ANGELUS TODAY
At noon, Benedict XVI addressed thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, and spoke to them of the new cardinals as well as the significance of the observance of the Solemnity of Peter's Chair.
He said the cardinals are intended yo assist the Successor of Peter in leading the Church, and that like him, they are pledged to serve Christ even to death 'in truth and love'.
In this regard, he called Peter's Chair a 'sign of authority...that of Christ, which is based on faith and love".
After the prayers, he greeted English-speaking pilgrims:
I welcome all the English-speaking visitors present for this Angelus prayer, especially those accompanying the new Cardinals.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus grants healing and life in body and soul in response to faith. May we too believe and trust in Christ, and seek from him both forgiveness of sin and the power to live a new life of grace. Upon all of you I invoke God’s blessings of joy and peace!
Here is a translation of the Holy Father's Angelus text:
Dear brothers and sisters:
This Sunday is especially festive here at the Vatican because of the Consistory held yesterday, at which I created 22 new cardinals.
With them, I had the joy this morning of concelebrating the Eucharist in St. Peter's Basilica around the Tomb of the Apostle whom Jesus called to be the 'rock' on which to build his Church (cfr Mt 16,18).
That is why I invite you all to join in praying for these venerated brothers who are now more committed to collaborate with me in the leadership of the universal Church and to give witness to the Gospel to the point of sacrificing their own life if necessary. That is the meaning of the color red pf their garments - the color of blood and of love.
Some of them work in Rome, in the service of the Holy See. Others are pastors of important diocesan Churches; and others have been distinguished by long and much-appreciated activity of study and teaching.
Now they are part of the College of Cardinals, those who most closely work with the Pope in his ministry of communion and evangelization. And we welcome them with joy, recalling what Jesus said to the Twelve Apostles: "Whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk 10,44-45).
This ecclesial event takes place with the liturgical background of the Feast of Peter's Chair or Cathedra, which we celebrate today because this year, February 22, its usual date, is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.
The cathedra is the seat reserved for a bishop, and gives its name to 'cathedral', the place in which the bishop presides at liturgy and teaches the people.
The Chair of St. Peter, represented in the apse of the Vatican Basilica by a monumental sculpture by Bernini, is a symbol of the special mission of Peter and his successors to pasture the flock of Christ, keeping them together in faith and love.
Already at the start of the second century after Christ, St. Ignatius of Antioch attributed to the Church of Rome a singular primacy, greeting her, in a letter to the Romans, as the Church which 'presides in love'.
This special task of service comes to the community of Rome and its bishop from the fact that the Apostles Peter and Paul shed their blood in this city, along with numerous other martyrs. Thus we come back to the witness of blood and love.
The Chair of St. Peter is, therefore, a sign of authority - that of Christ - based on faith and love.
Dear friends, let us entrust the new cardinals to the maternal protection of the Most Blessed Mary, so that she may help them always in their service to the Church and sustain them in their trials.
Mary, Mother of the Church, help me and my co-workers to work tirelessly for the unity of the People of God and to announce to all peoples the message of salvation, humbly and courageously carrying out our service of truth in love.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 20/02/2012 05:37]