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Tuesday, January 24, Third Week in Ordinary Time
MEMORIAL OF ST. FRANCOIS DE SALES
Third illustration from left, St. Francis de Sales with St. Frances de Chantal; extreme right, the statue of St. Francis in St. Peter's Basilica.
ST. FRANCOIS [Francis] DE SALES (France 1567-1622), Bishop, Writer, Doctor of the Church
Born to a noble family in Savoy, Francis had the best education possible in his time, with degrees from the universities of Paris and Padua. He chose to become a priest over the civil career his family expected him to pursue. Because of their connections, he was appointed Provost of Geneva by its bishop. Geneva was the center of the Calvinist movement, and Francis dedicated himself to converting Calvinists, writing catechetical pamphlets for that purpose. He was a spellbinding preacher, a gentle pastor, and ascetic in his own life. At age 35, he became Bishop of Geneva but continued to preach, hear confessions and catechize children. He wrote two books, the Introduction to the Devout Life and A Treatise on the Love of God, along with many pamphlets and a vast correspondence. His writings, characterized by his gentleness, are addressed to lay people, to make them understand that they too are called to be saints. With St. Frances de Chantal, he founded the Sisters of the Visitation whose members can choose to do community work or a contemplative life. He was canonized in 1661, not long after his death, and proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1877, In 1963, he was named the patron saint of writers and journalists. He inspired St. John Bosco who named the religious order he founded Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB).
Readings for today's Mass:
www.usccb.org/bible/readings/012413.cfm
AT THE VATICAN TODAY
No events announced for the Holy Father today.
As usual, on the Feast of St. Francis de Sales, patron of communications,
the Vatican released the Holy Father's message for this year's
World Day of Social Communications to be observed on May 10:
"Social Networks: portals of truth and faith; new spaces for evangelization".
The Vatican also released the text of the Pope's telegram of condolence, written in Polish, to the Archbishop of Warsaw, Cardinal Kasimierz Nycz, for the death of his predecessor, Cardinal Josef Glemp, who had been Archbishop of Warsaw and Primate of Poland. Glemp was 83. News reports said he died of lung cancer. (My English translation is from the Italian translation provided by the Vatican Press Office).
Left paneL top photo: Cardinal Glemp with Benedict XVI (date not given); bottom photo: With John Paul II, Lech Walesa and his wife, in 1981. Glemp was one of Walesa's earliest supporters.
To our Venerated Brother
Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz
Metropolitan Archbishop of Warsaw
I have learned with sorrow about the death of Cardinal Jozef Glemp, emeritus Archbishop of Gniezno and Warsaw and Primate of Poland.
I join you, dear Brother, your priests and the faithful of the Church in Poland, in prayers of gratitude for the life and pastoral commitment of this meritorious minister of the Gospel.
Caritati in iustitia – through charity in justice. This episcopal motto accompanied him all his life and oriented his way of thinking, of evaluating, of making choices and decisions, and of proposing the pastoral line of action.
He was a 'just' man, in the spirit of St. Joseph, his patron saint, and those who, in the Biblical tradition, listened to the call of God addressed not only to them personally, but also to the communities to which they were sent.
Such justice, enriched with humble adherence to the will of God, was the basis of his profound love for God and man, which was his light, inspiration and strength in the difficult ministry of leading a Church at a time when significant social and political transformations were taking place in Poland and Europe.
Love of God and the Church, and concern for the life and dignity of every man, made him an apostle of unity against division, of concord in the face of confrontation, of the common effort to construct a happy future on the basis of the past experiences, joyful as well as sorrowful, of the Church and her people.
Continuing the work of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński, in constant communion and bonding with Pope John Paul II, with great prudence, he resolved so many questions and problems in the political, social and religious life of the Polish people.
Trusting in Divine Providence, he looked optimistically forward to the Third Millennium, to which he was granted the privilege of introducing the community of believers in Poland.
In the final stage of his life, he was tried by great suffering that he bore with serenity. Even in this trial, he bore witness to his trust in the goodness and love of Almighty God.
Personally, I always appreciated his sincere goodness, his simpiicity, openness and heartfelt dedication to the cause of the Church in Poland and in the world. He will remain that way in my memory and my prayers. May the Lord welcome him to his glory!
To you, Venerated Brother, to the family of the deceased, to all who will take part in the funeral services, and to all Poles, I impart from the heart by blessing in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
From the Vatican
January 24, 2013
BENEDICT PP XVI
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 25/01/2013 02:48] |