Tuesday, December 14, Third Week of Advent
ST. JUAN DE LA CRUZ (John of the Cross) (Spain, 1541-1591)
Carmelite, Reformer, Mystic, Theologian, Poet, Doctor of the Church
There is probably no spiritual partnership as blessed and endowed with grace as that of the two great mystics and writers who flowered in the Spain of the Counter-Reformation - Teresa de Jesus and Juan de la Cruz, both sprung from the soil of Castile, the female and male faces of 16th century spirituality. Contemporaries and friends, they worked together to reform the Carmelite Order and experienced the fate of all reformers who are rejected by the establishment. Juan's life was a true identification with the Cross from which he took his name, producing his best poems and writings while languishing in prison, turning his 'dark night of the soul' into luminous prose and verse that continue to be models of mystical theology as well as undying literature.
Readings for today's Mass:
www.usccb.org/nab/121410.shtml
OR for 12/13-14:
At the Sunday Angelus, the Pope tells faithful to rediscover the expectations of Advent
'The patience of the farmer is a model for waiting'
Visiting a Roman parish, he speaks on Christ as the true Light of the world
In a separate story on the Angelus, he asks children who came for the annual blessing of the Baby Jesus images for their home creches to say a prayer for him; and there's an editorial on his homily at the San Massimiliano Kolbe parish, as well as a story on the visit. Page 1 international news: China and the US hold an economic summit in Washington, while their political rivalry hinges on China's stronger financial position in the world; US tries again to re-launch direct peace talks between Israel and Palestine; terrorist bombs claim 14 dead and 40 wounded around Baghdad, and the Taliban kill 6 more US soldiers in Afghanistan. In the inside pages, a presentation by Cardinal Etchegaray on a new French book about Marian apparitions around the world; and an interview with an Italian astrophysicist on new knowledge about the origins of the universe from the scientific point of view.
No events announced for the Holy Father today, but the Vatican announced two papal initiatives during the Christmas season:
Sunday, December 26, 2010
13:00, Atrium of Aula Paolo VI
Luncheon offered by the Holy Father for the wards of the Missionaries of Charity sisters who help out in the various charitable works in the Diocese of Rome, and the nuns themselves to celebrate the centenary year of Mother Teresa's birth.
Wednesday, January 8, 2011
Vigil of the Epiphany
17:00
Visit to the child patients
at the Gemelli Polyclinic of Rome
The Holy Father will visit te hospital's pediatric wards, bless a new center for children afflicted with spina bifida, and take part in distributing gifts to the children.
I will continue to be away for most of the day because I have a laboratory inspection by the FDA today.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 16/12/2010 09:47]