This blog explores both historical and current events guided by the thought of the leading thinkers, past and present, of this school or movement of theology. Refer to the Classic Posts, Great and Contemporary Thinkers, various links of all kinds, in addition to the Archives themselves. David is the founder and manager of this website, but many friends contribute to it on a regular basis.
Today we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is a day of intense spiritual joy, in which we contemplate the Virgin Mary, “High beyond all other, Lowlier is none/fixed end of eternal council” as the great poet Dante sang (Par., XXXIII, 3). In her blazes forth the eternal goodness of the Creator who, in his plan of salvation, pre-ordained her to be mother of his only-begotten Son, and in view of his death, preserved her from any stain of sin (cfr Orazione colletta).
Thus, in the Mother of Christ and our Mother was perfectly realized the vocation of each and every human being. All men, the Apostle Paul recalls, are called to be holy and immaculate in the presence of God in love (cfr Ef 1,4). Looking at Our Lady, how can the aspiration to beauty, goodness and purity of heart not be awakened in us, her children? Her heavenly candour leads us to God, helping us to overcome the temptation posed by a mediocre life, made up of compromises with evil, to orient ourselves decisively towards authentic good, which is the source of joy.
Today, my thoughts go back to 8 December 1965 when the Servant of God Paul VI solemnly closed the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, the greatest church event in the 20th century, which the Blessed John XXIII had started three years earlier. Amid the exultation of many believers in St Peter’s square, Paul VI entrusted the implementation of the Conciliar documents to the Virgin Mary, invoking her with the sweet title of Mother of the Church. Presiding this morning over a solemn Eucharistic celebration at the Vatican Basilica, I wanted to give thanks to God for the gift of the Second Vatican Council. I also wanted to praise the Most Holy Mary for having accompanied the life of the church – enriched by so many events – in these 40 years. In a special way, Mary has watched with motherly care over the pontificates of my venerated predecessors, each of who, with great pastoral wisdom, guided Peter’s ship along the route of authentic conciliar renewal, working incessantly for the faithful interpretation and implementation of the Second Vatican Council. Dear brothers and sisters, for the crowning moment of this day fully dedicated to the Holy Virgin, following an ancient tradition, I will go this afternoon to Piazza di Spagna at the foot of the statue of the Immaculate Conception. I ask you to join me in spirit on this pilgrimage which is an act of filial devotion to Mary, to entrust to her the beloved city of Rome, the Church and all of humanity. ~ Pope Benedict XVI: Angelus Dec 8, 2005
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Dear brothers and sisters!
Today we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is a day of intense spiritual joy, in which we contemplate the Virgin Mary, “High beyond all other, Lowlier is none/fixed end of eternal council” as the great poet Dante sang (Par., XXXIII, 3). In her blazes forth the eternal goodness of the Creator who, in his plan of salvation, pre-ordained her to be mother of his only-begotten Son, and in view of his death, preserved her from any stain of sin (cfr Orazione colletta).
Thus, in the Mother of Christ and our Mother was perfectly realized the vocation of each and every human being. All men, the Apostle Paul recalls, are called to be holy and immaculate in the presence of God in love (cfr Ef 1,4). Looking at Our Lady, how can the aspiration to beauty, goodness and purity of heart not be awakened in us, her children? Her heavenly candour leads us to God, helping us to overcome the temptation posed by a mediocre life, made up of compromises with evil, to orient ourselves decisively towards authentic good, which is the source of joy.
Today, my thoughts go back to 8 December 1965 when the Servant of God Paul VI solemnly closed the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, the greatest church event in the 20th century, which the Blessed John XXIII had started three years earlier. Amid the exultation of many believers in St Peter’s square, Paul VI entrusted the implementation of the Conciliar documents to the Virgin Mary, invoking her with the sweet title of Mother of the Church. Presiding this morning over a solemn Eucharistic celebration at the Vatican Basilica, I wanted to give thanks to God for the gift of the Second Vatican Council. I also wanted to praise the Most Holy Mary for having accompanied the life of the church – enriched by so many events – in these 40 years. In a special way, Mary has watched with motherly care over the pontificates of my venerated predecessors, each of who, with great pastoral wisdom, guided Peter’s ship along the route of authentic conciliar renewal, working incessantly for the faithful interpretation and implementation of the Second Vatican Council.
Dear brothers and sisters, for the crowning moment of this day fully dedicated to the Holy Virgin, following an ancient tradition, I will go this afternoon to Piazza di Spagna at the foot of the statue of the Immaculate Conception. I ask you to join me in spirit on this pilgrimage which is an act of filial devotion to Mary, to entrust to her the beloved city of Rome, the Church and all of humanity.
~ Pope Benedict XVI: Angelus Dec 8, 2005
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