Pope Leo XIV at Chrism Mass quotes Bishop Oscar Romero, calling him a witness that is “particularly close to me”:
“While it is true that, unlike Jesus, we also experience failures that stem from our own shortcomings or those of others, often from a tangled web of responsibilities of light and shadow, we can make the hope of many witnesses our own. I recall one who is particularly dear to me. A month before his death, in his notebook for the Spiritual Exercises, the holy Bishop Óscar Romero wrote: ‘The nuncio in Costa Rica has warned me of an imminent danger this very week… These unforeseen circumstances will be faced with God’s grace. Jesus Christ helped the martyrs and, if the need arises, I shall feel him very close when I entrust my last breath to him. But, more than the final moment of life, what matters is to give him one’s whole life and to live for him… It is enough for me, to be happy and confident, to know with certainty that in him is my life and my death; that, despite my sins, I have placed my trust in him and I shall not be disheartened, for others will continue, with greater wisdom and holiness, the work for the Church and for the homeland.””
“Consecrated life is, not primarily about the work that religious do, but rather about the total consecration of one’s life to God.”
In this 2012 @CatholicNewsSvc interview with then-Father Robert Prevost, OSA, now Pope Leo XIV, reflects on consecrated life and the evangelical counsels as a distinctive witness of vowed religious life in the Church. In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II established the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life, observed each year on February 2 with the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas Day, when candles are blessed as a sign of Christ, the light of the world. In the same way, women and men in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples.
Did you know that the USCCB maintains an office in Rome to assist American visitors to make the most of their opportunities to attend a Papal liturgy or audience? If you are visiting the Vatican be to take advantage of https://t.co/QzyyrvEwcu
Saint Augustine described our hearts as restless. That restlessness is oriented towards heaven, whose doors are open to us as a result of the incarnation, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. If we enter into the dynamism of His love and grace, Jesus will be victorious in us—not just at the hour of our death, but also today, right now, and every day hereafter. #GeneralAudience
Today, the liturgical memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we celebrate #ProOrantibus Day. May all our brothers and sisters in contemplative life not lack the concrete solidarity and effective support of the ecclesial community, so as to ensure the sustenance and continuity of their silent, fruitful, and irreplaceable apostolate.
Hoy, memoria litúrgica de la Presentación de la Santísima Virgen María, se celebra la Jornada #ProOrantibus. Que no les falte a todos los hermanos y hermanas de vida contemplativa la solidaridad concreta y la ayuda eficaz de la comunidad eclesial, para asegurarles el sustento y la continuidad de su silencioso, fecundo e insustituible apostolado.
This morning, Bishop Barres celebrated Mass at 10:00 AM at the Church of Saint Patrick in Southold for the Installation of Father Michael Bartholomew as Pastor.
This afternoon, Bishop Barres celebrated Mass at 4 PM at the Church of Saint Agnes in Greenport for the Installation of Father Michael Bartholomew as Pastor.
Together with all Christians, today we celebrate the 10th World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, opening the #SeasonOfCreation, which lasts until October 4, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. In the spirit of the Canticle of Brother Sun, let us praise God and renew our commitment not to ruin His gift but to care for our common home. @VaticanIHD
The life of Saint Augustine, and his call to servant leadership, reminds us that we all have God given gifts and talents. Our purpose, fulfilment, and joy comes from offering them back in loving service to God and our neighbor.
Today we celebrate the memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven, also invoked as Queen of Peace. Let us fast and pray to implore the Lord for the gift of peace. Let us #PrayTogether that hearts may be freed from hatred, that we may move beyond the logic of division and retaliation, and that a shared vision inspired by the common good may prevail.