A Bag of Blessings from Rome

Here are some of the things that arrested my attention during recent preoccupations. They are more or less in date order. Links are provided where necessary and possible.

NOVEMBER 29
VATICAN: PRIESTS NEED RAMBO-ESQUE SPIRITUAL MUSCLE
Archbishop Piacenza Presents Year for Priests Activities
A priest's soul should have "interior muscle" comparable to the physical strength of Rambo, which is nourished with "prayer, the interior life and true motivation," says the secretary of the Congregation for Clergy.

The Archbishop noted that five months of the Year for Priests had passed but that already many priests had been renewed in their vocation and went on to clarify that "renewal" did not mean "revolution" but rather the rediscovery of the root of one's priesthood.
Having invited priests to keep the example of St. Jean Vianney in mind, he added something which I found quite pointed. He said that St. Jean didn't get a degree in pastoral care but he was "an exceptional pastor". The work of a priest is learned "with the love of God." He also noted St. Tgerese of the Child Jesus who was "a mother within the Carmel community. She became the guardian angel of many priest."

Dates to note: March 11-12 Congress at the Pontifical Lateran University entitled "Fidelity to Christ, Fidelity of the Priest"; June 9-11 World meeting of Priests in Rome with several events to take place in the four major basilicas.

Report at Zenit here

DECEMBER 2
TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY "RECONCILIATIO ET PAENITENTIA"
At the end of today's General Audience the Holy Father referred specifically to several apostles of the confessional including St. Jean Vianney and the Year for Priests.
Read more at Vatican Information Services for the day in question or go to
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/ Click Audiences in the left hand menu, go to December 2 and then scroll to the last section entitled "To Special Groups".

DECEMBER 2
CLOISTERED IN THE VATICAN
Visitandines Settle Into Their New Home
Full report about the Pope's contemplative community within his walls at Zenit
During an interview the Superior of the small community said that besides fulfilling their major role of spiritual support for the Holy Father through their prayer, she and her sisters have discovered a specific mission within the Year for Priests. Every day the sisters say a special prayer for priests and she described the different emphases within that prayer.

DECEMBER 4
FATHER CANTALAMESSA CALLS PRIESTS TO BE SERVANTS
Says Their Vocation Is About Being, Not Doing
The Capuchin Father gave the first of three Advent Reflections for the Holy Father and members of the Roman Curia. It is fully reported here (On top of what he said, doesn't this priest have a lovely name!)

More items in next post.










































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