Tag: Benedict XVI
“Mystical experience” prompted Pope Benedict to retire
Rome, August 21, 2013 (Zenit.org) Salvatore Cernuzio The Pope Emeritus on Sunday spent a few hours at Castel Gandolfo, at the residence where he passed his summers as Pope. According to reports from Vatican sources, Benedict XVI spent about three hours at the papal summer residence, walking in the palace gardens, praying the rosary and attending a piano… Read More ›
Life of St. Bernard
I have ascended to the highest in me, and look! the Lord is towering above that. In my curiosity I have descended to explore my lowest depths, yet I found him even deeper. If I looked outside myself, I saw him stretching beyond the furthest I could see; and if I looked within, he was… Read More ›
Longest Serving Nun dies in Spain
MADRID (AP) — A nun believed to hold the world record of 86 years cloistered in a monastery has died in Spain. Sister Maria Romero, abbess of the Buenafuente del Sistal monastery northeast of Madrid said Wednesday that Sister Teresita Barajuen had died overnight. She was 105. She entered the Cistercian monastery when she was… Read More ›
Psalm 3: “Arise, O Lord! Deliver me, O my God!”
Today we are resuming the Audiences in St Peter’s Square and the “school of prayer” which we attend together during these Wednesday Catecheses. I would like to begin by meditating on several Psalms, which, as I said last June, constitute the “prayer book” par excellence. The first Psalm I shall consider is a Psalm of lamentation… Read More ›
St. Odo of Cluny
. . . St Odo was a true spiritual guide both for the monks and for the faithful of his time. In the face of the “immensity of the vices widespread in society, the remedy he strongly advised was that of a radical change of life, based on humility, austerity, detachment from ephemeral things and… Read More ›
Magnificat: “My soul glorifies the Lord”
The Commentaries on Psalm 119(118) are interrupted this first week of May as we honor Mary during her month. The following Commentary was offered by Pope Benedict XVI as part of the Commentaries on the Liturgy of the Hours on February 16, 2006. 1. We have now arrived at the final destination of the long… Read More ›
Psalm 119(118): Solemn canticle on the Torah of the Lord
In previous Catecheses we have meditated on several Psalms that are examples of typical forms of prayer: lamentation, trust and praise. In today’s Catechesis I would like to reflect on Psalm 119, according to the Hebrew tradition, Psalm 118 according to the Greco-Latin one. It is a very special Psalm, unique of its kind. This… Read More ›
Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone Asks Contemplatives for Prayer
Vatican City, 25 February 2013 (VIS) – Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B., sent a letter to the monasteries devoted to contemplative life around the world, invitign them to intensify their prayers at this special moment in the life of the Church. Following is the entire text of the message that is dated 21… Read More ›
On Ash Wednesday, pope preaches on humility, Christian unity
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Celebrating what was expected to be the last public liturgy of his pontificate two weeks before his resignation, Pope Benedict XVI preached on the virtues of humility and Christian unity and heard his highest-ranking aide pay tribute to his service to the church. Jesus “denounces religious hypocrisy, behavior that wants to… Read More ›
Pope cites waning strength as reason for resignation
Vatican City, Feb 11, 2013 / 07:20 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Benedict XVI told a gathering of cardinals Feb. 11 that he no longer has the strength to carry out ministry and will resign on Feb. 28. “I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to… Read More ›