Thursday, January 20
From left: Paintings by Mantegna, Bellini, El Greco, and a statue in St. Peter's colonnade.
ST. SEBASTIAN (Italy, ?257-288), Martyr
Nothing is historically certain about St. Sebastian except that he was a Roman
martyr who was venerated in Milan even in the time of St. Ambrose, and was
buried on the Appian Way, near the Catacombs that bear his name. Devotion
to him spread rapidly, and he is mentioned in martyrologies as early as 350 AD.
The legend of St. Sebastian became a popular subject in art. The familiar image
of the saint pierced by arrows comes from the story that under Diocletian, he
was exposed as an impostor in the Roman army and sentenced to be shot to
death by archers. He survived to continue denouncing persecution of Christians
to the emperor himself. He was clubbed to death.
Readings for today's Mass: www.usccb.org/nab/readings/012010.shtml
OR today.
At the General Audience, the Holy Father speaks of the current ecumenical Prayer Week:
'Christian unity resides in prayer'
Other Page 1 items: A commentary on the meeting in Washington, DC, between the Chinese and US presidents; a new UN report notes overall economic growth in Africa but no corresponding social development; and Tunisians continue to revolt and force government ministers held over from the deposed government to resign. In the inside pages, an article on the status of the theological dialog between the Catholic and Orthodox churches; two articles about Light of the World - a history of papal interviews, and an interview with the head of the Vatican publishing house; and a story on Cardinal Bagnasco's St. Sebastian's Day sermon in Genoa, calling on the faithful to render consistent witness to their CAtholic faith.
PAPAL EVENTS TODAY
The Holy Father met with
- Cardinal Ivan Dias, Prefect of the Cognregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (regular meeting)
- Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family
- Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, C.S., President of the Holy See Prefecture for Economic Affairs and
Papal Delegate in charge of the Legionaries of Christ
- Mons. Adolfo Tito Yllana, Apostolic Nuncio to the Democratic Republic of the Congo
VESPERS TO CONCLUDE
PRAYER WEEK FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
Tuesday, Jan. 25
17:30 Basilica of St. Paul outside the Walls
Second Vespers
Solemnity of the Conversion of St. Paul
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 20/01/2011 14:34]