Friday, December 18
BLESSED ANTHONY GRASSI (Italy, 1591-1671), Priest
Born in Fermo, northeast Italy, near Loreto, he was a devotee of Our Lady of Loreto
from his childhood. He became an Oratorian father [St. Philip Neri's order] known
for his unflappable serenity and his gifts as a father confessor and spiritual
counselor in his hometown. In 1621, he was struck by lightning while praying at
the Loreto shrine and was electrocuted so badly he was paralyzed and was expected
to die. But he survived, and threafter, he made an annual pilgrimage to Loreto. In
1625, he was named superior of the Oratorians in Fermo. His basic rule for everyone
was 'ad litteram', meaning follow orders to the letter. His central passion was the
daily Mass and Adoration in a long life that was otherwise unremarkable. In old age,
as he lost his physical faculties, his Archbishop came to give him Communion every
day. He was beatified in 1900.
OR today.
Benedict XVI tells 8 new ambassadors he hopes for
'Binding international agreements to protect the environment'
Other papal stories on Page 1: The Holy Father's meeting with the bishops of Belarus; the Mass to celebrate
the 90th birthday of Czech Cardinal Thomas Spidlik; and the reduction of Emmanuel Milingo to laical state.
The only international story on Page 1 is that the Copenhagen climate change conference expects at best
a declaration of intentions from participating governments.
THE POPE'S DAY
At 9 a.m., the Holy Father attended the third and last Advent sermon by the Preacher of the Royal Household
at the Redemptoris Mater chapel.
Later he met with
- Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches
- Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, emeritus Bishop of Hong Kong
- Belgian pilgrims who formally presented this year's Vatican Christmas tree which came from
the Ardennes forest in the Walloon region. Remarks in French.