Friday, May 11, Fifth Week in Easter
ST. IGNAZIO DA LACONI (Sardinia, 1701-1791), Capuchin
One of the many 'begging' Capuchins who have become saints, Ignazio was born the second of seven children of peasant parents in Sardinia. During a serious illness, he vowed to become a Capuchin if he recovered. He regained his health but ignored the promise. A riding accident prompted him to renew the pledge, which he acted on this time - he was 20. His humility, self-denial and charity led to his appointment as the official beggar for the friars in Cagliari. He fulfilled that task for 40 years; he was blind the last two years. While on his begging rounds, Ignatius would instruct children, visit the sick and gently urge sinners to repent. The people of Cagliari were inspired by his kindness and his faithfulness to his work. Although he was in poor health since childhood, he lived to be 80. Many miracles were attributed to him after his death. He was beatified in 1940 and canonized in 1951.
Readings for today's Mass:
usccb.org/bible/readings/051112.cfm
AT THE VATICAN TODAY
The Holy Father met today with
- Seven US bishops from Florida (Region XIV) led by Mons. Tomas Wenski, Archbishop of Miami, on ad-limina visit
- H.E. Vytautas Ališauskas, Ambassador from Lithuania, on his farewell visit
- National directors of the Pontificie Opere Missionarie (Pontifical Missionary Works). Address in Italian.
And in the afternoon with
- Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.
The meeting precedes a concert offered by President Napolitano at Aula Paolo VI to mark the seventh
anniversary of Benedict XVI's Pontificate. Riccardo Muti will condict the Orchestra and Chorus of
the Rome Opera House in a performacne of Vivaldi's 'Magnificat' and Verdi's 'Stabat Mater' and 'Te Deum'
from his Quattro Sacri Pezzi (Four Sacred Pieces).
Vatican statement on
latest violence in Syria
May 11, 2012
The Vatican Press Office released this statement today:
Having witnessed yesterday's attacks which brought carnage to the streets of Damascus, we cannot but express our strong condemnation and the heartfelt closeness of the Holy Father and the Catholic community to the families of the victims.
These attacks should encourage all sides to boost and strengthen their commitment to implementing the Annan Peace Plan, which has been accepted by all sides in the conflict.
Yesterday's attacks also show that the situation in Syria requires a firm and joint commitment on the part of the entire international community to implement that plan and, as soon as possible, to send further observers.
The appeal made by the Holy Father on Easter Sunday is now more pressing than ever: it is necessary without delay to make an immediate commitment to the path of respect, dialogue and reconciliation.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 11/05/2012 16:36]