Pope Francis sends aid to Yemeni refugees

The Apostolic Nuncio to Korea, Archbishop Alfred Xuereb received €10,000 from Pope Francis destined for over 500 Yemeni refugees stranded on the South Korean Island of Jeju.

Bishop Peter Kang U-il, the local Bishop of Jeju (Cheju), received the gift personally from the Apostolic Nuncio, who visited him specifically to express the Pope’s solidarity with the refugees. The Apostolic Nuncio also met with the refugees, celebrated Mass in the Cathedral, and imparted the Pope’s Blessing. The money will fund the needs of the Yemeni refugees through diocesan organizations caring for them. Bishop Kang and the local Church have supported the Yemeni refugees from the moment they arrived. The Bishop has advocated on their behalf, asking that the South Koreans living on Jeju be tolerant and charitable to the refugees.

These Yemeni refugees are fleeing civil war which began in 2015. They chose the Island of Jeju as their destination because there was no need at the time for a visa for tourists planning to stay up to 90 days. In order to cope with the influx, South Korea prohibited the asylum seekers to access the mainland, and restricted access to certain types of work, causing high rates of unemployment among them.

Some locals are lobbying the government to revoke the requests for asylum and expel the Yemeni refugees from the island. Others have taken in some of the refugees, teaching them Korean since they cannot enrol in local schools. The refugees have received discounted rates from some hotels, and donations of food, blankets, and clothing. Some local inhabitants view it as an opportunity to do in their turn what others have done to Korean refugees in other parts of the world.

Share the joy

One of the wonderful things about being generous about sharing the gifts we have received is that the more we give, the more we receive ... literally.

There is always more

We hear about two miracles in today’s scripture passages.  First, the second book of Kings relates the story of food that is presented to Elisha: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain (2 Kings 4:42) ... and in the gospel account, when Jesus asked the disciples to feed the crowds, Andrew pointed out a boy ... who had five barley loaves and two fish (Jn 6:9).  In both cases, the humble gifts that were presented by human hands were miraculously multiplied in order to feed vast crowds of people.

This miracle is repeated every week, right here at the Eucharistic table, and it is also repeated every day in the lives of God’s people.  Whenever we offer ourselves, whenever we use our talents to share what we have with those in need, God takes our humble gifts and multiplies their effect in the lives of those who receive them.

Sometimes the gifts we share can be tangible, and at other times, they are not, but every gift – including the example we set by the lives we lead – can become a source of nourishment for the faith life of others.

This past week, to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of Pope Paul VI’s encyclical Humanae Vitae (July 25, 1968) regarding the transmission of human life, the Bishops of Canada published a Pastoral Letter entitled The Joy of Married Love.  This Letter presents the teaching of Pope Paul’s encyclical in an accessible and uplifting style which is aimed at inspiring and providing encouragement to married couples.  The Bishops also acknowledge the teachings of Pope John Paul II and the newest insights, perspectives and reflections on the gift of marriage from Pope Francis.

We may not always be aware of the gifts that God has offered to us, or perhaps we choose not to recognize them.  Yet, regardless of whether or not we perceive the blessings we receive as gifts freely given to nourish us as we continue our journey through life, God will always continue to make them available to us, until one day we come to realize the true value of all that we have received.

In the meanwhile, Saint Paul urges us today to lead lives worthy of the calling to which we have been called (Eph 4:1).  As we begin to discover and to appreciate the value of human love as it is lived out in our midst, as we come to value more and more the precious gift of the special food that God offers to us in the Eucharist, we will become more and more humbled by the great privilege that we have been afforded.  From the author of these gifts, we will continue to learn gentleness and patience, bearing with one another in love and making every effort to maintain unity in the Spirit and the bond of peace (Eph 4:2-3).

And as we continue to use these gifts to strengthen the lives of those who are in need, we will come to realize that the meagre offerings we have contributed are multiplied by God’s grace, and the result is a great abundance of blessings.

En abondance

Nous entendons parler de deux miracles dans les passages d'Écritures aujourd'hui. D’abord, le deuxième livre des Rois raconte l'histoire de la nourriture qui est présentée à Élisée: vingt pains d'orge et du grain frais (2 Rois 4,42) ... et dans le récit de l’évangile, quand Jésus a demandé aux disciples de nourrir les foules, André a indiqué un jeune garçon ... qui avait cinq pains d'orge et deux poissons (Jn 6,9). Dans les deux cas, les humbles dons qui ont été présentés par des êtres humains ont été multipliés miraculeusement afin de nourrir de vastes foules.

Ce miracle est répété chaque semaine, ici même à la table eucharistique, et il se répète tous les jours dans la vie du peuple de Dieu. Chaque fois que nous nous offrons, chaque fois que nous utilisons nos talents pour partager ce que nous avons reçu avec ceux qui sont dans le besoin, Dieu prend nos humbles dons et multiplie leur effet dans la vie de ceux qui les reçoivent.

Parfois, les dons que nous partageons peuvent être tangibles, et d'autres fois, ils ne le sont pas, mais chaque don - y compris l'exemple de notre vie chrétienne - peut devenir une source de nourriture pour la foi des autres.

La semaine dernière, à l'occasion du cinquantième anniversaire de la publication de l'encyclique Humanae Vitae du pape Paul VI (25 juillet 1968) au sujet de la transmission de la vie humaine, les évêques du Canada ont publié une lettre pastorale intitulée La joie de l'amour conjugal. Cette lettre présente l'enseignement de l'encyclique du Saint-Père, Paul VI dans un style accessible et inspirant qui vise à encourager les couples mariés. Les évêques reconnaissent également les enseignements du Pape Jean-Paul II et les idées, les perspectives et les réflexions sur le don du mariage présentés par le Pape François.

Nous ne sommes peut-être pas toujours conscients des dons que Dieu nous offre, ou peut-être que nous choisissons de ne pas les reconnaître. Pourtant, que nous percevions ou non les bénédictions que nous recevons comme des dons gratuits fournis afin de nous nourrir alors que nous continuons notre voyage envers le Seigneur, Dieu continuera toujours à les rendre disponibles jusqu'à ce qu'un jour nous réalisions la vraie valeur de tout ce que nous avons reçu.

Entre temps, Saint Paul nous exhorte à nous conduire d’une manière digne de notre vocation (Ep 4, 1). Alors que nous commençons à découvrir et à apprécier la valeur de l'amour humain tel qu'il est vécu parmi nous, à mesure que nous valorisons de plus en plus le don précieux de la nourriture spéciale que Dieu nous offre dans l'Eucharistie, nous deviendrons plus en plus humbles, remplis de douceur et de patience, capables de nous supporter les uns les autres avec amour et de garder l’unité dans l’Esprit par le lien de la paix (cf Ep 4, 2-3).

Alors que nous continuons à utiliser ces dons pour fortifier la vie de ceux qui sont dans le besoin, nous réaliserons que les maigres offrandes que nous avons apportées sont multipliées par la grâce de Dieu, et le résultat est une grande abondance de bénédictions.

Angelus about the bravery of a young boy

At noon today (6:00am EDT), the Holy Father, Pope Francis appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace to recite the Angelus with the faithful and with pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter's Square.

Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis

prior to the recitation of the Angelus

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

You are brave with this sun in the Square!  Congratulations!

Today's gospel (cf Jn 6:1-15) presents the story of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes.  Seeing the large crowd that had followed him around the lake of Tiberias, Jesus turned to the Apostle Philip and asked: Where can we buy bread for them to have food? (Jn 6:5). In fact, the few coins that Jesus and the apostles possessed were not enough to feed that multitude. And at that moment, Andrew, another of the Twelve, brought to Jesus a boy who provided everything he had: five loaves and two fish; but of course - Andrew said - But what are these among so many people (cf Jn 6:9) That boy was brave! Courageous. He too saw the crowd, and he saw his five loaves. He said: I have this: if you need it, I am available. This boy makes us think ... What courage! ... Young people are like that, they have courage. We must help them carry on this courage. Jesus ordered the disciples to make people sit down, then he took those loaves and the fish, he gave thanks to the Father and distributed them (cf Jn 6:11), and everyone had enough food to satisfy their hunger. Everyone ate what they wanted.

With this Gospel passage, the liturgy encourages us not to look away from Jesus who, last Sunday, in the Gospel of Mark, seeing a great crowd, had compassion on them (Jn 6:34). Even that boy with the five loaves understood this compassion; he said: Poor people! I have this ...  Compassion led him to offer what he had. In fact, today John shows us again Jesus' attentiveness to the primary needs of people. The episode springs from a concrete fact: people are hungry and Jesus involves his disciples so that this hunger is satisfied. This is a concrete fact. To the crowds, Jesus did not limit himself to giving - he offered his Word, his consolation, his salvation, and finally his life - but he certainly did this too: he took care of food for the body. And we, his disciples, can not pretend anything. Only by listening to the simplest demands of the people and by standing next to their concrete existential situations can we be heard when we speaks of higher values.

God's love for humanity who is hungry for bread, for freedom, for justice, for peace, and above all for his divine grace, never fails. Jesus continues - even today - to feed, to make himself a living and consoling presence, and he does it through us. Therefore, the Gospel invites us to be available and industrious, like that boy who realizes he has five loaves and says: I give this, then you will see ... Faced with the cry of hunger - all sorts of hunger - of so many brothers and sisters in every part of the world, we can not remain detached and calm spectators. The proclamation of Christ, bread of eternal life, requires a generous commitment of solidarity for the poor, the weak, the excluded, the defenceless. This action of proximity and charity is the best verification of the quality of our faith, both on a personal level and on a community level.

Then, at the end of the story, when everyone was satisfied, Jesus told the disciples to collect the left over pieces, so that nothing would be lost. And I would like to offer you this sentence from Jesus: Collect the left over pieces, so that nothing is lost (Jn 6:12). I think of people who are hungry and how much left over food we throw away ... Each of us can think: the food that comes to lunch, to dinner, where does it go? At home, what do you do with left over food? Do you throw it away? No. If you have this habit, I'll give you some advice: talk to your grandparents who lived after the war, and ask them what they did with left over food. Never throw away left over food. It should be given to those who can eat it, to those who need it. Never throw away left over food. This is a suggestion and also an examination of conscience: what do you do at home with food that is left over?

Let us pray to the Virgin Mary, that programmes dedicated to development, food and solidarity may prevail in the world, and not those of hatred, armaments and war.

Following the recitation of the Angelus and the imparting of his blessing, the Holy Father continued:

And don't forget these two things: an image, an icon, and a phrase, a question.  The icon of a courageous young boy who gives the little that he has in order feed a great multitude of people.  Be courageous, always.  And the phrase, which is a question, an examination of conscience: what do I do at home with the food that is left over?  Thank you!



The Holy Father then continued:

Dear brothers and sisters,

Tomorrow marks the World Day against Human Trafficking, promoted by the United Nations. This scourge enslaves many men, women and children for the purpose of labor and sexual exploitation, organ trafficking, begging and forced delinquency. Even here, in Rome. Migration routes are also often used by traffickers and exploiters to recruit new victims of trafficking. It is everyone's responsibility to denounce injustices and firmly oppose this shameful crime.

Now I greet all the pilgrims who have come from Italy and from various other countries, in particular, the faithful from Rio de Janeiro, New Friburg, Viseu, Quixadá and Fortileza in Brazil.

I greet the members of the Amici di Santa Giovanna Antida Thouret association; the group of scouts from Padua and from Bethlehem; the young people from Cerese di Borgo Virgilio and those from Tombelle who have recently celebrated Confirmation.

I wish you all a good Sunday.  Please, don't forget to pray for me.  Enjoy your lunch and good bye!

Cardinal McCarrick returns his red hat

Yesterday evening the Holy Father received the letter in which Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington (U.S.A.), presented his resignation as a member of the College of Cardinals.

Pope Francis accepted his resignation from the cardinalate and has ordered his suspension from the exercise of any public ministry, together with the obligation to remain in a house yet to be indicated to him, for a life of prayer and penance until the accusations made against him are examined in a regular canonical trial.

A statement to this effect was published this morning by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

Bridge Building through Catholic Theological Ethics

The Holy Father, Pope Francis has sent a Message to mark the beginning of the working sessions involved in the III International Conference of Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church which is taking place in Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) from 26 to 29 July 2018, focusing on the theme: A Critical Time for Bridge-Building: Catholic Theological Ethics Today.

Message of the Holy Father, Pope Francis

to the International Conference of Catholic Theological Ethics

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

I greet all you taking part in this, your third worldwide conference on theological ethics. It takes place in Sarajevo, a city of great symbolic value for the journey of reconciliation and peacemaking after the horrors of a recent war that brought so much suffering to the people of that region.

Sarajevo is a city of bridges. Your meeting is inspired by this dominant motif, which warns of the need to build, in an environment of tension and division, new paths of closeness between peoples, cultures, religions, visions of life and political orientations. I have appreciated this effort of yours from the beginning, when the members of your planning committee visited me in the Vatican last March.

The theme of your meeting is one to which I myself have often called attention: the need to build bridges, not walls. I keep repeating this in the lively hope that people everywhere will pay attention to this need that is increasingly acknowledged, albeit at times resisted by fear and forms of regression. Without renouncing prudence, we are called to recognize every sign and mobilize all our energy in order to remove the walls of division and to build bridges of fraternity everywhere in the world.

The three focal points of your meeting intersect along this journey of bridge building in a critical time like our own. You have given a central place to the ecological challenge, since certain of its aspects can create grave imbalances not only in terms of the relationship between man and nature, but also between generations and peoples. This challenge – as it emerges from the Encyclical Laudato Si’ – is not simply one of many, but the broader backdrop for an understanding of both ecological ethics and social ethics. For this reason, your concern for the issue of migrants and refugees is very serious and provokes a metanoia that can foster ethical and theological reflection, even before inspiring suitable pastoral attitudes and responsible and carefully planned political policies.

In this complex and demanding scenario, there is need for individuals and institutions capable of assuming a renewed leadership. There is no need, on the other hand, for hurling slogans that often remain empty, or for antagonism between parties jockeying for the front position. We require a leadership that can help to find and put into practice a more just way for all of us to live in this world as sharers in a common destiny.

With regard to the question of how theological ethics can make its own specific contribution, I find insightful your proposal to create a network between persons on the various continents who, with different modalities and expressions, can devote themselves to ethical reflection in a theological key in an effort to find therein new and effective resources. With such resources, suitable analyses can be carried out, but more importantly, energies can be mobilized for a praxis that is compassionate and attentive to tragic human situations, and concerned with accompanying them with merciful care. To create such a network, it is urgent first to build bridges among yourselves, to share ideas and programmes, and to develop forms of closeness. Needless to say, this does not mean striving for uniformity of viewpoints, but rather seeking with sincerity and good will a convergence of purposes, in dialogical openness and the discussion of differing perspectives. Here you will find helpful a particular form of competence, all the more urgent and complex today, to which I referred in the Foreword of the recent Apostolic Constitution Veritatis Gaudium. In mentioning the fundamental criteria for a renewal and a relaunching of ecclesiastical studies, I stressed the importance of wide-ranging dialogue (VG, 4b), which can serve as the basis for that interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary openness so vital also for theology and for theological ethics. I also pointed to the urgent need for ‘networking’ between those institutions worldwide that cultivate and promote ecclesiastical studies (VG, 4d).

I encourage you, as men and women working in the field of theological ethics, to be passionate for such dialogue and networking. This approach can inspire analyses that will be all the more insightful and attentive to the complexity of human reality. You yourselves will learn ever better how to be faithful to the word of God which challenges us in history, and to show solidarity with the world, which you are not called to judge but rather to offer new paths, accompany journeys, bind hurts and shore up weakness.

You already have over ten years of experience in building such bridges in your association, Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church. Your international meetings in Padua (2006) and Trent (2010), your regional meetings on different continents and your various initiatives, publications and teaching activities, have taught you a style of sharing which I trust you will pursue in a way that will prove fruitful for the entire Church. I join you in thanking the officers who have come to the end of their term and those now taking up their responsibilities; I will remember them in my prayers. To all of you I cordially impart my blessing, and I ask you, please pray for me.

From the Vatican
11 July 2018

Francis

Canadian Bishops speak of the Joy of Married Love

Fifty years ago today, the Holy Father, Pope Paul VI published his Encyclical Letter entitled Humanae Vitae (On Human Life).  To mark the occasion, the Commission for Doctrine, part of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, has published a statement entitled The Joy of Married Love.

Written in an accessible and uplifting style, it aims to inspire and provide encouragement to married couples, highlighting the promise of joy which is at the core of Humanæ Vitæ. This anniversary text also acknowledges the continuing implications of the Encyclical in today’s society as well as its centrality in Pope Saint John Paul II’s Wednesday Audiences on the Theology of the Body and Pope Francis’ post-synodal apostolic exhortation Amoris Lætitia.


Approved for public release by the Permanent Council on 21 June 2018, the drafting of the text was undertaken by the Commission for Doctrine in collaboration with the Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF).

Cardinal O'Malley says swift action is needed

For the past few days, media sources in the USA have been reporting accusations about sexual improprieties by Cardinal Theodore McCarrick.  His Eminence, Cardinal Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap., who heads the Vatican Commission for the Protection of Minors made the following statement about the matter yesterday.

Statement of His Eminence, Cardinal Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap.

Archbishop of Boston

President of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors

For the past several days, articles in the national media have reported accusations of Cardinal Theodore McCarrick’s (Archbishop-emeritus of Washington, DC) sexual improprieties with several adults and his criminal violations of the sexual abuse of minors.  These alleged actions, when committed by any person, are morally unacceptable and incompatible with the role of a priest, bishop or cardinal.

I am deeply troubled by these reports that have traumatized many Catholics and members of the wider community. In one case involving a minor the Archdiocese of New York, after investigation, has found the accusation to be credible and substantiated. While another accusation concerning a minor is yet to be investigated, the reports are devastating for the victims, their families and for the Church itself. Each new report of clerical abuse at any level creates doubt in the minds of many that we are effectively addressing this catastrophe in the Church.

These cases and others require more than apologies. They raise up the fact that when charges are brought regarding a bishop or a cardinal, a major gap still exists in the Church’s policies on sexual conduct and sexual abuse. While the Church in the United States has adopted a zero tolerance policy regarding the sexual abuse of minors by priests we must have clearer procedures for cases involving bishops. Transparent and consistent protocols are needed to provide justice for the victims and to adequately respond to the legitimate indignation of the community. The Church needs a strong and comprehensive policy to address bishops’ violations of the vows of celibacy in cases of the criminal abuse of minors and in cases involving adults.

My experience in several dioceses and my work with the members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors have brought me to this conclusion. The Church needs to swiftly and decisively take action regarding these matters of critical importance. In every instance of claims made by victims of sexual abuse, whether criminal violations or the abuse of power, the primary concern must be for the victim, their family and their loved ones. The victims are to be commended for bringing to light their tragic experience and must be treated with respect and dignity. Recent media reports also have referenced a letter sent to me from Reverend Boniface Ramsey, O.P. in June of 2015, which I did not personally receive. In keeping with the practice for matters concerning the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, at the staff level the letter was reviewed and determined that the matters presented did not fall under the purview of the Commission or the Archdiocese of Boston, which was shared with Father Ramsey in reply.

These accusations are understandably a source of great disappointment and anger for many. These cases, involving a Cardinal, must be viewed in light of the last two decades of the Church’s experience with clerical sexual abuse. It is my conviction that three specific actions are required at this time.  First, a fair and rapid adjudication of these accusations; second, an assessment of the adequacy of our standards and policies in the Church at every level, and especially in the case of bishops; and third, communicating more clearly to the Catholic faithful and to all victims the process for reporting allegations against bishops and cardinals. Failure to take these actions will threaten and endanger the already weakened moral authority of the Church and can destroy the trust required for the Church to minister to Catholics and have a meaningful role in the wider civil society. In this moment there is no greater imperative for the Church than to hold itself accountable to address these matters, which I will bring to my upcoming meetings with the Holy See with great urgency and concern.

Condolences to Laos

Yesterday, His Holiness, Pope Francis sent condolences to Church and civil authorities in Laos, where a hydroelectric dam has collapsed, causing death and injury to many.

Telegram of Condolence

for victims of flooding in Laos

To the local ecclesiastical and civil authorities

Having learned with sadness of the loss of life and of the injury caused by the serious floods following the collapse of a hydroelectric dam in southeast Laos, His Holiness, Pope Francis expresses heartfelt solidarity with all those affected by this disaster. His Holiness is praying especially for the repose of the souls of those who are deceased, the healing of those injured and the consolation of all those who grieve the loss of their loved ones and who fear for the lives of those still missing. The Holy Father likewise offers encouragement to the civil authorities and all those involved in the search and rescue efforts as they assist the victims of this tragedy. To all he sends his blessing.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State

Condolences to Greece

Yesterday, Pope Francis sent a telegram expressing his sorrow to all those affected by raging wildfires in Greece and assuring his prayers for the deceased.

Telegram of Condolence

for victims of Greek wildfires

To the local ecclesiastical and civil authorities.

His Holiness, Pope Francis, was deeply saddened to learn of the recent wildfires in Greece, and extends his heartfelt solidarity to all those affected by this tragedy. In particular, he commends the deceased to the merciful love of Almighty God, and offers encouragement to the civil authorities and emergency personnel as they continue in their rescue efforts. Upon all who mourn, Pope Francis willingly invokes the Lord’s blessings of consolation and strength.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State

Lead them to Jesus

Here is the text of the homily I prepared and shared with those who gathered with us this weekend to celebrate the liturgy.  Following on last weekend's gospel account of the sending forth of the disciples, this weekend, we hear the rest of the story.

Lead them to Jesus

Last week, we heard Saint Mark’s account of the moment when Jesus sent the disciples out on their first mission to preach the word.  Today, we pick up the story at the point when they return from this mission.  It is important that we notice the details: they gathered around Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught (Mk 6:30).  In these few words, we can glimpse not only how the disciples accepted the task Jesus had entrusted to them, but we can also comprehend what we must do.

Week after week, the Lord sends us out on a mission: to share the good news of the gospel with those we meet.  Week after week, we too return from our mission and gather around Jesus.  In prayer, we tell him what we have done and taught.  If we have encountered anything that has left us with questions, we can ask those questions of him and we can trust that he will give us the answers we need, continually instructing us so that we can learn more and more about him and about how we can follow in his footsteps.

The sure sign that we are doing the work that Jesus has asked us to do is the presence of others who come and go (Mk 6:31), who have heard about Jesus through the words that we have spoken and who come in search of a deeper relationship with him.  This was also the case when the disciples returned to Jesus.  In that case, there were so many that the disciples had no time to rest or even to eat (cf Mk 6:31).

Having too many people in search of Jesus is a good thing, but we must learn the difference between introducing others to Jesus and believing somehow that we ourselves are the object of their curiosity.  If we make ourselves the centre of attention, we will surely grow tired, and we will become the object of Jeremiah’s warnings (cf Jer 23:1), but if we bring people to Jesus, he himself will welcome them and begin to teach them (Mk 6:34).

In case we might still be wondering about what we should say to others, Saint Paul tells us that we only need to remind them of the fact that we who were once scattered afar from the ways of God’s goodness have now been brought near to God by the blood of Christ (Eph 2:13).  It was Christ Jesus who came and proclaimed peace ... through him, we have access ... to the Father (Eph 2:18).

God has already done all the hard work for us.  He came to earth, he proclaimed peace and he has given us access to the Father.  This is wonderful news, news worth sharing, so let us go out into the world this week to tell others that Christ has come to bring us peace.  Having received this news, we entrust our loved ones to the care of the Lord who will make himself known to them, and once they have experienced this peace for themselves, Jesus will bring them back to the fold (Jer 23:3).

Conduis-les à Jésus

La semaine dernière, nous avons entendu le récit tiré de l’évangile de Saint Marc concernant le moment où Jésus a mandaté les disciples d’aller partager leur expérience de l’avoir rencontré. Aujourd'hui, nous reprenons l'histoire au moment où les disciples reviennent de cette mission. Ils se réunirent auprès de Jésus et lui avaient annoncé tout ce qu’ils avaient fait et enseigné (Mc 6,30). En ces quelques paroles, nous pouvons non seulement discerner la tâche que Jésus leur a confiée, mais nous pouvons aussi comprendre la tâche qui est confiée à tous les disciples.

De semaine en semaine, le Seigneur nous envoie en mission: à nous la tâche de partager la bonne nouvelle de l'Évangile avec ceux que nous rencontrons. De semaine en semaine, nous revenons de notre mission et nous nous réunirons auprès de Jésus. En prière, nous lui disons ce que nous avons fait et enseigné. Si nous avons des questions, nous pouvons lui poser ces demandes et nous pouvons lui faire confiance, car il nous donnera toujours les réponses dont nous avons besoin: il nous instruit continuellement afin que nous puissions en apprendre de plus en plus à son sujet.

La preuve que nous faisons le travail que Jésus nous a confié c’est la présence d’autres personnes qui arrivent et qui partent (Mc 6,31), ceux et celles qui ont entendu parler de Jésus à travers les paroles que nous avons prononcées et qui viennent à la recherche d’une relation plus profonde avec lui. C'était le cas lorsque les disciples sont retournés à Jésus aussi. Dans ce cas, il y avait tellement de monde qui venait à sa recherche que les disciples n'avaient même pas le temps de manger (cf Mc 6,31).

Avoir trop de gens à la recherche de Jésus est une bonne chose, mais nous devons apprendre la différence entre présenter les autres à Jésus et croire d'une manière ou d'une autre que nous sommes nous-mêmes l'objet de leur curiosité. Si nous devenons nous même le point de repère, nous nous fatiguons sûrement, et nous deviendrons l'objet des avertissements dont le prophète Jérémie nous parle (cf. Jr 23:1), mais si nous amenons les gens à Jésus, il les accueillera et il se mettra à les enseigner (Mc 6,34).

Au cas où nous pourrions encore nous interroger sur ce que nous devrions dire aux autres, Saint Paul nous dit qu’ il s’agit seulement de leur rappeler que nous qui autrefois étions loin des voies de la bonté de Dieu, nous avons maintenant été rapprochés de Dieu par le sang de Christ (Ep 2,13). C'est Jésus-Christ, le fils de Dieu, qui est venu et qui a proclamé la paix ... par lui, nous avons accès ... au Père (Ep 2,18).

Le Seigneur a déjà accompli cette tâche. Il est venu habiter sur terre, il a proclamé la paix et il nous a donné accès au Père. Ce sont des nouvelles merveilleuses, des nouvelles qui valent la peine d'être partagées, alors sortons d’ici, allons dans le monde cette semaine pour dire aux autres que le Christ est venu nous apporter la paix. Ayant reçu cette nouvelle, nous confions nos proches aux soins du Seigneur qui se fera connaître à eux, et une fois qu'ils auront expérimenté cette paix pour eux-mêmes, Jésus les ramènera dans leurs enclos (Jér 23,3).

Angelus after the first mission

At noon today in Rome (6:00am EDT), the Holy Father, Pope Francis appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace to recite the Angelus with the faithful and with pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter's Square.

Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis

prior to the recitation of the Angelus

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

Today's gospel (cf Mk 6:30-34) informs us that the apostles, after their first mission, returned to Jesus and told him everything that they had done and all that they had taught (Mk 6:30).  After the experience of the mission, which was certainly energizing but also tiring, they needed rest, and Jesus, who always understands us, made sure to find them a bit of relief, saying to them: Come away, by yourselves, to a deserted place, and rest awhile (Mk 6:31).  But this time, Jesus' plan did not come to pass, because the crowd, who figured out the place where Jesus was heading in the boat together with his disciples, made their way there before the boat arrived.

The same thing can happen today.  Sometimes, we are not successful in achieving our plans, because something unplanned and urgent happens and disrupts our plans and we must be flexible and available to the needs of others.

In such circumstances, we are called to do what Jesus did: Making his way out of the boat, he saw a great crowd and he had compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things (Mk 6:34).  In this short phrase, the evangelist offers us a particularly intense flash, a photograph taken from the eyes of the divine Master and giving us a glimpse into his teaching.  Let us look at the three verbs contained in this photograph: he saw, he had compassion, he taught.  We can say that these are pastoral actions.  Jesus' gaze is not neutral, nor - and this would be worse - is it cold or distancing, because Jesus always looks at us with the eyes of his heart, and his heart is always tender and full of compassion, a heart that knows how to welcome even the most hidden needs of his people.  In addition, his compassion does not only indicate an emotional reaction to a situation of his people's despair, but it is much more: an attitude and a predisposition that God has toward mankind and his lived experience.  Jesus is the fulfillment of God's care and tenderness for his people.

Since Jesus was moved to see all those people in need of guidance and help, we might expect that he would work some miracle.  Instead, he began to teach them many things.  This is the first bread that the Master offers to the crowd of people who are hungry and lost: the bread of his Word.  We all need the word of truth, which guides and illuminates our path.  Without the truth, which is Christ himself, it is not possible for us to find the right orientation for our lives.  When we have distanced ourselves from Jesus and from his love, we lose ourselves and our experience transforms into delusions and dissatisfaction.  With Jesus by our sides, we can procede with assurance, we can survive any test, we can progress in love toward God and toward others.  Jesus made himself a gift for others, and in so doing, he made himself a model of love and service for each one of us.

Blessed Mary can help us to take on the problems, sufferings and difficulties that others are dealing with, and to maintain an attitude of sharing and of service.



After the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:

Dear brothers and sisters,

In these most recent weeks, we have received dramatic reports of shipwrecks involving boats that were filled with migrants in the waters of the Mediterranean.  I express my sadness at such tragedy and I assure them of my remembrance of those who have died and of their families in my prayers.  I address a heartfelt appeal for the international community to act decisively and promptly in order to avoid any repetition of such tragedies, and to guarantee safety and respect for the rights and the dignity of all people.

I extend my greetings to all of you, Romans and pilgrims.  In particular, I greet the faithful from the Diocese of Rio do Sul (Brazil), the young people from the Diocese of Seville (Spain) and the young people from the Diocese of Pelplin (Poland), who have come from Assisi where they have been participating in a prayer rally in preparation for the upcoming Synod of Bishops.

I greet the parish groups and associations; and the groups of young people from Piazzola sul Brenta, in the Diocese of Vicenza.

I wish you all a good Sunday and, please, don't forget to pray for me.  Enjoy your lunch and good bye!

Greetings to Christian Married Couples

Yesterday, Pope Francis sent a message of greeting to participants taking part in a meeting of the International Catholic Movement for Christian Married Couples in Fatima, Portugal.  At the heart of Pope Francis’ greeting to participants in the 12th meeting of the Teams of Our Lady which is being held in Fatima from 16 to 21 July is the message that The Church condemns sin, because she must tell the truth, but at the same time she embraces the sinner who recognizes himself as such.

The Teams of Our Lady, also known by the acronym END, are a lay movement of conjugal spirituality that was established in France in 1938 on the initiative of a few couples and a priest, Father Henry Caffarel.

The original couples began to gather monthly to deepen their understanding of the Sacrament of Marriage and to seek a coherent way to integrate as couples and families into society. The new movement was formalized in December 1947 and is currently present in the 5 continents, in 95 countries, with over 13,500 teams, under the guidance of Maria Berta and José Moura Soares.

It is to them that the Pope's message is addressed. Noting that the work of the conference is inspired by the figure of the prodigal son, the Pope exhorts those present to recognize themselves in this lost son who returns to the Father who never tires of embracing him and reaffirming him with love.

This is how the Church behaves with sinners, offering them God's mercy, Pope Francis said. He exhorted the participants in the gathering to open their hearts, to look within and recognize that they are sinners with the desire to be redeemed by the Lord.

Pope Francis noted that Christ's open arms on the cross show that no one is excluded from the Father's love or from his mercy", since Jesus "does not resign himself to losing any of his children and that He urges us to go out to seek them.

Special Envoy to Medjugorje

Archbishop Henryk Hoser, retired Archbishop of Warsaw-Prague in Poland, begins his mandate on Sunday (tomorrow) as Apostolic Visitor to Saint James Parish in Medjugorje. He will inaugurate his ministry with solemn Mass in the evening and has invited all of the faithful and pilgrims present to participate.

Archbishop Hoser was first appointed by Pope Francis as a special envoy from the Holy See to Saint James Parish on 11 February 2017. At that time the Holy See’s Press Office stated that the mission entrusted to the then Archbishop of Warsaw-Prague has the aim of acquiring a deeper knowledge of the pastoral situation there and above all, of the needs of the faithful who go there on pilgrimage, and on the basis of this, to suggest possible pastoral initiatives for the future. The mission will therefore have an exclusively pastoral character. The statement said that his mandate was expected to conclude by the end of summer 2017.

The same day the Press Office released this statement, Director Greg Burke underlined that the mission of the Special Envoy is a sign of the Holy Father’s attention toward the pilgrims. The scope is not inquisitorial, but strictly pastoral. The Envoy will not enter into questions regarding the Marian apparitions, which are the competence of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He will be in contact with the diocesan bishop, the Franciscan Friars Minor – to whom the parish of Medjugorje is entrusted – and with the faithful of the area. ... It is a mission for the pilgrims, not against anyone.

Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Hoser a second time as special apostolic visitor for the parish of Medjugorje on 31 May 2018. According to the statement released by the Holy See’s Press Office, the mandate will last for an undefined period and ad nutum Sanctae (at the Holy See’s disposition).

Once again, Archbishop Hoser will exercise an exclusively pastoral office in continuity with his first mandate which came to an end recently.  The Holy See’s Press Office explains, the mission of the Apostolic Visitor has the aim of ensuring a stable and continuous accompaniment to the parish community of Medjugorje and to the faithful who go there as pilgrims, and whose needs require particular attention.

A truly happy heart

Here is the text of the homily I prepared for the funeral we celebrated earlier today.  At moments such as these, we are reminded that earthly life is finite but we look forward to everlasting life and death is nothing but a door through which we must pass.

Funeral homily for Theresa Carriere

There are some moments in life that are unforgettable.  There are some moments in life that we never want to forget.  There are some moments in life when we need to stop, look around us and realize that something significant is happening.  This is one of those moments.

Members of this parish family have gathered here, along with members of Theresa’s immediate family in order to do what all of God’s beloved children do when one of our loved ones completes his or her earthly journey.  We have come to commend the eternal soul of our sister into the loving arms of our God.  We gather to pray and to listen again to the words that the Lord Jesus spoke to his disciples at another time in history when they too had learned that his time among them was short.  Jesus told them: Do not let your hearts be troubled (Jn 14:1) and he also told them: trust in God, and trust in me.

During the time that he had spent with his disciples, Jesus spoke with them on many occasions about his Father, about the Father’s love for them.  Now that the time had come for Jesus to return to the Father, he needed to remind the disciples that there are many rooms in the Father’s house (Jn 14:2): room for all of God’s children.

Throughout her many years, Theresa heard these words read again and again.  She also experienced the great gift of knowing Jesus, and of building relationships with her parents, her sister and with many others who helped her to discover the gift of a heart that is not troubled but rather a heart that is truly happy.  When we have known the gift of a happy heart, we can begin to trust ... and this is the true key to enduring happiness.

In time, Theresa taught this truth to others: to the people who had the great privilege of being part of her immediate family and to those who had the joy of knowing her as a friend, and those who shared the bonds of being part of Theresa’s family of faith too.  As Saint Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome, everyone moved by the Spirit is a child of God (Rom 8:14).  We have all been given the spirit of children and together, we look toward our heavenly Father on this day and cry out to him: Abba, daddy, Father! (Rom 8:15), take our beloved sister Theresa to heaven as you have promised.  Now that her place has been prepared, so that where you are, she may be too (Jn 14:3).

How many times have people sat with Theresa around a table, broken bread, shared words and then continued the journey?  Now that her earthly journey is complete, we pray that she will be granted a place to sit at the Lord’s heavenly banquet table (cf Is 25:6).  She who fed so many in so many ways can now feast in the presence of God forever, and we who are saddened by the fact that we have been parted from her can take comfort in the knowledge that God, who knows our pain, is also very close to us wiping away the tears from our cheeks (Is 25:8), comforting us in his loving embrace and whispering gently into our ears: Don’t be worried about her now.  She is with me, waiting and watching over you until the day when you will see her again.

Five additional saints to be canonized

At 10:00am local time (4:00am EDT) in the Consistory Hall at the Vatican Apostolic Palace, there was an Ordinary Public Consistory in order to name new Saints.  His Holiness announced his intention to canonize five additional individuals (in addition to Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Oscar Romero) during the Canonization ceremony which will take place on October 14 of this year.

Those who are to be Canonized include:

Blessed Nunzio Sulprizio who was born in Pescosansonesco (Italy) on 13 April 1817 and died in Naples (Italy) on 5 May 1836. He was canonized by Pope Paul VI on 1 December 1963.

Blessed Francesco Spinelli, a diocesan priest and Founder of the Institute of the Sister Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament, who was born in Milan (Italy) on 14 April 1853 and died at Rivolta d’Adda (Italy) on 6 February 1913.

Blessed Vincenzo Romano, a diocesan priest, who was born at Torre del Greco (Italy) on 3 June 1751 and died there on 20 December 1831.

Blessed Maria Caterina Kasper, Foundress of the Institute of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ who was born on 26 May 1820 in Dernbach (Germany) and died there on 2 February 1898.

Blessed Nazaria Ignazia March Mesa (whose religious name was Nazaria Ignazia di Santa Teresa di Gesù), Foundress of the Congregation of the Misioneras Cruzadas de la Iglesia Sisters who was born in Madrid (Spain) on 10 January 1889 and died in Buenos Aires (Argentina) on 6 July 1943.

Being highlighted in this group is Blessed Nunzio Sulprizio who died at the age of 19. It is fitting that a young person be canonized during the Synod on Young People (which will take place from 3 to 28 October 2018). Blessed Nunzio lost both of his parents while still a child and was brought up by an uncle. His uncle exploited him, not allowing him to go to school, and forcing him to work in his blacksmith shop. Regardless of extreme cold or intense heat, he was forced to carry enormous weights over great distances. He found refuge before the Tabernacle where he would keep Jesus company.

After contracting gangrene in one of his legs, he was sent to a hospital for people with incurable diseases in Naples. He suffered tremendously on account of the pain. Yet, he is known to have said such things as:

Jesus suffered so much for us and by his merits we await eternal life. If we suffer a little bit, we will taste the joy of paradise.

Jesus suffered a lot for me. Why should I not suffer for Him?

I would die in order to convert even one sinner.

When asked who was taking care of him, he would respond: God’s Providence. Once he got better, he dedicated himself to helping other patients. But his health took a sudden turn for the worse. He died from bone cancer before he reached his 20th birthday.

Pope Paul VI said the following when he beatified Nunzio on 1 December 1963:

Nunzio Sulprizio will tell you that the period of youth should not be considered the age of free passions, of inevitable falls, of invincible crises, of decadent pessimism, of harmful selfishness. Rather, he will tell you how being young is a grace … Saint Philip used to say: Blessed are you, young people, who have the time to do good. It is a grace, it is a blessing to be innocent, to be pure, to be happy, to be strong, to be full of ardor and life –  just like those who receive the gift of fresh and new existence should be, regenerated and sanctified by baptism. They receive a treasure that should not be foolishly wasted, but should be known, guarded, educated, developed, and used to produce fruit for their own benefit and that of others. He will tell you that no other age than yours, young people, is as suitable for great ideals, for generous heroism, for the coherent demands of thought and action. He will teach you how you young people can regenerate the world in which Providence has called you to live, and how it is up to you first to consecrate yourselves for the salvation of a society that needs strong and fearless souls. He will teach you that the supreme word of Christ is to be the sacrifice, the cross, for our own salvation and that of the world. Young people understand this supreme vocation.

200 years of Evangelization

There was a special Eucharistic celebration to mark the 200th anniversary of the Evangelization of the Church in Western and Northern Canada that took place yesterday at the Cathedral of Saint Boniface (in Saint Boniface, Manitoba).  His Eminence, Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, Archbishop of Quebec and Primate of Canada presided at the celebration - at the request of the Holy Father.

Photo courtesy of Salt+Light Media

Homily of His Eminence, Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix

Archbishop of Quebec and Primate of Canada

Go!  On with the Mission!

Am 7: 12-15  •  Ps 84 (85)  •  Ep 1: 3-14  •  Mk 6: 7-13

Dear brothers and sisters,

In French, when we conjugate the verb aller (to go) in the present tense, we see that it changes form—from je vais, tu vas, il/elle va, to nous allons, vous allez, ending with the original form,ils vont.  The same thing happens in the French imperative: Va, allons, allez.  Yet, it’s always the same verb, which expresses action and movement so well.

This short reference to the whims of French grammar is not at all trivial if you remember that the verb aller (to go) is often best expressed in the plural, allez (the imperative form, meaning Go!).  Could this mean we are most active and undertaking when we function together?  Precisely! That is the missionary drive lived daringly together—first by the pioneers, and then by all of you—as expressed by the verb aller, GO!   In fact, that’s the key to understand the Word of God on this festive Sunday, this Jubilee for the 200 years of evangelization of Western and Northern Canada.

We are gathered here today because men and women responded in great numbers to the call of Christ, because they went beyond the frontiers of their homes and comfort zones to go and bear the Good News of the Gospel to the farthest peripheries of this immense territory.

You probably noticed much movement in this Sunday’s Bible texts. The Lord calls persons to join him. He captivates their souls and meets their most basic hopes, then he sends them on mission. That is how the story of salvation began and has continued, ever since the Gospel set on fire the hearts of men and women who had personally encountered Someone who changed their lives: Jesus Christ. Such encounters propelled those disciples to share their faith, their hope and their love. And so they became missionaries. Actually, disciples and missionaries are two words, two realities proceeding so deeply from the heart, that Pope Francis merged them into a new expression: missionary disciples.

How can we encounter Christ and savor the new life he brings us without feeling an irresistible urge to share this Good News?  It was here, in St. Boniface, that the mother-Church of all of Western and Northern Canada was born, grew and pursued its missionary drive, thanks to the women and men seared by that encounter, that friendship with Christ. It’s not surprising that the Gospel seed bore so much fruit, and that you can today appreciate its value and celebrate its wonderful development!

When the Gospel carried by witnesses to the Risen Christ arrives in a region, when missionary disciples settle in some corner of a country, a whole new chapter of human history begins, for the Gospel is not limited to words. It is a life project, a family project, a community project. The Gospel message proposes a wide range of values and attitudes that influence society and transform it like leaven in dough.  The celebrations of your bicentennial enable you to measure even more accurately the benefits of the Church’s action among you.

Celebrating the 200-year presence of Christ’s disciples and accomplishments, however extensive they may be, cannot remain a review of the past. It can also be a serious challenge to continue the work begun, since so much still lies ahead. We need only think of the urgency to pursue community relationships in harmony, respect and justice. We need only measure the road ahead to heal the wounds of the past and gather believers—without considering the color of their skin or their socioeconomic origins—bring them together in a Christian community united and in solidarity, so that the world may believe (John 17:21).

The Bible texts proclaimed today are an invitation to become engaged on mission roads. As in the days of Amos, the Lord chooses someone and tells him, Go, you will be a prophet for my people Israel.  To you, the faithful of the Church in Western and Northern Canada, the Lord says, Go, you will be a prophet to my people of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

What time is it in your immense territory?  It is time to evangelize!  We are well aware of the enormous challenges to be taken up in our country. We find a huge deficit of hope among many of our men and women citizens everywhere. In a country as prosperous as Canada, as rich in human and material resources, isn’t it scandalous to see a large number of individuals and families suffering because they do not have a place in any community; others, especially children, hungering and thirsting for food and affection; many persons painfully striving to escape at least a bit from misery, or plagued by being the everlasting victims of segregation and ostracism?  How can we give a Christian answer to so many injustices and inequalities when the Lord says, I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me? (Matthew 25:40)

Now is the time to evangelize! Now is the time to leave our comfort zones to go and meet our brothers and sisters who seek meaning, hope, a just life, safety and peace. We have met the One who fulfills human needs, Christ Jesus. His Gospel is a way of life, for he is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6).  Let us go forth and share him!

Brothers and sisters, yes! Dare to go on mission!  It’s not a question of trekking over land and sea, but of opening one’s spirit and heart to the needs of those with whom we live and work, our brothers and sisters in humanity awaiting signs of reconciliation, kindness, justice and love. What Jesus asks the twelve Apostles to do in this Sunday’s Gospel, he expects us to do as well. He calls us to love the world for which he came and which he saved. He invites us to lend a hand, to serve our neighbor as he did, to put on an apron and maybe even get our hands dirty.

And Jesus entrusts this great mission to our entire Church, not only to the Pope, to bishops and priests. We are all responsible to put the missionary mandate into effect, for Jesus says the same thing to us as he did to his Apostles: Go therefore, make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you (Matthew 28:19-20).

Imagine all the ardor and apostolic zeal of Father Joseph-Norbert Provencher and his companions when they embarked on the long journey that would lead them from Quebec City to the Red River, here!  Imagine the audacity and courage of the first Sisters of Charity who freely chose to come and work for the mission in a land to be built up!

Dear friends, what the Church needs today is persons of this calibre—young and old—to pursue its evangelizing mission. The Lord needs labourers in his fields because the harvest is plentiful. Here …, you know all about harvests from observing the vast expanses of your prairies. Let us have the courage and audacity of those Ephesians to whom Saint Paul wrote, You too, after hearing the message of the truth and the Good News of your salvation, and believing it, you have been stamped with the seal of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit urges us to go forth to evangelize, mainly through the coherent witnessing of our own lives and the evangelical principles to which we are bonded by our baptism.

Dear brothers and sisters of Western and Northern Canada, The love of Christ urges us on! (II Corinthians 5:14). The time has come to put on our walking boots and go out on mission. Great fields of work call upon us and await us. Your origins reveal such a rich cultural diversity. At the arrival of the first missionaries, there were Indigenous peoples, Metis and the English, gradually joined by people from all over the planet. All of this presents real challenges to live together in peace and harmony; but that cultural and spiritual wealth also offers fine opportunities to witness that the Gospel opens one up to a quality of life and enables one to surpass oneself, since the Church is built on the pillars of love and truth.

At the invitation of Jesus, let us go forth with what is essential—the love of God that we enjoy thanks to our encounter with the Risen Christ—and witness to his living, active presence in our lives. On the way, the Lord will show us how to live together as true brothers and sisters. Don’t ever say that it is mission impossible! The Lord called Amos when he was just a shepherd boy and made him a prophet. Jesus called humble fishermen of Galilee to make them his apostles, his envoys. The Lord does not choose the able, but enables those he chooses!

All this is possible if we follow the command of the Lord Jesus who tells us: Go! This mission becomes possible when our response is nourished from the sources of the Spirit and by the audacity of our faith in his presence. Each of us can say: Je vais, tu vas, il va (I go forth, you go, he goes).  Together we count on one another to affirm: Nous allons, vous allez, ils vont (We go forth, you all go, they go).  And the missionary spirit fires our zeal so that every individual may be a figure of Christ, and every community may be a dwelling place for his Church.

Brothers and sisters of Western and Northern Canada, Go!  On with the Mission!

Photo courtesy of Salt+Light Media

Remarks of His Eminence, Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix

at the conclusion of the Eucharistic Celebration

marking the 200th anniversary of the Evangelization

of Western and Northern Canada

During my brief stay in Rome, a week ago, I had the joy of meeting and having a fraternal conversation with Pope Francis. It was an opportunity to share with him on the life of the Church in Canada, and especially on the proclamation of the Gospel to the many Indigenous and Metis communities and other groups of various origins living in the vast territories of our country.

To the Indigenous peoples and to all the Canadian population, the Holy Father wishes to express—through my voice and my presence among you—his closeness and concern during the ongoing process of healing, reconciliation and search for harmony.  He calls on us to pursue this important but demanding endeavour in mutual understanding, respect and justice. As he mentions in the letter in which he delegated me to this celebration, the Holy Father invites Indigenous peoples to take time to recover a serene harmony with creation, reflecting on our lifestyle and our ideals, and contemplating the Creator who lives among us and surrounds us, whose presence must not be contrived but found, uncovered (Laudato Sí, 225)

Contrary to what has been said in recent months in the public arena, the Pope is not disinterested in the steps currently being taken to reach—as effectively and as rapidly as possible—consensual social solutions and a harmonization of relationships between Indigenous peoples and the Catholic Church. Quite the contrary, let me assure you!  The Holy Father exhorts us to persevere wisely and generously, all together, on that delicate and necessary road to the healing of hearts and lives, so that peace and joy may reign in communities.

He encourages both pastors and the faithful in the Catholic Church in Canada to pray for this intention and to become resolutely involved in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ promised to those working for peace in all places, on all occasions, without hesitation, reluctance or fear (Evangelii Gaudium, 23)


Pope Francis assures us of his constant prayer, his great interest in being regularly informed on the work in progress, and his deep affection.  Finally, he asks us, as he always does, to pray for him.

Greetings to youth in Martinique

The Holy Father, Pope Francis has sent a video message to young people who are participating in a Youth Gathering which has been organized by the Episcopal Conference of the Antilles (AECYA). The Gathering is taking place in the Archdiocese of Saint-Pierre and Fort-de-France (Martinique) from 10 to 23 July 2018.

Transcription of the Video Message sent by the Holy Father, Pope Francis

to young people gathered in the Archdiocese of Saint-Pierre and Fort-de-France

Good morning,

I warmly greet all of you, young people who are seeking to transform the Caribbean family.  Good work.  I can see that you really want this.  Keep going forward.

Yours is a good topic, you are young, but I ask you: Are you young or are you already growing old?  Because if you are already growing old, you will not be able to do anything.  You have to be youthful young people ... with all the strength that characterizes youth in order to transform.  And the first thing you have to do is to see whether you are settled.  No, if you are settled, things will not go ahead.  You have to uproot those who have already begun to put down roots and start fighting.  You need to transform, to go on ahead and to make your own the teachings laid out in the post-Synodal Exhortation on the Family in order to help your family, in order to transform the Caribbean family.  Carry your family forward today for tomorrow: which is to say, in the present for the sake of the future.  And today, in order to describe the present, you must know how to describe it, you need to know how to understand the face of tomorrow.  And in your journey from today to tomorrow, you need the doctrine on the family and it is outlined in the fourth chapter of the Exhortation: that is the nucleus.  Study it.  Look there and you will find guidelines.  That's for today and tomorrow, but we also have yesterday.  We cannot look to tomorrow without also looking at yesterday.  We cannot look at the future without reflecting on the past.  You are preparing to transform something that has been passed on to you by your elders.  You are receiving yesterday's history, yesterday's traditions.  You have roots and I want to speak with you about this for a moment: you will never be able to do anything, either in the present or in the future, if you are not rooted in your past, if you do not know your history, your culture, your family; if you do not keep your roots well established within you.  From your roots, you will be able to find the strength to move forward.  All of us and all of you were not manufactured in a laboratory, we have a history, we all have roots.  And everything that we do, the fruit that we bear and give to others, the beauty that we can accomplish in the future, everything comes from our roots.

A poet concluded his poem with this phrase: Everything that the tree brings forth in flower, comes from that which it holds underground.  Look back toward your own roots too, look back to your grandparents, look back to those who are aged and talk with them, and then take what they say and keep going forward.  Transformed, but in this way, you will still have the treasure of your roots, the strength to transform your families.  This is a transforming tension.  There can be no transformation without tension.

I told you that the nucleus of Amoris Laetitia is the fourth chapter.  How to experience love.  How to experience it in the family setting.  Speak among yourselves about chapter four.  You will have much strength to go on ahead and to effect transformation.  And do not forget one thing: that love has its own strength.  Love has its own strength.  And love never ends.  Saint Paul says: Faith, hope and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love (cf 1 Cor 13:13).  You are transforming something that is for all eternity.  That alone will remain forever.  You have done very good work.  Keep going.  May God bless you, I am praying for you and please, don't forget to pray for me.  Goodbye!

The school of discipleship

This weekend, the liturgies present us with a reminder that we are constantly in need of learning about how we are called to be disciples: to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

Travel light

Dear friends, once again, we have come through the doors of the school of discipleship and gathered at the feet of the Master, but we are not meant to stay here for long.  Saint Mark tells us that Jesus called the twelve and began to send them out ... (Mk 6:7).  This is what Jesus does with us as well: he calls us together so that he can teach us how to be his disciples; he feeds us with special food and then he sends us out into the world so that we can share the good news with those we encounter.

Discipleship is a journey that lasts a lifetime, but we must be careful not to burden ourselves with too much baggage, otherwise our journey will be weighed down and arduous.  As he said to the disciples, so Jesus says to us: take nothing for the journey except those things that are absolutely essential (cf Mk 6:8).  Pope Francis has repeatedly invited us to be missionary disciples.  It is our mission in life to spread the joy of the gospel.  Every day, we are invited to enter into people’s lives, to spend time with them, sharing our friendship and the experience of following in the footsteps of Jesus (cf Mk 6:10).

At first glance, it might seem that the task set before us is daunting, but we have the examples of many others who have gone before us, like Amos.  He was very aware of his own limitations, but he also knew that the Lord had sent him out, saying: Go, prophesy to my people (Amos 7:15).

In the same way as the Lord gave Amos the conviction to share his faith with others, so he gives us everything we need so that we too can be missionary disciples, able to tell the men and women of our time that the Lord has destined us for adoption as his precious children (cf Eph 1:5).  Think about that for a moment: you and I are precious children of our God.  What an amazing privilege that is!  Our God is not someone who is distant and remote.  He is here in our midst, speaking with us now through His word, instructing our hearts and souls and encouraging us to realize how deeply we are loved, how precious each one of us is in His eyes.

This is exactly what he has done with each one of his precious children, beginning with the disciples and continuing throughout the centuries that have come and gone.  Then he sends us out – not to live isolated lives of faith, but rather to travel together along the road, celebrating one another’s victories and encouraging one another as we walk along ... until the time that we can gather once again in His presence to learn, to be fed and to be sent out once again.

N’emporte pas trop de bagages

Chers amis, encore une fois, nous avons franchi les portes de l'école de disciple et nous sommes rassemblés aux pieds du Maître, mais nous ne sommes pas destinés à rester ici longtemps. Saint Marc nous dit que Jésus appela les Douze; alors il commença à les envoyer ... (Mc 6,7).  C'est ce que Jésus fait aussi avec nous: il nous rassemble pour qu'il nous enseigne comment être ses disciples; il nous nourrit de la nourriture spéciale et ensuite il nous envoie dans le monde afin que nous puissions partager la bonne nouvelle avec ceux et celles que nous rencontrons.

La vie de disciple est un voyage qui dure toute une vie, mais nous devons veiller à ne pas nous encombrer de trop de bagages, sinon notre voyage sera lourd et pénible. Comme il l'a dit aux disciples, Jésus nous dit: ne rien prendre pour la route, sauf les choses qui nous sont absolument essentielles (cf. Mc 6,8). Le pape François nous invite à plusieurs reprises à être des disciples missionnaires. C'est notre mission de répandre la joie de l'Évangile. Chaque jour, nous sommes invités à entrer dans la vie des gens, à passer du temps avec eux, à partager notre amitié et notre expérience de marcher sur les traces de Jésus (cf. Mc 6,10).

À première vue, nous pouvons croire que la tâche qui nous attend est intimidante, mais nous avons les exemples de beaucoup d'autres hommes et femmes qui nous ont précédés, comme Amos par exemple. Il était très conscient de ses propres limites, mais il savait aussi que le Seigneur l'avait saisi et lui avait dit: Va, tu seras prophète pour mon peuple (Amos 7:15).

De même que le Seigneur a donné à Amos la conviction de partager sa foi avec d’autres, il nous donne aussi ce dont nous avons besoin pour que nous soyons des disciples missionnaires capables de dire aux hommes et aux femmes de notre temps que le Seigneur nous a prédestinés à être pour lui, des enfants adoptifs par Jésus, le Christ (cf. Eph 1,5). Pensez-y un instant: vous et moi, nous sommes des enfants précieux de notre Dieu. Quel privilège incroyable! Notre Dieu n'est pas quelqu'un qui se tient à distance. Il est ici au milieu de nous, parlant avec nous maintenant à travers Sa Parole, instruisant nos cœurs et nos âmes et nous encourageant à réaliser à quel point nous sommes profondément aimés, combien précieux nous sommes – chacun de nous - à Ses yeux.

C'est exactement ce qu'il a toujours fait avec chacun de ses précieux enfants, en commençant par les disciples et en continuant tout au long des siècles qui sont passés depuis ce temps. Puis il nous envoie - non pas pour vivre une vie de foi isolée, mais afin de faire la route ensemble, pour qu’on célèbre les victoires des uns des autres et pour que nous nous encouragions les uns les autres ... jusqu'à ce que nous puissions nous réunir de nouveau en sa présence là où nous pourrons apprendre, être nourri et être envoyés de nouveau.

Angelus about the sending of the disciples

At noon today in Rome (6:00am EDT), the Holy Father, Pope Francis appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace to recite the Angelus with the faithful and with pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter's Square.

Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis

prior to the recitation of the Angelus

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

Today's gospel (cf Mk 6:7-13) narrates the moment in which Jesus sends the disciples out on mission.  After having called them by name, one by one, so that they could be with him (Mk 3:14), listening to his words and observing his gestures of healing, now he calls them together again in order to send them out two by two (Mk 6:7) into the villages where he himself intended to go.  This was a kind of training in preparation for what they would be called to do after the Lord's Resurrection, with the strength of the Holy Spirit.

The gospel passage focuses on the missionary style, which we can sum up in two points: a main mission and a mission with a face.

A missionary disciple has, first of all, a main point of reference, which is the person of Jesus.  The gospel passage indicates the use of a series of words which focus on him: called them to himself, took them and sent them, gave them power, commanded, told them (Mk 6:7,8,10), so that the act of going forward and the works performed by the disciples appears to be radiating from a central point, a kind of repetition of the presence and the works of Jesus in their missionary activities.  This shows us that the Apostles had nothing of their own to proclaim, nor did they have the capability to perform such works on their own, but rather that they spoke and acted as those who were sent as messengers of Jesus.

This biblical episode also speaks to us, and not only to priests but to all the baptized, called to bear witness - in various walks of life, to the gospel of Christ.  For us too, this mission is only authentic to the extent that it is centred in the unchanging presence of Jesus.  It is not a matter of an effort put forward by any individual, nor any group, nor even a greater gathering of persons; rather it is the mission of the Church which is unchangingly united to her Lord.  No Christian proclaims his or her gospel; we are sent by the Church which has received a mandate from Christ himself.  It is Baptism that makes us missionaries.  A person who has been baptized but who does not feel the need to proclaim the gospel, to proclaim Jesus, is not a good Christian.

The second characteristic of the missionary lifestyle is, so to speak, a face, which consists in a poverty of means.  The missionary's activity must meet a criterion of sobriety.  In fact, the twelve disciples were ordered not to take anything for the journey, except for a staff: no bread, no bag, no money in their belts (Mk 6:8).  The Master wanted them them to be free and light, free of baggage and extras, relying only on the love of Him who has sent them, strengthened only by his word which they have been sent to proclaim.  The staff and the sandals are the possessions of pilgrims, for they are the messengers of God's kingdom, they are not all-powerful managers, nor irreplaceable officials, they have not been sent out on tour.

We can think for example of this Diocese, of which I am the Bishop.  We can think about some of the saints from this Diocese of Rome: Saint Philip Neri, Saint Benedict Joseph Labre, Saint Alessio, Saint Ludovica Albertini, Sabint Frances of Rome, Saint Gaspar del Bufalo and many others.  They were not officials or businessmen, rather they were humble workers for the Kingdom.  They had the face of the Kingdom.  And a part of this face is also the way in which the message will be welcomed: in fact, it may happen that the message is not welcomed, nor listened to (cf Mk 6:11).  This too is poverty: the experience of failure.  The story of Jesus, who was himself rejected and crucified, prefigures the destiny of his messenger.  Only if we are united to Him, who died and rose again, will we succeed in finding the courage to evangelize.

May the Virgin Mary, the first disciple and missionary of the Word of God, help us to proclaim the message of the gospel to the world in humble and radiant exaltation, beyond any form of rejection, misunderstanding or trial.



After the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:

Dear brothers and sisters,

With all my heart, I greet you, Romans and pilgrims from Italy and from other parts of the world: families, parish groups and associations.

In particular, I greet the Sisters of the Precious Blood from Monza, the novices from the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians who have come from various countries and the young Poles from the Diocese of Pelplin (Poland), who are taking part in spiritual exercises in Assisi.

I wish you all a good Sunday, and please, don't forget to pray for me.  Enjoy your lunch and good bye!