Rule of St. Benedict

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[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']P[/dropcaps]ROLOGUE Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him...

28 January, 2016 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']V[/dropcaps]enerated Brothers in the Episcopate and in the Priesthood! Dear Brothers and Sisters! On this 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time, our Eucharistic celebration is enriched for various reasons that impel us to give thanks to God. Concurrently, the Year of the Eucharist and...

28 January, 2016 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']T[/dropcaps]he Pope met with thousands of enthusiastic German pilgrims Monday for an audience; it lasted about ten minutes, but he arrived exactly half an hour late for it, coming from a meeting with non-Catholic religious leaders. He started with a...

28 January, 2016 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']L[/dropcaps]ETTER OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI TO THE BISHOPS ON THE OCCASION OF THE PUBLICATION OF THE APOSTOLIC LETTER "MOTU PROPRIO DATA" SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM ON THE USE OF THE ROMAN LITURGY PRIOR TO THE REFORM OF 1970 My dear Brother Bishops, With great trust and hope, I am...

28 January, 2016 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']“[/dropcaps]God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1 Jn4:16). These words from theFirst Letter of John express with remarkable clarity the heart of the Christian faith: the Christian image of...

28 January, 2016 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']T[/dropcaps]he Dogmatic Constitution "Dei Verbum," whose drafting I personally witnessed as a young theologian, taking part in the lively discussions that went with it, begins with a deeply meaningful sentence: "Dei Verbum religiose audiens et fidenter proclamans, Sacrosancta Synodus ...

28 January, 2016 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']I[/dropcaps]ntroduction The dignity of a person must be recognized in every human being from conception to natural death. This fundamental principle expresses a great “yes” to human life and must be at the center of ethical reflection on biomedical research, which...

28 January, 2016 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']F[/dropcaps]aith, Reason and the University Memories and Reflections Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a moving experience for me to stand and give a lecture at this university podium once again. I think back to those years when, after a pleasant period at...

28 January, 2016 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']D[/dropcaps]ear young friends, Yesterday evening we came together in the presence of the Sacred Host, in which Jesus becomes for us the bread that sustains and feeds us (cf. Jn 6:35), and there we began our inner journey of adoration.  In the Eucharist, adoration...

28 January, 2016 /

ENCYCLICAL LETTER SPE SALVI OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF BENEDICT XVI TO THE BISHOPS PRIESTS AND DEACONS MEN AND WOMEN RELIGIOUS AND ALL THE LAY FAITHFUL ON CHRISTIAN HOPE   [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']I[/dropcaps]ntroduction “SPE SALVI facti sumus”—in hope we were saved, says Saint Paul to the Romans, and likewise to us (Rom8:24). According...

27 January, 2016 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']Y[/dropcaps]our Eminences, my dear Brother Bishops and Priests, Distinguished Authorities and Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Dear Brothers and Sisters, During these days of great intensity, we have chanted the litany of the saints on three different occasions: at the funeral...

27 January, 2016 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']T[/dropcaps] o my Venerable Brothers the Cardinals, Patriarchs, Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Deacons and to all the People of God. Twenty years ago, work began on the Catechism of the Catholic Church that had been requested by the extraordinary Assembly of...

27 January, 2016 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']H[/dropcaps] ere is the complete text of Pope Benedict XVI's first message, delivered in Latin at the end of Mass with the Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel, on April 20, 2005, the morning after his election. It can be seen...

27 January, 2016 /

POPE BENEDICT XVI GENERAL AUDIENCE St. Peter's Square Wednesday, 12 November 2008  Saint Paul (12) Eschatology: the Expectation of the Parusia.   [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']D[/dropcaps] ear Brothers and Sisters, The subject of the Resurrection on which we reflected last week unfolds a new perspective, that of the expectation of...

27 January, 2016 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']T[/dropcaps] o Cardinal Alfonso López Trujillo President of the Pontifical Council for the Family On 22 February this year, the venerable Holy Father John Paul II convoked the Fifth World Meeting of Families to take place in Valencia, Spain, selecting as...

27 January, 2016 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='75' color='' background_color='' border_color='']"T[/dropcaps] he justice of God has been manifested through faith in Jesus Christ” (cf. Rm 3, 21-22) Dear Brothers and Sisters! Each year, on the occasion of Lent, the Church invites us to a sincere review of our life in light of...

27 January, 2016 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']"J[/dropcaps] esus, at the sight of the crowds, was moved with pity" (Matthew 9:36) Dear Brothers and Sisters! Lent is a privileged time of interior pilgrimage towards Him Who is the fount of mercy. It is a pilgrimage in which He...

27 January, 2016 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']D[/dropcaps] ear Brothers in the Episcopate and in the Priesthood, Dear Ordinandi, Dear Brothers and Sisters, The First Reading and the Gospel of Pentecost Sunday offer us two great images of the mission of the Holy Spirit. The reading from the Acts of...

27 January, 2016 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']T[/dropcaps] he feast of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul is at once a grateful memorial of great witnesses of Jesus Christ and a solemn confession in favor of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. It is above all...

27 January, 2016 /

VATICAN CITY, APRIL 20, 2005 (Zenit.org) [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']P[/dropcaps]ope Benedict XVI has assumed "as a primary commitment" the work of promoting full unity among Christians separated in various churches and confessions. The former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger explained this in the first message of his...

27 January, 2016 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']D[/dropcaps] ear Brothers and Sisters: After celebrating the solemnity of Mary's Immaculate Conception, we enter these days in the evocative atmosphere of preparations for this coming holy Christmas. In the present-day consumer society, this period suffers, unfortunately, a sort of commercial...

27 January, 2016 /

QUOD IAM DIU ENCYCLICAL OF POPE BENEDICT XV ON THE FUTURE PEACE CONFERENCE TO THE PATRIARCHS, ARCHBISHOPS, BISHOPS, AND OTHER ORDINARIES OF THE CATHOLIC WORLD [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']V[/dropcaps] enerable Brethren, Health and Apostolic Benediction. That for which the whole world has long sighed, which Christianity has...

27 January, 2016 /

PATERNO IAM DIU ENCYCLICAL OF POPE BENEDICT XV ON THE CHILDREN OF CENTRAL EUROPE TO THE PATRIARCHS, PRIMATES, ARCHBISHOPS, BISHOPS, AND OTHER ORDINARIES IN PEACE AND COMMUNION WITH THE HOLY SEE [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']V[/dropcaps] enerable Brethren, Health and Apostolic Benediction. It was the expectation and hope of...

26 January, 2016 /

PACEM, DEI MUNUS PULCHERRIMUM ENCYCLICAL OF POPE BENEDICT XV ON PEACE AND CHRISTIAN RECONCILIATION TO THE PATRIARCHS, PRIMATES, ARCHBISHOPS, BISHOPS, AND ORDINARIES IN PEACE AND COMMUNION WITH THE HOLY SEE [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']V[/dropcaps] enerable Brethren, Health and Apostolic Benediction. Peace, the beautiful gift of God, the...

26 January, 2016 /

SACRA PROPEDIEM ENCYCLICAL OF POPE BENEDICT XV ON THE THIRD ORDER OF ST. FRANCIS TO THE PATRIARCHS, PRIMATES, ARCHBISHOPS, BISHOPS, AND OTHER ORDINARIES IN PEACE AND COMMUNION WITH THE APOSTOLIC SEE. [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']V[/dropcaps]enerable Brethren, Health and Apostolic The Benediction. We regard as most opportune that...

26 January, 2016 /

IN PRAECLARA SUMMORUM ENCYCLICAL OF POPE BENEDICT XV ON DANTE TO PROFESSORS AND STUDENTS OF LITERATURE AND LEARNING IN THE CATHOLIC WORLD. [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']B[/dropcaps] eloved Children, Health and the Apostolic Benediction. Among the many celebrated geniuses of whom the Catholic faith can boast who have...

26 January, 2016 /

IN HAC TANTA ENCYCLICAL OF POPE BENEDICT XV ON ST. BONIFACE TO HIS EMINENCE CARDINAL HARTMANN, ARCHBISHOP OF COLOGNE, AND TO THE OTHER ARCHBISHOPS OF GERMANY. [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']B[/dropcaps] eloved Son and Venerable Brothers, Greetings and The Apostolic Blessing. We are in the midst of many...

26 January, 2016 /

HUMANI GENERIS REDEMPTIONEM ENCYCLICAL OF POPE BENEDICT XV ON PREACHING THE WORD OF GOD TO THE PATRIARCHS, PRIMATES, ARCHBISHOPS, BISHOPS, AND OTHER ORDINARIES IN PEACE AND COMMUNION WITH THE APOSTOLIC SEE. [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']V[/dropcaps] enerable Brethren, Health and the Apostolic Benediction. It was the desire of...

26 January, 2016 /

FAUSTO APPETENTE DIE [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']V[/dropcaps] enerable Brethren, Health and The Apostolic Benediction The seventh centenary approaches of the day when that light of holiness, Dominic, passed from these miseries to the seat of the Blessed. We for long have been most interested in...

26 January, 2016 /

ANNUS IAM PLENUS ENCYCLICAL OF POPE BENEDICT XV ON CHILDREN OF CENTRAL EUROPE TO THE PATRIARCHS, PRIMATES, ARCHBISHOPS, BISHOPS, AND OTHER LOCAL ORDINARIES IN PEACE AND COMMUNION WITH THE APOSTOLIC SEE. [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']V[/dropcaps] enerable Brethren, Health and Apostolic Benediction. A whole year has now passed since We (when the...

26 January, 2016 /

AD BEATISSIMI APOSTOLORUM ENCYCLICAL OF POPE BENEDICT XV APPEALING FOR PEACE TO OUR VENERABLE BRETHREN THE PATRIARCHS, PRIMATES, ARCHBISHOPS, BISHOPS, AND OTHER LOCAL ORDINARIES IN PEACE AND COMMUNION WITH THE APOSTOLIC SEE. [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']V[/dropcaps] enerable Brethren, Greeting and Apostolic Benediction. Raised by the inscrutable counsel of Divine Providence without any...

26 January, 2016 /

Chapter 1 Prefatory remarks on the need of exact investigation of the most minute portions of theology. [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']Y[/dropcaps]our desire for information, my right well-beloved and most deeply respected brother Amphilochius, I highly commend, and not less your industrious energy. I have been...

26 January, 2016 /

Here St. Basil asks if boasting is ever appropriate and answers yes -- we are to boast only of the Jesus Christ crucified, finding our righteousness in Jesus. In his cross, human pride is laid low....

26 January, 2016 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']T[/dropcaps]he Way of Light is this: if any man wants to journey to his appointed home then he must put his whole heart into his work. To aid our steps on the road, illumination has been given to us as...

26 January, 2016 /

CHAP. I.-- SALUTATION AND INTRODUCTION [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']A[/dropcaps]ll hail, ye sons and daughters, in the name of our Lord(1) Jesus Christ, who loved us in peace. Seeing that the divine fruits(3) of righteousness abound among you, I rejoice exceedingly and above measure in your happy and...

26 January, 2016 /

This brief reading from St. Augustine succinctly expresses the implications of the full divinity and the full humanity of Christ for the proper interpretation of the Scriptures, particularly the passion narratives which become the focus of the Church's meditation in the closing days of Lent....

25 January, 2016 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='65' color='' background_color='' border_color='']W[/dropcaps]e, the Christian community, assemble to celebrate the memory of the martyrs with ritual solemnity because we want to be inspired to follow their example, share in their merits, and be helped by their prayers. Yet we erect no altars...

25 January, 2016 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='65' color='' background_color='' border_color='']W[/dropcaps]e entreat you, brothers, as earnestly as we are able, to have charity, not only for one another, but also for those who are outside the Church. Of these some are still pagans, who have not yet made an act...

25 January, 2016 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']T[/dropcaps]o Proba, a devoted handmaid of God, Bishop Augustine, a servant of Christ and of Christ's servants, sends greetings in the Name of the Lord of Lords. CHAPTER I 1. Recollecting your request and my promise, that as soon as time and...

22 January, 2016 /

Here Augustine explains the necessary and important role of trials in the Christian life. Without the discipline of trials and chastisements, there would be no true spiritual growth. Chastisement means that God has truly adopted us as sons....

22 January, 2016 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']A[/dropcaps]s we have heard, so also have we seen. Truly blessed Church! You have both heard and seen. You have heard the promises, and you see their fulfilment; you have heard in prophecy, and you see in the Gospel. Yes,...

22 January, 2016 /

With Introduction by C. S. Lewis ________________________________________ Athanasius stood contra mundum ("against the world) in defense of the biblical doctrine of Christ. He opposed Arius when it seemed all the world would follow Arius's heresy. Athanasius's work remains even today one of the definitive statements of...

22 January, 2016 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']S[/dropcaps]aint Paul rejoices in the knowledge that spiritual health has been restored to the human race. Death entered the world through Adam, he explains, but life has been given back to the world through Christ. Again he says: The first...

21 January, 2016 /

This is a sampling of accolades from interfaith leaders on the occasion of the death of John Paul II in April 2005. * * * Rabbi Marvin Hier, founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles "No Pope did more for the Jews." --- --- --- New York Board...

20 January, 2016 /

PART 1. THE TWO WAYS THE WAY OF LIFE 1. There are two Ways: a Way of Life and a Way of Death, and the difference between these two Ways is great. The Way of Life is this: "Thou shalt love first the Lord thy Creator, and secondly...

20 January, 2016 /

This prayer was a favorite of St. Ignatius of Loyola and was included at the beginning of his Spiritual Exercises. For this reason, it has often been supposed that St. Ignatius is the author of this prayer, but this is incorrect since the prayer was...

20 January, 2016 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']C[/dropcaps]HAPTER I St. Ambrose states that after the explanations he has already given of holy living, he will now explain the Mysteries. Then after giving his reasons for not having done so before, he explains the mystery of the opening of...

20 January, 2016 /

Not only were the prophets and apostles sent by the Spirit, but also the Son of God. This is proved from Isaiah and the evangelists, and it is explained why St. Luke wrote that the same Spirit descended like a dove upon Christ and abode...

20 January, 2016 /

The choice of Gideon was a figure of our Lord's Incarnation, the sacrifice of a kid, of the satisfaction for sins in the body of Christ; that of the bullock, of the abolition of profane rites; and in the three hundred soldiers was a type...

20 January, 2016 /

Liturgy and Sacraments Video #5. Dr. Italy explains the fascinating relationship between liturgy and Tradition. The liturgy of the Catholic Church arises from Scripture and is itself full of scripture readings and scriptural prayers.  But it also arises from Tradition, the lived faith-experience of the Church...

04 April, 0203 /