BENEDICT XVI: NEWS, PAPAL TEXTS, PHOTOS AND COMMENTARY

Thursday, March 1, First Week of Lent

ST. DAVID OF WALES [DEWI SANT in Welsh] (Wales, 500-589)
Abbot, Bishop, Patron Saint of Wales
He was thought to be the son of a Welsh king who became a priest and soon gained fame as a teacher
and preacher, in a region that was often prey to barbaric invasions and surrounded by pagan lands.
He led a community of monks who followed a very ascetic rule of work and prayer, and were reputed
to live on nothing but bread, herbs and water. Legend has it that once, he was preaching to a large
crowd who were unable to see him, until a dove came to pluck him by the shoulder to raise him even
as the ground rose below him so everyone could see him. At one point, he traveled to Jerusalem where
the Patriarch consecrated him an archbishop. But he lived most of his life in Wales where he founded
many monasteries and lived to an advanced age. In the 11th century, a hagiography called Book of
David appeared supporting the local Welsh veneration of him. Indeed, he was canonized in 1120, the
only Welsh saint so far. Today there are more than 50 churches in Wales named for St. David. He is
buried at the church named for him in southwestern Wales where he founded his main monastery.
In September 2010, Benedict XVI unveiled a new portrait of St. David in London's Westminster Cathedral.
Readings for today's Mass: usccb.org/bible/readings/030112.cfm


AT THE VATICAN TODAY

The Holy Father is on retreat (Day 5).

The Prefecture for the Pontifical Household released the following communique:

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SERMONS FOR LENT 2012
Translated from


"Remember your leaders...and imitate their faith" (Heb 13,7)
The Fathers of the Church, Teachers of Faith

In preparation for the Year of Faith decreed by the Holy Father Benedict XVI (12 Oct 2012- 24 November 2013), the four sermons for Lent this year take inspiration and aim to give freshness to our beliefs through a renewed contact with the 'giants of teh faith' from the past.

We shall consider one by one the schools of thought represented by the four great Doctors of the Eastern Church - Athanasius, Basil, Gregory Nazianzene and Gregory of Nissa - to see what each of them has to say to us today about the dogmas which each of them championed specially: the divinity of Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, and knowledge of God, respectively.

P. RANIERO CANTALAMESSA, O.F.M. Cap.
Preacher of the Pontifical Household

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THE HOLY FATHER'S
PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MARCH 2012

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General intention:
"That the whole world may recognise the contribution of women
to the development of society."

Missionary intention:
"That the Holy Spirit may grant perseverance to those who suffer
discrimination, persecution or death for the name of Christ,
particularly in Asia."

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