“To follow Jesus you have to take risks”, without fear of “appearing ridiculous”, and without trying to be “too polite”; and in this, “women are better than men”. During Mass on Friday, 13 January, in the Santa Marta chapel, Pope Francis renewed his invitation to the faithful not to “remain seated in life, looking on motionless”. [...]
"The Christian faith is not a theory or a philosophy – it is the encounter with Jesus." The Pope emphasized that in order to truly encounter Jesus we undertake the journey with three attitudes: "vigilant in prayer, industrious in charity, exultant in praise." Encountering Jesus: this is “the grace that we desire in Advent.” Pope Francis [...]
An invitation to work for “the culture of encounter” in a simple way “as Jesus did”: not only seeing but looking, not only hearing but listening, not only passing by people but stopping with them, not only saying “what a shame, poor people!” but allowing yourself to be moved with compassion; “and then to draw near, [...]
‘One who lives this encounter becomes a witness and makes possible the encounter for others; and makes him also a promoter of the culture of encounter, avoiding self-reference that makes us remain closed in ourselves.’ Today, before our eyes is a simple, humble and great event: Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the Temple of Jerusalem. [...]
THE HOLY FATHER’S CATECHESIS Dear Brothers and Sisters, Day after day, we enter the heart of the Holy Year of Mercy. While we cross the Holy Door, the Lord guides our steps with His grace, and He comes to meet us, to remain always with us, notwithstanding our faults and contradictions. Let us never tire of [...]