, bishops in parts of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland formed a communion of Churches, later claiming apostolic succession from the Old Catholic Archbishop of Utrecht, in the Netherlands, who ordained the group’s first bishop. In the early 20th century the Union of Utrecht of Old Catholic Churches was recognized as being in full communion with the Anglican Communion. The communion accepts doctrine formed before the Great Schism in 1054 and the first seven ecumenical councils, but rejects communion with the Pope and other doctrines and practices of the Catholic Church. In 2009, the International Roman Catholic-Old Catholic Dialogue Commission produced a report detailing the two Churches' understandings of ecclesiology, the role of the Bishop of Rome, fundamental points of agreement, and remaining open questions. The Oct. 30 meeting, whose Old Catholic members were led by Archbishop Joris Vercammen of Utrecht, president of the International Old Catholic Bishops Conference, is the latest in a continuing attempt at ecumenical dialogue between the Old Catholic Church and the Roman Catholic Church. Pope Francis explained that since the Second Vatican Council it “ has been possible to build new bridges of a more profound mutual understanding and practical co-operation,” between the Old Catholic communion and the Catholic Church. This dialogue has led to a better identification of the differences between the two Churches, but it has also lead to the realization “that in the course of time new disagreements between us have emerged,” Pope Francis continued. In recent years, the Old Catholic Church has accepted the ordination of women. The Pope called both Catholics and Old Catholics “to persevere in substantive theological dialogue” and to continue to pray and work together towards a deeper conversion in Christ. In the meantime, he continued, the Churches ought to work to address the spiritual crises and needs of the world, particularly in Europe. “There is a thirst for God,” the Pope counseled. “There is a profound desire to recover a sense of purpose in life. There is an urgent need for a convincing witness to the truth and values of the Gospel.” He suggested that the two communions can “support and encourage one another, especially at the level of parishes and local communities,” in helping address the spiritual difficulties facing the continent. Read more

Rome, Italy, Nov 1, 2014 / 12:30 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- During Mass for the Solemnity of All Souls at Rome’s Verano cemetery, Pope Francis exhorted believers to follow the way of the beatitudes, calling it the path that will lead to sanctity. &ld... Read more

Vatican City, Nov 1, 2014 / 12:09 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- In his Angelus address for the Solemnity of All Saints, Pope Francis said that it is a joy to have a spiritual family living in eternity, and stressed that Mary is the first of the saints who guides us to her son. “In the great assembly of saints, God has wanted to reserve the first place for the Mother of Jesus,” the pontiff said before his Nov. 1 weekly recitation of the traditional Marian prayer. Mary, he said, “is the center of the communion of saints, as the singular guardian of the bond of the universal Church with Christ.” Whoever wants to follow Jesus on the path of the Gospel can find a secure guide in Mary, the Pope explained, saying that she is an attentive and caring mother with whom we can entrust every desire or difficulty. Pope Francis referred to how the first two days of the month of November are dedicated to the saints in heaven and to all of the faithfully departed, saying that because of this the whole month constitutes “an intense moment of faith, of prayer and of reflection on the ‘last things’ of life.” By celebrating the saints and commemorating the departed, the Church on earth, through her liturgy, expresses the spiritual bond that unites it to the heavenly Church, the Pope observed. On the feast of All Saints, he said, we praise God and give thanks for the holy men and women of all time, who were “ordinary, simple and sometimes ‘the least’ of this world, but ‘first’ for God.” The Bishop of Rome noted how we commemorate our own loved ones who have departed this life by visiting them in the cemetery, saying that a great source of consolation lies in the fact that they are now resting in the company of Mary, the Apostles, the martyrs, and all holy men and women in heaven. A fundamental truth that the solemnity reminds us of is expressed when we profess “the communion of saints” in the recitation of the Creed, he noted. “It's the communion which is born of faith and unites all of those who belong to Christ by reason of their Baptism. It is a spiritual union which is not broken by death, but continues in the next life,” the Roman Pontiff continued, saying that there is an “indestructible bond” between the living and those who have experienced death. Together with those in heaven, we form “one big family” of faith, the Pope continued, saying that the communion between heaven and earth is brought to fruition is the celebration of the Eucharistic Liturgy, which expresses the profound union between members of the Church. When we celebrate the Eucharist “we encounter the living Jesus and his strength, and through him we enter into communion with our brothers and sisters in the other life, the life without end,” he said, explaining that this communion should fill us with joy. “It's beautiful to have so many brothers and sisters in the faith who walk at our side” and sustain us with their help, and who walk with us along the same road to heaven, the pontiff observed. A great consolation for us on our journey to eternal life is knowing that we have brothers and sisters who have already attained heaven, and who pray for us and wait for us to join them in adoring “the glorious and merciful face of the Father.” Mary, he said, is the greatest of the saints, and the one around whom all the others are gathered. He concluded by offering prayers to “the Queen of all the saints, because she helps us respond with generosity and fidelity to God, who calls us to be holy as he is holy.” After reciting the traditional Marian prayer, Pope Francis drew attention to the reference the day’s liturgy makes to the heavenly Jerusalem. He prayed for all Jews, Christians and Muslims living in the Holy City, “which in recent days has witnessed diverse tensions, (to) always be a sign and foretaste of the peace which God desires for the whole human family.” The Pope also pointed to how martyr Pedro Asúa Mendía was beatified in Spain, saying that as a “humble and austere” priest who was tortured and killed for his faith, he provides a great example of a strong faith and witness to charity. Pope Francis offered personal greetings to various pilgrims present form Italy and other countries, and wished all a good feast day “in the joy of being part of the great family of the Saints. Do not forget to pray for me. Have a good lunch and goodbye!” Read more

Vatican City, Nov 1, 2014 / 05:21 am (CNA/EWTN News).- After four years of drafts and adjustments, the troubled Legion of Christ has announced that its new constitutions have been approved by Pope Francis. The Pope’s approval of the final draf... Read more

Vatican City, Oct 31, 2014 / 03:54 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Now released in English, the Synod of Bishop's final relatio reveals a more positive tone regarding the family called for by the synod’s small groups, as well as greater clarity on phrases that generated confusion in the midterm relatio. The Oct. 5-19 extraordinary synod of bishops on the family reflected on “the pastoral challenges of the family in the context of evangelization.” At the close of the 10-day meeting, which gathered together 253 bishops from around the world, a final document was issued which summed up key points of the discussion that took place, and which serves as the official “working document” for next year’s ordinary synod on the family. With substantial changes made in comparison to the much discussed midterm synod report, particularly surrounding the topics of both homosexual, and divorced and remarried persons, the final document, the English translation of which was released Oct. 30, offers a more positive tone, more references to scripture, and clearer language. On the topic of homosexuality, the final report noted how some families have some members who are homosexually oriented, and said that there had been significant discussion surrounding the appropriate pastoral response in accord with Catholic teaching. “There are absolutely no grounds for considering homosexual unions to be in any way similar or even remotely analogous to God's plan for marriage and family,” the report read in paragraph 55. However, it also emphasized that “men and women with a homosexual tendency ought to be received with respect and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.” In the following paragraph the report condemned international organizations that link their financial assistance to poor countries with the acceptance of laws supporting the establishment of same-sex “marriage.” On the topic of divorced and re-married Catholics, the final report emphasized that these situations require “careful discernment and an accompaniment of great respect.” “Language or behavior which might make them feel an object of discrimination should be avoided, all the while encouraging them to participate in the life of the community,” the document read, pointing out how the synod fathers discussed the possibility of giving persons in this state access to Confession and Communion. Although there were divergent opinions on the issue, with some advocating for current practice to remain the same and others promoting a more personalized approach that would give access in certain situations, there final word in the closing report said that the topic still “needs to be thoroughly examined.” Discussion also touched on the topic of spiritual communion for the divorced and remarried, which is a topic the synod fathers also said needed “further theological study” of spiritual communion in light of the sacrament of marriage. Persons who are divorced and who have not remarried often bear witness to their promise to a faithful marriage, the report continued, saying that these persons “ought to be encouraged to find in the Eucharist the nourishment they need to sustain them in their present state of life.” Significant discussion also surrounded the topic of streamlining the annulment process, and the report observed how many synod fathers had stressed the need for making process “more accessible and less time-consuming.” Among the proposals offered was the establishment of an administrative process under the jurisdiction of the diocesan bishop, as well as a “simple” process to be used when the case of nullity is clearly evident. Others who opposed to these suggestions said that there would be no assurance of a reliable judgement, however the report revealed that there was a consensus in all the cases for the need to make the attainment of the truth and the validity of the marriage bond the “primary character” of the process. Among other proposals, the role of faith in the lives of persons who marry “could possibly be examined in ascertaining the validity of the Sacrament of Marriage, all the while maintaining that the marriage of two baptized Christians is always a sacrament,” the document explained. Paragraph 49 also touched on the procedure of marriage cases, saying that numerous synod fathers requested that a group of persons, both lay and clerical, be completely dedicated to this particular work, which would require greater responsibility from the diocesan bishop. In regards to mixed marriages, the final relatio explained that there were frequent interventions expressing concerns on the topic, and that differences with Orthodox Churches in terms of marital regulations can in some cases create “serious problems.” Although media headlines have been swirling since the end of the synod, with many saying that the Church had finally opened the doors to without discrimination to homosexuals and remarried divorcees only to close them again, the synod fathers have been outspoken in saying that all reports published during the synod are still a work in progress, with no official weight attached. In his concluding speech for the Synod of Bishops, Pope Francis himself explained that “we still have one year to mature, with true spiritual discernment, the proposed ideas.” He encouraged that this spiritual discernment be used to “find concrete solutions to so many difficulties and innumerable challenges that families must confront; to give answers to the many discouragements that surround and suffocate families.” The Pope also prayed that the Lord would accompany and guide the synod fathers as they prepare for next year’s ordinary synod, which will reflect on the theme “Jesus Christ reveals the mystery and vocation of the family.” Read more

Vatican City, Oct 31, 2014 / 02:11 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The first major makeover the Sistine Chapel has had since 1994 brings with it a completely new LED lighting system and high-tech sensors that automatically measure and adjust the chapel's oxygen levels. “If you look at this art in the Sistine Chapel it is breathtaking,” said John Mandyck, chief sustainability officer for UTC Building & Industrial Systems which has overseen the project. “But ironically it is the act of breathing or exhaling carbon-dioxide that was destroying the frescoes.” He told CNA that the new technology will preserve the treasured frescoes – painted by Michelangelo 500 years ago – with the guarantee of future protection through adaptability. “We have the ability to keep with the technology as technology advances and evolves over time,” Mandyck said. “We expect it to last a long time.” The highly anticipated new ventilation systems were presented to journalists at an Oct. 29 press conference, which was part of a two-day event put on by the Vatican called “The Sistine Chapel 20 years later: New breath, New light” in honor of their official installment. Created by Carrier, the U.S.-based pioneer of modern heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems, the company has specially designed the new lighting, air-quality and temperature control system to fit the unique needs of the Sistine Chapel. The company also designed and installed the chapel's first air-conditioning system in 1993 to accommodate a maximum load of 700 at once. However with the current number of daily visitors to the chapel hitting close to 20,000, the new system is designed to accommodate up to 2,000 simultaneous visitors in nearly any weather condition, the company revealed. Landing at $3.8 million dollars in improvements, the state-of-the-art systems have a custom LED lighting system which uses 7,000 lights in order to maximize illumination of the frescoes, giving them a softer, brighter look. Scientists have run numerous tests on the more than 250 original colors present in the chapel's ancient frescos, attempting to see how the light would react with each. Designed to be “imperceptible,” the lights are completely hidden from sight, and are only seen when additional lighting is turned on for conclaves, concerts or other special events. The lights themselves, according to designer LED4Art, a European Union-led project in collaboration with universities, will drastically save on energy in the chapel, and are expected to save roughly 60 percent on costs. Along with the lights there are two cameras and 70 sensors placed throughout the chapel in order to register the environment inside and react to it. With the cameras estimating the number of people in the room, the purification and air-conditioning units adjust according to what the cameras register. Completely silent, the units are designed to maintain a temperature of 20-25 degrees Celsius and 50-60 percent humidity within the chapel. They also guarantee that the number of dust particles remain at a level of 0.1 micrograms per cubic meter of air, and that the levels of CO2 levels are kept to a minimum. Michel Grabon, Director of Carrier's AdvanTEC program in Europe, said that the new systems focus on three key aspects, which are advanced design, efficiency and intelligence. The system, he explained to EWTN News on Oct. 29, “is particularly advanced (and) a very high technology level of the system that has been developed.” In reference to the system’s efficiency, Grabon pointed out its particular quality in being energy efficient, “which is extremely important in our days – to have a system that is green and energy -efficient.” A third important element to note is that the new system is “extremely intelligent,” he said, with for this type of system means that it’s the first time a camera they’ve used a camera to count the people inside the chapel “and adjust air flow and the other system parameters just to meet the number of people inside.” Because it counts the number of people inside, the camera is also able to register the level of CO2 due to the amount that each person generates, Grabon noted. “So if you know exactly how many people you have inside the chapel you know how much fresh air you need to bring to the chapel in order to bring down the CO2 level,” he said, observing that the new systems are able to do this “very quickly.” Director of the Vatican Museums Antonio Paolucci told CNA in an interview over the summer that the chapel has had more than 5 million visitors per year since the number of visitors hit that mark for the first time in 2011. In the Oct. 29 press conference, he said that their new aim with this innovation “is not restoration, but conservation.” This is, the director explained, “is why we have chosen Carrier, because a masterpiece like the Sistine Chapel needs a comparable masterpiece of technology.” Read more

Vatican City, Oct 31, 2014 / 01:34 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Christians who cling to the law and not to love are like the hypocrite Pharisees in the Gospel, Pope Francis said in today’s homily. After Jesus meets a sick person in a Pharisee’s home on the Sabbath day in Luke 14:1-6, he asks the Pharisees and scholars of the Jewish law present: “Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath or not?” Receiving only silent stares, Jesus heals the man and then tells the Pharisees: “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?” Jesus’ actions show that love and justice, not an excessive attachment to the laws, are the path to holiness, Pope Francis said. “This way of life of being attached to the laws, distanced (the Pharisees) from love and from justice.  They followed the laws and they neglected justice,” he said. “They followed the laws and they neglected love.” “And for these people Jesus had only one word (to describe them): hypocrites,” the Pope continued. “Closed-minded men, men who are so attached to the laws, to the letter of the law that they were always closing the doorway to hope, love and salvation… Men who only knew how to close (doors).” Throughout the New Testament, one of the most difficult things for some of the Jews to accept is the abolition of the old law, which bound the Jews to 613 commandments, or Mitzvot. Because Christ establishes a new covenant between God and man, the old law is fulfilled and no longer necessary. St. Paul spends a great deal of time in his letters chiding new Christians for clinging to the old law as well. The new covenant of love established through the incarnation of Jesus is the true path to God and eternal life, Pope Francis said. “Jesus draws close to us: his closeness is the real proof that we are proceeding along the true path.  That’s because it’s the path which God has chosen to save us: through his closeness.  He draws close to us and was made man.  His flesh, the flesh of God is the sign; God’s flesh is the sign of true justice.” Christ’s flesh, not the old law, is the bridge from man to God, he said. Pope Francis concluded by saying that he hoped the examples of Jesus' love and closeness in the Gospel can help modern-day Christians from sliding into hypocrisy. Read more