PAPAL TWEETS AND MONTHLY PRAYER INTENTIONS
The Holy Father tweeted today, October 1, 2015: Our life is not a pointless wandering. We have a sure goal: the house of the Father.
Pope Francis’ prayer intentions for October:
Universal intention: “That human trafficking, the modern form of slavery, may be eradicated”.
Evangelization intention: “That with a missionary spirit the Christian communities of Asia may announce the Gospel to those who are still awaiting it”.
OCTOBER, THE MONTH OF MISSIONS
From Vatican City – The liturgical feast of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus which is celebrated today, October 1st, marks the beginning of October, month of the missions, which will culminate in the celebration of World Mission Day, on the third Sunday of the month, this year on October 18. In some countries Mission Day is moved to another Sunday, according to local pastoral needs. In the Chapel of Propaganda Fide, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Cardinal Fernando Filoni, presided Mass this morning which was attended by priests, religious men and women and laity of the Congregation and the International Secretariats of the Pontifical Missionary Societies.
All over the world the Catholic Church celebrates the Month of the Missions in October, recalling the duty of every baptized person to collaborate, with prayer and with support, the universal mission of the Church. October was chosen as mission month in memory of the discovery of America, which opened a new page in the history of evangelization.
On Mission Day, which this year falls during the celebration of the XIV General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, from October 4 to 25, which will deal with the theme “Vocation and mission of the family in the Church and in contemporary world”, Pope Francis will canonize the couple Ludovico Martin and Maria Azelia Guérin, St. Therese’s parents, proclaimed Patroness of the Missions in 1927 with Saint Francis Xavier. Their relics, together with those of their daughter, will be exposed for the veneration of the faithful during the Synod, in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. An Italian priest, Fr. Vincenzo Grossi, and Spanish nun Sister Mary of the Immaculate Conception will also be canonized.
CARDINAL DOLAN ORDAINS 39 DEACONS IN ST. PETER’S BASILICA
I attended one of my absolute favorite liturgical events of the year this morning, the annual October ordination of deacons from the North American College. It is always a joy to see these young men who are both the present and the future of our vibrant Church. If I had a great feeling last week about the Church in the U.S.during Pope Francis’ visit, that feeling was doubled today when I saw the 300 plus priests, the young men, their families and friends.
The procession to the Altar of the Chair
Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York ordained the 39 men from the North American College as deacons in St. Peter’s Basilica. An additional 19 men had been ordained to the diaconate in their respective dioceses. Several hundred priests were in attendance, including scores who flew in from the United States to be with the young men from their dioceses and parishes. Joining them were a dozen bishops and archbishops and Cardinals Edwin O’Brien and James Harvey, who concelebrated with Cardinal Dolan.
And more good news – 72 “New Men” have begun their first year at the North American College. They arrived at the seminary in mid-August for Orientation, acclimating to their new home in Rome and preparing for their studies in the year ahead. As they were welcomed in August by the Rector, Msgr. James Checchio, so too the “new men” today were all part of the ceremony and the reception later at NAC, welcoming guests, answering questions, and so on.
The ordination Mass always takes place at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica. Not only is that a magnifient spiritual, historical evocative setting, the music – always provided by NAC – matches the setting in its beauty.
As the seminarians sang and the organ music entered your soul, as the Rite of Ordination began, in all of its wonderful meaning for both the new deacons and the Church, all I could think of was the people who just chanced into the basilica this morning on their “tour of the Vatican.” They had to be overwhelmed, even if they did not know exactly what was taking place.
Msgr. Checchio, at the ambo, addresses the congregation:
Some of the deacons-to-be:
Cardinal Dolan preaches the homily:
Deacons-to-be are prostrate as faithful sing Litany of the Saints
Deacons are vested:
Cardinal Dolan leads the group of priests and fellow deacons who greet the new deacons
The deacons bring chalices and patens to the altar. They will serve communion to the faithful.
The Altar of the Chair:
Joan's Rome 