Wednesday, January 13
ST. HILAIRE (HILARY) OF POITIERS (France, 315-368), Bishop, Writer, Doctor of the Church
Benedict XVI, in October 2007, synthesized the saint's life this way: "Born around the year 310, baptized when he was about thirty-five,
he became Bishop of Poitiers some eight years later. In opposition to the Arians, who believed Jesus was a created being, Hilary dedicated
his life to defending our faith in the divinity of Christ. While exiled to Frigia, because of the stance he took against the Arians at the Synod
of Béziers, he began his most important work, De Trinitate. In this text he demonstrates how both the old and new testaments clearly attest
the divinity of the Son and his equality with the Father with whom he shares one nature. In his De Synodis Hilary maintained a conciliatory
spirit with those who used deficient theological formulations, while leading them to accept fully the Nicean creed. In 360 he returned home,
took up his pastoral duties, and continued to write. The influence of his teaching spread and many were strengthened in their resistance to
Arian thought, realising that Christ is our Saviour precisely because he is true God nd true man. Fundamental to Hilary’s insight was the
importance of our Trinitarian baptismal faith. Let us join him in praying to the Lord that we remain faithful to this confession, and always
bear joyful witness to our baptismal call!" St. Hilary has been called 'Hammer of the Arians' and 'Athanasius of the West'.
Readings for today's Mass: www.usccb.org/nab/readings/011310.shtml
OR today.
No papal stories in this issue. On Page 1: China tests an anti-missile system;
Obama prepares to tax US banks; tens of thousands of refugees have fled the civil
war in Democratic Republic of the Congo (capital Brazzaville) for the neighboring
Republic of Congo (capital Kinshasa); and a commentary on Istanbul as the current
'cultural capital of Europe' [a European city is given this designation every year].
In the inside pages is an interview with Cardinal Claudio Hummes, prefect of the
Congregation for the Clergy, who says bishops must show both firmness and a
fatherly attitude towards erring priests.
THE POPE'S DAY
General Audience - In the catechesis today, the Holy Father spoke of the extraordinary development
in the 13th century of the mendicant orders, epitomized by St. Francis and St. Dominic, who founded
their respective orders.
Pope calls on international community
to come to the aid of earthquake-stricken Haiti
The Holy Father offered his prayers and spiritual nearness to the people of Haiti whose capital, Port au Prince, was struck by a devastating earthquake early this morning, and was practically levelled, with a possible loss of thousands of lives, and most of its residents homeless.
In an appeal issued after his catechesis and plurilingual greetings at the General Audience today, the Pope said:
I wish to make an appeal for the tragic situation in Haiti. My thoughts go out especially to the population who have been struck most by a devastating earthquake, a few hours ago, which has caused grave losses in human life, a great number of homeless and displaced people, and enormous material damage.
I calll on everyone to join me in prayer to the Lord for the victims of this catastrophe and for those who mourn their loss.
I assure my spiritual closeness to those who have lost their homes and all those severely tried in various ways by this grave calamity, asking God to give them comfort and relief in ther suffering.
I appeal to the generosity of everyone, that there may be no lack of help and solidarity, and active assistance from the international community, for these brothers and sisters in their need and pain.
The Catholic Church will immediately activate its charitable institutions to extend immediate help to thost who need it most.
Meanwhile, there is a tragic bulletin from the Italian service
of the Missionary International Service news Agency:
Haiti Archbishop found dead
in the earthquake ruins
Translated from
the Italian service of
PORT AU PRINCE, HAITI, Jan. 14 (Translated from MISNA) - The lifeless body of Mons. Serge Miot (in photo, with the Pope), 66, Archbishop of Port au Prince, was found under the ruins of the Archbishop's residence, according to the missionaries of the Society of St. James, who have served in Haiti for more than 40 years.
They said they have not heard from Mons. Benoit, the Vicar General of the Haitian capital. The death of Mons. Viot was confirmed by the parish priest of the Cathedral of Haiti , according to Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the Apostolic Nuncio in Port au Prince, speaking to the FIDES news agency.
The Nuncio is also quoted in an online report by Avvenire:
'Screams and cries from the ruins:
The city center completely destroyed'
Translated from
"I have gone around Port-au-Prince to the extent that it is possible, The center is completly destroyed. The beautiful cathedral has been reduced to a pile of concrete, except for a few walls that remain standing. The Archbishop's residence is completely razed to the ground. All the churches have been destroyed - and hundreds of priests and seminarias are in the ruins. I don't think any such devastation has been seen before, Not even on TV."
These were the words of Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the Filipino who Has been Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti for less than 2 years, in an interview with
Avvenire to be published in full in tomorrow's issue.
Mons. Auza said, "I have visited the President of the Republic and his wife. They are very much in shock. The Preisdential Palace collapsed shortly after they hadd left the building, and their own home crumbled down just before the First Lady was about to enter it. They have taken shelter in their garage. But the President immediately left by car to visit hospitals and get damage assessment. All the ministries, except that for culture, have been destroyed, as well as the UN headquarters, whose delegation chief is among the hundreds feared dead under the ruins".
Pope meets Christmas Eve aggressor
Translated from
The director of the Vatican Press Office released this statement at noon today:
At the end of the General Audience this morning, the Holy Father had a brief meeting with Ms. Susanna Maiolo in a room next to the Aula Paolo VI.
Ms. Maiolo expressed her regret for what took place before Christmas Eve Mass on Dec. 23, and the Pope expressed his forgiveness, as well as his interest and cordial wishes for her health.
Ms. Maiolo was accompanied by two family members.
The investigation undertaken by the Magistrature of Vatican City State will continue to its completion.
I certainly read it all wrong when I speculated a few days ago that this event was unlikely to happen! I can't second-guess the Pope, so I won't comment, except to hope fervently that it's the last time we have to hear about Ms. Maiolo,!
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 13/01/2010 23:24]