Category: News

Circular No. 21-31 
04 May 2021

TO ALL THE BISHOPS AND THE DIOCESAN ADMINISTRATORS

Your Excellencies:

Please find the attached letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments to the Conferences of Bishops concerning the insertion of some new invocations into the Litany in Honour of Saint Joseph.

The new invocations, originally in Latin, are as follows: Custos Redemptoris, Serve Christi, Minister salutis, Fulcimen in difficultatibus, Patrone exsulum, Patrone afflictorum, Patrone pauperum. The new invocations of St. Joseph can be translated in English as:  Guardian of the Redeemer, Servant of Christ, Minister of Salvation, Support in Difficulties, Patron of Refugees, Patron of the Afflicted, and Patron of the Poor.

Attached together with the letter is the original Litany in Latin with the English translation.

Sincerely in the Lord, 

LITANY OF ST. JOSEPH

• Lord, have mercy on us.
  Christ, have mercy on us.
• Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
  Christ, graciously hear us.
• God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
• God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
• God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
• Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
• Holy Mary, pray for us.
• St. Joseph, pray for us.
• Illustrious son of David, pray for us.
• Light of patriarchs, pray for us.
• Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.
• Guardian of the Redeemer, pray for us.
• Chaste guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.
• Foster father of the Son of God, pray for us.
• Watchful defender of Christ, pray for us.
• Servant of Christ, pray for us.
• Minister of Salvation, pray for us
• Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.
• Joseph most just, pray for us.
• Joseph most chaste, pray for us.
• Joseph most prudent, pray for us.
• Joseph most valiant, pray for us.
• Joseph most obedient, pray for us.
• Joseph most faithful, pray for us.
• Mirror of patience, pray for us.
• Lover of poverty, pray for us.
• Model of workmen, pray for us.
• Glory of home life, pray for us.
• Guardian of virgins, pray for us.
• Pillar of families, pray for us.
• Support in difficulties, pray for us,
• Solace of the afflicted, pray for us.
• Hope of the sick, pray for us.
• Patron of exiles, pray for us.
• Patron of the afflicted, pray for us.
• Patron of the poor, pray for us.
• Patron of the dying, pray for us.
• Terror of demons, pray for us.
• Protector of Holy Church, pray for us.
• Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
  Spare us, O Lord!
• Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
  Graciously hear us, O Lord!
• Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
  Have mercy on us!

V. He made him the lord of His household,
R. And prince over all His possessions.

Let Us Pray:

O God, Who in Thine ineffable Providence didst vouchsafe to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, grant, we beseech Thee, that he whom we venerate as our protector on earth may be our intercessor in Heaven. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Individuals, families and communities can take part in reciting the rosary for the whole of May

UCA News | VATICAN CITY

Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service| April 28, 2021

Pope Francis has called for a global prayer marathon for the entire month of May, praying for the end to the pandemic.

“The initiative will involve in a special way all shrines in the world” in promoting the initiative so that individuals, families and communities all take part in reciting the rosary, “to pray for the end of the pandemic,” said the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization in a press release April 21.

“It is the heartfelt desire of the Holy Father that the month of May be dedicated to a prayer marathon dedicated to the theme, ‘from the entire Church an unceasing prayer rises to God,'” it said.

The theme refers to the miraculous event recounted in the Acts of the Apostles (12:1-12) when all the Church prayed for Peter, who was imprisoned until God sent an angel to free him, illustrating how the Christian community comes together to pray in the face of danger and how the Lord listens and performs an unexpected miracle.

Each day in May, there will be a livestream from one of 30 chosen Marian shrines or sanctuaries to guide the prayer at 6pm Rome time (noon EDT) on all Vatican media platforms.

The pope will open the month-long prayer on May 1 and conclude it onMay 31, the council said.

At the Basilica of Our Lady of Lourdes in France, prayers will be for all doctors and nurses

The 10th World Meeting of Families is scheduled for June 22 to 26, 2022 in Rome. The Diocese of Rome and the Vatican Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life have jointly released the official prayer for the Church event.

By Robin Gomes

The theme chosen by Pope Francis for the 10th World Meeting of the Families (WMOF) is, “Family love: a vocation and a path to holiness”, which has been the inspiration of the official prayer for the ecclesial event.

Praying with family, parish, diocese

“Praying is a way to enter into the heart of the Amoris Laetitia Year and the preparation for the event in Rome,” explained Cardinal Joseph Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, in a statement to release the prayer. “Many families and communities,” he said, “have been waiting a long time to be able to set out on their way, at least spiritually, to Rome.”  “Prayer will accompany them and help them to grasp the message of the gathering.”

National Shrine of St. Joseph, Mandaue City
May 1, 2021, 10:00AM
To be led by: H.E. Most Rev. Jose S. Palma, D.D.

The following are the activities and updates undertaken by the Ad Hoc Committee in the preparation and celebration of the upcoming activity of the National Consecration of the Philippines to Saint Joseph on May 1, 2021.

I.       NINE DAYS OF PREPARATORY CONSECRATION TO SAINT JOSEPH

April 22-30, 2021 | 5:00PM | Premiere at our Shrine’s Facebook Page

The following are invited to share virtually their reflections on the last 9 Topics on the book of Fr. Calloway’s Consecration to St. Joseph – The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father:

Day 1: (Thursday – April 22, 2021)
St. Joseph, Glory of Domestic Life by H.E. BRODERICK S. PABILLO
Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila

Day 2: (Friday – April 23, 2021)
St. Joseph, Guardian of Virgins by H.E. DENNIS C. VILLAROJO
Bishop of the Diocese of Malolos

Day 3: (Saturday – April 24, 2021)
St. Joseph, Pillar of Families by H.E. ALBERTO S. UY
Bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran

Day 4: (Sunday – April 25, 2021)
St. Joseph, Comfort of the Afflicted by H.E. JOHN F. DU
Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Palo

Day 5: (Monday – April 26, 2021)
St. Joseph, Hope of the Sick by H.E. JULITO B. CORTES
Bishop of the Diocese of Dumaguete

Day 6: (Tuesday – April 27, 2021)
St. Joseph, Patron of the Dying by H.E. PRECIOSO D. CANTILLAS
Bishop of the Diocese of Maasin

Day 7: (Wednesday – April 28, 2021)
St. Joseph, Terror of Demons by H.E. PATRICK DANIEL Y. PARCON
Bishop of the Diocese of Talibon

Day 8: (Thursday – April 29, 2021)
St. Joseph, Protector of the Holy Church by H.E. ORLANDO B. CARDINAL QUEVEDO
Archbishop-Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Cotabato

Day 9: (Friday – April 30, 2021)
He Made Him the Lord of His Household and Prince Over All His Possessions
by H.E. MIDYPHIL B. BILLONES
Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cebu

II.      DAY OF THE NATIONAL CONSECRATION OF THE PHILIPPINES TO SAINT JOSEPH

The Holy Mass shall begin at 10:00 AM and will be presided by H.E. Most Rev. Jose S. Palma, Archbishop of Cebu. The Consecration Proper will commence after the Post Communion Prayer together with the presence of Mandaue City Mayor Jonas C. Cortes and Congresswoman Emmarie Dizon as co-consecrators. This will then be followed with the floral offering to Saint Joseph by the 32-Sharers from the Reflections made by the Layko Cebu Committee and a pair of a Father and Son who are pious devotees of Saint Joseph here in the National Shrine.

The Mass for the National Consecration of the Philippines will be cross posted to other media platforms who may request for cross posting and in coordination with Fr. Jonathan Rubin, CCTN and TV Maria and other Facebook Pages.

Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue

Message for the Month of Ramadan and ‘Id Al-Fitr
1442 H. / 2021 A.D.
Vatican City

Dear Muslim brothers and sisters,

 We at the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue are glad to offer you our fraternal good wishes for a month rich in divine blessings and spiritual advancement. Fasting, along with prayer, almsgiving and other pious practices, brings us closer to God our Creator and to all those with whom we live and work, and helps us to continue walking together on the path of fraternity.

 During these long months of suffering, anguish and sorrow, especially during the lockdown periods, we sensed our need for divine assistance, but also for expressions and gestures of fraternal solidarity: a telephone call, a message of support and comfort, a prayer, help in buying medicines or food, advice, and, to put it simply, the security of knowing that someone is always there for us in times of necessity. 

 The divine assistance that we need and seek, especially in circumstances like those of the current pandemic, is manifold: God’s mercy, pardon, providence and other spiritual and material gifts. Yet, what we need most in these times, is hope. At this time, then, we think it fitting to share with you some reflections on this virtue.

 As we are aware, hope, while certainly including optimism, goes beyond it. While optimism is a human attitude, hope has its basis in something religious: God loves us, and therefore cares for us through his providence. He does this in his own mysterious ways, which are not always comprehensible to us. In these situations, we are like children who are certain of the loving care of their parents, but are not yet able to comprehend its full extent.

 Hope arises from our belief that all our problems and trials have a meaning, a value and a purpose, however difficult or impossible it may be for us to understand the reason for them or to find a way out of them.

 Hope also carries with it belief in the goodness present in the heart of every person. Many times, in situations of difficulty and despair, help, and the hope it brings, can come from those whom we least expect.

 Human fraternity, in its numerous manifestations, thus becomes a source of hope for all, especially for those in any kind of need. Thanks be to God our Creator, and to our fellow men and women, for the quick response and generous solidarity shown by believers and also persons of good will with no religious affiliation in times of disaster, whether natural or man-made, like conflicts and wars. All these persons and their goodness remind us believers that the spirit of fraternity is universal, and that it transcends all boundaries: ethnic, religious, social and economic. In adopting this spirit, we imitate God, who looks benevolently upon the humanity he created, upon all other creatures and upon the entire universe. This is why the growing care and concern for the planet, our “common home”, is, according to Pope Francis, yet another sign of hope.

 We are also aware that hope has its enemies: lack of faith in God’s love and care; loss of trust in our brothers and sisters; pessimism; despair and its opposite, unfounded presumption; unfair generalizations based on one’s own negative experiences, and so forth. These harmful thoughts, attitudes and reactions must be effectively countered, so as to strengthen hope in God and trust in all our brothers and sisters.

 In his recent Encyclical Letter Fratelli tutti, Pope Francis speaks frequently of hope.  There he tells us: “I invite everyone to renewed hope, ‘for hope speaks to us of something deeply rooted in every human heart, independently of our circumstances and historical conditioning. Hope speaks to us of a thirst, an aspiration, a longing for a life of fulfilment, a desire to achieve great things, things that fill our heart and lift our spirit to lofty realities like truth, goodness and beauty, justice and love… and it can open us up to grand ideals that make life more beautiful and worthwhile’ (cf. Gaudium et spes, 1). Let us continue, then, to advance along the paths of hope” (No. 55).

We, Christians and Muslims, are called to be bearers of hope, for the present life and for the life to come, and to be witnesses, restorers and builders of this hope, especially for those experiencing difficulties and despair.

 As a sign of our spiritual fraternity, we assure you of our prayer, and we send best wishes for a peaceful and fruitful Ramadan, and for a joyful ‘Id al-Fitr.

From the Vatican, 29 March 2021

Miguel Ángel Cardinal Ayuso Guixot, MCCJ
President

Msgr. Indunil Kodithuwakku Janakaratne Kankanamalage
Secretary

PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE
00120 Vatican City
Tel.: +39.06.6988 4321
Fax: +39.06.6988 4494
E-mail: dialogo@interrel.va http://www.pcinterreligious.org/

Following a long tradition of Silsilah to send a message to the Christians during Advent and  Christmas time and to the Muslims on the occasion of the month of Ramadan, we address now this message to the Muslim Umma to renew the “chain” (Silsilah) of friendship , love and solidarity especially in this time when the world suffers most due to COVID19 and other forms of calamities that urges us to remember that we are together part of the same human family, as one “Human Fraternity”. 

With joy, we know that this concept of “Human Fraternity” has been reaffirmed in Abu Dhabi in the historical document signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-azhar University, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb on February 4, 2019 and recalled by Pope Francis in Iraq this year 2021.

Meanwhile, we are happy of some positive developments of friendship and solidarity among Christians and Muslims around the world and in the Philippines. We cannot ignore situations of violent extremism and terrorism that, in recent times, are done especially by groups who claim to be Muslims guided by their religious beliefs. We know that this situation makes most of the Muslim brothers and sisters very sad also in the Philippines.

In this context, the Christians in the Philippines who, this year, remember the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines cannot ignore that along the years also some Christians have used violence in the name of their faith. That was a historical time that Christians have to remember with sorrow renewing the spirit of friendship proposed by the document of Vatican II, Nostra Aetate, that tell us: 

“Since in the course of centuries not a few quarrels and hostilities have arisen between Christians and Moslems, this sacred synod urges all to forget the past and to work sincerely for mutual understanding and to preserve as well as to promote together for the benefit of all mankind social justice and moral welfare, as well as peace and freedom. (NA 3)

Yes, we are invited to “forget” but also to “remember” that we cannot repeat mistakes of the past and even of the present done by those who use violence, especially justified by any religious motivation. Thus, we invite all to face the future with hope as Pope Francis is doing, as well as other good leaders of different religions are doing. 

Silsilah, this year, in the spirit of the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines will conduct online the 35^th Silsilah Summer Course on Muslim-Christian Dialogue in collaboration with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines- Episcopal Commission for Interreligious Dialogue (CBCP-ECID) on “LOVE AND HATE IN CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM: How to Transform Hate to Love and be an Instrument of Peace in the midst of Violent Extremism and Terrorism” (For more details, you may visit, www.silsilahdialogue.com).

We know that also some Muslims in the Philippines are celebrating with pride their faith from the time Christians arrived in this part of the world. Meanwhile, Christians and Muslims celebrate with “pride” their faith, we encourage all not to forget the mistakes of the past to build a better relation as part of the same, “Human Fraternity”.

May all of us continue to live with joy, our faith but also live with humility convinced that faith is, first of all, a grace of God to be nurtured with prayer and penance. We are called to accept and respect the plurality of religions and we are invited to pray:

“O Lord, sustain my vision of peace Following Your inspiration,
You have many ways of revealing Your
Presence and love for humanity,
But Your style is constant,
You are in dialogue with all, You care for all.”

(a part of the Harmony Prayer) Silsilah Dialogue Movement

‘E-Pray’ allows people in isolation to access spiritual guidance from priests during testing times

Joseph Peter Calleja, Manila
April 10, 2021

A diocese in the Philippines has launched an application called “E-Pray” that allows people to connect with clergymen for spiritual accompaniment during their Covid-19 isolation.

Novaliches Diocese in Manila said the app was developed by its social communications ministry in response to a recent spike in Covid cases in the Philippine capital.

On April 7, the Philippines had recorded a total of 819,164 Covid-19 cases with 14,059 deaths since the pandemic began. On that day alone, 6,414 new cases and 242 deaths were also recorded, down from a peak of 11,020 new cases earlier in the week.

“With this E-Pray app, Covid patients can communicate with our diocese for spiritual announcement on social media. It’s a free web application where patients can type in their contact details so that priests can get in touch with them.

The diocese said communication is key to lessening the stress and anxiety felt by Covid patients.

“The pandemic has prevented churchgoers from accessing their priests and has deprived them of their spiritual life. During times when we feel like we are about to surrender, the presence of a priest is very important for guidance,” said Father Luciano Felloni, the diocese’s social communications director.

He said the internet must be maximized for the Catholic Church’s mission to be more alive and active during the pandemic.

“The problem [for sick Catholics] is that there is no direct contact because priests are not allowed to enter hospitals and quarantine facilities,” the priest added.

Father Filoni said one of the essential things for a sick person is faith in God.

Although clergymen cannot hear confession with the app, they can use it to pray for and with the sick, he said.the app, they can use it to pray for and with the sick, he said.

“We cannot offer at this point anointing of the sick … we also can’t offer confession. But what we can offer them is a priest to pray over and to guide them as they journey to recovery,” Father Felloni added.

Novaliches Diocese has assured the sick can reach a priest at any time — day or night.

“The platform will be manned by a number of volunteers who will put a sick person through to an available priest. We have enough priests and volunteers to make this work,” the diocese said.

Father Felloni said more than 30 clergymen have volunteered for the project, including one from New York in the United States. “Let’s not allow any single patient to go without prayer, to go without being blessed by a priest. Let’s help in our little and very simple way. Let us help with the grace of prayer,” he added.

UCAN News

What’s happening at the Pontifical Council for Culture?

Dante – Candor Lucis Aeternae

The Holy Father has released a new apostolic letter Candor Lucis Aeternae on Dante, “prophet of hope.” Our Dante committee has been involved in organizing a number of initiatives for the 7th centenary of the death of Dante Alighieri (Florence, 1265 – Ravenna, 1321). These include: 

• Travel with Dante – a virtual exhibition curated by the Apostolic Library (video) (link)
• Dante in the Vatican Museums – education pack
• Florence, May 28, Lecture by Cardinal Ravasi on Dante’s Theology: A l’etterno dal tempo (Paradiso XXXI, 38)
• In June, Dante in the Catacombs – readings with actors Verdone, Buy, Brilli & Haber 
• Ravenna, Sept. 12, Mass and Conference by Cardinal Ravasi to close the Dante year
• Rome, Nov. 25-26, International Conference on Dante and Eschatology, University “Roma Tre”

Articles by Cardinal Ravasi presenting the apostolic letter may be found here: L’Osservatore Romano; Corriere della Sera, others. The composition of our own Dante committee is listed here. 

Fratelli Tutti – Faith and Culture

The latest edition of our Journal – currently at the publishers – offers a number of responses from cultural perspectives to Fratelli Tutti. The same encyclical on fraternity and social friendship was the subject of a high level conversation, March 10, sponsored by the Dicastery exploring the foundations of a more humane economics, politics and culture, featuring Pankaj Mishra, Marilynne Robinson and Michael Sandel, moderated by Paul Elie (video here). And on March 3 our Women’s Consultation Group held a session of the webinar series “Women Read Pope Francis” with ecumenical and interreligious angles on the encyclical (video here). 

The themes of Youth culture continue to interest the dicastery and the first of a series of youthful interviews of writers on storytelling, with Silvia Avallone, has now been published on YouTube. As is customary, we also followed the Sanremo Music Festival, whose youngest singer composed a critically acclaimed, challenging piece about change, meaning and identity: “My voice will be the only thing left of me” (Voce, Madame). The hashtags of #Sanremo2021 sat uneasily but necessarily next to #PopeInIraq. And young refugee athlete Gerald Mballe featured in our Sport in the Service of Humanity’s podcast series Live Like You Play. 

The Courtyard of the Gentiles, in partnership with the national newspaper Il Corriere, presented, Feb. 22, the volume prepared by its scientific advisory board “Pandemia e resilienza” with Giuliano Amato, Ugo Amaldi, Laura Palazzani.

Visits are currently limited due to covid, but among those that have occurred: an intercultural and interreligious visit from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation (pictured), sponsors of restoration work in the Roman catacombs, and one from AIFA (Agenzia Italiana del farmaco) to consider the ethical, cultural and social aspects of healthcare. 

Cultural Heritage: Some 350 responses have arrived in response to the questionnaire sent to religious congregations concerning management of their cultural heritage. This material is now being studied and will be presented in the context of our International Conference “Charism & Creativity”, which has now been moved to May 4-5, 2022. See this interview by Cardinal Ravasi to Il Giornale dell’Architettura (English – Italian).

Activities of the Superiors

• Several of the superiors made interventions at the 16º Encuentro de Centros de Cultura on “Vocación al amor y la utopía de lo neutro” held in Puebla, Mexico, and online 23-25 Feb.
• Cardinal Ravasi met, among others, with our member Cardinal Porras Cardoza, new consultors Alessandra Talamo and Antonella Sciarrone, the ambassador of North Macedonia to the Holy See and the German Ambassador to the Quirinale. Together with his work on Dante (see above) he granted a broad-ranging interview to Il Giornale’s Serena Sartini on the activities of the dicastery at the end of the first year of the pandemic (link).
• Bishop Paul Tighe spoke at a session organized by COMECE on Education and Culture and to an International Women’s Day event organized by the Australian Embassy (link). 
• Undersecretary Sanchez de Toca spoke at the XIII Seminar on Sports management, FGV di Rio, and at a Seminar on Women in Sports Leadership in collaboration with FIFA.

On the horizon:

1. April 28, 2021: Courtyard of the Gentiles on Democracy at the Italian Embassy to the Holy See, with the Minister for Justice, Marta Cartabia
2. May 6-8, 2021: Fifth International #UniteToCure Conference, Exploring the Mind, Body & Soul – How Innovation and Novel Delivery Systems Improve Human Health, Vatican/Online
3. May 28, 2021: Lecture by Cardinal Ravasi on Dante’s Theology: A l’etterno dal tempo (Paradiso XXXI, 38), Basilica of the Holy Cross, Florence
4. Sept. 12, 2021: Closure of Dante Year, Conference by Cardinal Ravasi, Ravenna
5. From Oct. 2021 to March 2022: Participation at Expo Dubai
6. Nov. 10-13, 2021: Plenary Assembly, Rethinking Anthropology at a Time of Transition, Rome
7. Nov. 25-26, 2021: International Dante Conference, Università Roma Tre, Rome
8. May 4-5, 2022: Charisms and Creativity. Cultural Heritage Conference, Rome

For further info about these stories see our review Cultures and Faith, 
our website www.cultura.va and social media