Blog by-the-Sea

More on Looking Toward Heaven While on Earth: From the Saints and Blesseds

Inspired by Abbot Joseph's post on Heaven, I put together a collection of excerpts from the writings of Bl. Hildegard of Bingen, St. Anselm of Canterbury and St. Irenaeus of Lyon about their perceptions of rising to see the Lord at His Second Coming, Heaven, and the portion of God's Spirit that we have now as a downpayment toward that eternity to come:

From Bl. Hildegard of Bingen:

"Then suddenly in the east, a great flash shone forth.  And I saw the Word of God coming on a cloud with the angelic choirs.  The Word had the same facial expression and the same open wounds which the Word had while in the world.  The Word sat upon a seat of shining white flames which did not, however, burn.  Under the Word was that great storm which was cleansing the world.  The ones who had been signed in faith rushed to meet the Word in the air, as it were, in the movement within the circle where I had indeed previously seen that brilliance which indicated the mystery of the celestial creator. . . .

"Thereupon, all the elements of the world shone with great serenity, as if a very dark skin had been removed from them.  Fire no longer held heat, air no longer held density, water raging, and land frailty.  The sun, moon, and stars -- just like embellished things -- shone with a reddish gleam full of brightness and beauty.  They then became fixed and no longer went around in a circle, so that day and night were no longer distinguished. 

"There was no night, just day.  And so it ended." 

- Bl. Hildegard of Bingen, Vision 12 from Hildegard von Bingen's Mystical Visions: Translated from Scivias.

From St. Anselm of Canterbury:

"What goods and how great, belong to those who enjoy this good. --Joy is multiplied in the blessed from the blessedness and joy of others.

"WHO shall enjoy this good? And what shall belong to him, and what shall not belong to him? At any rate, whatever he shall wish shall be his, and whatever he shall not wish shall not be his. For, these goods of body and soul will be such as eye has not seen nor ear heard, neither has the heart of man conceived (Isaiah Ixiv. 4; I Corinthians ii. 9).

"Why, then, do you wander abroad, slight man, in your search for the goods of your soul and your body? Love the one good in which are all goods, and it suffices. Desire the simple good which is every good, and it is enough. For, what do you love, my flesh? What do you desire, my soul? There, there is whatever you love, whatever you desire.

"If beauty delights you, there shall the righteous shine forth as the sun (Matthew xiii. 43) If swiftness or endurance, or freedom of body, which naught can withstand, delight you, they shall be as angels of God, --because it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body (I Corinthians xv. 44) --in power certainly, though not in nature. If it is a long and sound life that pleases you, there a healthful eternity is, and an eternal health. For the righteous shall live for ever (Wisdom v. 15), and the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord (Psalms xxxvii. 39) If it is satisfaction of hunger, they shall be satisfied when the glory of the Lord has appeared (Psalms xvii. 15). If it is quenching of thirst, they shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of your house (Psalms xxxvi. 8). If it is melody, there the choirs of angels sing forever, before God. If it is any not impure, but pure, pleasure, you shall make them drink of the river of your pleasures, 0 God (Psalms xxxvi. 8).

"If it is wisdom that delights you, the very wisdom of God will reveal itself to them. If friendship, they shall love God more than themselves, and one another as themselves. And God shall love them more than they themselves; for they love him, and themselves, and one another, through him, and he, himself and them, through himself. If concord, they shall all have a single will."

- St. Anselm of Canterbury, Chapter XXV, Proslogium.

From St. Irenaeus of Lyon:

"But we do now receive a certain portion of His Spirit, tending towards perfection, and preparing us for incorruption, being little by little accustomed to receive and bear God; which also the apostle terms "an earnest," that is, a part of the honour which has been promised us by God, where he says in the Epistle to the Ephesians, 'In which ye also, having heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation, believing in which we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance.'  This earnest, therefore, thus dwelling in us, renders us spiritual even now, and the mortal is swallowed up by immortality.  'For ye,' he declares, 'are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.'  This, however does not take place by a casting away of the flesh, but by the impartation of the Spirit. For those to whom he was writing were not without flesh, but they were those who had received the Spirit of God, 'by which we cry, Abba, Father.'  If therefore, at the present time, having the earnest, we do cry, 'Abba, Father,' what shall it be when, on rising again, we behold Him face to face; when all the members shall burst out into a continuous hymn of triumph, glorifying Him who raised them from the dead, and gave the gift of eternal life? For if the earnest, gathering man into itself, does even now cause him to cry, 'Abba, Father,' what shall the complete grace of the Spirit effect, which shall be given to men by God? It will render us like unto Him, and accomplish the will of the Father; for it shall make man after the image and likeness of God." 

- St. Irenaeus, Book V, Chapter VIII, paragraph 1 from Against Heresies (a Refutation and Subversion of Knowledge Falsely so Called).

Abbot Joseph Draws from Fr Charles Arminjon's Book on Heaven

In a post called "Heaven", Abbot Joseph draws from a book he recently read by 19th century Fr. Charles Arminjon called The End of the Present World and the Mysteries of the Future Life.  From one of the snippets that Abbot Joseph selected from the book: "The contemplation of God will not mean immobility but, above all, activity, an ever-ascending progression, where movement and repose will be bound together in ineffable harmony." 

It is a book, Abbot Joseph says, that St. Thérèse evidently read.  Commenting, he writes, "I think it’s best to run the race with our eyes on the Lord and all that He has prepared for those who love Him."

Read all.

12th Century: The Renewing of Theology

In today's General Audience, the Holy Father paused from his series examining the lives and works of great writers in Church history, and he looked specifically at the 12th century.   He spoke about the "two realms in which [the century's] fervid theological activity developed: the monasteries and the town schools, the scholae, some of which very soon gave life to the universities, which constituted one of the typical "inventions" of the Christian Middle Ages."  From the monasteries came the importance of "spiritual reading" -- reading Scripture "in the spirit in which it was written and created." From the schools came the Scholastic method, which "gives confidence to human reason: grammar and philology are at the service of theological learning".  He spoke about faith and reason together giving "confidence to human reason: grammar and philology are at the service of theological learning."

Zenit has a full English translation.  Benedetto XVI Forum has a translation and photographs.  The Italian language original was published by Daily Journal.  Vatican Information Service has a press release, and Asia News has an article.

Here is the Holy Father's English-language summary of his presentation:

"In our catechesis on the Christian thinkers of the Middle Ages, we now turn to the renewal of theology in the wake of the Gregorian Reform. The twelfth century was a time of a spiritual, cultural and political rebirth in the West. Theology, for its part, became more conscious of its own nature and method, faced new problems and paved the way for the great theological masterpieces of the thirteenth century, the age of Saint Thomas Aquinas and Bonaventure. Two basic "models" of theology emerged, associated respectively with the monasteries and the schools which were the forerunners of the medieval universities. Monastic theology grew out of the prayerful contemplation of the Scriptures and the texts of the Church Fathers, stressing their interior unity and spiritual meaning, centred on the mystery of Christ. Scholastic theology sought to clarify the understanding of the faith by study of the sources and the use of logic, and led to the great works of synthesis known as the Summae. Even today this confidence in the harmony of faith and reason inspires us to account for the hope within us (cf. 1 Peter 3:15) and to show that faith liberates reason, enabling the human spirit to rise to the loving contemplation of that fullness of truth which is God himself."

The Synod of Bishops Concludes with a Call to Africa to "Rise Up", Take the Road of a New Evangelization, and Build Peace

The Synod of Bishops Special Assembly for Africa concluded today.  Following yesterday's final General Congregation, Pope Benedict called the Synod a success at a luncheon.  Vatican Radio has an audio report on the Pope's words yesterday.

Asia News has published an English translation of the full text of the Message prepared by the Bishops during the Synod.  The Message addresses the state of the Church in Africa today, and the involvement of the Church globally in welcoming Africans who have immigrated and in sending assistance and missionaries to Africa. 

The Message also expresses a call to the international community, beyond the boundaries of the Church, to "treat Africa with respect and dignity" and to correct "unjust structures" in the world economic order. 

Congratulating the few African countries that have "started on the route of genuine democracy" and are reaping the "dividends of doing things well", the Message also addresses those parts of Africa, such as Somalia, engulfed in conflict, and places where "greed for power and wealth at the expense of the people and nation".  Concerning those conflicts, "poverty, misery and disease", human trafficking, "the atrocity of child soldiers and unspeakable violence against women", the Message calls on Africa to "rise up", and states that "it is time to change habits, for the sake of present and future generations". 

Recalling that Pope Benedict XVI said, at the Synod's Inaugural Mass, that Africa is 'the 'spiritual lung' of the humanity of today, the Message states that "this is a precious resource, more valuable than our minerals and oil".  The Message warns of the risks of religious fanaticism, and applauds success in interfaith dialogue with Muslims and people of other faiths, encouraging mutuality of laws permitting conversions from Islam to Christianity where the laws permit conversion from Christianity to Islam.  Entrusting the Message and its commitments to Mary, the Message offers these concluding thoughts:

"Dear brothers in the episcopate, dear sons and daughters of the Church Family of God in Africa, all you men and women of good will in Africa and beyond, we share with you the strong conviction of this Synod: that Africa is not helpless. Our destiny is still in our hands. All she is asking for is the space to breathe and thrive. Africa is already moving; and the Church is moving with her, offering her the light of the Gospel. The waters may be turbulent. But with our gaze on Christ the Lord (cf. Mt 14:28 32), we shall make it safely to the port of reconciliation, justice and peace."

Today, the Holy Father celebrated Mass to conclude the Synod meeting.  Zenit has an English translation of the Pope's homily and his words at the midday Angelus.  Benedetto XVI Forum has photos and also has an English translation of the Pope's homily.  The Daily Bulletin has the original Italian texts of the Holy Father's homily and words at the Angelus. Referring to today's readings for Mass, he expressed a "message of hope for Africa": "that the Lord of history never tires of renewing for mankind oppressed and overcome in every age and on every land, since he revealed to Moses what he wished for the Israelites who were slaves in Egypt."  He called on the Church in Africa to arise:

"Take the road of a new evangelization with the courage that comes from the Holy Spirit. This urgent evangelizing action, which was spoken about very much these days, also carries an urgent call to reconciliation, the indispensable condition in order to establish relationships of justice among men in Africa, and to construct an equitable and lasting peace respectful of every individual and every people. A peace that requires and is open to the contribution of all men of good will above and beyond their respective religious, ethnic, linguistic, cultural and social affiliations."

Two Comments I Liked on the Personal Ordinariate for Anglo-Catholics

At the Forward in Faith National Assembly held yesterday and today in the U.K., Bishop Andrew Burnham, the Anglican Bishop of Ebbsfleet (one of the Church of England's traditional Anglo-Catholic "Flying Bishops"), attributed Pope Benedict's new offer of a personal ordinariate for Anglicans becoming Catholics in part to the prayers of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, saying that it is her "shower of roses".  Also crediting the prayers of Our Lady of Walsingham and soon-to-be-blessed John Henry Newman, he called it "the miracle that seems to be springing up in our midst":

Listen here.

Anglican Bishop Andrew Burnham (who, I suppose, is soon to become Catholic Father Burnham) is not alone in crediting St. Thérèse.  Jack Smith at the Catholic Key Blog quotes from two other Anglican clergy who also credit St. Thérèse for this development, occurring so soon after her relics visited England (September 16 to October 16, 2009).  Hat tip American Papist. 

Also, Jeffrey Steenson, formerly an Episcopal Church bishop, and now a Catholic priest, wrote about the announcement on MercatorNet (hat tip Canterbury Tales).  He said this about his hope for the Episcopalians he necessarily left behind when he became Catholic:

"One thing has continued to trouble me in this journey, and that is the remembrance of the people left behind. . . . who hunger and thirst for something more, for whom the Catholic Church is a very intimidating but compelling presence. They must overcome misunderstandings about what the Catholic Church teaches, and fears about what it might mean to live in the Catholic Church. Patient pastoral work can resolve much of this, and I rejoice that the Holy Father has opened this door for them. "

St. Bernard of Clairvaux: Faith nourished by prayer, study and contemplation

In today's General Audience, Pope Benedict spoke about St. Bernard of Clairvaux.  Zenit has a full English translation.  Benedetto XVI Forum has photos and an English translation of the full text.  The Daily Bulletin has the original Italian with summaries in several languages.  Asia News has an article, and Vatican Information Service has a press release.

In his English language summary, the Holy Father said:

"In our continuing catechesis on the theologians of the Middle Ages, we now turn to one of the most outstanding, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. Bernard combined the austerity of the Cistercian monastic renewal with intense activity in the service of the Church in his time. Because of his great learning and deep spirituality he is venerated as a Doctor of the Church, and is often called "the last of the Fathers". Together with his theological writings and homilies, including the celebrated Sermons on the Song of Songs, Bernard maintained a vast correspondence, developed warm friendships with his contemporaries, defended sound doctrine, and combated heresy and outbreaks of antisemitism. His spirituality was profoundly Christ-centred and contemplative, and his celebration of the sweetness of Christ’s name won him the title of Doctor mellifluus. Bernard is also known for his fervent devotion to our Lady and his insight into her intimate sharing in the sacrifice of her Son. May Bernard’s example of a faith nourished by prayer, study and contemplation, lead us closer "to Jesus through Mary" and grant us that wisdom which finds joyful fulfilment in the knowledge of the saints in heaven." 

I will add more this evening when a full translation is available.

New Canonical Structure for Anglicans Becoming Catholic

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith today released a Note About Personal Ordinariates for Anglicans Entering the Catholic Church.  The full text of the Note, in English, is at the foregoing link.

The The New Liturgical Movement posted the Note.  Forbes.com has an Associated Press article (hat tip Michael Liccione).  More articles at Associated Press, America Magazine Blog, and Damian Thompson's blog in the Telegraph (hat tip TitusOneNine).

The note allows for the creation of Personal Ordinariates for Anglicans to enter full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving "elements of the distinctive Anglican spiritual and liturgical patrimony".  It mentions a forthcoming Apostolic Constitution which allows for married Anglican clergy who wish to become Catholic priests.  Seminarians in the Ordinariate will study along with other Catholic seminarians, while the Ordinariate will be allowed to have its own house of formation to address the particular needs of the Anglican patrimony.

Zenit has posted the response by Abp. John Helpworth of the Traditional Anglican Communion (the Anglo-Catholic body from outside of the Anglican Communion that requested such an accommodation several months ago).  Forward in Faith (the Ango-Catholic organization within the Anglican Communion which has previously said that many of its members may become Catholic) has posted a reaction on its website:

It has been the frequently expressed hope and fervent desire of Anglican Catholics to be enabled by some means to enter into full communion with the See of Peter whilst retaining in its integrity every aspect of their Anglican inheritance which is not at variance with the teaching of the Catholic Church.

We rejoice that the Holy Father intends now to set up structures within the Church which respond to this heartfelt longing. Forward in Faith has always been committed to seeking unity in truth and so warmly welcomes these initiatives as a decisive moment in the history of the Catholic Movement in the Church of England. Ut unum sint!

+John Fulham
Geoffrey Kirk

Ruth Gledhill's blog for the Times includes a copy of a response from Bishops Andrew Burnham and Keith Newton, also of Forward in Faith, which is not posted on the Forward in Faith website.  In it, they speak about the discussions between Anglo-Catholic groups and the Vatican over the past few years.  Acknowledging that some will remain Anglican, and some will choose an individual route, they also wrote that some Anglo-Catholics now "will begin to form a caravan, rather like the People of Israel crossing the desert in search of the Promised Land."

The USCCB website has posted the response of Cardinal George, president of the USCCB, stating, "The USCCB stands ready to collaborate in the implementation of that Provision in our country." (hat tip Thomas Peters at American Papist).

Vatican Information Service also has a press release today concerning comments of Cardinal William Levada, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, at a press conference about the note.  Here is the press release:

In a meeting with journalists held this morning in the Holy See Press Office Cardinal William Joseph Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and Archbishop Joseph Augustine Di Noia O.P., secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, presented a note on a new measure concerning "Personal Ordinariates for Anglicans entering the Catholic Church".

Commenting on the English-language note, which has been published by his dicastery, Cardinal Levada explained how, "with the preparation of an Apostolic Constitution, the Catholic Church is responding to the many requests that have been submitted to the Holy See from groups of Anglican clergy and faithful in different parts of the world who wish to enter into full visible communion.

"In this Apostolic Constitution the Holy Father has introduced a canonical structure that provides for such corporate reunion by establishing Personal Ordinariates, which will allow former Anglicans to enter full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving elements of the distinctive Anglican spiritual and liturgical patrimony. Under the terms of the Apostolic Constitution, pastoral oversight and guidance will be provided for groups of former Anglicans through a Personal Ordinariate, whose Ordinary will usually be appointed from among former Anglican clergy.

"The forthcoming Apostolic Constitution provides a reasonable and even necessary response to a worldwide phenomenon, by offering a single canonical model for the universal Church which is adaptable to various local situations and equitable to former Anglicans in its universal application. It provides for the ordination as Catholic priests of married former Anglican clergy. Historical and ecumenical reasons preclude the ordination of married men as bishops in both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. The Constitution therefore stipulates that the Ordinary can be either a priest or an unmarried bishop. The seminarians in the Ordinariate are to be prepared alongside other Catholic seminarians, though the Ordinariate may establish a house of formation to address the particular needs of formation in the Anglican patrimony".

"The provision of this new structure is consistent with the commitment to ecumenical dialogue, which continues to be a priority for the Catholic Church, particularly through the efforts of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. The initiative has come from a number of different groups of Anglicans" who, said Cardinal Levada, "have declared that they share the common Catholic faith as it is expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and accept the Petrine ministry as something Christ willed for the Church. For them, the time has come to express this implicit unity in the visible form of full communion".

The cardinal further indicated that "it is the hope of the Holy Father Benedict XVI that the Anglican clergy and faithful who desire union with the Catholic Church will find in this canonical structure the opportunity to preserve those Anglican traditions precious to them and consistent with the Catholic faith. Insofar as these traditions express in a distinctive way the faith that is held in common, they are a gift to be shared in the wider Church. The unity of the Church does not require a uniformity that ignores cultural diversity, as the history of Christianity shows. Moreover, the many diverse traditions present in the Catholic Church today are all rooted in the principle articulated by St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians: 'There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism'.

"Our communion", the cardinal added in conclusion, "is therefore strengthened by such legitimate diversity, and so we are happy that these men and women bring with them their particular contributions to our common life of faith".

In a joint declaration on the same subject, Catholic Archbishop Vincent Gerard Nichols of Westminster and Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury affirm that the announcement of the Apostolic Constitution "brings to an end a period of uncertainty for such groups who have nurtured hopes of new ways of embracing unity with the Catholic Church. It will now be up to those who have made requests to the Holy See to respond to the Apostolic Constitution", which is a "consequence of ecumenical dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion.

"The on-going official dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion provides the basis for our continuing co-operation", the declaration adds. "The Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) and International Anglican Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission (IARCCUM) agreements make clear the path we will follow together.

"With God's grace and prayer we are determined that our on-going mutual commitment and consultation on these and other matters should continue to be strengthened. Locally, in the spirit of IARCCUM, we look forward to building on the pattern of shared meetings between the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales and the Church of England's House of Bishops with a focus on our common mission".

St. Teresa of Avila and Scripture: "Make our petitions . . .humbly wait . . . be silent."

"We should make our petitions like beggars before a powerful and rich Emperor; then, with downcast eyes, humbly wait. When He secretly shows us He hears our prayers, it is well to be silent, as He has drawn us into His presence; there would then be no harm in trying to keep our minds at rest (that is to say, if we can).  If, however, the King makes no sign of listening or of seeing us, there is no need to stand inert, like a dolt, which the soul would resemble if it continued inactive.  In this case its dryness would greatly increase, and the imagination would be made more restless than before by its very effort to think of nothing.  Our Lord wishes us at such a time to offer Him our petitions and to place ourselves in His presence; He knows what is best for us."

- St. Teresa of Avila, Interior Castle, Fourth Mansion, Chapter 3.

And here is a group of Scriptures related, one way or another, to the same concepts:

"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.  But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.  And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words.  Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." (Matt. 6:5-8)

"And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone." (Matt. 14:23, about Jesus)

"And Peter said to Jesus, 'Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish, I will make three booths here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eli'jah.'  He was still speaking, when lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.'" (Matt. 17:4-5)

"And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed." (Mark 1:35, about Jesus)

"Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints." (Eph. 6:18)

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving; and pray for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison,  that I may make it clear, as I ought to speak." (Col. 4:2-4)

"Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (I Thess. 5:16-18)

"Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!  Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his presence continually!" (I Chron. 16:10-11, David's Song of Thanksgiving before the Ark of the Covenant)

"Be angry, but sin not; commune with your own hearts on your beds, and be silent." (Psalm 4:4)

"One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple." (Psalm 27:4)

"Be still, and know that I am God. I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10)

"But I call upon God; and the LORD will save me.  Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he will hear my voice." (Psalm 54/55:16-17)

"Thou dost keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee." (Isaiah 26:3)

"Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, "My way is hid from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God"?  Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary, his understanding is unsearchable.  He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.  Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:27-31)

"Let us know, let us press on to know the LORD; his going forth is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth." (Hosea 6:3)

"But as for me, I will look to the LORD, I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.  Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me.  I will bear the indignation of the LORD because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my cause and executes judgment for me. He will bring me forth to the light; I shall behold his deliverance." (Micah 7:7-9)

"Be silent before the Lord GOD! For the day of the LORD is at hand; the LORD has prepared a sacrifice and consecrated his guests. . . . Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his commands; seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the wrath of the LORD." (Zeph. 1:7, 2:3)

Spread the Light of Christ Among All Peoples

At today's midday Angelus prayer, the Holy Father spoke about today's observance of World Mission Day.  He mentioned his Message for World Mission Day 2009, inspired by Rev. 21:24 ("The nations will walk by its light"), and explained that that "light" is "God, revealed by the Messiah and reflected on the face of the Church."

He invoked the intercession of St. Luke the Evangelist, St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, St. Francis Xavier, and the Virgin Mary, "so that the Church may continue to spread the light of Christ among all peoples".  He also asked for continued prayer for the ongoing Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops.

Asia News has an English translation of the full text.  The Daily Bulletin has the original Italian and greetings in several languages.  Benedetto XVI Forum has a translation with photos.

"Evangelizing all people constitutes the essential mission of the Church" (Benedict XVI)

"I would 'confirm once more that the task of evangelizing all people constitutes the essential mission of the Church' (Evangelii Nuntiandi, 14), a duty and a mission which the widespread and profound changes in present-day society render ever more urgent.  At stake is the eternal salvation of persons, the goal and the fulfilment of human history and the universe.  Animated and inspired by the Apostle of the nations, we must realize that God has many people in all the cities visited by the apostles of today (cfr Acts 18:10). In fact "the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him" (Acts 2:39)."

- Pope Benedict XVI, Message for World Mission Day 2009.