MAY, CELEBRATING ST. JOSEPH, OUR BLESSED MOTHER AND ALL MOTHERS

MAY, CELEBRATING ST. JOSEPH, OUR BLESSED MOTHER AND ALL MOTHERS

Today is May 1st and one of my favorite days of the year, a day that starts one of my favorite months of the year! May 1 is, as you know, the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker as well as a month dedicated to Mary and very often, in addition to October. is a second month in which we celebrate the rosary.

Mary, of course was the mother par excellence and we honor motherhood and Mother’s Day in May. So now we have 30 days ahead of us and lots to look forward to.

My favorite image of St. Joseph the Worker:

May 1st is Labor Day in Italy and 80 or more countries around the world. It’s marked by civil events and gatherings, a day off for people who work in banks, schools, offices, and other places, and it ends in Rome with a very big concert that has been defined in time as the biggest free concert in Europe. For many years, that concert was held on the esplanade in front of Saint John Lateran church, but is scheduled tonight to take place in the massive Circus Maximus. Today was generally a cloudy, gray, rainy day, but the venue for the concert should be OK as the rain has stopped.

Although May 1st is celebrated as the secular Labor Day in so many countries, it is a religious holiday in the Vatican because it is the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. Ever since 2021 was proclaimed the Year of St. Joseph for the Universal Church, I have tried to get to really know this wonderful saint, and have made him a much bigger part of my daily life and prayer life. Pleading for his intercession for favors has been remarkably positive in these last few years!

Pope Francis held the weekly general audience today in the Paul VI Hall, instead of St. Peter’s Square, due to the rain this morning. His catechesis was about the theological virtue of faith, and he described it as “the happiest gift” and “the only virtue we are permitted to envy.”

The Holy Father explained that, “without the three theological virtues, we would not have eyes that see even in the dark, we would not have a heart that loves even when it is not loved, we would not have a hope that dares against all hope.” For his entire catechesis: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-05/pope-at-audience-faith-is-first-gift-of-christian-life.html

Another big event today in Rome today took place at the church of Sant’Onofrio on Janiculum Hill when Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, took possession of his titular church. This is the traditional church in Rome of the Order of the Holy Sepulcher. Cardinal Pizzaballa became the Grand Prior of the Order of the Holy Sepulcher on October 24, 2020 when he was named the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem by Pope Francis. He was created a cardinal by Francis on September 30, 2023.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, patriarch of Jerusalem, processes after celebrating Mass to formally take possession of his titular church, the Church of St. Onuphrius on the Janiculum, in Rome May 1, 2024. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

We first met in Rome in December 2007 when he was the Franciscan Custos of the Holy Land and then on successive occasions in Jerusalem when I was there on pilgrimage or covering a papal visit. I’ve interviewed him several times for my EWTN radio show, Vatican insider.

Cardenal Pizzaballa is certainly at the top of my prayer list, especially given the situation in the Holy Land in these recent months and days. Please put the cardinal patriarch and all Christians in the Holy Land and your prayer list!

Well, just some thoughts on this wonderful May 1st feast of Saint Joseph and Labor Day. I hope in many ways that your day is special, and that May will be a memorable month from start to finish with all the special days devoted to saints and to mothers!

POPE THANKS CARDINAL PIZZABALLA FOR CLOSENESS TO PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM WAR – HOLY SEE PRESS OFFICE ON MEETING OF C9 CARDINALS

POPE THANKS CARDINAL PIZZABALLA FOR CLOSENESS TO PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM WAR

In a telephone call to Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pope Francis expresses his continued concern for the Holy Family Catholic parish in Gaza and the hundreds of Christians sheltering there. Speaking by phone, he thanked the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem for the closeness he has shown to the people since the beginning of the war between Hamas and Israel.

In the phone call, the Pope expressed his constant care for the Holy Family Catholic parish in Gaza.

The Holy Father has been in contact with the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, and the associate pastor, Father Youssef Assad, almost daily to inquire about the situation.

The Holy Family Parish, served by priests of the Institute of the Incarnate Word, is the only Catholic parish in the Gaza Strip. TO CONTINUE: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-02/pope-calls-patriarch-of-jerusalem.html

HOLY SEE PRESS OFFICE ON MEETING OF C9 CARDINALS

The meeting with Pope Francis and the C9 cardinals took place on February 5th, 6th and the afternoon of the 7th at the Casa Santa Marta.

Participating with the Pope were the cardinals who are members of the C9 Council of Cardinals as well as the council Secretary. After the reflection on the morning of the 5th on the role of women in the Church, with contributions from Sister Linda Pocher, Daughter of Mary Help of Christians and professor of Christology and Mariology at the Pontifical University Faculty of Educational Sciences Auxilium of Rome; of Giuliva Di Berardino, a consecrated virgin of the Diocese of Verona, teacher and head of spirituality courses and spiritual exercises; and the Rev. Dr. Jo Bailey Wells, Bishop of the Church of England and Under-Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the discussion continued in the afternoon on the ongoing synodal paths, particularly that of the universal Church.

February 6th was dedicated to the theme of evangelization, accompanied by reports of the Pro-Prefects of the Dicastery for Evangelization, H.E. Abp. Salvatore Fisichella and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.

The afternoon of the 7th provided an opportunity to delve further into the topics covered during the course of the session, in the presence of the Holy Father.

The next C9 Council session will be held in April 2024.

POPE PRAISES COURAGE OF WOMEN WHO HAVE MOVED AWAY FROM THE MAFIA – CARDINAL PIZZABALLA CONSECRATES HOLY LAND TO IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY – CARDINAL PAROLIN REAFFIRMS VATICAN’S COMMITMENT TO PURSUE PEACE IN UKRAINE

POPE PRAISES COURAGE OF WOMEN WHO HAVE MOVED AWAY FROM THE MAFIA

Pope Francis greeted a group of Italian women who have turned their lives away from organized crime, and encouraged them to persevere without fear, knowing that Jesus is always by their side.

Pope Francis on Monday welcomed to the Vatican a group of Italian women who have decided to move away from their families involved in organized crime, and to join the “Libera” network against the mafia. They were accompanied by Fr. Luigi Ciotti, an Italian priest who founded the association in 1995.

The organisation promotes the use of land and assets seized from criminal outfits to set up local cooperatives, anti-drug projects and community centres, as well as seeking to provide employment for those side-lined by organised crime.

It includes associations, cooperatives, social organizations, schools, unions and churches which have joined in an effort to challenge the power of corruption and organized crime, while promoting social justice and human rights. READ MORE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-10/pope-praises-courage-of-women-who-have-moved-away-from-the-mafia.html

CARDINAL PIZZABALLA CONSECRATES HOLY LAND TO IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

In the midst of the war between Israel and Hamas, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, consecrates the Holy Land to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, performed an Act of Consecration of the Holy Land to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, on Sunday, 29 October, the Solemnity of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Palestine and the Holy Land.

Celebrating Mass in the Marian Shrine of Deir Rafat, the Patriarch consecrated the Church, all humanity, the peoples of the Middle East, and especially the people of the Holy Land to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In the Act of Consecration, he invoked Mary’s help amid the war gripping the Holy land.

He prayed that she might watch over those who suffer, flee from bombardments, or have lost family members in the war.

“We now knock on the door of your heart,” he prayed. “We are your beloved children. We are confident that, in the most troubled moments of our history, you will not be deaf to our supplication and will come to our aid.”

Fading fraternity
Patriarch Pizzaballa prayed that the Blessed Mother will guide world leaders and those who decide the destiny of nations, so that they might decide according to justice and truth, and work for the common good.

He recalled Mary’s words to her Son Jesus at the Wedding at Cana: “They have no wine” (Jn 2:3).

“Now, O Mother, repeat those words, for in our own day we have run out of the wine of hope, joy has fled, fraternity has faded,” he said. “We have forgotten our humanity and squandered the gift of peace. How greatly we need your maternal help!”

The Act of Consecration took place during Mass at the Marian Shrine of Deir Rafa, and included a procession with the icon of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Palestine.

Increasing death toll
According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, over 8,000 people have been killed, including 3,500 children, in Israeli strikes on Gaza since 7 October when Hamas attacked Israel, killing over 1,400 people. READ MORE: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-10/patriarch-pizzaballa-holy-land-consecration-immaculate-mary.html

CARDINAL PAROLIN REAFFIRMS VATICAN’S COMMITMENT TO PURSUE PEACE IN UKRAINE

The Holy See expresses support for the Ukrainian President’s “Plan for Peace” especially in regards to humanitarian issues. It also a reaffirms its commitment to continue its efforts aimed at alleviating the sufferings of the Ukrainian people and the return of prisoners and children to Ukraine.

Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to contribute to the alleviation of the sufferings of the Ukrainian people who have been subjected to war with Russia for the past 18 months.

In particular, Cardinal Parolin said he upholds a Plan for Peace presented by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, especially in regard to humanitarian issues and he pledged to pursue efforts aiming to return prisoners and children to Ukraine.

Talks on Ukraine’s plan for peace took place in Malta on 28 and 29 October with the participation of more than 65 countries. Russia was not invited. READ MORE: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-10/parolin-holy-see-peace-plan-ukraine.html

LATIN PATRIARCH, CARDINAL PIZZABALLA CALLS FOR “UNITY IN PRAYER AND IN SOLIDARITY FOR PEACE” – VATICAN LAUNCHES JOB APPLICATION WEBSITE “WORK WITH US”

One of the most fascinating pieces of news to come out of the Vatican this month may not involve the synod! It may be today’s announcement of the launch of a Vatican job application website! See the story below. Things must be opening up after a number of years of hiring freezing or slowdown!

My first question to a non-Italian applicant would be, of course: How’s your Italian?  That is the working language of Vatican City State and the Roman Curia. Read on….

LATIN PATRIARCH, CARDINAL PIZZABALLA CALLS FOR “UNITY IN PRAYER AND IN SOLIDARITY FOR PEACE”

A moving, heartfelt, pain-filled but faith-inspired Letter to the diocese from Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, was published today. Turning to Our Lady, Queen of Palestine, he “asks all churches around the world to join the Holy Father and to join us in prayer, and in the search for justice and peace.”

“We will not be able to gather all together this year, because the situation does not allow it. But I am sure that the whole diocese will be united on that day in prayer and in solidarity for peace, not worldly peace, but the peace which Christ gives us.”  https://www.lpj.org/posts/letter-to-the-entire-diocese.html

VATICAN LAUNCHES JOB APPLICATION  WEBSITE “WORK WITH US”

“Work with Us”: Website to apply for a job at the Vatican
The Vatican Secretariat for the Economy launches a new webpage to accept job applications for laypeople who wish to apply for vacant positions at the Holy See.

By Vatican News

“Work with Us” is a title that says it all. Up to now, lay staff to be hired at various levels of the Holy See were selected based on available CVs (curriculum vitae). From now on, it will be possible to directly apply for vacant or soon-to-be vacant positions.

This is the main innovation of the new website of the Secretariat for the Economy, led by the Prefect, Maximino Caballero Ledo, which came online on Tuesday.

Vatican personnel and reform
As the Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy explains, “A central theme in the economic reform concerns personnel, which, as always, is one of the most complex reforms to implement. This is because to implement the reform and carry out the mission of the Holy See, we need people with the appropriate competence, motivation, and, above all, an ethical sense.”

“How can one work at the Holy See? What positions are available?”

To answer these questions, says Luis Herrera, the Director of Human Resources of the Holy See, “it will now be possible to do so publicly through the ‘Work with Us’ section of the website dedicated to this purpose. All information about vacant positions and the required candidate qualifications will be published here. Anyone interested will be able to submit their application through the website.”

Simplifying application process
In this way, as noted by the Secretariat for the Economy, it will be possible to reach everyone, especially those interested, who can immediately learn about available positions, thereby promoting the selection of personnel genuinely interested in that specific role.

“It often happens,” says Mr. Herrera, “that Dicasteries and offices request staff with particular specializations, such as linguistic or technical skills, which are not easy to find. Thanks to the new website, communication between supply and demand will be facilitated.”

However, it will also be possible to submit your CV through the website without connecting it to a specific position, while waiting for a suitable one to become available.

“Work with Us” is a section dedicated to lay staff interested in working at the Holy See and is aimed at candidates external to the Vatican.

Internal mobility
At the same time, the Secretariat for the Economy is also working to promote internal mobility, so when a position becomes vacant, the notice will also be conveyed through the Employee Portal to check if there are people already part of the Holy See’s staff who are interested.

The new website of the Secretariat for the Economy, in addition to information on the functions and decision-making processes of the Dicastery, also transparently presents the rules governing control and supervision in economic and financial matters, as well as those for oversight and supervision in administrative matters.

For example, the Office of Procurement Regulations interprets and applies the “Rules on transparency, control and competition in the procedures for awarding public contracts of the Holy See and Vatican City State,” adopted in May 2020.

The website is available here.

 

PATRIARCH PIZZABALLA: ANYTHING TO ALLOW HOSTAGES TO BE FREED

When a new cardinal, kneeling before the Pope, receives the cardinal’s biretta, the Holy Father places it on his head and says, in part: “(This is) scarlet as a sign of the dignity of the cardinalate, signifying your readiness to act with courage, even to the shedding of your blood, for the increase of the Christian faith, for the peace and tranquillity of the people of God and for the freedom and growth of Holy Roman Church.”

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, received that biretta from Pope Francis and heard the Pope say those words on September 30, just over two weeks ago.

And today we hear his words, his willingness to do what might indeed lead to “the shedding of blood.”

Let us pray with all our hearts for him and for all the hostages in Gaza!

PATRIARCH PIZZABALLA: ANYTHING TO ALLOW HOSTAGES TO BE FREED

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, expresses his willingness to exchange himself for the kidnapped children held by Hamas and discusses the Holy See’s mediation efforts with regards to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the Holy Land.

Vatican news photo –

By Francesca Merlo

“Anything” for their freedom and to have “those children back home”.

In a poignant online meeting with a gathering of journalists, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, conveyed a heartfelt commitment to freedom and concern for the release of children held hostage by Hamas. He declared, “If I am ready for an exchange? Anything, if this can lead to freedom and bring those children back home, no problem. On my part, absolute willingness.”

Cardinal Pizzaballa further touched upon the Holy See’s offer of mediation, emphasizing the desire to rescue the captives. He noted, “We have offered our readiness at least to try to bring the hostages back, at least some of them, this is being attempted. It is very difficult because, for mediation, you need to have interlocutors. And at this moment, it’s not possible to talk to Hamas.”

Turning his attention to the possibility of an Israeli ground invasion in the Gaza Strip, Cardinal Pizzaballa revealed a twofold concern. “My concerns are essentially twofold: the first is, following the ground operation, I don’t know what it’s called, the much more severe humanitarian crisis that will be created. This is the first fear, as there will undoubtedly be many victims.” Then, he shared, “the other fear,” which is “that this conflict becomes a regional conflict, involving not only Gaza or possibly the West Bank but also Lebanon, then the Islamic world could ignite, all the Arab countries: I don’t know, it’s very difficult to predict the developments, but the fear of regional expansion is real, and I’m not the only one saying it.”