Today the Holy Father named Archbishop Thomas Collins of Toronto and twenty-one others Cardinals of the Church. Congratulations, Your Eminences! Congratulations, Archbishop Collins!
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Cast your kindly light upon your faithful, Lord, we pray, and with the splendour of your glory set their hearts ever aflame, that they may never cease to acknowledge their Saviour and may truly hold fast to him. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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CHANGES IN CANADA'S LITURGICAL CALENDAR
We have been accustomed to celebrating Brother Andre's feast on January 6, his "heavenly birthday" as he died on January 6, 1937. But the Holy See did not want him to stay on this date as there are many countries in the world that still celebrate the Epiphany on this date, and their celebration of St. Andre Bessette would therefore be perpetually impeded.
So in Canada's new liturgical calendar that came into effect with this liturgical year and the new (English) Roman Missal, we will celebrate him on January 7 (though in the USA his feast is kept on January 6). Other changes in Canada's new liturgical calendar include the following modifications:
January 8: The transfer of the Patron of Canonists, St. Raymond of Penyafort from January 7, now dedicated to St. Andre Bessette.
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| Bishop Nykyta Budka |
June 27: Addition of an optional memorial of the Blessed Nykyta Budka and Vasyl Velychkowsky, Bishops and Martyrs [of the Ukrainian Catholic Church]; Budka was the first Ukrainian Bishop in Canada but died in the Soviet Gulag.
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| Blessed Andre Grasset |
September 2: Addition of Blessed Andre Grasset, Montreal-born Priest, Martyr of the French Revolution.
September 24: Transfer of Blessed Emelie Tavernier-Gamelin, Religious [because St. Pio of Pietrelcina is assigned her old date of September 23].
September 25: Transfer of Sts. Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs [because their date in the universal calendar, September 26, has been displaced in Canada by the Canadian Martyrs].
So far as I can tell, the other Canadian Saints and Blesseds retain on their feast-day dates from earlier versions of the liturgical calendar.
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La Porte de la foi et
L'annee de la foi 2012-2013
Communiqué à propos de la Note de la Congrégation pour la Doctrine de la Foi
relative aux indications pastorales de l'Année de la foi
relative aux indications pastorales de l'Année de la foi
L'Année de la foi a été annoncée par la Lettre apostolique Porta Fidei du 11 octobre 2011. Elle débutera le 11 octobre prochain, cinquantième anniversaire de l'ouverture du Concile oecuménique Vatican II, et se conclura le 24 octobre 2013, en la solennité du Christ Roi. Comme il l'a annoncé à l'aube de son pontificat, Benoît XVI entend replacer au centre de l'attention ecclésiale la rencontre avec Jésus-Christ, et avec la beauté de la foi qu'il dégage. Consciente des questions dont la foi est sujet, l'Eglise ressent comme tout à fait actuelle la question que le Seigneur se posait: Lorsque le Fils de l'homme reviendra sur terre, y trouvera-t-il encore la foi? (Lc 18, 8). Si la foi n'est pas revitalisée, déclarait le Saint-Père lors des voeux à la Curie Romaine (22 décembre 2011), si elle n'est pas une conviction profonde et une force tirée de la rencontre avec le Christ, aucune réforme ne sera efficace.
A la demande du Saint-Père, en collaboration avec certains dicastères et le Comité préparatoire de l'Année de la foi, la Congrégation a rédigé une Note sur les indications pastorales de l'Année de la foi. Constitué près cette même congrégation, ce comité compte le Cardinal William Levada, le Cardinal Francis Arinze, le Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, le Cardinal Ivan Dias, le Cardinal Francis E. George, le Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, le Cardinal Marc Ouellet, le Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, le Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard, le Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko et le Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Mgr. Salvatore Fisichella, Mgr. Luis F. Ladaria, Mgr. Mario Del Valle Moronta Rodríguez, Mgr. Gerhard Ludwig Müller et Mgr. Raffaello Martinelli.
Daté de l'Epiphanie et publiée le lendemain, le document comprend une introduction, qui rappelle que l'Année de la foi entend contribuer à raviver chez tous les fidèles l'adhésion au Seigneur et à approfondir la foi. Ainsi pourront-ils être des témoins crédibles du Ressuscité, capable d'indiquer aux autres la porte de la foi.
Le début de l'Année de la foi coïncide avec deux grands évènements de l'histoire de l'Eglise, l'ouverture de Vatican II (11 octobre 1962), concile voulu par le bienheureux Jean XXIII, et le Catéchisme de l'Eglise catholique (11 octobre 1992), voulu par le bienheureux Jean-Paul II.
"A partir de la lumière du Christ, ...le Concile Vatican II a voulu approfondir la nature intime de l'Eglise et son rapport avec le monde contemporain... Après le concile, l'Eglise s'est engagée dans la réception et dans l'application de son riche enseignement, en continuité avec toute la tradition, sous la sûre direction du magistère".
"Pour favoriser une correcte réception du concile, les Souverains Pontifes ont convoqué à plusieurs reprises le Synode des évêques, ...en proposant à l'Eglise des orientations claires par le biais d'exhortations apostoliques post-synodales. La prochaine assemblée générale du Synode (octobre 2012) aura pour thème: La nouvelle évangélisation pour transmettre la foi chrétienne".
"Depuis le début de son pontificat, Benoît XVI s'est fermement engagé en faveur d'une juste compréhension du concile, repoussant comme erronée ce qu'on appelle "l'herméneutique de la discontinuité et de la rupture" et promouvant ce qu'il a baptisé "l'herméneutique de la réforme" et du renouveau dans la continuité".
Le Catéchisme de l'Eglise catholique, "fruit authentique du Concile Vatican II" qui prend place dans un "renouveau dans la continuité", comprend "du neuf et de l'ancien". Il reprend l'ordre traditionnel de la catéchèse qu'il articule en quatre parties: le Crédo, la liturgie, l'agir chrétien et la prière, tout en l'exprimant de manière à répondre à notre temps.
L'Année de la foi sera une excellente occasion pour étudier et diffuser le contenu de Vatican II et du Catéchisme.
Les indications pastorales de la Note tendent à favoriser "la rencontre avec le Christ grâce à de vrais témoins de la foi, comme une meilleure connaissance des contenus de la foi". Celles ci n'entendent pas exclure d'autres propositions que l'Esprit pourrait susciter de par le monde parmi pasteurs et fidèles. Etant donné que ses compétences ne se limitent pas à la défense de la doctrine authentique et à la correction des erreurs, la Congrégation pour la doctrine de la foi apportera son soutien à tout ce qui favorise la vérité de la foi (Pastor Bonus, nn. 48-51).
Les propositions de la Note s'articulent en quatre parties: 1) Eglise universelle; 2) Conférences épiscopales; 3) Diocèses; 4) Paroisses, Communautés, Associations et Mouvements, dont voici quelques exemples.
Parallèlement à l'ouverture solennelle de l'Année de la foi et aux autres manifestations présidées par le Pape, tels le Synode des évêques de 2012 ou la JMJ de 2013, on suggère des initiatives oecuméniques destinées à favoriser le rétablissement de l'unité des chrétiens. Ainsi, une cérémonie oecuménique solennelle réaffirmera la foi dans le Christ de tous les baptisés.
Les conférences épiscopales sont encouragées à améliorer la qualité de la formation catéchistique universelle comme celle des catéchismes et manuels locaux, afin qu'ils soient parfaitement conformes au Catéchisme de l'Eglise catholique. La même attention sera portée à l'utilisation des techniques de la communication et de l'expression artistique: émissions de radio et télévision, films et publications sur la foi et son contenu, sur la valeur ecclésiale de Vatican II, y compris pour le grand public.
Au niveau diocésain ensuite, cette année particulière devra être une occasion de faire dialoguer positivement foi et raison, par le biais de congrès ou de journées d'étude, notamment près les universités catholiques. Mais aussi d'organiser des cérémonies pénitentielles, qui insisteront tout particulièrement sur les péchés contre la foi.
Enfin, dans les diverses structures base de la communauté ecclésiale, on insistera sur la célébration de la foi dans la liturgie, tout particulièrement dans l'Eucharistie car, "dans l'Eucharistie, mystère de la foi et source de la nouvelle évangélisation, c'est la foi de l'Eglise qui est proclamée, célébrée et fortifiée". De toutes ces initiatives doivent naître, croître et dépendre toutes les autres propositions, en particulier celles des nouvelles communautés et mouvements ecclésiaux.
Un Secrétariat pour l'Année de la foi sera institué près le Conseil pontifical pour la nouvelle évangélisation, qui coordonnera les initiatives des dicastères romains comme celle de dimension ecclésiale universelle. En mesure de proposer des initiatives pour l'Année, il disposera d'un site internet spécifique destiné à fournir toutes les informations sur son déroulement.
Les indications pastorales de la Note de la Congrégation pour la doctrine de la foi veulent inviter tous les fidèles à s'engager dans l'Année de la foi, afin de "partager ce que le chrétien a de plus cher, le Christ Jésus, rédempteur de l'homme, roi de l'univers, principe et finalité de la foi".
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The Door of Faith &
the Year of Faith 2012-2013
Communiqué on the Note of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
with pastoral recommendations for the Year of Faith
with pastoral recommendations for the Year of Faith
With his Apostolic Letter Porta fidei of 11 October 2011, Benedict XVI declared a Year of Faith. It will begin on 11 October 2012, 50th anniversary of the opening of Vatican Council II, and will conclude on 24 November 2013, Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ Universal King. The Holy Father's aim in promulgating this Year is to focus the attention of the Church on the theme which, since the beginning of his Pontificate, has been closest to his heart: the encounter with Jesus Christ and the beauty of having faith in Him. The Church is well aware of the problems facing the faith and feels impelled by the question Jesus Himself raised: «When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?» (Lk 18: 8). Therefore, «if faith does not take on new life, deep conviction and real strength from the encounter with Jesus Christ, then all other reforms will remain ineffective» (Christmas address to the Roman Curia, 22 December 2011).
By order of Benedict XVI, la Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has prepared a Note with pastoral recommendations for the Year of Faith. The Note was written in consultation with other Dicasteries of the Holy See and with the help of the Committee for the Preparation of the Year of Faith. That Committee, by pontifical mandate, is under the auspices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and includes among its members: Cardinals William Levada, Francis Arinze, Angelo Bagnasco, Ivan Dias, Francis E. George, Zenon Grocholewski, Marc Ouellet, Mauro Piacenza, Jean-Pierre Ricard, Stanisław Ryłko and Christoph Schönborn; Archbishops Salvatore Fisichella and Luis F. Ladaria; and Bishops Mario del Valle Moronta Rodríguez, Gerhard Ludwig Müller and Raffaello Martinelli.
The Note is dated 6 January 2012, Solemnity of the Lord's Epiphany, and will be published the following day 7 January. It contains an introduction followed by a number of pastoral recommendations. The Introduction explains that «the Year of Faith is intended to contribute to a renewed conversion to the Lord Jesus and to the rediscovery of faith, so that the members of the Church will be credible and joy-filled witnesses to the Risen Lord, capable of leading those many people who are seeking it to the door of faith».
«The beginning of the Year of Faith coincides with the anniversaries of two great events which have marked the life of the Church in our days: the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, called by Blessed Pope John XXIII (11 October 1962), and the twentieth of the promulgation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, given to the Church by Blessed Pope John Paul II (11 October 1992)».
Vatican Council II, «beginning with the light of Christ, ... wanted to elaborate on the intimate nature of the Church and its relationship with the contemporary world». «After the Council the Church – under the sure guidance of the Magisterium and in continuity with the whole Tradition – set about ensuring the reception and application of the teaching of the Council in all its richness».
«To assist in the correct reception of the Council, the Popes have frequently convoked the Synod of Bishops, ... providing the Church with clear guidance through the various post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortations. The next General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, to be held in October 2012, will have as its theme: The New Evangelisation for the Transmission of the Christian Faith».
«From the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Benedict XVI has worked decisively for a correct understanding of the Council, rejecting as erroneous the so-called "hermeneutic of discontinuity and rupture" and promoting what he himself has termed "the 'hermeneutic of reform', of renewal in continuity"».
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, being an «authentic fruit of Vatican Council II» (Apostolic Letter Porta fidei, no. 4), is an integral part of that "renewal in continuity". It includes «what is new and what is old» (Mt 13: 52). On the one hand, it embraces the old and traditional order of the catechesis, being divided into four parts: the Creed, the liturgy, Christian life and prayer; but at the same time it expresses this in a new way, in order to respond to the questions of our own times.
The Year of Faith will be a propitious occasion to make Vatican Council II and the Catechism of the Catholic Church more widely and deeply known.
The pastoral recommendations contained in the Note aim «to aid both the encounter with Christ through authentic witnesses to faith, and the ever-greater understanding of its contents». Through these pastoral recommendations - which do not intend to preclude «other initiatives which the Holy Spirit will inspire among Pastors and faithful in various parts of the world» - the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is seeking to offer its help, because its specific functions include not only safeguarding sound doctrine and correcting errors but also, and foremost, promoting the truth of the faith (cf. Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus, nos. 48-51).
The Note groups its suggestions onto four levels: 1)
For example, along with the solemn opening celebration for the Year of Faith and other events in which the Holy Father will participate (Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, WYD 2013), various ecumenical initiatives are being planned «aimed at "the restoration of unity among all Christians"». Moreover «there will be a solemn ecumenical celebration in which all of the baptised will reaffirm their faith in Christ».
On the level of Episcopal Conferences, attention will be given to the quality of catechesis, and efforts will be made to examine «local catechisms and various catechetical supplements in use in the particular Churches … to ensure their complete conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church». It is also hoped that use will be made of the language of the mass media and art, with «television and radio transmissions, films and publications focusing on the faith, its principles and content, as well as on the ecclesial significance of Vatican Council II».
At the diocesan level, the Year of Faith is considered, among other things, as an occasion for «renewed creative dialogue between faith and reason in the academic and artistic communities, through symposia, meetings and days of study, especially at Catholic universities», and as a favourable time for «penitential celebrations … in which all can ask for God's forgiveness, especially for sins against faith».
At the parish level the focus remains on the celebration of the faith in the liturgy, especially in the Eucharist, because «in the Eucharist, mystery of faith and source of the new evangelisation, the faith of the Church is proclaimed, celebrated and strengthened». It is on this foundation that other initiatives will come into being, develop and spread, particularly those undertaken by Institutes, new Communities and Ecclesial Movements.
«A Secretariat to coordinate all of the different initiatives promoted by various Dicasteries of the Holy See, or other events relevant to the
The recommendations contained in the Note invite all members of the Church to work to ensure that, during the Year of Faith, we may rediscover and «share that which is most dear to us: Christ Jesus, the Redeemer of mankind, Universal King, "leader and perfecter of faith" (Hb 12: 2)».
Very excited for all that will be happening in the Church this October 2012!
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