Nhar is-Sibt 6 ta’ Settembru 2014, l-Arċisqof Pawlu Cremona O.P inawgura is-sena pastorali taċ-Ċentru ta’ Vokazzjonijiet Djoċesani, fis-Seminarju tal-Virtù. Madwar mitt persuna, bejn pre-adoloxxenti, adoloxxenti u żgħażagħ, attendew għal ċelebrazzjoni li tmexxiet mill-Arċisqof Pawlu Cremona O.P., fil-kappella tas-Seminarju. Matul din iċ-ċelebrazzjoni saret ir-reġistrazzjoni fiċ-Ċentru tal-Vokazzjonjiet fejn hemmhekk l-adoloxxenti u ż-żgħażagħ wiegħdu li jkomplu jipparteċipaw għal-laqgħat u l-weekends li jsiru kull xahar…

Pope Francis has sent telgrams expressing his condolences for the violent deaths of three Xaverian missionary sisters in Burundi. Signed by the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the first telegram is addressed to Archbishop Evariste Ngoyagoye of Bujumbura, Burundi, and express the Holy Father’s sorrow at hearing of the murders and his spiritual closeness to the victims’ community, to their families and the whole Bujumbura archdiocese…

Pope Francis held two private audiences on Thursday morning, one with the ex-President of Israel, Shimon Peres, and another with Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan. The Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, briefed journalists on the audiences. “Peres,” explained Fr. Lombardi, “asked for the audience in order to inform the Pope about his activities and his projects for peace,” which include a joint youth sporting initiative involving “twinned” Israeli and Palestinian cities, in which more than eighty children will participate during the course of the year, and a “United Religions” organization modelled on the United Nations. 

Speaking to Vatican Radio after the audiences and the briefing, Fr…

Tens of thousands gathered on a bright sunny day in St. Peter’s square for the weekly General Audience to hear Pope Francis reflect on the maternal nature of the Church.  He called her “a mother” who gives us “life in Christ,” and reminded the faithful she will never leave them “orphaned.”

Pope Francis was continuing his series of reflections on how one does not become Christian autonomously, by oneself.  We are created and grow in the faith, he said, in this “great body which is the Church.”

Below, please find the official English summary of the Pope’s remarks:

Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our catecheses, we have often noted that we do not become a Christian on our own, but by being born and nurtured in the faith in the midst of the People of God, that is the Church.  She is a true mother who gives us life in Christ and, in the communion of the Holy Spirit, brings us into a common life with our brothers and sisters.  The model of motherhood for the Church is the Blessed Virgin Mary, who in the fullness of time conceived through the Holy Spirit and gave birth to the Son of God.  Her motherhood continues through the Church, who brings forth sons and daughters through baptism, whom she nourishes through the Word of God.  In fact, Jesus gave the Gospel to the Church to bring forth new life by generously proclaiming his word and winning other sons and daughters for God our Father.  As a mother, the Church nurtures us throughout life by illuminating our path with the light of the Gospel and by sustaining us with the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist.  With this nourishment, we are able to choose the good and be vigilant against evil and deceit, and overcome the difficult moments of life with courage and hope.  This is the Church: a mother who has at heart the good of her children.  And since we are the Church, we are called to live this same spiritual, maternal attitude towards our brothers and sisters, by welcoming, forgiving and inspiring trust and hope…