March 18, Fourth Sunday of Lent
Extreme right: 15th century painting of St. Jerome appearing to St. Cyril.
ST. CYRIL OF JERUSALEM (315-386), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church
St. Cyril was born in Caesarea and is among the remarkable group of great 4th century Church Fathers and eventual Doctors of the Church
who were his contemporaries (Ambrose, Jerome, Augustine, Athanasiua, Basil, Gregory Nazianzus, John Chrysostom, Ephraem of Syria,
Hilary of Poitiers). He was ordained deacon by Macarius, and consecrated as a bishop by Maximus, both of whom would become saints. Cyril
lived during the high tide of the Arian heresy, and his determined stand against this heresy earned him exile three times, so that half his life
as bishop was spent in exile. With St. Gregory of Nyssa, he attended the second Council of Constantinople, which adopted a modified version
of the Nicene Creed. Although his orthodoxy was apparently doubted by Jerome and Athanasius, the Council at Constantinople hailed him as
a champion of the faith against Arianism. [In fact, his specific Church title is 'Doctor of Faith and against Heresy'.] Before he became a
bishop in 350, he was assigned to prepare catechumens for Baptism. The Catecheses that he wrote for them survive to this day, and was for
a long time, a primary reference on the liturgy and doctrine of the 4th century. Benedict XVI dedicated his catechesis of June 7, 2007
to St. Cyril.
www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20070627...
Readings for today's Mass:
usccb.org/bible/readings/031812.cfm
AT THE VATICAN TODAY
Sunday Angelus - The Holy Father reflected that in Lent, we continue our journey through the desert of silence
and temptation with Christ, facing the prospect of the Cross at the end, the Cross as the summit of love. After
the prayers, he thanked those who have sent him good wishes and prayers for his name day tomorrow, the feast
of St. Joseph, and requested prayers for his trip to Mexico and Cuba which begins on Friday.
The Vatican Press Office released the communique regarding the visit of European Council inspectors last week
to examine Vatican compliance with international standards against money-laundering and funding of terrorism
(See post above).
BENEDICT XVI MOURNS DEATH
OF ORTHODOX COPTIC POPE
The Vatican site does not carry this yet, but here is Vatican Radio's English translation of the Holy Father's
telegram of condolence today at the death of Pope Shenouda III, 88, Patriarch of Alexandria of the Orthodox Copts,
who succumbed to cancer.
On learning of the sad departure to God, our common Father, of His Holiness Shenouda III, Patriarch of Alexandria of the See of Saint Mark the Evangelist, I wish to express to the members of the Holy Synod, to the priests and all the faithful of all the Patriarchate, my most sincere brotherly compassion.
I recall with gratitude his commitment to Christian Unity, his memorable visit to my predecessor Pope Paul VI, and their signing of the Joint Declaration of Faith in the Incarnation of the Son of God together in Rome, on May 10, 1973, as well as his Cairo meeting with Pope John Paul II during the Great Jubilee of the Incarnation, on February 24, 2000.
I can say how the Catholic Church as a whole shares the grief that afflicts the Orthodox Copts, and how she stands in fervent prayer asking that He, who is who is the Resurrection and the Life, might welcome his faithful servant. May the God of all mercy receive Pope Shenouda in his joy, his peace, and his light.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 18/03/2012 14:32]