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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis presided over Mass for the feast of the Epiphany which was celebrated on Friday in St Peter's Basilica.Below is an English translation of the Pope's homily.“Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we have observed his star in the East, and have come to worship him” (Mt 2:2).With these words, the Magi, come from afar, tell us the reason for their long journey: they came to worship the newborn King. To see and to worship. These two actions stand out in the Gospel account. We saw a star and we want to worship.These men saw a star that made them set out. The discovery of something unusual in the heavens sparked a whole series of events. The star did not shine just for them, nor did they have special DNA to be able to see it. As one of the Church Fathers rightly noted, the Magi did not set out because they had seen the star, but they saw the star because they had already set ou...
Vatican Weekend for January 8, 2017 presents our weekly reflection on the Sunday Gospel reading and our resident Vatican watcher, Joan Lewis looks back at Pope Francis' activities over the past week, including the Pope's New Year's Day Peace Message and Angelus.Listen to this programme produced and presented by Tracey McClure :
Vatican Weekend for January 7, 2017 presents a look at Saints Basil and Gregory, a feature program on the 3 Magi and their role in Christian art throughout the ages, and 'Keeping the Christmas spirit:' Mgr William Millea offers a reflection for this season celebrating Christ’s birth…..Listen to this programme produced and presented by Tracey McClure:
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday celebrated Mass for the feast of the Epiphany telling the faithful in St Peter's Basilica the Magi personify all those who believe and long for God.Listen to Lydia O'Kane's report: The 6th of January is synonymous with the Magi who, following a star are led to the Christ child in Bethlehem. And it was next to a manger containing the baby Jesus in St Peter’s Basilica that Pope Francis in his homily spoke about these three Kings who, he said, “personify all those who believe, those who long for God, who yearn for their home, their heavenly homeland.” They reflect, he added, “the image of all those who in their lives have not let their hearts become anesthetized.”Like these kings, the Pope explained, “a holy longing for God helps us keep alert in the face of every attempt to reduce and impoverish our life. That longing keeps hope alive in the community of believers, which from week...
A fire on Monday evening, this week, burned down part of the iconic Sacred Heart of Lomé’s Cathedral. Fortunately, greater damage was avoided as the fire was brought under control by the rapid intervention of firefighters.According to witnesses, the fire started in the afternoon about 16.30, local time. The administrator of the Cathedral, Father Désiré Kpodar, was alerted to the fire by a loud noise emanating from the side of the Sacristy.Very quickly, a huge crowd gathered around the building to fight the flames before the arrival of firefighters. According to Lieutenant-Colonel Agoro Tchanile, commander of firefighters in Lomé, the fire was contained within 45 minutes.There were no reported injuries or loss of life.The Cathedral of Lomé is a historical building situated right in the heart of the Togolese capital. It attracts thousands of visitors each year. Of Gothic style, it was built between 1901 - 1902 by German Catholic missionaries....
(Vatican Radio) "We learn from the Magi not to devote only spare time and some thoughts every now and then. Like the Magi, let us set out, clothe ourselves in the light following the star of Jesus, and love the Lord with all our might". Those were Pope Francis’ words to the thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square for the Angelus of the Epiphany, to which he donated a book on Mercy distributed by the poor attendance.Like the Magi chose to be guided by the star of Jesus - said the Pope, "even in our life there are several stars. It's up to us to choose which to follow.""There are flashing lights that come and go, like the small pleasures of life: although good, they are not enough… “The Magi invite us to follow the true light that is Lord - said Pope Francis - "a light that does not dazzle, but it accompanies and gives a unique joy. Follow today, among the many shooting stars in the world, the bright star of Jesus! ...
The Bishop of Yei in South Sudan, Erkolano Lodu Tombe, has repeated his request to the government to allow him travel into the jungle to speak with rebel fighters and find out their grievances.According to Catholic Radio Easter of South Sudan, the Yei Catholic Bishop who is also the Chairperson of Yei Church Leaders’ Ecumenical Team, says the permission is needed to avoid unnecessary suspicion at various checkpoints he would have to encounter.Bishop Erkolano Lodu Tombe says the church is not a spy for any party and his interest in going to seek the rebel fighters is only to make sure that the fighting stops. Local political administrators have already approved the Bishop's request but the Yei State Information Minister, Stephen Lado Onesimo, said the state government is still waiting for a response and clearance from the national government of South Sudan.The Bishop disclosed his intention at a meeting held this week, in Yei River State. The meeting involved the Sud...
Washington D.C., Jan 6, 2017 / 03:01 am (CNA/EWTN News).- While the hustle and bustle of Christmas ends for many people on Dec. 26, throughout Christian history Christmas lasts for twelve days – all the way until Jan. 6.This feast marking the end of Christmas is called “Epiphany.”In the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, Epiphany celebrates the revelation that Jesus was the Son of God. It focuses primarily on this revelation to the Three Wise Men, but also in his baptism in the Jordan and at the wedding at Cana.In the Eastern rites of the Catholic Church, Theophany – as Epiphany is known in the East – commemorates the manifestation of Jesus' divinity at his Baptism in the River Jordan.While the traditional date for the feast is Jan. 6, in the United States the celebration of Epiphany is moved to the next Sunday, overlapping with the rest of the Western Church’s celebration of the Baptism of Christ.However, the meaning of the feast goes deeper ...
Vatican City, Jan 6, 2017 / 04:47 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis Friday, the Feast of the Epiphany, said that the Magi are not just men who sought out and worshiped the Christ-child a long time ago – they exemplify everyone who has a restless heart, everyone searching for God.The hearts of the Magi “were open to the horizon and they could see what the heavens were showing them, for they were guided by an inner restlessness,” he said Jan. 6. “They were open to something new.”“The Magi thus personify all those who believe, those who long for God, who yearn for their home, their heavenly homeland.”In his homily in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis explained how this “holy longing” for God is present in the hearts of believers because we know that the Gospel is not just something of the past, but that it is also here and now.And this longing for God is what helps to keep us alert in the face of trials, and to keep the faith...
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Before Dylann Roof was arrested for killing nine black church members, he scribbled a note to his mother, apologizing for all the repercussions his actions would cause. Weeks later, in a jailhouse journal, he wrote that he had no regrets....
