A silence that should serve to draw closer to Jesus Christ and through Him to others.
It has been stressed with some insistence -perhaps to help us overcome the selfishness we carry within us- that man is a 'social being'. And it is true. From time to time we are reminded of the need to be in solidarity with all the other inhabitants of the planet, worrying about hunger in a distant country or on our own doorstep.
The Church often brings to mind the "communion of saints," that spiritual bond that unites us all "children of God in Christ Jesus," which makes each of us responsible, in an ineffable way, for the fate of others, in good and evil.
All these considerations seem to me to be very correct. It is now up to us to recognize that fraternal solidarity among us does not exclude neither silence nor solitude; indeed, it demands them, if we truly want to live now a "communion of men" and, in its day, a "communion of men" and, in its day, a "communion of men".communion of saints". It is the same solitary silence in which an artist creates and ponders his works; in which a mother contemplates and loves her children.
Soledad
Silence and solitude -which in truth is oneself with God; the solitude of oneself with oneself ends up being truly unbearable- are necessary for each one to become aware of himself, of his existence; of "who he is" and of "who he is for".
"The humanity of those who never shut up, fades away", he said very accurately. Guardini. And only in this way will we today become aware of our own humanity, of the meaning of our walk on earth.
To enjoy this in enriching solitude with Christ, we have a great enemy: noise. I have the impression that the present moment of our civilization is producing too much noise, outside and inside man. The false news about the current Pope is a good example.
Sometimes we surround ourselves with too much internal noise, noise of the spirit, to escape from the solitude of silence. The television on all day long, the radio in the car and in the office. We look for information from any country and on the most absurd subjects, which we do not even know how to assimilate for something useful.
Noises in the ear and in the head that prevent us from living the joy of feeling the flapping of a mosquito. And it is a pity, because at that moment we would begin to know that we are alive and to realize what our own life is worth.
Eternity
The beauty and richness of silence expressed it very well Jean GuittonIt leads us to the most intimate point of ourselves, there where eternity touches us and vivifies us, there where eternity speaks to us in a whisper of words".
Esperanza
And in the Bible we read: "in silence and in hope you will find your strength" (cf. Is 30:15). It is true. Calm and solitude recreate within our spirit the moment of our own creation, they allow us to reproduce - and make our own - Adam's encounter with God in the garden of paradise.
Perhaps one of the fruits -I do not know if it is directly desired- of the battles of the ecologists is, precisely, to invite us to yearn for silence, savoring in solitude the silence of nature. The plane flies by, and the clouds remain silent.
But the stillness of nature is not enough for man; and since he cannot rid himself entirely of external noise, he needs peace within himself even more urgently. Even amidst the noise of the avenues, the orange trees produce their fruit in the quiet of the countryside. Even the man of today, who works and consumes himself in a thousand efforts of service to keep the world on its feet, longs for peace of soul, of spirit.
Only in the solitude of that silence will it be able to bear its best fruit.The contemplation and adoration of Jesus Christ, the Word of God, the Word of God.
St. Pio of Pietrelcina, September 23: Holiness and Stigmata for the Church
The 20th century was marked by wars, persecutions and a profound human and spiritual crisis. In the midst of this panorama, God wanted to give the Church an exceptional example of holiness: St. Pio of Pietrelcinabetter known as Padre Pio. This humble and humorous Capuchin friar became a focus of attraction for millions of faithful around the world who continue to be moved by his life today.
Its simple message -"Pray, wait and don't worry."- encloses a spirituality of absolute trust in the goodness and mercy of God. For seminarians and diocesan priests, and for everyone, his life was an example of love for God and the Church. His figure is a living model of what it means to be configured to Christ, the Good Shepherd, in favor of souls.
Childhood and early vocation
The future saint was born as Francesco Forgione in Pietrelcina (Italy) in 1887, in the bosom of a humble and deeply believing peasant family. From childhood he stood out for his prayer life and spiritual sensitivity. His parents, Grazio and Maria GiuseppaThey transmitted to him a simple and solid faith, which became the basis of his whole life.
At the age of ten, Francesco clearly expressed his desire to consecrate himself to God. He entered the Capuchin order, where he took the name of Pío in honor of St. Pius V. His training was marked by austerity and discipline, but above all by an ardent love for Christ the Eucharist and a deep devotion to the Virgin Mary.
This detail is key to understanding his later ministry: the priesthood was not for him an office or a task, but a total and radical dedication to others for Jesus Christ.
Padre Pio, with the stigmata on his hands.
Priestly ordination and pastoral dedication
In 1910, at the age of 23, he was awarded the priestly ordination. From the beginning of his ministry he stood out for his pastoral zeal and intense interior life.
During most of his priestly life he resided in San Giovanni RotondoThe small Capuchin convent was soon to become a center of worldwide pilgrimage. There, Padre Pio dedicated himself to two great missions: celebrate Holy Mass with extraordinary fervor y spending countless hours at the confessionalreconciling the faithful with God.
His life demonstrates that the mission of a priest does not depend on grand scenarios or complicated programs, but on living faithfully the mystery of Jesus Christ through the sacraments and, above all, in the Eucharist and in the forgiveness of sins. As St. Josemaría Escrivá reminds us in many of his texts, holiness is achieved in the ordinary, in fidelity to one's daily duties and in the love with which one serves God and others.
Stigmata: Participation in the Passion of Christ
One of the most surprising phenomena of his life were the stigmasThe visible wounds of the Passion of Christ, which appeared on his body in 1918 while he was praying before a crucifix, remained with him for 50 years, until his death in 1968. These wounds on his hands, feet and side remained with him for 50 years, until his death in 1968. No saint has lived so long with the stigmata of the Passion. As an example, St. Francis of Assisi had them for the last two years of his life.
Padre Pio accepted this suffering as a participation in the Cross of Christ. He never boasted of these extraordinary gifts; on the contrary, he lived them with discretion and humility, enduring much misunderstanding and even investigations by ecclesiastical authorities.
The stigmata were a visible sign of what every priest is called to be: another Christ. The priestly ministry is not a career of prestige, but of a dedication that passes through the cross. For seminarians training to become priests, contemplating the life of Padre Pio is an invitation not to fear sacrifice, but to embrace it with love.
Charismas and extraordinary gifts
Among Padre Pio's most notable charisms are:
Stigmata: is Padre Pio's best known charism. It is about the wounds of the Passion of Christ (on hands, feet and side) that appeared on his body and bled for 50 years. Despite medical investigations, the sores did not become infected and did not heal, and disappeared completely after his death.
Bilocation: Numerous testimonies affirm that Padre Pio had the ability to be in two places at the same time. He is credited with helping people and preventing accidents while physically in his cell or in the confessional at San Giovanni Rotondo.
Soul reading: possessed the gift of knowing people's hearts and consciences. In the confessional, he often knew the sins of penitents before they spoke them, and offered precise and profound spiritual guidance.
Miraculous cures: Many physical healings unexplainable by science are attributed to her, which occurred through her prayer and intercession. A famous case is that of a girl who was born without pupils and recovered her sight. Or the healing of a cancer of a friend of St. Mary. John Paul IIbefore he became pope.
Prophecy: Padre Pio had the gift of prophecy, and predicted future events in the lives of some people, as well as the future position of John Paul II and Paul VI in the Church.
Smell of sanctity: many people experienced a sweet, floral odor emanating from him or his stigmata, especially during prayer or when he was in the midst of a mystical rapture.
Knowledge of the destiny of souls: had the ability to know whether a person who had died had been saved, was in purgatory or had been condemned.
I deal with your guardian angel: Padre Pio maintained constant communication with his guardian angel, who helped him in his mission and served as an interpreter with people of other languages.
But, above all, Padre Pio was characterized by his deep devotion to the Eucharist, to the Virgin Mary and to the Passion of Christ. His life was marked by constant prayer, penance, obedience to the Church (even in times of persecution and false accusations; among other things he was forbidden to celebrate Mass in public from 1923 to 1933) and a tireless dedication to confession and spiritual direction.
These charisms impressed the crowds, but he always insisted on the essential: God's grace is poured out mainly through those who have the grace of the Holy Spirit. sacraments.
His life reminds us that the most important aspect of the priestly ministry is not extraordinary phenomena, but fidelity in daily life: celebrating Mass with devotion, confessing with patience, preaching with truth and pray with perseverance.
Charitable works: the hospital of suffering
Padre Pio's love was not limited to the spiritual realm. In 1956 he inaugurated the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Hospitalan institution that to this day remains a medical reference in Italy.
This project was born out of his conviction that the sick should not only be treated with medical techniques, but also with compassion and spiritual care. The hospital was the fruit of her prayer, divine Providence and the collaboration of many benefactors.
In this way, Padre Pio showed that Christian charity does not remain in words, but is translated into concrete works that alleviate human suffering. A very current lesson for the Church: priests are called to be instruments of hope and mercy for those who suffer.
Padre Pio's canonization in Rome (via fatherpio.org)
Death and canonization
On September 23, 1968, Padre Pio gave up his soul to God after a life of heroic dedication. He was 81 years old. His last words were: "Jesus, Mary."
His funeral was attended by more than 100,000 people, a testimony to the immense affection and devotion he had aroused during his lifetime. In 1999 he was beatified by St. John Paul IIand in 2002, the Pope himself canonized himproposing him to the world as a model of holiness.
Today, millions of pilgrims flock to San Giovanni Rotondo to pray at his tomb, and his devotion has spread to every continent.
Padre Pio's teaching
Beyond the extraordinary phenomena, what is most appealing about Padre Pio is the depth of his spiritual life. His message can be summed up in three words: prayer, suffering and trust.
PrayerHe spent long hours in intimacy with God. He invited everyone to pray the Rosary daily and to unite with Jesus Christ at Mass.
SufferingHe accepted with love his physical and spiritual pains, offering them for the conversion of sinners.
TrustHe taught us to live without anguish, because God's love is greater than our problems.
Padre Pio and the priestly vocation
These three attitudes are fundamental for any Christian, but especially for those preparing for the priesthood. The priest must be a man of prayer, who offers his life with Christ and trusts fully in the Providence of God the Father.
Padre Pio's body exposed for public veneration since 2008. A wax mask covers his face.
The CARF Foundation works so that thousands of seminarians and diocesan priests, especially from poor countries around the world, receive training at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome and at the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Navarra in Pamplona.
The seminarian or priest, and all the lay faithful, in looking at the life of Padre Pio, find a direct inspiration:
The importance of Eucharist as the center of priestly life.
The need for a intense and constant prayer life.
Availability and good humor to accept sacrifices for the good of souls.
Future priests, sustained by the support of the Foundation's benefactorsmust follow this path of holiness. Padre Pio's testimony reminds us that the priest does not belong to himself, but is all of Christ and of the whole Church.
A saint for today and forever
His example of life invites the faithful to rediscover the value of Confession, the Eucharist, prayer and trust in God the Father. For priests and seminarians, he should be a mirror in which to contemplate what it means to live configured to Christ to the ultimate consequences.
Today, his voice resonates as strongly as it did in life: "Pray, wait and don't worry. Anxiety is of no use. God is merciful and will hear your prayer." Mediaset Italia produced a major film production about his life lasting more than three hours. Here is the link to watch it
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Friendship between saints: Padre Pio and John Paul II
Padre Pio, Italian Capuchin, (1887-1968), canonized in 2002, in a multitudinous ceremony by St. John Paul II under the name of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, this holy priest received an extraordinary spiritual gift to serve all the men and women of his time. This gift marked his life, filling it with suffering, not only with the physical pain caused by his stigmata, but also with the moral and spiritual suffering caused by those who considered him a madman or a swindler.
Padre Pio, generous dispenser of God's mercy
The reality is that this saint helped thousands of people to return to the faith, to convert and come closer to God. Padre Pio performed amazing healings. And predictions difficult to contrast, such as the one made to Karol Wojtyla himself, predicting his future papacy. The Frenchman Emanuele Brunatto credited that same gift of prophecy that allowed him to find out from time to time what was going to happen. "It is Jesus," explained Padre Pio, "who sometimes lets me read his personal notebook...".
Privilege of a penitent
At the Mass of canonization on June 16, 2002 in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, St. John Paul II affirmed that ".Padre Pio was a generous dispenser of divine mercyHe made himself available to everyone by welcoming them, giving them spiritual direction and especially by administering the sacrament of penance. I too, in my youth, had the privilege of benefiting from his availability to penitents. The ministry of the confessional, which is one of the distinctive features of his apostolate, attracted countless crowds of the faithful to the convent of San Giovanni Rotondo".
How did John Paul II and Padre Pio meet?
The relationship between Padre Pio and St. John Paul II is not only due to the fact that the beatification and canonization ceremonies of the Capuchin friar were held during the Polish pope's pontificate, but also because, in 1948, Karol Wojtyla met Padre Pio at San Giovanni Rotondo.
The first meeting of two saints
It was in April 1948 that Karol Wojtyla, a newly ordained priest, decided to meet Padre Pio. "I went to San Giovanni Rotondo to see Padre Pio, to participate in his Mass and, if possible, to go to confession with him."
This first meeting was very important for the future pope. This was reflected years later in a letter he sent in his own handwriting, written in Polish, to the Father Guardian of the convent of San Giovanni Rotondo: "I spoke with him in person and exchanged a few words, it was my first meeting with him and I consider it the most important".
While Padre Pio was celebrating the Eucharist, the young Wojtyla took special notice of the friar's hands, where the stigmata could be seen covered by a black scab. "On the altar of San Giovanni Rotondo the sacrifice of Christ Himself was being fulfilled, and. during confession, Padre Pio offered a clear discernment and simple, addressing the penitent with great love".
The painful wounds of Padre Pio
The young priest was also interested in Padre Pio's wounds: "The only question I asked him was which wound caused him the most pain. I was convinced it was the one on my heart, but Padre Pio surprised me when he said: 'No, the one that hurts me the most is the one on my back, the one on my right side.
This sixth shoulder injuryas the one Jesus suffered while carrying the cross or the patibulum on the road to Calvary. It was the sore "that hurt the most", because it had festered and had never "been treated by the doctors".
The letters of John Paul II and Padre Pio date back to the Council period.
The letter dated November 17, 1962 read: "Venerable Father, I ask you to pray for a forty-year-old mother of four daughters who lives in Krakow, Poland. During the last war she was in the concentration camps in Germany for five years, and is now in grave danger of health, even life, due to cancer.
Pray that God, with the intervention of the Blessed Virgin, will show mercy to her and her family. In Christo obligatissimus, Carolus Wojtyla".
At that time, Monsignor Wojtyla, who was in Rome, received the news of the serious illness of Wanda Poltawska. Convinced that Padre Pio's prayer had a special power before God, he decided to write to him to ask for help and prayers for the woman, mother of four daughters.
This letter came to Padre Pio from Angelo BattistiAngelo, an official of the Vatican Secretariat of State and administrator of the House of the Relief of Suffering. He himself recounts that after reading the contents to him, Padre Pio uttered the famous phrase: "I can't say no to this one!", and added: "Angelo, keep this letter because one day it will be important".
Thanks for the healing
A few days later, the woman underwent a new diagnostic examination which showed that the cancerous tumor had completely disappeared. Eleven days later, John Paul II again wrote her a letter, this time to thank her.
The letter said: "Venerable Father, the woman who lives in Krakow, Poland, mother of 4 girls, was suddenly cured on November 21 before surgery. We give thanks to God and also to you, Venerable Father.
I express my sincere thanks on behalf of the lady, her husband and the whole family. In Christ, Karol Wojtyla, Capitular Bishop of Krakow". On that occasion the friar said: "Praise be to the Lord!
"Look at the fame that Padre Pio has achieved; the followers he has gathered around him from all over the world. But why, because he was a philosopher, because he was a wise man, because he had the means? Nothing of the sort: because he said Mass humbly, went to confession from morning to night and was, it is difficult to say, a representative sealed with the wounds of Our Lord. A man of prayer and suffering". Pope St. Paul VI, February 1971.
Karol Wojtyla praying at the tomb of Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo.
John Paul II's visits to the tomb of Padre Pio
Wojtyla returned to San Giovanni Rotondo on two more occasions. The first, when he was Cardinal of Krakow, in 1974 and the second, when he was already proclaimed Pope, in 1987. On these two trips he visited the mortal remains of Padre Pio and prayed kneeling at the tomb of the Capuchin friar.
In the autumn of 1974, then Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, was back in Rome and, "as the anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood (November 1, 1946) approached, he decided to commemorate the anniversary in San Giovanni Rotondo and celebrate the Mass at the tomb of Padre Pio. Due to a series of vicissitudes (November 1 was particularly rainy) the group composed of Wojtyla, Deskur and six other Polish priests was delayed considerably, arriving in the evening around 9 pm.
Unfortunately Karol Wojtyla could not fulfill his wish to celebrate Mass at Padre Pio's tomb on the day of his ordination to the priesthood. So he did it the next day. Stefano Campanella, director of Padre Pio TV.
Love for penitents
Padre Pio "had a simple and clear discernment and treated the penitent with great love," John Paul II wrote that day in the visitors' book of the convent in San Giovanni Rotondo.
In May 1987, St. John Paul II, now Pope, visited the tomb of Padre Pio on the occasion of the first centenary of his birth.
Before more than 50,000 people, His Holiness proclaimed: "Great is my joy at this meeting, and it is for several reasons. As you know, these places are linked to personal memories, that is, to my visits to Padre Pio during his earthly life, or spiritually after his death, at his tomb.
St. Pio of Pietrelcina
On May 2, 1999, John Paul II beatified the stigmatized friar, and on June 16, 2002, he proclaimed him a saint. On that day, St. John Paul II canonized him under the name of St. Pio of Pietrelcina. In the homily of his sanctification, John Paul recited the prayer he composed for Padre Pio:
"Humble and beloved Padre Pio: Teach us too, we ask you, humility of heart, so that we may be considered among the little ones of the Gospel, to whom the Father has promised to reveal the mysteries of his Kingdom.
Help us to pray without ever tiring, in the certainty that God knows what we need before we ask him for it. Reach out to us with a gaze of faith capable of readily recognizing in the poor and the suffering the very face of Jesus.
Sustain us in the hour of struggle and trial, and if we fall, grant that we may experience the joy of the sacrament of forgiveness. Transmit to us your tender devotion to Mary, Mother of Jesus and our Mother.
Accompany us on our earthly pilgrimage towards the happy homeland, where we too hope to arrive to contemplate eternally the glory of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Did St. Pio and St. Josemaría have a relationship?
According to several sources, There is no record that St. Josemaría Escrivá and Padre Pio of Pietrelcina ever met personally.
Although they did not meet directly, there was an indirect relationship and mutual respect between them. Padre Pio even defended Opus Dei on one occasion. It is related that an Italian businessman, Luigi Ghisleri, who had doubts about the Work, consulted Padre Pio, who replied: "Don't worry. Opus Dei is God's work, it is a holy thing!
Moreover, the founder of Opus Dei, St. Josemaría, was convinced of Padre Pio's holiness and defended him whenever anyone questioned the figure of the Capuchin. Both saints were elevated to the altars by St. John Paul II, becoming important intercessors for the Church.
Bibliography
- La Brújula Cotidiana interviews the director of Padre Pio TV, Stefano Campanella. - Interview with Polish Archbishop Andrew Maria Deskur, 2004. - Homily of John Paul II. Mass of Sanctification, 2002.
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St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, September 21
Every September 21st, the Church celebrates the feast of St. MatthewSt. Matthew, apostle and evangelist, was one of the twelve disciples who followed Jesus and were direct witnesses of his life, teachings, Passion and Resurrection. St. Matthew, also known as Levi, offers us a profound example of conversion, dedication and fidelity to the evangelizing mission, qualities that continue to inspire priests and faithful today.
His life shows how a personal encounter with Jesus can completely transform a person's heart and lead to a radical commitment. The figure of St. Matthew helps us to know the history of early Christianity and to understand how to live the priestly vocation and evangelizing commitment.
Matthew in his position as tax collector before meeting Jesus. Facebook image via The Chosen.
Before being called by Jesus, Matthew practiced the profession of tax collector in Capernaum. This work, which was socially frowned upon by the Jewish people and often associated with corruption, did not prevent Jesus from choosing him as a disciple. The choice of Matthew underlines a central message of the Gospel: God calls each personregardless of its past, in order to transform it and place it at the service of its mission.
Upon hearing Jesus' invitation, Matthew promptly responded by leaving what he was doing and going away. This resolute act of total self-giving is an opening of the heart to a vocation and serves as a model for all those who feel a call to the priesthood, to total self-giving in celibacy or to the consecrated life. Matthew understood that true richness is found in the surrender of one's life to God and in the mission of bringing his message to others.
Matthew dedicated himself to following Jesus and being a witness of his work. Later, he will write the Gospel that bears his nameThe first of the four gospels of the New Testament and one of the three synoptic gospels, in which he presents Jesus as the promised Messiah and fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament. He tries to convince the Jews through this relationship with the scriptures that he knew well. This Gospel emphasizes Jesus' closeness to the needy and the value of daily life.
Matthew, together with Jesus, takes notes for his Gospel. Facebook image via The Chosen.
The Gospel of Matthew
The Gospel according to St. Matthew is characterized by its pedagogical and moral approachThe book was addressed to both Jews and Christians of all times. His contributions include:
The presentation of Jesus as the fulfillment of propheciesMatthew emphasizes that Jesus is the Messiah awaited by Israel, connecting the Old and New Testaments, something the Jews knew well from their study of the law and the prophets.
The teaching on ethical and moral lifeThe Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) contains principles of Christian life applicable at any time in human history.
The call to conversion and concrete actionIt is not enough to know the teachings of Jesus, it is necessary to put them into practice in daily life.
The care for the poor and marginalizedMatthew reflects Jesus' compassion for those most in need, a message that remains central to the mission of the Church.
This Gospel thus becomes a source of inspiration for priests and laityreminding them that evangelizing does not mean just preaching words, but setting an example that transforms lives and communities.
Priests: continuers of the mission
Priests are called to be references for all disciples of JesusThe mission of the apostles, continuing the work of Matthew and the twelve apostles. His mission is framed in three basic dimensions:
Preaching the GospelThe aim of the project is to transmit the message of Christ in a clear and accessible way, adapted to the present times.
Administering the sacramentsThe sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, Priestly Ordination and Anointing of the Sick are the most frequent sacraments of the Eucharist and Confession.
Pastoral accompaniment of the faithfulTo guide, educate and support people in their spiritual growth and in the living of their faith.
In a rapidly changing world, priests face the challenge of bringing the faith to new contexts: globalized cities, digital societies, pluralistic cultures. Following the example of St. Matthew, priests are called to adapt to new media and channels of communication. communication without losing the authenticity of the Christian message.
The evangelization in the 21st century has been transformed by digitalization and the global reach of the internet. Social networks, blogs, podcasts and live broadcasts allow the voice of the Gospel to reach millions of people who otherwise would not have direct contact with the Church.
Examples of current initiatives include:
Hallow: is a Catholic application designed to facilitate prayer, meditation and spiritual rest. Available in Spanish, it offers a variety of resources to deepen your faith and find inner peace and millions of prayers and downloads worldwide.
Rebels wanted: a Catholic evangelization channel that offers formation and resources to deepen the faith and respond to the questions of today's people from the essence of Christianity. Directed by Father Ignacio Amorós, the project seeks to inspire believers to live their faith in an authentic and committed way.
Priests in social networks, such as @curadetoledomanaged by the priest Don Valentín Aparicio Lara, from the major seminary of Toledo. His account focuses on Catholic evangelization, offering daily meditations based on the Gospel, spiritual reflections and formative content aimed at the Christian community.
Ten Minutes with Jesus. 10 Minutes with Jesus are audios recorded by young priests that help to pray. The CARF Foundation supports the Spanish version. A platform that is in five languages, spread around the world and can be followed on YouTube, WhatsApp groups, Spotify, Telegram, Ivoox, Podtail, Spreaker, Alexa.... With mobile application for Apple and Android.
These examples are just a sample that allows evangelizing young people and adults in their natural contextsThe Gospel is a way of integrating faith into daily life and making the witness of Christian life more palpable. Just as St. Matthew transmitted his experience with Jesus through his Gospel, today priests and digital evangelizers seek to share the faith in a concrete and close way.
Matthew listens to the words that Jesus speaks to him. Facebook image via The Chosen.
A call for everyone
St. Matthew is a model for priests and evangelizers, and also for all Christians. His life reminds us that we are all called to be witnesses to the Gospel. This implies:
Reply promptly to God's call.
Living the faith in a coherent mannerintegrating the Gospel into daily life.
Participate actively in evangelization, whether through word, social action or witness.
Evangelization is not only a task for priests; every member of the faithful has a role to play in the evangelization process. to bring the message of Christ to their environmentinspiring others with concrete works.
St. Matthew, apostle and evangelist, teaches us that the true vocation is born of a personal encounter with Jesus and is expressed in the dedication of one's life to the service of others. His story is a reminder that no matter what a person's past, God always offers an opportunity for conversion.
In the 21st century, priests and evangelizers continue their work, adapting to the new means of communication and finding innovative ways of reaching people's heartsas St. Matthew reached out to his contemporaries with the power of the Holy Spirit and the Gospel. Following his example, we are all called to be active disciples, witnesses and agents of transformation in the world.
"As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax counter, and he said to him, "Follow me."" If Jesus could transform a tax collector into a servant, a traitor into his close friend, he can also transform us into children of God, into his close friends.
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Marian Family Day at Torreciudad
Torreciudad commemorated on this occasion a very special event: the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the opening for worship of the new temple dedicated to the Virgin.
A meeting marked by joy, prayer and the certainty of sharing the faith as a family. As the Vicar of Opus Dei in Spain, Fr. Ignacio Barrera, said: "How much beauty and joy can be transmitted by a family that prays!
The CARF FoundationThe Foundation, faithful to its commitment to priestly formation and to the universal Church, was one of the sponsors of this event, thus joining in the joy of the families who came to the Aragonese sanctuary.
The praying family
The main event was the Eucharist celebrated on the esplanadeIgnacio Barrera, Vicar of Opus Dei in Spain, who invited all those present to be "sowers of peace and joy," recalling the words of St. Josemaría: families are called to be "luminous and joyful homes.
In a world so often marked by haste, division and uncertainty, Barrera recalled that "the Lord will take care of the rest and will kindle many other lights" if each family tries to give witness to love in their daily lives: "The Lord will take care of the rest and will kindle many other lights" if each family tries to give witness to love in their daily lives.Give light in your homes, schools, workplaces, etc.... How much beauty and joy can be transmitted by a family that prays, that loves one another, that forgives one another and is united". And he asked: "Don't you think that there is much need for this in our time, in social life, in political life, in the work environment?
This day breathes fraternity and prayer. After praying the Angelus, there was a varied presentation of offerings by the participating associations, parishes, schools and groups, who offered flowers, products of the earth, images of the Virgin, children's handicrafts and other symbols of gratitude and faith.
In a gesture full of tenderness, the parents offered their children to the Virgin of Torreciudadentrusting them with their future and asking for her protection. This moment, lived with tears and smiles, was a testimony of what it means to walk together as a Christian family: to allow ourselves to be guided by Mary towards her Son.
In dialogue with Nachter and Roseanne.
Nachter and Roseanne
The day was full of moments of encounter and testimony. The couple formed by Nachter and Roseanneknown for their humor and closeness in social networks, shared their experience on "how to improve our family relationships with a lot of humor. They recalled that "laughing with others, not at others" is a simple key to living charity in the home, and that "in the face of pain, it is essential that our life is not defined by suffering, but by the help we give each other. And above all God, who is Father and we can fully trust in Him, even if sometimes we do not understand Him".
A group of volunteers.
A simple gesture
Throughout the day, more than 200 volunteers collaborated in the reception, parking, information and cleaning services, together with the Guardia Civil, Turismo de Aragón, the regions of Somontano, Ribagorza and Cinca Medio, the municipalities of Secastilla and El Grado, the CARF Foundation and the Mahou San Miguel Group. In addition, hygiene products were collected for needy families, which will be delivered through Cáritas Diocesana de Barbastro-Monzón: a simple gesture that embodies Christian love made service.
On the 50th anniversary of the church, this Marian Day once again showed the vibrant heart of the Church: families united by faith, praying, forgiving and trusting in God.. The CARF Foundationpresent among them, shares this mission of radiating hope and forming priestly hearts that serve so many families throughout the world.
Torreciudad, once again, was light. A light that is born of Mary and that, through the family, illuminates society with the joy of the Gospel.
The Virgin of Torreciudad in procession during the recitation of the Rosary.
Mayors encourage repeat business
Javier Betorz, delegate of the Government of Aragon in Huesca, stressed that "Torreciudad is an undoubted focus of attraction, therefore has our full support in promoting religious and cultural tourism". Mari Carmen Obis, mayoress of El Grado, has pointed out the importance of the festival "in these calls to share our heritage and our joy, so that they reach new visitors".
José Luis Arasanz, deputy mayor of Secastilla, and Ana María Rabal, councilor, trust in the road axis project with El Grado and Graus through the municipality. Antonio Comps, mayor of Castejón del Puente, thinks that "the day is a very important event for Alto Aragón, with a deep positive meaning for the family and as an element of promotion".
Fernando Torres, mayor of Barbastro, said he was "very happy to repeat another edition, and to have shared the concern of the sanctuary for the damage caused by last night's storm", while for José Pedro Sierra, mayor of Peraltilla, "the best thing is that I have seen many people, with families that we hope will repeat and make our environment known".
José María Civiac, president of the Cinca Medio region and mayor of Alfántega, commented that "I have seen many people, willing to travel a long way sometimes, and of course, we must all work together to increase the number of visitors".
Lola Ibort, councilor in Almudévar and provincial deputy, said in her second attendance to this day, that "I am very happy to return because I share so many values that promote the family, which is so important. And these young families are, at the same time, the best ambassadors of our territory".
Also in attendance were the mayoress of El Pueyo de Santa Cruz, Teresa Rupín, and municipal representatives from Puente de Montañana, Arén, Enate and Artasona.
Marta Santínjournalist specializing in religion.
Table of Contents
Christ, will they have met Him?
The Christian faith, the Holy Mass, is either a living encounter with Christ or it is not. That is why the Liturgy guarantees us the possibility of such an encounter with Him.
In a letter to his family dated July 14, 1929 in New York, Federico García Lorca writes: "Solemnity in religious matters is cordiality, because it is a living proof, for the senses, of the immediate presence of God. It is like saying: God is with us, let us worship and adore him (...) They are the exquisite forms, the nobility with God".
I do not know what Federico had in his heart and in his head when he wrote these words. I can suggest that they are a manifestation of his poet's soul and of his ability to appreciate the beauty of an encounter with the living God; and I do so, because before those lines, he wrote: "Now I understand the fervent spectacle, unique in the world, which is a Mass in Spain".
Holy Mass, an encounter with the living Christ
In his Apostolic Letter "Desiderio Desideravi"in the section The Liturgy: place of encounter with Christ Pope Francis wrote: "Herein lies all the powerful beauty of the Liturgy (...) The Christian faith is either a living encounter with Him, or it is not. The Liturgy guarantees us the possibility of such an encounter. A vague memory of the Last Supper is of no use to us; we need to be present at that Supper, to be able to hear his voice, to eat his Body and drink his Blood: we need him.
In the Eucharist and in all the Sacraments we are guaranteed the possibility of encountering the Lord Jesus and of being touched by the power of his Passover. The saving power of Jesus' sacrifice, of each of his words, of each of his gestures, looks, feelings, reaches us in the celebration of the Sacraments" (nn, 10-11).
"A living encounter with Christ. And if in all the Sacraments Jesus Christ is present and acts, in a very particular way, sacramentally, he does so in the Holy Sacrament of the Blessed Sacrament. Mass.
"It is the Sacrifice of Christ, offered to the Father with the cooperation of the Holy Spirit: an oblation of infinite value, which eternalizes the Redemption in us (...) The Holy Mass thus places us before the primordial mysteries of faith, because it is the very gift of the Trinity to the Church. Thus it is understood that it is the center and the root of the Christian's spiritual life....
In the Mass, the life of grace, which was deposited in us by Baptism and which grows strengthened by Confirmation, is brought to its fullness. When we participate in the Eucharist," writes St. Cyril of Jerusalem, "we experience the deifying spiritualization of the Holy Spirit, who not only configures us to Christ, as happens in Baptism, but also christifies us completely, associating us with the fullness of Christ Jesus" (Josemaría Escrivá. Christ Is Passing By, nn. 86 and 87).
The beauty of the liturgy at Holy Mass
These texts referring to the beauty of the Liturgy expressed in the celebration of the Holy Mass came to my mind on Sunday afternoon. After taking care of a sick person, I went to a church to accompany the Lord for a while. It was a quarter of an hour before the celebration, at 8:00 in the evening. The parishioners began to arrive, in silence and a certain recollection. A large number of the men were wearing shorts, and a smaller number of women as well.
Would they have shown up in those clothes at the party of a family friend? Or at a meeting with their bosses in the area of their professional work? Would they have gone with those clothes to receive an award for a professional performance, for a published book, etc.?
At the entrance door to the church there were none of those signs - which surely all readers will remember - prohibiting entry into the church dressed in that way. Perhaps the priests would not have said anything when they saw them on other occasions approaching in this way to receive Jesus Christ in Communion.
A good number -more than a hundred- of these men and women approached the altar to receive Communion. As soon as the Mass was over, the church emptied. The priest kept the interior silence for barely half a minute, after picking up the altar, without kneeling as he passed in front of the tabernacle. And the faithful who remained in the church thanking God for having received the Eucharist were barely a dozen. Were the parishioners aware of having met the Son of God made man? And of having lived with Jesus all the moments of the Mass, and of having "eaten" Him in the Holy Host?
