BENEDICT XVI: NEWS, PAPAL TEXTS, PHOTOS AND COMMENTARY

Saturday, November 27, 34th Week in Ordinary Time

Second photo from right: John Paul II praying at the saint's tomb in Lucera.
ST. FRANCESCO ANTONIO FASANI (Italy, 1681-1747)
Franciscan friar, Mystic, Theologian
One of the many Franciscan saints (more than any other order), Fr. Fasani was a teacher, master of novices, provincial of his order, and parish priest in his hometown of Lucera, southeast Italy, and was known for his holiness and gifts of communication. In his various ministries, he was loving, devout and penitential. He was a sought-after confessor and preacher. One witness at the canonical hearings before his canonization testified, "In his preaching he spoke in a familiar way, filled as he was with the love of God and neighbor; fired by the Spirit, he made use of the words and deed of Holy Scripture, stirring his listeners and moving them to do penance." Francesco showed himself a loyal friend of the poor, never hesitating to seek from benefactors what was needed. When he died, children ran through the town shouting "The saint is dead! The saint is dead!". He was canonized in 1986. His tomb in Lucera continues to be a popular pilgrims' destination.
Readings for today's Mass:
www.usccb.org/nab/readings/112710.shtml


OR today.

The Pope speaks to Superiors-General on the priority for persons in consecrated life:
'To be searchers of God and prophets of brotherhood'
And to Italy's Catholic weekly newspapers, a call to serve the reasons for our faith
The other main story on Page 1 about the Church is the Mass offered Thursday at St. Peter's Basilica for the Christians of Iraq by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches (center photo above). Page 1 international news: Berlin and Paris urge more rigid anti-crisis measures for Europe; Spain and Portugal continue to alarm European markets; Russia considers establishing military bases abroad; Brazilian forces storm narco-criminals in a Rio de Janeiro favela; and more tension between the two Koreas. In teh inside pages, an excellent essay on St. Anselm of Aosta/Canterbury and his contribution to the construction of Europe; a report on the new Fondazione Vaticana Joseph Ratzinger-Benedetto VI; and on the wake at Santo Stefano degli Abissini for Manuela Camagni of the pontifical family.


THE POPE'S DAY

The Holy Father met today with

- H.E. Hidekazu Yamaguchi, Ambassador of Japan to the Holy See, who presented his credentials

- Eight bishops from the Philippines (Group 2) on ad limina visit. Individual meetings.
[I am personally thrilled that the list of names today includes the Archbishop and Auxiliary bishop of my hometown!]

- H.E. Justino Maria Aparício Guterres, Ambassador from the Democratic Republic of East Timor,
on a farewell visit.



6 p.m. St Peter's Basilica
CAPPELLA PAPALE
First Vespers for the First Sunday of Advent
Prayer Vigil for Nascent Life