sign in sign up
<<
Home , Andrew Bertie, Domus Sanctae Marthae, Gualtiero Bassetti, Matteo Bruni, Pontifical council, Teutonic Cemetery

Price € 1,00. Back issues € 2,00 L’O S S E RVATOR E ROMANO WEEKLY EDITION IN ENGLISH Unicuique suum Non praevalebunt

Fifty-third year, number 19 (2.646) Friday, 8 May 2020

Higher Committee of Human Fraternity calls to join together on 14 May A day of prayer, fasting and works of charity

The Holy Father has accepted the proposal of the Higher Commit- tee of Human Fraternity to call for a day of prayer, of fasting and works of charity on Thursday, 14 May, to be observed by all men and women “believers in God, the All-Creator”. The proposal is addressed to all religious leaders and to people around the world to implore God to help humanity overcome the coronavirus (Covid- 19) pandemic. The appeal released on Sat- urday, 2 May, reads: “Our world is facing a great danger that threatens the lives of millions of people around the world due to the growing spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. While we reaffirm the role of medicine and scientific research in fighting this pandemic, we should not forget to seek refuge in God, the All-Creator, as we face such severe crisis. Therefore, we call on all peoples around the world to do good deeds, observe fast, pray, and make devout sup- plications to God Almighty to end this pandemic. Each one from wherever they are and ac- cording to the teachings of their religion, faith, or sect, should im- plore God to lift this pandemic off us and the entire world, to rescue us all from this adversity, to inspire scientists to find a cure that can turn back this disease, and to save the whole world from the health, economic, and human repercussions of this serious pan- demic. “As part of its efforts to realize the objectives of the Document on Human Fraternity, the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity suggests announcing Thursday May 14th, 2020, a day for fasting, prayers, and supplications for the good of all humanity. As such, the Committee invites all reli- gious leaders and peoples around the world to respond to this call for humanity and together be- seech God Almighty to safeguard the entire world, to help us over- come this pandemic, to restore se- curity, stability, healthiness, and prosperity, so that, after this pan- demic is over, our world will be- come a better place for humanity and fraternity than ever before”.

General Audience John Paul I Vatican Foundation Ramadan Message A cry that touches The timeliness of Protecting together the Summaries of the Holy Go d’s heart Luciani places of worship Fa t h e r ’s meditations

PAGE 3 PAROLIN ON PA G E 4 PAGE 9 PAGES 10, 11 page 2 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 8 May 2020, number 19

VICE CAMERLENGO OF THE HO LY ROMAN CHURCH VAT I C A N The Holy Father appointed as Vice Camerlengo of the Holy Roman as of the said Diocese (4 Church Ilson de Jesus ULLETIN May). Montanari, titular Archbishop of B Capocilla and Secretary of the Con- Bishop Bose, 59, was born in Gos- gregation for Bishops (1 May). aba, India. He was ordained a priest AUDIENCES copal vicar for the Territorial zone IV of (30 Apr.). on 5 May 1991. He was ordained a Saturday, 2 May bishop on 24 June 2019, subsequent CO N G R E G AT I O N FOR Bishop-elect Raimondi, 56, was to his appointment as coadjutor CAT H O L I C ED U C AT I O N Cardinal , PSS, Prefect born in Cernusco sul Naviglio, . Bishop of Baruipur. of the He attended the Diocesan Minor The Holy Father has appointed as Seminary of Milan. He was or- The Holy Father appointed Fr Noel Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, Arch- of the Congregation for dained a priest on 13 June 1992. Andrew Rucastle as Bishop of bishop of Perugia-Città della Pieve, Education the following: Italy, President of the Italian Epis- Oudtshoorn, South Africa. Until The Holy Father appointed Fr Gi- Dr. Sjur Bergan, head of the De- copal Conference now he has served as priest of useppe Natale Vegezzi as Auxiliary Our Lady of Fatima Parish, and ju- partment of Higher Education and Bishop Ambrogio Spreafico of Bishop of Milan, assigning him the dicial vicar (4 May). History Teaching at the Council of Frosinone-Veroli-Ferentino, Italy titular of Turres Con- Europe, Norway-, and Pro- cordiae. Until now he has served as Bishop-elect Rucastle, 52, was fessor Gerald M. Cattaro, professor Cardinal Angelo Becciu, Special del- born in Kimberley, South Africa. He egate to the Sovereign Military Or- episcopal vicar for the Territorial and executive director of the Center holds a degree in theology. He was der of Zone II of Milan (30 Apr.). for Leadership Ad- Bishop-elect Vegezzi, 60, was ordained a priest on 14 July 2000. ministration and Policy at Fordham Monday, 4 May born in Nerviano, Italy. He was or- University, New York, United States The Holy Father accepted the resig- Meeting of the Heads of the Dicas- dained a priest on 9 June 1984. of America (25 Apr.). nation of Bishop Robert Daniel teries of the Roman The Holy Father appointed Fr Conlon from his office as Bishop of Tuesday, 5 May Alessandro Damiano as coadjutor Joliet in Illinois, USA (4 May). FOR Archbishop of the Metropolitan Cardinal Angelo Becciu, Prefect of Archdiocese of Agrigento, Italy. Un- The Holy Father appointed Fr CU LT U R E the Congregation for the Causes of til now he has served as vicar gener- Jacques Assanvo Ahiwa as Auxiliary al of the said diocese (30 Apr.). Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bou- The Holy Father appointed as office aké, Côte d’Ivoire, assigning him the head of the Pontifical Council for Archbishop-elect Damiano, 59, titular episcopal See of Elephantaria CHANGES IN EP I S C O PAT E Culture Fr Lech Piechota, study as- was born in Trapani, Italy. He holds in Mauretania. Until now he has sistant in the said Pontifical Council a licence in moral theology and in The Holy Father accepted the resig- served as lecturer at the University (4 May). law. He was ordained a priest of Strasbourg (5 May). nation of Bishop Luigi Stucchi from on 24 April 1987. his office as of the Bishop-elect Ahiwa, 51, was born Archdiocese of Milan, Italy (30 in Kuindjabo, Ivory Coast. He PONTIFICAL IN T E R N AT I O N A L A p r. ) . The Holy Father accepted the resig- holds a doctorate in biblical theo- MARIAN ACADEMY nation of Bishop Monis The Holy Father accepted the resig- logy. He was ordained a priest on 13 from his office as Bishop of Asansol, December 1997. The Holy Father appointed as sec- nation of Bishop Erminio De Scalzi India (4 May). from his office as Auxiliary Bishop retary of the Pontifical International of the Archdiocese of Milan, Italy The Holy Father accepted the resig- Marian Academy Fr Gilberto (30 Apr.). nation of Bishop Salvatore Lobo APOSTOLIC Cavazos González, OFM (4 May) from his office as Bishop of The Holy Father appointed Fr Gio- Baruipur, India (4 May). The Holy Father appointed Msgr CONTINUED ON PA G E 8 vanni Luca Raimondi as Auxiliary Mitja Leskovar as Apostolic Nuncio Bishop of Milan, assigning him the The Holy Father appointed Bishop in Iraq, at the same time raising him titular episcopal See of Feradi Shyamal Bose as Bishop of to the dignity of archbishop and as- maius. Until he has served as epis- Baruipur. Until now he has served signing him the titular episcopal See of Benevento. Until now he has International served as Counsellor to the Nunci- ature (1 May). Eucharistic Congress Rescriptum ex Audientia S S.MI The Holy Father appointed Msgr Henryk Mieczysław Jagodziński as p ostp oned The Supreme Pontiff Francis Apostolic Nuncio in Ghana, at the The Director of the same time raising him to the dignity in the Audience granted to the undersigned Substitute for General Af- Press Office an- of archbishop and assigning him the nounced on Thursday, 23 April, fairs on 14 April 2020, decided to co-opt into the Order of Bishops, of- titular episcopal See of Limosano. fering him equal standing among all the Cardinals honoured with the that: “Due to the current health Until now he has served as counsel- crisis and its consequences for of a suburbicarian church, as an exception to canons 350 §§1-2 lor to the Nunciature (3 May). and 352 §§2-3 CIC, Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, of the movement and gathering of the Title of S. Felice da Cantalice a Centocelle, Prefect of the Con- the faithful and pilgrims, the gregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. ORDER OF BISHOPS Holy Father, along with the This Rescriptum shall be promulgated with its publication in “L’Os- Pontifical Committee for Inter- servatore Romano”, entering into force on 1 May 2020, and then pub- The Holy Father has appointed as national Eucharistic Congresses lished in the . member of the Order of Bishops and with the Hungarian Epis- Cardinal , Prefect copate, has decided to postpone From the Vatican, 1 May 2020. of the Congregation for the Clergy, the 52nd International Euchar- assigning him the title of the Subur- istic Congress, scheduled to take A rc h b i s h o p ED GAR PEÑA PARRA bicarian Church of Porto-Santa place in September 2020, to Substitute Rufina (1 May). September 2021”.

ANDREA MONDA TIPO GRAFIA VAT I C A N A EDITRICE Subscription rates: Italy - Vatican: € 58.00; Europe: € 100.00 - US$ 148.00 £ 80.00; Latin America, Africa, L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO L’OS S E R VAT O R E ROMANO Asia: € 110.00 - US$ 160.00 - £ 88.00; Oceania, North America: € 162.00 - £ 130.00. Editor-in-Chief Management Office: phone +390669899480; fax +390669885164; e-mail [email protected]. WEEKLY EDITION IN ENGLISH For India: The weekly English Edition of L'Osservatore Romano is published and distributed in Unicuique suum Non praevalebunt Photo Service Giuseppe Fiorentino [email protected] w w w. p h o t o .v a India by Carmel International Publishing House, Cotton Hill, Trivandrum- 695 014, Kerala-India; Assistant Editor phone: +91471327253, fax: +91471328191, 329934; e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]. For North America: L’Osservatore Romano (USPS 016-419) is published fifty times per year (weekly, except third week in Advertising Agency August and last week in December) by Our Sunday Visitor, L’Osservatore Romano, English Edition, 200 Noll Plaza, Vatican City Il Sole 24 Ore S.p.A. Editorial office Huntington, IN 46750. Periodicals Postage Pending at Huntington, IN, and additional mailing offices, USA – phone: redazione.inglese.or@sp c.va System Comunicazione Pubblicitaria via del Pellegrino, 00120 Vatican City Via Monte Rosa 91, 20149 Milano 800-348-2440 x2171; fax: 866-891-7390 – e-mail: [email protected]. w w w. o s s e r v a t o re ro m a n o .v a telephone +390669899300, fax +390669883675 s e g re t e r i a d i re z i o n e s y s t e m @ i l s o l e 2 4 o re . c o m POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Our Sunday Visitor, 200 Noll Plaza, Huntington, IN 46750 number 19, Friday, 8 May 2020 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO page 3

GENERAL AU D I E N C E

“Faith is a cry; lack of faith is the suppression of that cry”, said at the General Audience on Wednesday morning, 6 May, as he began a new series of catecheses dedicated to prayer. Speaking from the library of the Vatican’s , he reflected on the mystery of prayer as he commented on the day’s Gospel passage, Mark 10:46-52, which recounts the healing of blind Bartimaeus. The following is a translation of the Holy Fa t h e r ’s words, which he delivered in Italian.

New series of catecheses dedicated to prayer A cry that touches God’s heart

Dear Brothers and Sisters, knocks. That expression: “Son of presses us and continuing in that be definitively fulfilled. Not only Good morning! D avid”, is very important. It w a y. Christians pray; they share their means “the Messiah”— he pro- cry of prayer with all men and Today we begin a new series of Dear brothers and sisters, we fesses the Messiah. It is a profes- women. But the horizon can be catecheses on the theme of p ra y e r. begin this series of catecheses sion of faith that emerges from further widened: Paul states that Prayer is the breath of faith; it is with Bartimaeus’ cry because per- the mouth of that man who was all of creation “has been groaning its most proper expression. Like a haps everything is already written despised by all. And Jesus listens in travail together until now” cry that issues from the heart of in someone like him. Bartimaeus to his cry. Bartimaeus’ prayer (Rom 8:22). Artists are often the those who believe and entrust is a persevering man. He was sur- touches his heart, God’s heart, interpreters of this silent cry of themselves to God. Let us think rounded by people who ex- and the doors of open creation that is found in every about the story of Bartimaeus, a plained that imploring was use- up for him. Jesus calls for him. creature and emerges above all in character in the Gospel (cf. Mk less, that it was clamouring He jumps to his feet and those the heart of men and women, be- 10:46-52), and I confess that for without receiving a reply, that it who had first told him to be was noise that was only bother- cause they are “beggars before me he is the most likeable of all. quiet, now lead him to the Mas- some, and thus please stop crying Go d” (CCC, 2559). It is a beauti- He was blind and sat begging for ter. Jesus speaks to him. He asks out. But he did not remain in si- ful definition of mankind: “b eg- alms by the roadside on the peri- him to express his desire — this is lence. And in the end he ob- gars before God”. Thank you. phery of his city, Jericho. He is important — and then the cry be- not an anonymous character. He tained what he wanted. comes a request: “that I may see At the end of his catechesis, the has a face and a name: Bartim- again, Lord!” (cf. v. 51). Greater than any discussion to aeus, that is, “son of Timaeus”. the contrary, there is a voice in Holy Father launched an appeal in Jesus says to him: “Go your One day he heard that Jesus mankind’s heart that invokes. We favour of farm workers: way; your faith has made you well” would be passing through there. (v. 52). He recognises in that all have this voice within. A voice On 1st May, I received several In fact, Jericho was a crossroads poor, defenceless and despised that comes forth spontaneously messages about the world of work of people, continually criss- man, all the power of his faith, without anyone commanding it, a and its problems. I was particu- crossed by pilgrims and trades- which attracts the mercy and the voice that asks itself about the larly struck by that of the farm men. Thus, Bartimaeus posi- power of God. Faith is having meaning of our journey on earth, workers, among them many mi- tioned himself: he would have two hands raised up, a voice that especially when we find ourselves grants, who work in the Italian done anything possible to meet cries out to implore the gift of in darkness: “Jesus, have mercy countryside. Unfortunately, many Jesus. So many people did the salvation. The Catechism states on me! Jesus have mercy on me!”. are very harshly exploited. It is same. Let us recall Zacchaeus that “humility is the foundation This is a beautiful prayer. true that the current crisis affects who climbed up the tree. Many of prayer” (Catechism of the Cath- But are these words perhaps everyone, but people’s dignity wanted to see Jesus; he did too. olic Church, 2559). Prayer is born not chiselled in all of creation? must always be respected. That is In this way the man enters the of the earth, of the humus f ro m Everything invokes and implores why I add my voice to the appeal Gospels as a voice that loudly which “humble”, “humility” de- so that the mystery of mercy may of these workers and of all ex- cries out. He cannot see. He does rive. It comes from our ploited workers. May the crisis not know whether Jesus is near or precarious state, from give us the opportunity to make far away but he hears him. He our continuous thirst the dignity of the person and the understands this from the crowd for God (cf. ibid., 2560- dignity of work the centre of our which, at a certain point, grows 2561). Faith, as we have concern. and comes closer…. But he is seen with Bartimaeus, completely alone and no one is is a cry. Lack of faith is SPECIAL GREETINGS concerned about him. And what the suppression of that does Bartimaeus do? He cries cry. That attitude that I greet the English-speaking out. And he cries out and contin- the people had, in faithful joining us through the ues to cry out. He uses the only making him keep quiet: media. In this season, I in- weapon he possesses: his voice. they were not people of voke upon you and your families He begins to shout: “Jesus, Son faith, whereas he was. the joy and strength that come of , have mercy on me!” ( v. To suppress that cry is from the Risen Christ. May God 47). And he continues to cry out a type of omertà (co de bless you! in this manner. His repeated cries of silence). Faith is a I offer a special greeting to are a nuisance. They do not seem protest against a pitiful young people, the elderly, the polite and many people scold condition the cause of sick and newlyweds. Trustingly him, telling him to be quiet: “But which we do not un- place yourselves under the mater- be polite; do not do this”. derstand. Lack of faith nal protection of Mary and rest However, Bartimaeus does not is to limit ourselves to assured that she will not fail to keep silent but rather cries out endure a situation to comfort you in your time of trial. even more loudly: “Jesus, Son of which we have become May the Lord Bless you and May David, have mercy on me!” ( v. accustomed. Faith is Our Lady protect you. 47): That beautiful stubbornness the hope of being of those who seek a grace and saved. Lack of faith is knock and knock on the door of becoming accustomed Go d’sheart. He cries out; he to the evil that op- “Jesus heals the blind”, Stained Glass Inc. page 4 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 8 May 2020, number 19

The John Paul I Vatican Foundation is born The timeliness of Pope Luciani

PIETRO PAROLIN matic work beginning from a gaze of faith. Then receiving more than Meeting the proposal to create an 100 representatives of international entity designated to study in depth missions present at the inauguration the person, thought and teachings of of his Pontificate, he emphasized John Paul I (26 August 1978 – 28 that “our heart is open to all September 1978), on 17 February the peoples, all cultures and all races”, Holy Father Francis constituted the to then affirm: “Of course, we do John Paul I Vatican Foundation. not have miraculous solutions for was and remains the great world problems, however a reference point in the history of we can offer something very pre- the universal Church, whose import- cious: a spirit that helps to dissolve ance — as John Paul II p ointed these problems and position them in out — is inversely proportional to the the essential dimension, that of duration of his extremely brief Ponti- openness to the values of universal ficate “magisostentus quam datus”. charity ... so that the Church, Albino Luciani’s life history is humble messenger of the Gospel to that of a pastor close to the people, all peoples of the earth, may con- centred on the essential of faith and tribute to create a climate of justice, with extraordinary social sensitivity. brotherhood, solidarity and hope,

Rescriptum ex Audientia S S.MI. The Holy Father, in the Audience granted to the undersigned Car- dinal Secretary of State on 10 February 2020, decided to institute the John Paul I Vatican Foundation, with canonical and civil juridical character and with its headquarters at the Secretariat of State. The purpose of the Foundation is the promotion and dissemination of knowledge of the thought, works, and example of Pope John Paul I. The Foundation shall be governed by , by laws in force in Vatican City and by the attached Statute, approved by the Su- preme Pontiff and to be understood as an integral part of this act. Pope Paul VI visits Venice on 16 September 1972, with Albino Luciani who would later succeed him as Pope, taking the name John Paul I The Holy Father has additionally appointed, in accordance with and for the purposes of article 7 of the Statute, the President of the Foundation in the person of the undersigned Secretary of State. The perspective marked by his brief value can be fully restored in the From the Vatican, 17 February 2020 Pontificate was not a parenthetical. historical contingencies crossed with Although John Paul I’s governance the analytical rigour that he is due Cardinal of the Church was not able to un- and to open new study perspectives Secretary of State of fold in history, he nevertheless con- on his work. tributed — explevit tempora multa — In this regard the constitution of to strengthen the design of a Church a new ad hoc Foundation can rightly fulfil the task not only of protecting Closeness, humility, simplicity, insist- without which the world cannot close to the people’s suffering and the entire patrimony of the writings ence on the mercy of God, love of live”. And thus, in the wake of the to their thirst for charity. neighbour and solidarity were his sa- Conciliar Constitution Gaudium et Through the cause for the Canon- and work of John Paul I, but also lient traits. He was a bishop who Spes, as in many of the messages of ization of John Paul Paul I to day provide incentive for the systematic study and dissemination of his lived the experience of the Second Saint Paul VI, he moved in the wake the acquisition of sources has been Vatican , applied of great diplomacy, bearing many accomplished, launching a work of thought and his spirituality. All the it, and in his brief Pontificate helped fruits to the Church, nourishing her important research and elaboration more motivated by the consideration the Church advance along the main with charity. from a historical and historiographic of how extraordinarily timely his paths it indicated: a return to the With his sudden death this his- viewpoint. Thus a proper restitution person and his message are. wellsprings of the Gospel and a re- tory of the Church, so bowed to of the memory of Pope Luciani is newed missionary approach, epis- serve the world, was not interrupted. now possible, so that his historical * Cardinal, Secretary of State copal collegiality, service in ecclesial poverty, seeking Christian unity, in- terreligious dialogue, dialogue with contemporaneity and international dialogue, conducted with persever- ance and determination, in favour of Aims of the new Foundation justice and peace. I think, for example, of his Gen- The Holy Father, with Rescriptum ex Audientia Ss.mi — to offer itself as a reference point, in Italy and eral Audiences and on his insistence of 17 February 2020, established the “John Paul I Va t - abroad, for those who work in the same field and on ecclesial poverty, on universal fra- ican Foundation”, in accordance with the Code of with the same objectives (Statute, art. 2). ternity and on active love for the Canon Law and the fundamental Law of Vatican Concurrently, the Supreme Pontiff has appointed poor: he wanted to include among City State, thereby meeting the proposal to create an as President of the Foundation H.E. Cardinal Pietro the traditional precepts of the entity designated to study in depth the person, Parolin, Secretary of State. In implementing what is Church a command on the works of thought and teachings of his venerable Predecessor, solidarity and he proposed it to established by art. 4, paragraph 1 of the Statute, the Pope John Paul I – Albino Luciani (26 August 1978 Italian bishops. said President has appointed as members of the Ad- I think of his appeal at the An - – 28 September 1978) — and to promote the study ministrative Board, for the duration of a five-year gelus of 10 September 1978 in favour and dissemination of his writings (cf. Statute, art. 1). term, the following persons: Dr. Stefania Falasca, of peace in the Middle East, with More particularly the Foundation aims to: who also assumes the role of Vice President of the Foundation; Cardinal Beniamino Stella; Msgr Andrea the invitation to prayer addressed to — protect and preserve the cultural and religious Celli; Fr Davide Fiocco; Dr. Lina Petri; Dr. Alfonso the Presidents of different faiths. An patrimony left by Pope John Paul I appeal that he had previously ex- C a u t e ru c c i o . — promote initiatives such as conferences, meet- pressed in his address to the Diplo- In the performance of its activities the Foundation ings, seminars, study sessions; matic Corps held on 31 August, in may avail itself of a Scientific Committee, composed which, freeing himself from the pre- — institute awards and scholarships; of six members, chosen from among persons of sumptions of geopolitical attention- — curate the editorial work through the publication proven competence and expertise, but with the pos- seeking, he defined the nature and of study results and of its own research and that of sibility of being temporarily expanded for particular particularity of the Holy See’s diplo- third parties; initiatives, projects, studies, research or consultations. number 19, Friday, 8 May 2020 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO page 5

Preface by Pope Francis to book on John Paul II He shed his blood for the Church offered his sufferings for humanity

St. John Paul II was a great witness of faith, a great man of prayer who lived completely im- mersed in his time and constantly in contact with God, a sure guide for the Church in times of One hundred years since his birth great changes. Many times in the course of my life as a priest and bishop, I have looked to him, On the occasion of the centenary of the birth asking in my prayers for the gift of being faithful of Karol Wojtyła, which will be observed on 18 to the Gospel as he testified to us. His magisteri- May, the Libreria Editrice Vaticana has sent to um; his on Jesus the Redeemer of press a small and agile volume entitled Saint man, on God rich in mercy, on the Holy Spirit; John Paul II. A celebration in Words and Im- the Redemptoris Mater, on Mary in the ages (2020, 128 pp., € 7,00; $ 9.95). The work life of the Church; his social encyclicals; his daily opens with Francis’ preface, which is repro- teachings; the most precious gift of the Catechism duced on this page, and covers the Pontificate of the : these remain a living leg- of the Polish Pope through a collection of writ- acy to the Church. They remain etched in ings and phrases running from the day of his memory, to us who have lived through the years election, 16 October 1978, to that of his death of his long and fruitful pontificate, his great pas- on 2 April 2005. The edition is also available in sion for the human being, his openness, his English, co-published with the American print- search for dialogue with everyone, his determina- ing house Paulist Press, and in Polish, co-pub- tion to implement every attempt to stop wars, his lished with the printing house Wydawnictwo propensity to go out to meet any-one and to em- św. Stanislawa BM., also thanks to the patronage brace those who suffer. With him, the first Bishop of the Embassy of the Republic of to of from Eastern Europe, the “Church of si- the Holy See and of the Polish Institute of lence”, the Church of the martyrs of beyond the Rome. The selection of texts of his homilies, wall, found a voice. his addresses, his Magisterium was made by Gi- But it is not of this St. John Paul II that I useppe Merola, while the images by Vatican would like to speak to you, introducing this Media were selected by Miroslawa Lesner. beautiful initiative of the . What we sometimes risk forgetting, and which I would like to bring to the attention of readers, is how much this Pope suffered in his duced to the path of concrete faith, witnessed, God. It is nice to remember him in a simple way: life. His personal sufferings were linked to those lived in every moment of life. with images, so expressive and capable of trans- of his people and his nation, Poland. Prema- St. John Paul suffered as Pope, suffered the mitting to us what John Paul II was, and with its turely orphaned of a mother, he experienced the terrible attack in 1981, offered his life, shed his short texts and prayers drawn from his homilies, trauma of the death of his beloved and blood for the Church, and testified that even in his documents and his magisterium. I hope that then of his father. When he entered the under- the difficult trial of the disease, shared daily with this book will reach the hands of many, and ground seminary in Krakow, he had lost all his God made man and crucified for our salvation, above all young people. Let us remember his faith, and may his life be an example for us to closest family members. He lived his total devo- we can remain happy, we can remain ourselves. live our testimony today. We hear his appeal to tion to God and his Church in a time when We can rejoice in the certainty of the encounter open the doors to Christ, not to be afraid. We many of his friends lost their lives during the with the risen Jesus. Fifteen years now separate us walk happily, despite the difficulties, along the war. In a biographical book, which he wrote dur- from his death. Three lustrums may be few, but paths of the world, following in the footsteps of ing his papacy, he revealed that every day he they are many for children and young adults who the giants who preceded us in the certainty that wondered why the Lord had left him alive, while have not known him or who have only a few we are not and will never be alone. St. John Paul so many people around him died. The suffering vague memories of him from childhood. For this II taught us this throughout his life, always cultiv- he experienced entrusting himself totally to the reason, on the centenary of his birth, it is right to ating a special bond with Mary, our Mother in Lord forged him and made the Christian faith remember this great holy witness of the faith that Heaven, Mother of tenderness and mercy. with which he was raised even stronger. He was God has given to his Church and to humanity. an extraordinary educator of many young people He was a great witness of mercy, and throughout who, through him, a young priest, were intro- his pontificate he called us to this characteristic of

Message for the Feast of Our Lady of Luján Everyone together as ‘virtual’ pilgrims

A particular feast was celebrated in the faithful only by means of so- faithful who love Luján, in honour of the cial communication. Her so much, faithful and sinful Mary. Due to the Covid-19 At 7 PM the Archbishop of Mer- people like me”. He then recalled a emergency, the traditional observ- cedes-Luján, Msgr Jorge Eduardo special tradition: the changing of ance on 8 May was followed by Scheinig, presided the Mass, and the mantle that covers the Blessed the p e re g r i n a t i o of the statue of the Virgin. The new mantle was blessed Patroness of Argentina this year and placed on the statute on was only “virtual”. Announcing this Sunday, 3 May. news, the prelate referred to a On the day of the celebration, signed letter the Pope had sent on Francis writes, “we will tell her our 28 April, for the celebration which worries and our joys”, invoking he too will join as a “spiritual and “the grace to always ask for forgive- virtual pilgrim”. “I will look upon ness”, because “we know that her her yet once again, I will let myself Son does not tire of forgiving”. In be looked upon by her”, writes the conclusion he quotes the words of Pontiff, referring to the Blessed Vir- “that great priest from my previous gin. “That Mother’s gaze — he adds dio cese”, Fr Amelio Luis Calori: — which renews you, takes care of “This evening, Our Lady, the you, gives you strength”. The Pope promise is sincere. But, for every emphasized that he will not be eventuality, do not forget to leave alone but “together with the holy the key outside”. number 19, Friday, 8 May 2020 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO page 6/7

Cary Grant in a scene from 29 April marked 40 years since the death of the British director “North by Northwest” (1959)

EMILIO RA N Z AT O treme, as an end in itself, the director achieved a work of pop art in motion. ‘But she’s still Alfred Hitchcock contributed in a decisive With “Psycho” (1960), we turn instead to way in demonstrating that one could make intercept — whether deliberately or not — great cinema, cinema d’a u t o re , even departing deep meanings. Twisting Robert Bloch’s b re a t h i n g ’ from the framework of a genre. It was prob- homonymous short, modest novel, Hitchcock ably his films that definitively broke the bar- finds himself speaking not only of a text- rier between ‘‘art’ and commercial film-mak- book Oedipal case, but of an American GABRIELE NICOLÒ ing, putting into crisis the world of critics nightmare that a few years later would begin who in fact, went suddenly from indifference to take shape. “Psycho” in fact anticipated Sir Alfred Hitchcock shot the famous to enthusiasm in his regard, giving the im- numerous narrative and iconographic ele- shower scene in Psycho nine times. It pression of having lost their traditional para- ments of many independent horror films of should have lasted a minute and a half, meters of judgment. the 1960s and 70s, culminating with another but was then reduced to 45 seconds: grip- More specifically, Hitchcock demonstrated masterpiece, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” ping seconds that nail us down. All that is that the concept of authorship in cinema is (Tobe Hooper, 1974). Elements that would ‘Hitch’ (as his friends and closest collab- not necessarily linked to profound poetics — later carry an explicit symbolic value and be orators called him) is in that scene: atten- which, even in the most adult phase of his anchored to the most traumatic and self-de- tion to detail, down to obsession. The will career, he was able to express — but also to structive phase of American history. It re- to be perfect. And to be perfect — the the recognizability of a directorial style. A mains a mystery how a British ’Sir’ who master of shivers would say — you need to principle that he was able to increasingly fil- began with simple thrillers was able to be plausible and credible. Otherwise the ter into a way of storytelling that was pro- prophetically anticipate all this. Was it the viewer, even the most distracted, will nev- gressively linked more to the image than to keen eye of the consummate entertainer, or er forgive you. François Truffaut said the narrative dimension; until arriving at a the great artist’s ability to be in harmony about him: Before Hitchcock cinema was nearly abstract, “p u re ” cinema, as he loved to with his own time? The fascination of Hitch- as if it had never existed. After Hitchcock define it, that would liken his art to that of a cockian cinema also lies in this ambiguity. painter. The subject is not as important as there is no director who is not indebted to With “The Birds” (1963), however, the ab- the manner of expression. With his thrillers, him. Yet, precisely the shower scene inflic- stractness is definitive. Are the winged anim- in fact, the British director was able to enter ted a wound on the British genius which, als, that in increasingly large flocks begin to the deep layers of the machinery of cinema- by his own admission, would never com- torment the protagonists for no reason, a di- tography, down to the ganglia that regulate pletely heal. His wife Alma, the “grey em- vine punishment? Surely it is the Dadaist inence” behind the scenes of all of his its technical and expressive functioning, as well as the relationship between representa- gesture with which the director-demiurge de- films, realized that Janet Leigh, her dead cided to stain the canvas of the big screen in body, after being stabbed to death by An- tion and the viewer’s emotions. After receiving a fundamental e n d o rs e m e n t order to definitively deconstruct narrative thony Perkins (as Norman Bates in the cinema, and to lay a solid foundation for all film), was breathing, although impercept- from visionary French critics, starting in the mid-1950s — following a decades-long career The revolution of Alfred Hitchcock of post-modern cinema. ibly, still. Alma sprang to her feet and “Marnie” (1964), a backward journey to- pointed her finger at the image reprodu- and dozens of films produced — he under- stood his status as a modern author, para- ward childhood trauma, on the edge between doxically newer than at the beginning of his “Rop e”(1948), “Strangers on a Train” (1951), films take place in few locations, if not actu- After signing his most meaningful film, reality and imaginary suggestions, is the last career, perfectly in line with his time, and ac- “Dial M for Murder” (1954), “Rear Window” ally in a single setting. It has nothing to do however, with “North by Northwest” (1959) great film, as well as confirmation of the fact tually the precursor to that era in which, (1954), “The Trouble with Harry” (1955), “To with filmed theatre. The single setting gives Hitchcock made a U-turn and quickly moved that few like Hitchcock have been able to thanks to Warhol or the Beatles, it was by Catch a Thief” (1955), “The Wrong Man” the director a way to exercise one of his to the other side; through a narrative in represent psychoanalytical itineraries on the then established that one could create art (1956), “The Man Who Knew Too Much” greatest talents, which is to chisel out a which everything is abstract, beginning with a big screen. At the end of his career, with the even through the world of pop. (1956). The director solidified the practice of single frame so as to make it become a mi- protagonist who is taken for a man who help of the civil registry, but above all the Of the films shot in his homeland, in the using the transposition of perhaps not exal- crocosm in itself. Not by chance, when Brian do esn’texist, hunted by unidentified spies. loss of his precious collaborators, the director first half of his career, his silent films were ted stories and romances, but endorsed by De Palma takes on overtly Hitchcockian Consistently, the visual apparatus is more returned to the tracks of a more conventional perhaps the most interesting. “The Lodger” experts of the genre. A means of assuring a thrillers, he often makes use of the split artefact than ever, culminating in an epilogue genre cinema. But in terms of cinemato- (1927) or “D ownhill”(1927) were indeed ex- solid but not particularly binding subject, on screen, a way of recalling the concentration on a Mount Rushmore of paper mache Thus graphic revolution he had already done cellent examples of Hitchcockian cinema which to build an exquisitely visual narrative. of information in a single instant that is typ- by taking the concept of genre film to the ex- enough. which, by virtue of a visual dimension In this way, among others, Hitchcock leveled ical of the model of reference. Thus, while summoned to fill in for the lack of dialogue, another cliché according to which, in the Hitchco ck’s encounter with Hollywood was appeared as prototypes of his more mature case of transpositions, “the book is always fundamental, his method of storytelling be- works. With the arrival of sound, Hitchcock better than the film”. came less and less Hollywoodesque, by vir- reveals himself to be a fine orchestrator of The director developed a personal concep- tue of the emphasis being placed more on in- plots between mystery and espionage. “The tion of suspense which sets aside the dividual frames than on editing as a whole. simplistic notion of ‘who dunnit’(or the sur- 39 Steps” (1935), “Sab otage”(1936) and “The And it was precisely this latter feature that prise ending) that was typical of the Anglo- Lady Vanishes” (1938) are films of a certain particularly attracted the attention of future Saxon mystery in favour of an identification level, albeit with a rather static rhythm, and French directors and critics, who saw the vi- between the viewer and the protagonist, al- today seem irreparably dated. The American aticum for cinema as being more poetry than most always an innocent who ends up in a p ro s e . journey in some sense signaled an obvious plot that is larger than himself. Paradoxical Starting with “Rear Window”, in any case, break. The encounter with exceptionally tal- situations that reconcile a bit of Kafka with there is a further breakthrough. Truffaut Janet Leigh in the famous shower scene from “Psycho” (1960) ented collaborators — including musician the theme of an atavistic sense of guilt, the Bernard Hermann, film editor George To- result of the director’s Catholic education. would note in fact that the courtyard in masini, cinematographer Robert Burks, set But it was above all the style of filming as which the events take place is not only the cing the scene just filmed, and yelled, designers Hal Pereira and George — mentioned that was truly recognizable. scene of a crime but a world in essence in “But she’s still breathing!”. Hitchcock and more generally with the highest technical Hitchco ck’shand in a film was often recog- which the physiology of a day, of life itself, is heaved a very deep sigh of relief, and im- standards and Hollywood professionals, rep- nizable from a still image, because in prac- described poetically, through a thousand mediately prepared to cut that tiny frame. resented a fundamental turning point for tice it was his invention to condense much of little details. It was already evident here that “Had Alma not realized it, my reputation Hitchcock. His American debut was stun- a story’s significance into a single frame or Hitchcock was gradually broadening his own would have been compromised forever”, ning. “Reb ecca”(1940) is a great film with single camera movements. horizons, while remaining faithful to a Gothic origins and a curious initial mix of cinema that was also entertaining. the director admitted years later. But from The camera plunging into the increasingly genres that testifies to the director’s taste for With “Ve r t i g o ” (1958), the breakthrough that scene, Hitchcock — also noted for his macroscopic detail of a key in “Notorious”, what he called the MacGuffin, or rather, for became an acrobatic flight. The film was not cynical humour and for the pleasure he the panorama passing from the bourgeois the narrative pretext adopted only to then tranquillity of a street to the murder taking only a top thriller but a masterpiece tout felt in unnerving the viewer — drew ma- entirely change the direction of the story to- place in an apartment in “Rop e”,the stalk- court, something of a Buñuelian metaphor lign satisfaction. It was that realism of ward other horizons, thus mocking the view- er’s head which remains fixed in the direc- for frustrated love. what was happening around her, Janet er’s expectations. tion of his victim while others are moving Even without the explicit use of surreal- Leigh once confessed, that “I stopped tak- It was just the beginning of a triumphal during a tennis match in “Strangers on a ism, Hitchcock staged an existential drama ing showers and I only take baths”. Glan- march of masterpiece thrillers: “Suspicion” Tr a i n ”, the forward zoom as the camera pulls in which the line between reality and dream cing aside as always, from the corner of (1941), “Shadow of a Doubt” (1943), “Life- back (and vice versa) in the stairwell in “Ve r - is fleeting, paving the way for those that her eye, to be sure the fist of Norman b oat” (1944), “Sp ellb ound” (1945), “Notori- tigo”. It should not be surprising then, that would be the intoxicating Lynchian delu- Bates didn’t pop out from behind the door. ous” (1946), “The Paradine Case” (1947), some of the most important Hitchcockian sions. On the set of the film “Rear Window”: James Stewart and Grace Kelly with their friend ‘Hitch’ page 8 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 8 May 2020, number 19

Passing of the Prince and 80th of the Sovereign Order of Malta A man at the service of the poor and the sick

Fr a ’Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di an archaeology and art history. He held aca- Sanguinetto, Grand Master of the Sovereign demic posts at the Pontifical Urban Uni- Military Order of Malta (SMOM), died in versity, where he taught classical Greek, and Rome early Wednesday morning, 29 April, also served as chief librarian and archivist several months after being diagnosed with a for the research collections of the Collegio terminal illness. He was 75. “A zealous man Propaganda Fide. Over the years he pub- of culture and of faith” said Pope Francis in lished academic essays and articles on the his telegram of condolence recalling Fra’ history of medieval art. Giacomo’s “fidelity to Christ and to the He entered the SMOM in 1985 as a Knight Gospel, and his generous commitment in of Honour and Devotion, professing his sol- carrying out his office with a spirit of ser- emn vows in 1993. From 1994 to 1999 he was vice for the good of the Church” [for the Grand of Lombardy and Venice, and Pope's telegram: ORE, 1 May 2020, p. 2]. from 1999 to 2004 he was a member of the As stated in a communiqué by the Order Sovereign Council. He was elected Grand of Malta, in accordance with article 17 of the Commander at the General Chapter of Constitution of the Sovereign Order of 2004. On the death of the 78th Grand Mas- Malta, the Grand Commander, Fra’ Ruy ter, Fra Andrew Bertie, in February 2008 he Gonçalo do Valle Peixoto de Villas Boas has assumed the role of Lieutenant ad interim. assumed the role of lieutenant ad interim, Lastly, from 2008 to 2017 he served as and will remain at the helm of the SMOM Grand Prior of Rome before being elected until the election of a new Grand Master. to the highest post of the Order which Fr a ’ Giacomo served as the 80th Prince works mainly in the realm of medical and and Grand Master, beginning on 2 May social assistance and humanitarian interven- 2018, after his election by the Council Com- tions, with activities in more than 120 coun- plete. On 29 April 2017, in the wake of his tries, thanks to its 13,500 members, and the predecessor, Fra’ , the same cooperation of 80,000 volunteers, including Council had elected him Lieutenant of the over 42,000 doctors, nurses and allied Grand Master for one year. health professionals. Always involved in assisting the needy, The funeral Mass was celebrated by Car- personally serving meals to the homeless in dinal Angelo Becciu, Special Delegate of Rome’s Termini and Tiburtina railway sta- and in Cameroon in July 2019; and more re- the Holy Father, on Tuesday, 5 May, in the tions, Dalla Torre had also participated in cently he visited , Slovenia and Church of Santa Maria in Aventino, in various international SMOM pilgrimages to Bulgaria. Rome, in the presence of the Grand Mas- , and within Italy to Loreto and As- Fr a ’Giacomo was born in Rome, Italy on ter’s sisters, brothers, and members of the sisi, and in international summer camps for 9 December 1944. His grandfather was Gi- Sovereign Council. disabled youth. He also made numerous of- useppe Dalla Torre, who served as Editor- In compliance with the sanitary measures ficial journeys during which, in addition to in-Chief of L’Osservatore Romano for 40 established by the Italian State and the meeting Heads of State, he visited the med- Years (1920 – 1960). Fra’ Giacomo held de- Italian Bishops’ Conference, a solemn Re- ical and social structures supported by the grees in literature and philosophy from La quiem Mass will be celebrated on a date to Order: he was in Benin in January 2020, Sapienza University, specializing in Christi- be defined.

VAT I C A N BULLETIN The Swiss Guards recall the victims of the

CONTINUED FROM PA G E 2 Faithful to the Pope with spirit of sacrifice

STA R T OF MISSION No mask can hide the smile or lessen the man- ner of kindness and welcome that continues to On 10 March, Archbishop Antoine Camilleri, characterize, even in this time of pandemic, the began his mission as Apostolic Nuncio in service of the Pontifical at the entry Ethiopia with the presentation of his Letters of gates to Vatican City. As “phase 2” has begun, Credence to H.E. Mrs Sahle-Work Zewde, the guards wear masks to protect themselves as President of the Federal Democratic Republic they are in increasingly more direct contact with of Ethiopia. p eople. Meanwhile, on 6 May, the Corp’s traditional celebration also took place in a particular way in NECROLO GY order to limit the possibility of spreading the virus. At 5 PM, Msgr Luigi Roberto Cona, as- Archbishop Simon Ndingi Mwana’a sessor of the Secretariat of State, presided at Nzeki, Archbishop emeritus of Nairobi, Kenya, Mass in the Church of Santa Maria della Pietà at age 88 (31 Mar) in the . At 6 PM in the Bishop Aldo Mongiano, IMC, Bishop emeritus “Piazzale dei Protomartiri Romani”, Commander of Roraima, , at age 100 (15 Apr.) Christof Graf placed a floral wreath in memory Substitute, conferred honours upon several of the 147 guards who fell defending Pope guards in recognition of their long and faithful Bishop Patrick Leo McCartie, Bishop emeritus Clement VII during the Sack of Rome on 6 May service to the Holy See. of Northampton, Great Britain, at age 94 (23 1527. Afterwards, Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, The wreath-laying ceremony, which normally A p r. ) involves the participation of guests of honour Bishop Emilio S. Allué, SDB, Auxiliary Bishop and family members, was conducted in a re- emeritus of Boston, USA, at age 85 (26 Apr.) served and restricted manner, respecting the rules of hygiene and safety that apply in Vatican Bishop Silvius Njiru, Bishop emeritus of City State. Both the ceremony and the Mass Meru, Kenya, at age 92 (28 Apr.) were livestreamed by and could Bishop Philippe Breton, Bishop emeritus of be followed live on the website www.guardias- Aire et Dax, France, at age 83 (29 Apr.) vizzera.ch. Meanwhile, the swearing-in of new guards, Bishop Mathew Anikuzhikattil, Bishop emerit- which is traditionally held on 6 May, has been us of Idukki for Syro-Malabars, India, at age postponed to Sunday, 4 October, due to the 77 (1 May) coronavirus pandemic. number 19, Friday, 8 May 2020 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO page 9 Christians and Muslims Protecting together the places of worship Message for the month of Ramadan and ’Id al-Fitr

This year too, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious fraternity, may demonstrate solidarity with the recalled what “Pope Francis, in this difficult Dialogue (PCID) has sent to the Islamic community humanity so harshly stricken, and address their situation, has called us to spread”, which is “the the traditional message of best wishes on the occasion prayers to Almighty and Merciful God, that he ‘contagion of hope’”, encouraging “the different of the month of Ramadan, which began on 23 April, extend his protection over every human being, so that religious leaders to promote unity, solidarity and and of ’Id al-Fitr (1441 H. / 2020 A.D.), the feast these such difficult moments may be overcome”. brotherhood, so that from this moment on we may all that marks its conclusion. Published on Friday, 1 Moreover, the Cardinal explained in an interview come out better than what we were before and help May, the text was prepared before the surge of the given to , the feast is “essential, our societies to be ready to change all that is Covid-19 pandemic, and reflects on the theme of important and meaningful for our Muslim friends, respect and of protection of places of worship. although as Easter also was for us, for them too this necessary, not following only the laws of economy and “Th e re f o re ”, the Combonian Cardinal Miguel Ángel year it assumes a particular significance due to the p ro f i t ”. The following is the English text of the PCID Ayuso Guixot, MCCJ, explained in a note, “I would pandemic”. In essence it is a Ramadan experienced Message, signed by the Cardinal President and the like, as PCID President, to add the wish that in “a more interior dimension, because the community Secretary of the , Msgr Indunil Christians and Muslims, united in the spirit of aspect cannot be celebrated”. And in this regard he Kodithuwakku Janakaratne Kankanamalage.

Dear Muslim brothers and sisters, The month of Ramadan is so central in your religion and therefore dear to you at personal, familial and so- cial levels. It is a time for spiritual healing and growth, of sharing with the poor, of strengthening bonds with relatives and friends. For us, your Christian friends, it is a propitious time to further strengthen our relationships with you, by greeting you, meeting you on this occasion and, where pos- sible, by sharing in an iftar with you. Ramadan and ’Jd al-Fitr thus are special occasions to foster fra- Pope visits Heydar Aliyev Mosque in Baku, Azerbaijian, 2 October 2016 ternity between Christians and Muslims. It is in this spirit that the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Places of worship are also spaces based on personal relations and on ation from the teachings of religions Dialogue offers its prayerful best for spiritual hospitality, where believ- the good will of those responsible”. as well as a clear violation of inter- wishes and hearty congratulations to ers of other religions also join for In the context of recent attacks on national law”. you all. some special ceremonies like wed- churches, mosques and synagogues While appreciating the efforts The thoughts we like to share dings, funerals, feasts of the com- by wicked persons who seem to per- done by the international com- munity etc. While they participate in with you this year following our ceive the places of worship as a priv- munity at different levels for the the events in silence and with due cherished tradition are about the ileged target for their blind and protection of the places of worship respect to the religious observances protection of the places of worship. senseless violence, it is worth noting worldwide, it is our hope that our of the believers of that particular re- As we all know, the places of wor- what the Document on “Human mutual esteem, respect and coopera- ligion, they also savour the hospital- tion will help strengthen the bonds ship occupy an important place in Fraternity for World Peace and Liv- ity accorded to them. Such practice of sincere friendship, and enable our Christianity and Islam, and in other ing Together”, signed by Pope Fran- religions as well. For both Christians is a privileged witness to what unites communities to safeguard the places believers, without diminishing or cis and the Grand Imam of Al- of worship to assure for coming gen- and Muslims, churches and mosques Azhar, Dr. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, in are spaces reserved for prayer, per- denying what distinguishes them. erations the fundamental freedom to Abu Dhabi, on 4 February 2019, sonal and communitarian alike. In this regard, it is worthwhile to profess one’s own beliefs. said: “The protection of places of They are constructed and furnished recall what Pope Francis said when With renewed esteem and fraternal in a way that favours silence, reflec- he made a visit to the Heydar Aliyev worship — synagogues, churches and greetings, in the name of the Ponti- tion and meditation. They are spaces Mosque, in Baku (Azerbaijan) on mosques — is a duty guaranteed by fical Council for Interreligious Dia- where one can go deep in him- Sunday, 2 October 2016: “Meeting religions, human values, laws and logue, we convey friendly wishes for self/herself, so favouring for God-ex- one another in fraternal friendship international agreements. Every at- a fruitful month of Ramadan and a perience in silence. A place of wor- in this place of prayer is a powerful tempt to attack places of worship or joyous ’Id al-Fitr. ship of any religion therefore is “a sign, one that shows the harmony threaten them by violent assaults, house of prayer” ( 56, 7). which religions can build together, bombings or destruction, is a devi- From the Vatican, 17 April 2020

Pop e’s prayer intention for the month of May , faithful in their service to the Word and the poor

The prayer intention for the month of with their family” and at the same time May is dedicated to deacons. They are “are dedicated to the service of the poor, “not ‘second-level’ priests”, Pope Francis who carry within them the face of the says, but “are part of the clergy”. The suffering Christ”. Whether in churches, video message was posted on ‘thep- at the or in the sacristy; in the op evideo.org’ through which the Pope home, in prisons or in hospital wards; in entrusts his prayer intentions to the the streets and in stations, to help the Worldwide Prayer Network. homeless; deacons — the Pope concluded The Holy Father asks everyone to — are “the guardians of service in the pray that deacons, “faithful in their ser- vice to the Word and the poor, may be C h u rc h ”. an invigorating symbol for the entire C h u rc h ”. Translated into nine languages, the The scenes which form the backdrop video was prepared by La Machi agency, to the Pontiff’s message highlight dea- which is responsible for production and cons in their mission. Francis recalls that distribution, in collaboration with Vatic- these men “live their vocation in and Frame from the video for the Pope's prayer intention an Media, which recorded it. page 10 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 8 May 2020, number 19

Thursday, 16 April ing. “Instead of accepting the truth that they Prayer is the key to opening the door to saw before them, their hearts were so closed the Spirit, the Pope said, as it did for the dis- For pharmacists that they chose the way of diplomacy, the way ciples. In the first Reading, the Christian of compromise”, the Pope explained. Peter on community was somewhat afraid when Peter On Thursday, 16 April, Pope Francis began the other hand had received from the Holy and John returned after being questioned by his daily Mass at Santa Marta with prayers of Spirit the gift of “frankness and courage” on the priests. But they turned to God in prayer gratitude for pharmacists who “have been Pentecost which enabled him to be bold. That and experienced a “second Pentecost” that working hard to help the sick”. During his is precisely where the mission begins. At the emboldened them. At the end of his homily homily, he commented on the days following end of his homily the Holy Father prayed the Pope prayed that through prayer we may the which he said were that the Lord may help us to always be cour- be open to the Spirit so that he will bring us not very tranquil as the people were filled ageous in proclaiming his Word. forward in our life of service to the Lord. with “fear, amazement and doubt”. The dis- ciples themselves who knew that the Lord had risen, had appeared to Simon and had heard Monday, 20 April Wednesday, 22 April the testimony of the disciples on their return For politicians from Emmaus, were afraid. Their fear grew For unity in Europe when Jesus appeared in their midst for they On Monday 20 April, Pope Francis reflected thought they were seeing a ghost (cf. Lk 24:37). During his homily for Mass at Santa Marta on the figure of Nicodemus who was a leader on Wednesday, 22 April, Pope Francis re- However, when Jesus spoke to them invit- of the Jews and a righteous Pharisee. Al- ing them to touch his wounds, their fear turned to the figure of Nicodemus (Jn 3:16-21) though Nicodemus was restless because Jesus’ and Jesus’ words to him regarding God’s turned into immense joy. But their joy was so actions had been foretold by the prophets, he great that it kept them from believing: it was love. “God so loved the world that he gave would visit Jesus at night as he knew that his only begotten son, so that everyone who as if they “were paralyzed with joy”, the Holy those who were with Jesus were negatively believes in him might not perish but might Father explained. Different from being judged. have eternal life”. These words, the Holy “happy, positive or radiant”, this was the However, despite his confession to Jesus, Father explained, contain a wealth of theolo- greatest possible joy”. “Joy is the fruit of the that he believed he was from God, the Pope gical revelation about redemption and identi- fied two key aspects: God’s love and the choice between light and darkness. The Cross is the highest expression of Go d’slove and as such, anyone who contem- Morning Mass at the Domus plates the Cross has everything revealed to them, the Pope said. Indeed, “so many Chris- tians, spend time gazing at the Crucified Sanctae Marthae One.... And there they find everything be- cause they have understood”, he continued. As Saint Paul explains “all human reasoning is useful only to a certain point”. However, Pope Francis added, some people Holy Spirit”, he added, and there can be are unable to do so, to live in the light be- none without him. Thus “to receive the joy of cause they have become accustomed to the the Holy Spirit is a grace”. darkness. The light “blinds them and they Referring to Saint Paul VI’s Apostolic Ex- cannot see”. Like human bats “they can only hortation Evangelii Nuntiandi (n. 80), Pop e move about during the night”. When we are Francis explained that this joy is similar to the in a state of sin, we find ourselves in this con- one experienced by Ezra and Nehemiah when dition “unable to tolerate the light. It is easier they discovered the Book of the Law. Ad- to live in darkness”. This is because the “light dressing the Israelites as they wept having shows us what we do not want to see”. And, heard the Book of the Law, Nehemiah said he added, “those who are corrupt do not know “the joy of the Lord is our strength”. The what the light is, and do not recognize it”. Holy Father concluded his homily with a At the end of his homily, Francis invited prayer asking the Lord to grant us the grace the faithful to let God’s love shine in our lives of having the strength to preach the Gospel through the Holy Spirit and to ask ourselves and be witnesses of the Lord’s joy. “Do I walk in the light or in darkness”.

Saturday, 18 April Thursday, 23 April For those who care for the disabled For families and usurers

On Saturday, 18 April, during his homily for During Mass at Santa Marta on Thursday, 23 Holy Mass at Santa Marta, Pope Francis re- explained, Nicodemus stopped at that, unable April, Pope Francis reflected on the day’s flected on the day’s First Reading which de- to ask what to do next, to make the leap. Je- Gospel passage in which the Apostles were scribed the boldness with which Peter and sus in turn replies: “Unless one is born from brought before the Sanhedrin and the high John pushed the priests, scribes and elders in- above, he cannot see the kingdom of God”. priest for questioning for having disobeyed to a corner after a man had been healed in Misunderstanding his meaning, Nicodemus the order not to teach in the name of Jesus. the name of God. These “uneducated men”, asks how one can be born again as an adult The Apostles, however, and Peter in particu- the Pope said had left the learned men and Jesus explains that being born from lar, were courageous and bold in upholding speechless. The boldness of their belief, above means to be born of the Spirit. their faith saying: “we must obey God”. parrhesia, he said, became the “style of Chris- The Sprit, the Holy Father said, is unpre- Although Peter himself had denied Jesus, tian preachers in the Acts of the Apostles”. dictable. As Jesus further explained, it is a and had been filled with fear, he was bold be- Parrhesia is “the Christian courage that drives wind “that blows where it wants and you hear cause of the Holy Spirit, whom God gives “to someone to speak openly”. Indeed in the Acts its sound, but you do not know where it those who obey him” (Acts 5:32). He could of the Apostles, “it says that Paul and Barna- comes from or where it goes”. Those who are have chosen to compromise, but instead he bas sought to explain the mystery of Christ to docile to the Spirit, he continued, are people chose to pursue the journey. People have had the Hebrews with boldness and the “p re a c h e d to do this throughout the history of the the Gospel boldly”. In fact, the Pope noted, who allows themselves “to be carried from one place to the other by the Holy Spirit” Church “in order to save the People of God”, one cannot be a good Christian without The Pope said. and thus attain the freedom of the Spirit. parrhesia. In the moment of temptation, “Satan de- In order to be a good Christian, Pope The Holy Father then turned to a passage sires that you be sifted like wheat”, Jesus told Francis said, it is not sufficient for us to fol- from a Letter to the Hebrews which tells of the Apostles before his Passion. However, Je- the Christian community’s loss of their origin- low the commandments. We must allow the sus tells Peter “but I have prayed for you so al boldness and their tepidness (Heb “spirit to enter into” us and take us where he that your faith may not fail”, the Pope contin- 10:32,35): “Remember the days past when, wants. Like Nicodemus, we too may stop be- ued. In the same way, Jesus prays for all of us after you had been enlightened, you endured fore the “what next” “because we do not and when we pray to him we should not only a great contest of suffering ... therefore do not know what step to take or we do not trust ask for a grace but also to contemplate Jesus. throw away your confidence”. God enough”, he explained. However, he ad- “Let us think about how Peter was able to This confidence is thus crucial to Christi- ded, to be truly born again, we must be will- progress on this path from being a coward to ans. The priests, scribes and elders had ing to allow ourselves to be guided by the becoming a courageous person with the gift hardened and corrupt hearts and therefore Spirit’s freedom even without knowing where they could only remain astonished at the heal- we will end up. CONTINUED ON PA G E 11 number 19, Friday, 8 May 2020 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO page 11

Morning Mass at the Domus Sanctae Marthae

CONTINUED FROM PA G E 10 But bearing witness, the Holy Father con- tinued, must be done with humility, echoing of the Holy Spirit”, the Pope urged the faith- Pe t e r ’s words in the day’s First Reading: ful. The Holy Father concluded by asking for “Clothe yourselves all with humility towards the grace of allowing the Lord to “teach us each other (1 Pt 5:5). If we go out of ourselves how to ask him for the grace of praying for to witness, we will be fruitful and work won- each one of us”. ders, the Lord says. Transmitting faith is not like transmitting ideas as teachers do. This is because in transmitting the faith, we are ac- Friday, 24 April companied by the Lord. For teachers and students Monday, 27 April Taking his cue from the Gospel passage about the loaves and fishes (Jn 6:1-15) at Holy Mass For artists and creativity on Friday, 24 April, the Holy Father reflected on how Jesus tests his disciples. Jesus asks In his homily for Holy Mass at Santa Marta Philip “where can we buy some bread for on Monday, 27 April, the Holy Father com- these people to eat”. Although Jesus knew mented on the day’s Gospel Reading from what he was about to accomplish, he was test- John (Jn 6:22-29) in which Jesus redirects the ing Philip. Jesus, the Holy Father noted, crowd who sought him after the multiplica- “continually put them to the test in order to tion of the loaves and fishes. They had sought teach them”. When they deviated from what him because their stomachs were full. But Je- Jesus asked them, he would stop and use that sus exhorts them: “do not labour for the food as an opportunity to teach them. Indeed the which perishes, but for the food which en- Gospel is filled with similar examples because dures to eternal life” (v. 27). When the people Jesus wanted his disciples to grow to become asked him how they could do this, Jesus pastors of the People of God. replied: “that you believe in him whom he has Jesus, the Pope continued, loved being sent” (v. 29). with the crowd “because this too is a symbol The Lord then recognizing that the people of the universality of Redemption”. However had forgotten the Word, reminded them of the Apostles did not share this view “b ecause their first encounter with the Word. He “cor- they liked to be close to the Lord, to hear rected the path of the people who had taken a everything the Lord said”. Jesus sought the more worldly, rather than evangelical path”, think about our words and the times when closeness of the people and he wanted to the Pope said. This loss of path can occur to our own comments commit this lynching. “form the hearts of the pastors to closeness us too as we lose our memory of our first en- “May the Lord help us”, said the Pope, “to with the People of God” in order to serve thusiasm for the Word of the Lord. We might be righteous, in our judgments, not to begin them. move away and forget the freshness of that to follow this mass condemnation that pro- Jesus teaches the Apostles this pastoral be- first call. When this happens, Pope Francis vokes gossip”. haviour of being close to the People of God said, the Lord asks us to return to that first because the People of God make one tired as encounter. When we are faced with tempta- “they always ask for concrete things”. The tion, it is a grace return “to that first call, Thursday, 30 April pastor must always be able to provide these when Jesus looked at us with love”. things. “You feed them”, Jesus tells the The Holy Father ended his homily by ask- For the deceased Apostles. This means you provide: “are they ing for the grace to return to the moment of distressed? Give them comfort. Are they lost? our first encounter with Jesus, to “our own We cannot know Christ or his mystery unless Show them the way out”, the Pope said. Galilee within us”. we are drawn by the Father, Pope Francis said Thus, the very “power of the pastor is ser- during his homily for Holy Mass at Santa vice. He has no other power”. When pastors Marta on Thursday, 30 April. Although we begin to err and take other powers, then their Tuesday, 28 April can study religion or theology and learn much vocation is ruined, he warned. Pope Francis about Christ, this is not sufficient. Taking his ended his homily by asking the Lord to speak For prudence as quarantine cue from the day’s First Reading which nar- to the pastors of the Church, and to teach restrictions ease rated the story of the Ethiopian eunuch, he them above all not to be afraid but rather to reflected on conversion. The eunuch, who was be close to his people. On Tuesday morning, 28 April, during his an in the Ethiopian royal court was homily at Santa Marta, the Holy Father con- reading a passage from the prophet Isaiah on tinued to reflect on the courage of Christians his return from Jerusalem when God sent Saturday, 25 April as he commented on the day’s Reading from Philip the to him. God had already the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 7:5, 8:1). In it, prepared his heart and so when the time came For those who work in Stephen courageously speaks to the people, and they saw some water by the wayside, the funeral services the elders and the scribes who, after accusing Ethiopian asked to be baptized. him of false testimony, drag him out of the It is important to understand this principle During his homily for Holy Mass at Santa city and then stone him. in our apostolic mission as Christians, the Marta on Saturday, 25 April, the Holy Father Because the Doctors of the Law did not Pope said. Conversion is not something that reflected on Christian mission as he commen- tolerate his clarity of doctrine, the Pope said, we do ourselves as only God can convert ted on the passage from the Gospel of Mark they asked someone to say they had heard someone and only the Father can draw in which Jesus sent his disciples forth to pro- Stephen make blasphemous remarks about someone to Jesus. Our , the Holy Father claim the Good News. “Faith is either mis- God and the Law. Essentially they did to explained, is to bear witness. Instructing oth- sionary or it is not faith at all”, the Pope Stephen what they had done to Jesus. And ers on the faith is not enough in missionary stressed. It is not something for one’s self. As the same thing continues to happen to today’s work. True proclamation involves bearing wit- one grows in faith, it leads one to others martyrs. He gave the example of Asia Bibi, a ness in our own lives. which is what is meant by being sent forth. In Catholic from Pakistan who had been im- We must also remember that witness and other words, “faith must be transmitted, it prisoned for many years due to slander. Un- prayer go together, and that there cannot be must be offered”, the Pope told the faithful. fortunately, he added, in the face of false news one without the other. When we bear witness And above all, it should be transmitted that shapes opinion, sometimes nothing can without proselytising, we open the door to through witness. be done, as occurred during the Shoah when p eople’s hearts, leading them to welcome the Being Christian or Catholic is not merely a opinion was created to cast out an entire message and mystery of Jesus while prayer cultural matter. In transmitting the faith, we p eople. opens the Father’s heart to draw people to Je- reveal God through our witness so that the But, Pope Francis continued, there is also sus. At the end of his homily, Pope Francis Holy Spirit can take action within God’s the “small daily lynching of gossip that cre- asked the Lord to grant us the grace to live people. Thus, the Pope explained, when ates opinions in order to condemn people” our work with witness and prayer. people say they are Christians but live like pa- and to ruin their reputation. Truth, on the gans, no one will be convinced. But when one other hand, he explained, “is clear and trans- For the full texts of the Holy Father’s daily lives as a Christian, people are attracted. This, parent, it is the testimony of truth, of what is meditations at Santa Marta visit: he said, is bearing witness. b elieved”. The Pope invited the faithful to w w w. v a t i c a n . v a page 12 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 8 May 2020, number 19

REGINA CAELI

Pope Francis offered support and encouraged “the international collaboration that is taking place with various initiatives ... to find vaccines and treatments” for Covid-19. He shared these thoughts after reciting the Regina Caeli on Sunday, 3 May, in the private library of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace, as he has been doing weekly since the pandemic has required the establishment of social distancing measures that prohibit gatherings. Prior to the Marian prayer, the Pontiff commented on the Sunday Gospel reading centred on the Good Pastor. The following is a translation of the Holy Father’s reflection.

The Holy Father appeals for international collaboration on treatments and vaccines for Covid-19 The Lord calls us by name

Dear Brothers and Sisters, of the evil one leads you to a time many thoughts and worries in order to find vaccines and Good Morning, wall, it backs you into a corner. lead us to turn inwards into treatments and to guarantee uni- ourselves. Let us pay attention to versal access to essential technolo- The , Another difference: the voice of the voices that reach our hearts. gies that will enable every infec- which we celebrate today, is ded- the enemy distracts us from the Let us ask ourselves where they ted person, in every part of the icated to Jesus the Good Shep- present and wants us to focus on fears of the future or sadness come from. Let us ask for the world, to receive the necessary herd. The Gospel says that: “The grace to recognise and follow the health care. sheep hear his voice, and he calls about the past — the enemy does not want the present — it brings voice of the Good Shepherd, who his own sheep by name and leads I offer a special thought to the to surface the bitterness, the brings us out of the enclosures of them out” (Jn 10:3). The Lord “Meter” Association, promoter of memories of the wrongs suffered, selfishness and leads us to the calls us by name, He calls us be- the National Day for children vic- of those who have hurt us, ... pastures of true freedom. May cause he loves us. However, the tims of violence, exploitation and many bad memories. On the oth- Our Lady, Mother of Good indifference. I encourage those in Gospel says, there are other voices, er hand, the voice of God speaks Counsel, guide and accompany that are not to be followed: those charge and the staff to continue in the present: “Now you can do our discernment. their prevention and awareness of strangers, thieves and brigands good, now you can exercise the raising work alongside the various who mean harm to the sheep. creativity of love, now you can After the Regina Caeli, the Holy educational agencies. And I These different voices resonate forego the regrets and remorse Father continued: thank the children from the Asso- within us. There is the voice of that hold your heart captive”. It Dear brothers and sisters, today ciation who have sent me a col- God, who speaks kindly to the inspires us, it leads us ahead, but lage with hundreds of daisies they conscience, and there is the it speaks in the present: now. we celebrate World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Christian life is al- coloured. Thank you! tempting voice that leads to evil. Again: the two voices raise dif- ways a response to God's call, in We have just started May, the How can we recognise the voice ferent questions in us. The one any living condition. This Day re- quintessential Marian month, of the Good Shepherd from that that comes from God will be: minds us of what Jesus said one during which the faithful love to of the thief, how can we distin- “What is good for me?”. Instead day, that the field of the King- visit the Shrines dedicated to Our guish the inspiration of God from the tempter will insist on another Lady. This year, because of the question: “What do I feel like do- dom of God requires much work, the suggestion of the evil one? health situation, let us visit these ing?”. What do I feel: the evil and we must pray the Father to One can learn to discern these places of faith and devotion spir- voice always revolves around the send labourers to work in his har- two voices: they speak two differ- itually, to place in the heart of the ego, its impulses, its needs, vest (cf. Mt 9:37-38). Priesthood ent languages, that is, they have Blessed Virgin our worries, ex- everything straight away. It is like a and require cour- opposite ways of knocking on pectations and plans for the fu- child’s tantrums: everything, and age and perseverance; and one [the door of] our hearts. They cannot continue along this path t u re . speak different languages. Just as now. The voice of God, however, without prayer. I invite everyone And since prayer is a universal we know how to distinguish one never promises joy at a low price: to invoke the Lord for the gift of value, I have accepted the pro- language from another, we can it invites us to go beyond our ego good workers for his Kingdom, posal of the Higher Committee also distinguish the voice of God in order to find the true, good with a heart and hands that are for Human Fraternity for believ- from the voice of the evil one. peace. Let us remember: evil nev- er brings peace. First it causes open to his love. ers of all religions to unite spir- The voice of God never forces frenzy, and then it leaves bitter- Once again I would like to ex- itually this 14 May for a day of us: God p ro p o s e s himself, He does ness. This is the style of evil. press my closeness to those who prayer, fasting, and works of not impose himself. Instead, the Lastly, God’s voice and that of are suffering from Covid-19, to charity, to implore God to help evil voice seduces, assails, forces: the tempter, speak in different those who are dedicated to their humanity overcome the coronavir- it arouses dazzling illusions, emo- “e n v i ro n m e n t s ”: the enemy care and to all those who, in any us pandemic. Remember: 14 May, tions that are tempting but transi- prefers darkness, falsehood, and way, are suffering from the pan- all believers together, believers of ent. At first it flatters, it makes us gossip; the Lord loves sunlight, demic. At the same time, I would different traditions, to pray, fast, believe that we are all-powerful, truth, and sincere transparency. like to support and encourage the and perform works of charity. but then it leaves us empty inside The enemy will say to us: “Close international cooperation that is I wish everyone a good and accuses us: “You are worth yourself up in yourself, besides launching various initiatives Sunday. Please do not forget to nothing”. The voice of God, in- no one understands and listens to aimed at responding adequately pray for me. Enjoy your lunch. stead, corrects us, with great pa- you, do not be trusting!” Go o d- and effectively to the serious Ar r i v e d e rc i . tience, but always encourages us, ness, on the contrary, invites us to crisis we are experiencing. In- consoles us: it always nourishes open up, to be clear and trusting deed, it is important to bring to- hope. God’s voice is a voice that in God and in others. Dear gether scientific capabilities, in a has a horizon, whereas the voice brothers and sisters, during this transparent and disinterested way,