26/6/2013 Papa Francisco (‏@Pontifex_pt): Caridade, paciência e ternura

"A caridade, a paciência e a ternura são tesouros belíssimos. E, quando alguém os possui, quer dividi-los com os demais."

Papa Francisco (‏@Pontifex_pt)

26/6/2013 Papa Francisco (@Pontifex_es): Caridad, paciencia y ternura

"La caridad, la paciencia y la ternura son un gran tesoro. Quien lo tiene, lo comparte con los demás."

Papa Francisco (@Pontifex_es)

26/6/2013 Papa Francesco (@Pontifex_it): Carità, pazienza e tenerezza

"La carità, la pazienza e la tenerezza sono tesori bellissimi. E quando li hai, vuoi condividerli con gli altri."

Papa Francesco (@Pontifex_it) 

26/6/2013 Pape François (@Pontifex_fr): charité, patience et tendresse

'La charité, la patience et la tendresse sont de magnifiques trésors. Et quand tu les as, tu veux les partager avec les autres."

Pape François (@Pontifex_fr)

Pope says all who do good will be redeemed, including atheists. Doing good is cited as the principle that unites humanity.

Vatican City: 

Pope Francis rocked some religious and atheist minds today when he declared that everyone was redeemed through Jesus, including atheists.

During his homily at Wednesday Mass in Rome, Francis emphasized the importance of "doing good" as a principle that unites all humanity, and a "culture of encounter" to support peace.

Using scripture from the Gospel of Mark, Francis explained how upset Jesus' disciples were that someone outside their group was doing good, according to a report from Vatican Radio.

“They complain,” the Pope said in his homily, because they say, “If he is not one of us, he cannot do good. If he is not of our party, he cannot do good.” And Jesus corrects them: “Do not hinder him, he says, let him do good.” The disciples, Pope Francis explains, “were a little intolerant,” closed off by the idea of possessing the truth, convinced that “those who do not have the truth, cannot do good.” “This was wrong . . . Jesus broadens the horizon.” Pope Francis said, “The root of this possibility of doing good – that we all have – is in creation”

Pope Francis went further in his sermon to say:

"The Lord created us in His image and likeness, and we are the image of the Lord, and He does good and all of us have this commandment at heart: do good and do not do evil. All of us. ‘But, Father, this is not Catholic! He cannot do good.’ Yes, he can... "The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone!".. We must meet one another doing good. ‘But I don’t believe, Father, I am an atheist!’ But do good: we will meet one another there.”

Responding to the leader of the Roman Catholic church's homily, Father James Martin, S.J. wrote in an email to The Huffington Post:

"Pope Francis is saying, more clearly than ever before, that Christ offered himself as a sacrifice for everyone. That's always been a Christian belief. You can find St. Paul saying in the First Letter to Timothy that Jesus gave himself as a "ransom for all."

But rarely do you hear it said by Catholics so forcefully, and with such evident joy. And in this era of religious controversies, it's a timely reminder that God cannot be confined to our narrow categories."

Of course, not all Christians believe that those who don't believe will be redeemed, and the Pope's words may spark memories of the deep divisions from the Protestant reformation over the belief in redemption through grace versus redemption through works.

The pope's comment has also struck a chord on Reddit, where it is the second most-shared piece.

(http://www.ucanindia.in/news/pope-says-all-who-do-good-will-be-redeemed-including-atheists/21049/daily)

23/6/2013 Pape François (@Pontifex_fr): Demandons au Seigneur de ne pas être hypocrites. Les hypocrites ignorent tout du pardon, de la joie, de l’amour de Dieu.

"Tous pécheurs, demandons au Seigneur de ne pas être hypocrites. Les hypocrites ignorent tout du pardon, de la joie, de l’amour de Dieu."

Pape François (@Pontifex_fr)

23/6/2013 Papa Francisco (‏@Pontifex_pt): Peçamos ao Senhor para não ser hipócritas, porque estes não sabem o que é o perdão, a alegria, o amor de Deus.

"Pecadores, somo-lo todos; mas peçamos ao Senhor para não ser hipócritas, porque estes não sabem o que é o perdão, a alegria, o amor de Deus."

Papa Francisco (‏@Pontifex_pt)

Our Lord says: 'I give you a new commandment: Love one another. By this love everyone will know that you are my disciples'.

Our Lord says: 'I give you a new commandment: Love one another. By this love everyone will know that you are my disciples'. And Saint Paul: 'Carry each other's troubles and you fulfill the law of Christ'. I have nothing to add. (The Way, 385)

If we look about us we could find reasons for believing that charity is a phantom virtue. But if we then consider things from a supernatural point of view, we can also see what is the root cause of this sterility: the absence of a continuous and intense, person‑to‑person relationship with Our Lord Jesus Christ, and an ignorance of the work of the Holy Spirit in the soul, whose very first fruit is precisely charity.

In commenting on St Paul’s advice, ‘bear one another’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ’, one of the Fathers of the Church says, ‘By loving Christ we can easily bear the weaknesses of others, including those people whom we do not love as yet because they are lacking in good works.’

This is the direction taken by the path that makes us grow in charity. We would be mistaken were we to believe that we must first engage in humanitarian activities and social works, leaving the love for God to one side. ‘Let us not neglect Christ out of concern for our neighbor’s illness, for we ought to love the sick for the sake of Christ.’

Turn your gaze constantly to Jesus who, without ceasing to be God, humbled himself and took the nature of a slave, in order to serve us. Only by following in his direction will we find ideals that are worthwhile. Love seeks union, identification with the beloved. United to Christ, we will be drawn to imitate his life of dedication, his unlimited love and his sacrifice unto death. Christ brings us face to face with the ultimate choice: either we spend our life in selfish isolation, or we devote ourselves and all our energies to the service of others. (Friends of God, 236)

(http://www.opusdei.org.in/art.php?p=16913)

Fill the world with peace and love

"When I speak to you of good example, I mean to tell you, too, that you have to understand and excuse, that you have to fill the world with peace and love." (The Forge, 560) 

I really wish we Christians knew how to serve, for only by serving can we know and love Christ and make him known and loved.

How will we show him to souls? By our example. Through our voluntary service of Jesus Christ, we should be witnesses to him in all our activities, for he is the Lord of our entire lives, the only and ultimate reason for our existence. Then, once we have given this witness of service, we will be able to give instruction by our word. That was how Christ acted. “He began to do and to teach;” he first taught by his action, and then by his divine preaching.

If we are to serve others, for Christ’s sake, we need to be very human. If our life is less than human, God will not build anything on it, for he normally does not build on disorder, selfishness or emptiness. We have to understand everyone; we must live peaceably with everyone; we must forgive everyone. We shall not call injustice justice; we shall not say that an offence against God is not an offence against God, or that evil is good. When confronted by evil we shall not reply with another evil, but rather with sound doctrine and good actions: drowning evil in an abundance of good. (Christ is passing by, 182)

(http://www.opusdei.org.in/art.php?p=16914)

O matrimónio

O matrimónio não pode jamais ser dissolvido.

O vínculo matrimonial é estabelecido por Deus.

Este vínculo, resultante do acto humano livre dos esposos é, a partir de então, uma realidade irrevogável e dá origem a uma aliança garantida pela fidelidade de Deus.

A Igreja não tem poder para se pronunciar contra esta disposição da sabedoria divina.

Love everyone

“Love everyone: understanding, excusing, forgiving all”

Loving souls for God's sake will make us love everyone: understanding, excusing, forgiving all. We should have a love that can cover the multitude of failings contrived by human wretchedness. We have to have a wonderful charity, veritatem facientes in caritate, defending the truth, without hurting anyone. (The Forge, 559)

Each day, you will find, as I do, if you examine yourselves courageously in the presence of God, that you have many defects. If we struggle, with God’s help, to get rid of them we needn’t give them too much importance, and we will overcome them even though it may seem that we never manage to uproot them entirely.

Furthermore, over and above those weaknesses, if you are really determined to correspond to God’s grace, you will be helping to cure the big shortcomings of others. When you realize you are as weak as they are and capable of any sin, no matter how horrible, you will be more understanding and gentle with others.

We must completely reject any kind of partiality (we are interested in the souls of all men!) although it is only natural that we turn first to the people whom for whatever reasons (even though at times they may appear to be only human reasons) God has placed at our side. (Friends of God, 162)

(http://www.opusdei.org.in/art.php?p=16911)

Palavras absolutamente necessárias: O Papa Francisco estigmatiza o hábito dos que têm de impor aos fiéis "muitos preceitos". E os define "hipócritas da casuística".

O cristianismo não é uma "casuística" de preceitos: esta concepção impede de compreender e viver que Deus é alegria e magnanimidade, reiterou o Papa Francisco na Missa celebrada na manhã da quarta-feira 19 de Junho, na Casa S. Marta.

Os hipócritas que "levam o povo de Deus a uma estrada sem saída". O Papa faz a sua reflexão sobre a famosa passagem de S. Mateus que apresenta o contraste entre o comportamento dos escribas e fariseus - que se exibem em público, quando fazem a esmola, a oração e o jejum - e aquilo que, pelo contrário, Jesus indica aos discípulos como a atitude certa a tomar nas mesmas circunstâncias, ou seja, o "segredo", a discrição apreciada e recompensada por Deus. Em particular, para além da vaidade dos escribas e fariseus, o Papa Francisco estigmatiza o hábito que têm de impor aos fiéis "muitos preceitos". E os define "hipócritas da casuística", "intelectuais sem talento", que "não têm a inteligência para encontrar Deus, e explicar Deus com inteligência", e fazendo assim impedem a si próprios e aos outros de entrar no Reino de Deus:
"Jesus o diz: "Nem entrais vós e nem deixais que os outros entrem”. São moralistas sem bondade, não sabem o que é a bondade. Mas sim, são especialistas em ética, hein? "Deve-se fazer isto, e isto, e aquilo ...' Enchem-te de preceitos, mas sem bondade. E aqueles dos filactérios que vestem tantos tecidos, tantas coisas, para fingirem um pouco de "ser majestosos, perfeitos, não têm o sentido da beleza. Eles não têm o sentido da beleza. Chegam apenas a uma beleza para o museu. Intelectuais sem talento, moralistas sem bondade, portadores de beleza para museu. Estes são os hipócritas, aos quais Jesus repreende muito".

"Mas isso não termina aqui", continua o Papa Francisco. "No Evangelho de hoje – observa ele - o Senhor fala de uma outra classe de hipócritas, aqueles que vão para o sagrado":"O Senhor fala do jejum, da oração, da esmola: os três pilares da piedade cristã, da conversão interior, que a Igreja propõe a todos nós durante a Quaresma. Também nesta estrada estão os hipócritas, que se ostentam quando fazem jejum, dão esmola, e rezam. Eu penso que quando a hipocrisia chega a esse ponto no relacionamento com Deus, estamos bastante perto do pecado contra o Espírito Santo. Estes não sabem da beleza, não sabem do amor, não sabem da verdade: são pequenos, mesquinhos".

"Pensemos na hipocrisia dentro da Igreja: quanto mal nos faz a todos”, reconhece com franqueza o Papa Francisco que, pelo contrário, indica como "ícone" para imitar um personagem descrito numa outra passagem do Evangelho. Trata-se do publicano que com humilde simplicidade reza dizendo: "tem piedade de mim, Senhor, que sou pecador". "Esta - disse o Papa - é a oração que todos devemos fazer todos os dias, sabendo que somos pecadores", mas "com pecados concretos, não teóricos". E é esta oração, conclui o Papa, que nos ajudará a percorrer a "estrada contrária" à hipocrisia, uma tentação – nos lembra o Papa Francisco - que "todos nós temos":"Mas todos nós temos também a graça, a graça que vem de Jesus Cristo: a graça da alegria; a graça da magnanimidade, da generosidade. O hipócrita não sabe o que é a alegria, não sabe o que é a generosidade, não sabe o que é a magnanimidade".

(http://www.news.va/pt/news/o-cristianismo-nao-e-uma-casuistica-de-preceitos-p)

Strong and right words: Christianity is not the study of laws or commands

Christianity is not the study of laws or commands: this is an impediment to understanding and living the truth that God is joy and generosity. This was the message of Pope Francis at Mass celebrated this morning in Casa Santa Marta.

The hypocrites who “lead the people of God down a dead-end street” Pope Francis said, are the subject of today’s Gospel. The Pope reflected on the famous passage of Matthew’s Gospel that contrasts the behaviour of the scribes and Pharisees – who make a show of praying, fasting, and almsgiving – with the path indicated by Jesus, Who points out to His disciples the proper attitude to assume in the same circumstances: giving alms and praying “in secret.” “And your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you.”

 

Pope Francis criticized not only the vanity of the scribes and Pharisees, but also those who impose “so many precepts on the faithful.” He called them “hypocrites of casuistry,” “intellectuals without talent” who “don’t have the intelligence to find God, to explain God with understanding,” and so prevent themselves and others from entering into the Kingdom of God:

“Jesus says: ‘You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to others.’ They are ethicists without goodness, they do not know what goodness is. But they are ethicists, aren’t they? ‘You have to do this, and this, and this . . .’ They fill you with precepts, but without goodness. And those are some of the phylacteries, of the tassels they lengthen, so many things, to make a pretence of being majestic, perfect, they have no sense of beauty. They have no sense of beauty. They achieve only the beauty of a museum. They are intellectuals without talent, ethicists without goodness, the bearers of museum beauty. These are the hypocrites that Jesus rebukes so strongly.
 

“But He doesn’t stop there,” Pope Francis continued. “In today’s Gospel, the Lord speaks about another class of hypocrites, ‘holy rollers’ [It: quelli che vanno sul sacro]:

“The Lord speaks about fasting, about prayer, about almsgiving: the three pillars of Christian piety, of interior conversion, that the Church proposes to us all in Lent. There are even hypocrites along this path, who make a show of fasting, of giving alms, of praying. I think that when hypocrisy reaches this point in the relation with God, we are coming very close to the sin against the Holy Spirit. These do not know beauty, they do not know love, these do not know the truth: they are small, cowardly.”

Pope Francis

(http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-condemns-hypocrisy)

Lugar de misericordia y esperanza

"Que la Iglesia sea siempre lugar de misericordia y esperanza, donde cada uno se sienta acogido, amado y perdonado."

Papa Francisco (@Pontifex_es)

Lugar de misericórdia e esperança

"Que a Igreja seja sempre lugar de misericórdia e esperança, onde cada um se possa sentir acolhido, amado e perdoado."

Papa Francisco (‏@Pontifex_pt)

A place of mercy and hope

"Let the Church always be a place of mercy and hope, where everyone is welcomed, loved and forgiven."

Pope Francis (@Pontifex)

Ready for the next digital quantum leap?

Do you realize that as you read this column you are involved in something changing the Church in ways that were impossible to imagine just a few years ago?

According to the head of Google, Eric Schmidt, seven billion of us, up from two billion right now, will be accessing the internet , mostly by hand held devices – smart phone and tablets - inside five years.

What is really new about what web access will be for the coming generation is how it will enable them to interact directly with others who share common concerns – social media platforms. It is the medium that will enable interactivity on a scale never known in human evolution.

As the last pope put it, the web is the new gathering place or assembly point – the agora. It is the place where messages can be transmitted.

To participate in it requires a changed mindset for Church leaders who are used to being listened to. Social media is now the tool for listening to the heartbeat of the Church. Miss it and you are just ignored.

And paradoxically, its capacity to provoke change is highest in closed societies that delude themselves into the belief that they can control the flow of information and contain interaction. Frustrations are highest among people who are blocked from what they want to do.

What difference will it make to Catholics and the Church’s operations when more than two thirds of the planet’s population is interacting in cyberspace? 

What we are witnessing is the exponential growth in the capacity of ordinary individuals – up to seven billion of them – to share a technology for information distribution and interaction. This is not only a technical change but the trigger to a cultural change that has always been the Trojan Horse in the advent of the web – the power of interactivity and the democratizing of access to information and the formation of opinion.

Cultural change is what makes or breaks the Church’s ability to proclaim the Gospel in compelling and persuasive ways. And our record isn’t great on that score.

It took 150 years for Vatican authorities to wake up to the invention of printing by Gutenberg. It was Luther who saw its potential, translated the Bible from Latin into national languages and put the Word of God into the hands of anyone who could read it. From this and for other reasons, the Protestant reformation flowed.

In Asia, one of the continents where the Catholic Church is growing, we are familiar with the impact of cultural change and its relevance to the mission of the Church.

The Church’s mission to proclaim and display the message of Jesus has never done so well as it has since the end of the colonial era in the middle of the last century. Becoming their own nations, Asian societies and their Catholic Churches have not had to carry the burden of being seen as a European import. Many have taken on shapes and languages and customs proper to the people of each country and nationality.

But now, by 2018, the communications landscape of Asia will be transformed by what the net can offer through cheap smartphones and tablets. Interactivity will so impact Asia that previously hierarchically structured and centrally controlled nations and cultures will be under an attack, the likes of which they have never faced before – from within.

 

The most immediate and obvious opportunity for the Church is to take seriously the Vatican II notion of the Church as the People of God and not define the Church beginning with the hierarchy.

Whether you like it or not and whether it’s an improvement or a deformation, the web means everyone has the opportunity to pose as an authority, to propose their campaign, to unite or divide communities and nations. The capacity to publish and interact and win and persuade whole populations is now in the hands of anyone who wants to grasp it – for good or for ill.

Miss this change in style and substance to the culture created by the web and the Church will do itself lasting damage.

Of course, virtual interaction is no substitute for actual, face-to-face encounter in the Church’s life. Just as you might make friends online, no one develops real relationships unless they can actually meet and learn about someone else in the flesh. Even online dating goes nowhere until there are real meetings. It’s the same with the Church.

But coming generations of Catholics will not take the word of authorities just because they’re authorities. The next generation of leadership of the Church will need to be skilled in offering invitations and being persuasive, rather than believing compliance with their directives will come simply by virtue of their office.

However, there’s an upside. With so many Catholics online in Asia, what connected people to parishes in the past (sodalities, prayer groups, social service outreach, administration, schools and many more) will have another layer to them – continuous virtual and interactive connection.

A French historian, Charles Peguy, said early last century of the Church that at the turn of each age, “she arrives a little late and a little breathless.” This time, what can be done with the changes in cyberspace are only restricted by the way we limit the possibilities.

(http://www.ucanews.com/news/ready-for-the-next-digital-quantum-leap/68509)

Pauvretés morales et matérielles

"Combien de pauvretés morales et matérielles viennent aujourd’hui du refus de Dieu et du fait de mettre à sa place tant d’idoles!"

Pape François (@Pontifex_fr)

Povertà morali e materiali

"Quante povertà morali e materiali oggi vengono dal rifiuto di Dio e dal mettere al suo posto tanti idoli!"

Papa Francesco (@Pontifex_it)

Pobrezas morais e materiais

"Quantas pobrezas morais e materiais de hoje se ficam a dever à rejeição de Deus, colocando no seu lugar tantos ídolos!"

Papa Francisco (‏@Pontifex_pt)

Pobrezas morales y materiales

"Hoy, muchas de las pobrezas morales y materiales vienen del rechazo de Dios y de poner en su lugar a tantos ídolos."

Papa Francisco (@Pontifex_es)

Solidarity

"We must not be afraid of solidarity; rather let us make all we have and are available to God."

Pope Francis (@Pontifex)

Moral and material poverty

How many kinds of moral and material poverty we face today as a result of denying God and putting so many idols in his place!

Pope Francis (@Pontifex)

To love

To love

without conditions, circumstances or situations
 
To love

regardless the state or form ...
 
To love without conditions
 
No requirements or imposition...

To love

without places or facts 

without necessary or essential things...
 
To love without conditions
 
To love  the ones whithout conditions...

To love without conditions always and anyway

without waiting

without waiting the sufficient conditions to love

and the right opportunity ...

Because too often "there are no conditions!" ...


To love without conditions, unconditionally and entirely

Sairmos cada vez mais de nós mesmos para nos doarmos e servirmos os outros

"Cristo guia-nos sempre no sentido de sairmos cada vez mais de nós mesmos para nos doarmos e servirmos os outros."

Papa Francisco (‏@Pontifex_pt)

Caritas Hong Kong, one of the largest diocesan Caritas in the world, with over 10 thousand volunteers and projects in India, Japan, Vietnam, New Zealand, Australia, China

Hong Kong - Tireless work to "contribute to the formation and development of man": is what is carried out by Caritas Hong Kong, one of the largest diocesan Caritas in the world, with over 10 thousand volunteers and projects in India, Japan, Vietnam, New Zealand, Australia, China. This is what His Eminence Cardinal Robert Sarah, President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum stressed in an interview with Fides Agency, who traveled in past weeks in Hong Kong on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the founding of Caritas. The Cardinal brought with him the loving concern of Pope Francis, who notes Cardinal Sarah, "thinks much about Asia, in particular about China. The support he offers is a sign that the Church has at heart everyone’s well-being, regardless of their religious or political affiliation."

(http://www.news.va/en/news/asiahongkong-dialogue-and-charity-for-a-new-societ)

ASIA/TURKEY - The Feast of St. Anthony Istanbul, in the midst of the turmoil in Taksim Square

Istanbul - " Many young people who go to Taksim Square pass by our church, light a candle to St. Anthony, then they go to demonstrate. They are people of all social classes and religions. As Franciscans, in this delicate moment for the country we pray, through the intercession of St. Anthony, for the good and peace in the country ": This is what Fr. Anton Bulai, OFM Conv says, pastor of the St. Anthony Church in Istanbul, situated in the centre of the town, not far from Taksim Square. The local community of six Franciscan friars are preparing the feast of St. Anthony, on June 13, a celebration with ancient roots, and a feast that welcomes Christians of all denominations and many non Christians, devoted to the Saint."It is a feast that involves the whole local Church: we will be close to our Bishop, Mgr. Louis Pelatre who will celebrate Mass. But it is also an ecumenical feast, open to all: religious leaders and believers of all other communities come, " explains friar Anton. There will be a representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and non Christian faithful. Anthony is a saint known and loved in Turkey especially for the initiative of the "Bread of the poor" where for over 60 years poor people benefit from, without distinction of religion or ethnicity. Fr. Bulai explains: "Every Tuesday, since the time of the Apostolic Delegate Angelo Roncalli, who went to our church, to our convent, one prays and distributes bread to the hungry or needy." In recent years, "a special blessing and gifts for the children" have marked the feast of the 13th of June.The feast today is in the midst of a wave of protest that, notes the pastor, "might somehow discourage the participation of the people," given the fear of disorder or violence. From the Church of St. Anthony "there will always be a word of peace, of good and reconciliation." "Our Church and our Franciscan witness in Turkey continues: we are a convent with the doors always open to welcome, we are always ready to pray, bless, and welcome anyone who approaches and comes to light a candle to the Saint: and there are many people who do it every day, of every social class and religion, "notes Fr. Bulai

 

(http://www.news.va/en/news/asiaturkey-the-feast-of-st-anthony-istanbul-in-the)

Everything is grace

"Everything is grace. Everything. And what are the signs of when an apostle lives this gratuity? There are so many, but I will underline only two: First, poverty. The proclamation of the Gospel must follow the path of poverty. The testimony of this poverty: I have no wealth, my wealth is the gift I received, God: this gratuity is our wealth! And this poverty saves us from becoming managers, entrepreneurs ... The works of the Church must be brought forward, and some are a little complex, but with a heart of poverty, not with the heart of an investment broker or an entrepreneur…"

Pope Francis

Culture of waste

With the “culture of waste”, human life is no longer considered the primary value to be respected and protected.

Pope Francis (@Pontifex)

Amigos de Dios (2) - La grandeza de la vida corriente, Dios nos quiere santos

Vosotros y yo formamos parte de la familia de Cristo, porque El mismo nos escogió antes de la creación del mundo, para que seamos santos y sin mancha en su presencia por la caridad, habiéndonos predestinado como hijos adoptivos por Jesucristo, a gloria suya, por puro efecto de su buena voluntad. Esta elección gratuita, que hemos recibido del Señor, nos marca un fin bien determinado: la santidad personal, como nos lo repite insistentemente San Pablo: hæc est voluntas Dei: sanctificatio vestra, ésta es la Voluntad de Dios: vuestra santificación.

San Josemaría Escrivá

Love (1) John Powell

“To live fully, we must learn to use things and love people, and not love things and use people.” John Joseph Powell (Jesuit)

CBCI, working with the unorganized workers of country since 1972

The Commission for Labor of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) inaugurated a campaign to combat child labor in the country.

“We the arm of the Catholic Church in India working in the labor sector is also committed and join many others in the worldwide combating against the child labor,” said Fr. Jaison Vadassery, secretary of the labor commission.

The priest said that it is an occasion to highlight the global and national extent of child labor and raise awareness on the situation of millions of children, girls and boys, working across the globe and our country India.

He said that the CBCI office for labor has the history of working with the unorganized workers of country since 1972.

The participants at the event noted that Children are a ‘supremely important national asset’ and the future well-being of the nation depends on how children grow and develop.

Though children are considered valuable and future of the country, but child labor disfavors this fact depriving the children of education, play and recreation, stunt their physical growth leading to defects and ailments.

The International Labor Organization (ILO) launched the first world day against child labor in 2002 to highlight the plight of the children workers and what can be done to help them.

Around the world it is estimated that 215 million children are trapped in child labor and 115 million of these are in hazardous work including armed conflicts, slavery, drug trafficking and all other illegal activities.

(http://www.ucanindia.in/news/poster-campaign-launched-to-fight-child-labor/21162/daily)

We must free ourselves from these economic and social structures that enslave us

"Today, the person doesn’t matter; money matters. … The person is in crisis because the person today – listen well, this is true – is a slave! We must free ourselves from these economic and social structures that enslave us."

Pope Francis, 7th June 2013

(http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-launches-into-spontaneous-qa-with-students)

Um Jesuíta fala do Papa Jesuíta

Autor: Padre James Martin, S. J. James Martin é um sacerdote jesuíta, editor da revista “América” e autor do livro “The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything” – “Guia jesuíta para (quase) tudo”.

Que significa que um dos meus irmãos jesuítas seja o Papa.

O Papa Francisco é o primeiro Papa da história dos Jesuítas.

Quando ouvi anunciarem o seu nome, depois de gritar, o meu primeiro pensamento foi o quão improvável era tudo isto.

Porquê?

Porque é que era tão difícil para as pessoas (incluindo para mim) imaginar um Papa jesuíta?

Que teria pensado Santo Inácio de Loiola, o fundador da ordem dos Jesuítas (formalmente conhecida como a Companhia de Jesus), no século XVI?

Abordemos, antes de mais, a primeira pergunta: Porque é que seria tão improvável?

Por duas razões.

A primeira é que a maioria dos cardeais provém do clero diocesano.

Ou seja, a maioria estuda em seminários diocesanos e está mais preparada para o trabalho em áreas mais conhecidas, as paróquias católicas: celebram missas, baptizam crianças, presidem a casamentos e trabalham junto das famílias da sua paróquia.

Talvez, para o público em geral, seja mais fácil entender as suas vidas.

Começam como párocos, mais tarde são nomeados bispos e arcebispos, e depois, o Papa nomeia-os cardeais.

Os membros das ordens religiosas, como os franciscanos, os dominicanos e os jesuítas, vivem uma vida diferente.

Fazemos votos de pobreza, castidade e obediência e vivemos juntos, em comunidades. (Ao contrário, os sacerdotes das paróquias recebem um estipêndio mensal).

Também, não concentramos a nossa acção na vida paroquial.

Nos Estados Unidos, por exemplo, os jesuítas são conhecidos principalmente pelas suas Instituições educativas: escolas secundárias, preparatórias e universidades como o “Boston College”, Georgetown, Fordham e todas as escolas com o nome “Loyola”.

Por isso, a nossa vida é diferente da vida do clero diocesano; nem melhor nem pior, apenas diferente.

Por isso, os membros das ordens religiosas parecem mais “estranhos” aos cardeais.

É por isso que, na história recente, não tem havido muitos papas provenientes de ordens religiosas.

Quando elegem um líder, os cardeais preferem, naturalmente, alguém que pertença ao seu “mundo”.

Porém, desta vez, não foi assim.

Talvez sentissem que era altura de mudar.

Em grande.

Tanto mais que os jesuítas, às vezes, eram vistos com receio em certas zonas do Vaticano.

Há várias razões para isso e algumas são complexas.

A primeira razão provém, como referi, das nossas “diferenças”.

Em segundo lugar, havia pessoas que pensavam que o nosso trabalho com os pobres e os marginalizados era demasiado experimental, radical ou mesmo perigoso.

“Quando trabalhas na fronteira”, disse um jesuíta já idoso, “às vezes rebaixa-los”.

No início da década de 1980, o papa João Paulo II “interveio” na nossa gestão interna, devido às tensões entre os jesuítas e o Vaticano.

Após o nosso superior geral ter sido deposto, o Papa designou um representante seu para nos dirigir (em vez de deixar que se realizasse o processo normal com que elegeríamos um novo superior).

Exerceu um poder que tinha como Papa, mas desencorajou muitos jesuítas.

Alguns anos mais tarde, elegemos um novo superior geral e as relações cordiais foram restabelecidas.

No entanto, a desconfiança persistiu nalguns sectores do Vaticano, significando assim que imaginar um Papa jesuíta era uma loucura.

Agora que há um Papa jesuíta, se essa desconfiança ainda não desapareceu, pelo menos diminuiu.

Que significa ter um papa jesuíta?

Muitas coisas.

Para começar, o novo vigário de Cristo está profundamente impregnado com a espiritualidade de Santo Inácio de Loiola, que fundou a ordem jesuíta, em 1540.

Como todos os jesuítas “maduros”, o Papa Francisco participou em duas ocasiões nos Exercícios Espirituais, um retiro silencioso de um mês, dedicado à vida de Jesus Cristo.

Os Exercícios requerem o uso da imaginação para entrar na vida de Jesus, através da oração.

Podemos afirmar que o Papa Francisco é um homem intensamente espiritual, que sondou as profundidades da vida de Cristo de uma forma particularmente jesuíta.

Desde que foi eleito, na quarta-feira, ouvi uma dúzia de jesuítas dizerem: “Bem, não sei muito acerca dele, mas sei que fez os Exercícios”.

Em segundo lugar, a preparação dos jesuítas é um processo extremamente prolongado.

O Papa Francisco entrou no noviciado jesuíta em 1958, com 22 anos, e ordenou-se em 1969. (Este é o tempo médio de preparação de um sacerdote jesuíta. Eu entrei em 1988 e ordenei-me em 1999).

Assim, o novo Papa é um homem culto que também tem experiência em vários ministérios para que foi designado durante a sua longa preparação.

Tipicamente pede-se a um jesuíta em formação que trabalhe com os pobres, cuide dos doentes nos hospitais e dê aulas em escolas, ao mesmo tempo que faz o que Santo Inácio chamava duas tarefas “humildes e simples”, como limpar as casas de banho e esfregar o chão.

Em terceiro lugar, o Papa Francisco conhece a pobreza.

Os jesuítas devem levar a sério o voto de pobreza.

Isto significa que, durante o noviciado, vivemos com um salário mínimo, trabalhamos com os pobres e não possuímos bens.

Os relatos, agora tornados famosos, de que o cardeal Bergoglio usava os transportes públicos e fazia a sua própria comida podem ter a sua base em Santo Inácio de Loiola, que disse que devemos amar a pobreza “como se fosse uma mãe”.

Pede-se-nos aos jesuítas que sigamos a “Cristo pobre”, isto é, que imitemos a Cristo na sua pobreza terrena e que vivamos da forma mais simples possível.

Alguns de nós fazemo-lo melhor que outros; uma vez que ele foi nomeado bispo e depois arcebispo, foi libertado do seu voto de pobreza, mas é um dos principais objectivos na vida de um jesuíta e certamente está enraizado na sua vida espiritual.

Enfatizou-se o nome do Papa Francisco; eu senti uma grande alegria por ter decidido honrar São Francisco de Assis, provavelmente o santo mais querido do mundo.

Isso indica um grande desejo de ajudar os pobres.

No entanto, não pude deixar de pensar que apesar da sua devoção a São Francisco, realizou as suas primeiras experiências no ministério com os pobres, quando era, como dizem os jesuítas, “um filho de Inácio”.

Em quarto lugar, pede-se aos jesuítas para estarem “disponíveis”: abertos, livres, prontos para irem para qualquer lugar.

O ideal dos jesuítas é serem livres o suficiente para irem aonde Deus quer que vão, seja para uma favela da América Latina ou para o Palácio Apostólico no Vaticano.

Também devemos ser “indiferentes”: suficientemente livres para trabalhar em qualquer lugar, fazer qualquer coisa que sirva “ad majorem Dei gloriam”: para a maior glória de Deus.

Em quinto lugar, espera-se que não sejamos “carreiristas”.

Esta é uma enorme ironia.

Quando os padres e os irmãos jesuítas terminam a sua formação, fazem votos de pobreza, castidade, obediência e um voto especial em relação ao Papa, “sobre as missões”, ou seja, em relação aos lugares onde o Papa os queira enviar.

No entanto, também fazemos uma promessa pouco comum, que tanto quanto sei, é única entre as ordens religiosas: não “ambicionar nem procurar” um alto cargo.

Santo Inácio estava indignado com a ambição do clero, testemunhada por ele nos finais do Renascimento, e, por isso, pediu-nos que fizéssemos essa promessa singular, contra a “ascensão”.

Às vezes, o Papa pede a um jesuíta, como fez com Jorge Bergoglio, para assumir o cargo de bispo ou arcebispo.

Mas isso não é habitual.

No entanto, um jesuíta que uma vez prometeu não “ambicionar nem procurar” um alto cargo, passou agora a deter o cargo mais alto da Igreja.

Quanto à segunda pergunta: O que pensará Santo Inácio de Loiola?

Santo Inácio tornou-se famoso por se recusar a aceitar que os seus homens se fizessem bispos e houve mesmo momentos em que ele resistiu ao Vaticano para evitar que isso acontecesse.

Por outro lado, ele era suficientemente “disponível” para entender que era necessário quebrar as regras rígidas.

Além disso, estava empenhado em fazer tudo o que fosse possível pela Igreja e a pedir aos seus jesuítas que fizessem o mesmo.

Num dos estatutos dos jesuítas, Inácio anuncia as suas intenções de “servir somente o Senhor e a sua esposa, a Igreja, sob a autoridade do pontífice romano, o vigário de Cristo na Terra”.

Como diz o nosso lema, fazer tudo para “a maior glória de Deus” e pelo serviço da Igreja, como diria Inácio.

Então, francamente, penso que Santo Inácio aprovaria que um dos seus Filhos não só sirva o pontífice romano, mas também que o seja ele mesmo.

Por mim, aprovo certamente.

Throwing food away is like stealing it from the poor and hungry

"Consumerism has accustomed us to waste. But throwing food away is like stealing it from the poor and hungry."

Pope Francis (@Pontifex)

There are poor who are really rich

"Detach yourself from the goods of the world. Love and practise poverty of spirit: be content with what enables you to live a simple and sober life. Otherwise, you will never be an apostle. (The Way, 631)

Rather than in not having, true poverty consists in being detached, in voluntarily renouncing one's dominion over things. That is why there are poor who are really rich. And vice-versa. (The Way, 632)

You haven't got the spirit of poverty if, when you are able to choose in such a way that your choice is not noticed, you do not select for yourself what is worst. (The Way, 635)"

(http://www.opusdei.org.in/art.php?p=19296)

Counter a culture of waste with solidarity

"When stock markets drop ten points its ‘a tragedy’ but starving children, homeless people dying on our streets, people disposed of like trash - such as the unborn or the elderly - has become the norm.

This is the result of a culture of waste, of our being unable to ‘read the signs’ of God’s creation, His free gift to us, and of allowing money and not man rule society. A culture of solidarity should prevail over our culture of waste, because when we care for and cultivate creation – including the human person – when we share our resources, we all have enough."

Pope Francis

(http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-at-audience-counter-a-culture-of-waste-with-s)

 

Humildade, serviço e amor

"A lógica mundana impele-nos para o sucesso, o domínio, o dinheiro; a lógica de Deus para a humildade, o serviço e o amor."

Papa Francisco (‏@Pontifex_pt)

Audience of Pope Francis with Uruguayan president Jose Mujica, a declared atheist, the longest so far with a head of state

"The Pope is very pleased for having met with a wise man", was the official report from the Holy See following the 45 minute private audience of Francis with Uruguayan president Jose Mujica, the longest so far with a head of state. Although Mujica is a declared atheist and did not attend the inauguration of the first Latinamerican pope last March, he did request an interview with Francis, which took place on Saturday.

Note: Uruguayan president Jose Mujica donates 90 percent of his wages to charities, lives with his wife in a modest farmhouse instead of the presidential palace and drives himself in a decades-old Volkswagen Beetle.

(http://www.ucanews.com/news/popes-warm-welcome-for-the-worlds-poorest-president/68424)

Church with no doors

My church will not have doors. Only windows to get plenty of light. The rest are entries and roads.

Humildad, servicio y amor

"La lógica mundana nos empuja hacia el éxito, el dominio, el dinero; la lógica de Dios, hacia la humildad, el servicio y el amor."

Papa Francisco (@Pontifex_es)

Humilité, service et amour

"La logique du monde nous pousse vers le succès, le pouvoir, l’argent; la logique de Dieu vers l’humilité, le service et l’amour."

Pape François (@Pontifex_fr)

L’umiltà, il servizio e l’amore

"La logica mondana ci spinge verso il successo, il dominio, il denaro; la logica di Dio verso l’umiltà, il servizio e l’amore."

Papa Francesco (@Pontifex_it)

Humility, service and love

"The world tells us to seek success, power and money; God tells us to seek humility, service and love."

Pope Francis (@Pontifex)

The miracle of fire made of love

Life is a matchstick too scarce for the miracle of fire made of love.

The whole of salvation history is the story of God looking for us

"The whole of salvation history is the story of God looking for us: he offers us love and welcomes us with tenderness."

Pope Francis (@Pontifex)

Toda a história da salvação é a história de Deus que procura o homem

"Toda a história da salvação é a história de Deus que procura o homem: oferece-lhe o seu amor, acolhe-o com ternura."

Papa Francisco (‏@Pontifex_pt)

Toda la historia de la Salvación es la historia de Dios que busca al hombre

"Toda la historia de la Salvación es la historia de Dios que busca al hombre, le ofrece su amor y lo acoge con ternura."

Papa Francisco (@Pontifex_es)