Wednesday, Dec. 2
BLESSED RAFAL CHYLINSKI (Poland, 1694-1741)
Franciscan
Jesuit-educated, Rafal became a cavalry officer before joining
the conventual Franciscans in 1715. After being assigned to
nine different cities, he ended up in Lageniewski where he
served to the end of his life. He was known for his simple
and candid sermons and for his holy ministry. After his death,
the church he served immediately became a place for pilgrimage.
He was beatified in 1991.
OR today.
The only papal news in this issue is the Holy Father's Mass with the International Theological Commission
(but without the text of the homily). Other Page 1 news: The United Arab Emirates assure their economic
solidity is not at risk as Dubai restructures its $59-billion debt; the UN calls for more funds for
humanitarian emergency assistance; and Obama unveils 'new' Afghan strategy which includes sending
30,000 more US troops to Afghanistan. The inside pages contains the Introduction by Russian orthodox
Archbishop Hilarion Alfeyev to a Russian-published book containing four of Cardinal Ratzinger/
Benedict XVI's discourses about Europe in the past decade, but the essay does not mention the book
or the Pope's name at all.
THE POPE'S DAY
General Audience today - The Holy Father's catechesis was on Guillaume (William) de St. Thierry,
a 12th century Belgian monk and writer he described as 'the singer of love' as the primary virtue.