'funeral face.'

May 31, 2013. (Romereports.com) During his daily Mass at the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, the Pope invited Christians to embrace happiness and to not live life with a 'funeral face.' The Pope explained that the Holy Spirit brings Christians a special joy that should lead them to praise God.  

POPE FRANCIS 
“It is precisely the Holy Spirit who guides us: He is the author of joy. And it's this joy in the Spirit that gives us true Christian freedom. Without joy, Christians can't be free. We become slaves of our sadness. The great Paul VI said that you can't transmit the Gospel, with sad, distrustful, or pessimistic Christians.  You cannot! You can't have that type of attitude. Sometimes it seems like Christians are going to a funeral procession instead praising God. This joy comes from praise, a praise of Mary, that praise that  Zephaniah spoke of. That same praise of Simon and of Ana: Praise God!

He went on to explain that to truly find meaning in prayer, one must be willing to invest one's time  praying and praising God, even if it seems like one's wasting time. 

POPE FRANCIS
“Here at Mass, I ask you: do you praise God or do you simply ask of Him and give thanks. Do you truly praise God? This is something new, it's new to our spiritual life. It's about praising God, about going out of ourselves and getting lost in time praising God. Some will say 'but Mass is so long.' If you don't praise God, you don't understand the joyful attitude that comes with praise, even if you're wasting time, praising Him in that long Mass. But if you welcome the attitude of praise, it's beautiful! Eternity will be about Praising God! It won't be boring, it will be beautiful! This joy makes us free.”

Eucharist

POPE FRANCIS 

“The Eucharist is the Sacrament of Communion, which takes us out of our individualism, so that we may live our journey together, following in His footsteps, by placing our faith in Him. Therefore we ought to ask ourselves before the Lord: How do I live the Eucharist? Do I live it anonymously or as a moment of true Communion with the Lord, also with many brothers and sisters who share this same table? How are our Eucharistic celebrations?”

God looking for us

Pope Francis ‏@Pontifex4h

The whole of salvation history is the story of God looking for us: he offers us love and welcomes us with tenderness.

New Evangelization

In June, the Pope will be praying so that a culture of dialogue and mutual respect prevails among peoples. His intention also includes a missionary prayer for countries that are deeply influenced by secularization, so that Christians who live in those nations can successfully promote the New Evangelization.

Born

Pope Francis ‏@Pontifex29 May

The Church is born from the supreme act of love on the Cross, from Jesus’ open side. The Church is a family where we love and are loved.

Triumphalism

“Triumphalism in the Church, impedes the Church. Triumphalism among Christians, impedes Christians. A triumphalist, half-way Church that is a Church that is content with what it is or has, well sorted , well organized with all its offices, everything in order, everything perfect no? Efficient. But a Church that denies its martyrs, because it does not know that martyrs are needed for the journey towards the Cross. A Church that only thinks about triumphs, successes, does not know the rule of Jesus: the rule of triumph through failure, human failure, the failure of the Cross. And this is a temptation that we all have.”

“I remember once, I was in a dark moment in my spiritual life and I asked a favor from the Lord. Then I went to preach the annual spiritual retreat to nuns and on the last day they made their confession. One elderly nun, over 80 years of age, but with clear, bright eyes came to confession: she was a woman of God. In the end I saw that she really was a woman of God so I said ‘ Sister, as penance, pray for me, because I need a grace, OK? If you ask the Lord for this grace on my behalf, I am sure to receive it'. She stopped for a moment, as if in prayer, and said, 'Of course the Lord will grant you this grace, but do not be deceived: in His own divine manner’. This did me a lot of good. To hear that the Lord always gives us what we ask for, but in His own divine way. And this is the divine way to the very end. The divine way involves the Cross, not out of masochism: no, no! Out of love. For love, to the very end.”

“Let us ask the Lord for the grace that we may not be a half-way Church, a triumphalist Church, of great successes, but a humble Church, that walks with decision, just like Jesus. Forward, forward, forward. With a heart open to the will of the Father, just like Jesus. We ask for this grace”.

God's Family

May 29, 2013. (Romereports.com) (-ONLY VIDEO-) With more than 90,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope reflected on the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. He addressed society's popular notions of 'believing in God, but not in the Church' or of 'believing in God, but not in priests.'
  
The Pope explained that despite human miseries and sins, the Church brings people closer to God, and in essence, it embodies God's family on Earth. 

POPE'S CATECHESIS IN ENGLISH:


Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

 In today’s Audience I would like to speak of the Church as God’s family.  Like the merciful father in the parable of the prodigal son, God wants all of us to live in his love and to share in his life.  The Church is an essential part of this divine plan; we were made to know and love God and, despite our sins, he continues to call us to return to Him. 
 In the fullness of time, He sent his Son into our world to inaugurate the new and eternal covenant with humanity through his sacrifice on the cross.  The Church was born of this supreme act of reconciling love, in the water and blood which flowed from Christ’s pierced side.  

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit sent the Apostles to proclaim the Gospel of God’s love to the ends of the earth.  Christ can never be separated from his Church, which he has made the great family of God’s children.  

Today, let pledge ourselves to renewing our love for the Church and to letting her be God’s true family, where everyone feels welcomed, understood and loved.”

Church

POPE FRANCIS
“There are those who say, 'I believe in God, but not in priests. I believe in Christ, but not in the Church.' But it's the very Church that leads us to Christ. The Church is God's family. And yes, it's true that the Church also has human characteristics in its members. From pastors to the faithful, there are defects, imperfections and sins. Even I, the Pope, have them.  But the beautiful thing is that we recognize that we are sinners. When we accept that we are sinners, we find the mercy of God. God always forgives, never forget this: God always forgives ".

He went on to explain that despite human limitations and sins, it is through the Church, that God's message is announced. 

POPE FRANCIS
“Ask yourself: Do you love the Church? Do you pray for Her? Do you feel part of this family? What do you do so that others can feel heard and understood?”

Family

Pope Francis ‏@Pontifex15h

The Church is born from the supreme act of love on the Cross, from Jesus’ open side. The Church is a family where we love and are loved.

Way of the Cross

May 28, 2013. (Romereports.com) During his daily morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta, the Pope explained that being a Christian  is not a mere matter of culture. The Pope explained that when Christianity comes down to just that, it becomes a tool to build on one's career and 'seize more power.' 


POPE FRANCIS
“Some people follow Jesus, but to a certain extent, they follow him because of their culture. They say: I am a Christian, I am from this culture' ... but without the requirements of true discipleship, the true will to follow Him. If you follow Jesus as a cultural choice, you use this path to reach higher positions, to achieve more power. The history of the Church is full of examples: emperors and many other rulers and people. And also some, I wouldn't say many, but some priests, some bishops, too. Some say there are many.  Indeed there are some who think that following Jesus can make them advance their careers.”

The Pope explained that the path to Jesus is best followed not by careerism. He said, the true way  to Him is through the 'Way of the Cross.'

Generousity

Pope Francis ‏@Pontifex3h

Dear young people, the Church expects great things of you and your generosity. Don’t be afraid to aim high.

Wealth

May 27, 2013. (Romereports.com) On Monday, Pope Francis celebrated his daily morning Mass at the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta Chapel. The Pope talked about the dangers that come when one gets too attached to wealth. For example, he warned about the culture of only seeking economic well being and also about the fascination with the temporary, where no commitment is necessary.  

POPE FRANCIS

“He is the Lord of time. We are the masters of the moment. Why? Because we are in command of the moment: We say, 'I will follow the Lord up to this point, and then we'll see'… I heard of a man who wanted to become a priest, but only for ten years, not any longer…' How many couples get married and even if they don't say it, they think 'it's o.k for now, then we will see.' This is the attraction for the temporary. We must become masters time.”

The Pope explained that people's love for material things and their love for the temporary, can trigger laziness, selfishness and apathy.

POPE FRANCIS

“These two cultural factors are the ones that, in this moment, prevent us from going forward. It makes me think of so many men and women who have left their land to work for the rest of their lives as missionaries. Now that is definitive!

When Christians get too comfortable, explained the Pope, they lose the courage to improve their lives and that of those around them. Instead, he added, wealth can become a type of 'anesthesia.'

Pope Francis ‏@Pontifex26 May

Every time we give in to selfishness and say “No” to God, we spoil his loving plan for us.

Miracles

1. Pope Francis ‏@Pontifex1h

   We all have in our hearts some areas of unbelief. Let us say to the Lord: I believe! Help my unbelief.

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2. Pope Francis ‏@Pontifex22h

   Miracles happen. But prayer is needed! Prayer that is courageous, struggling and persevering, not prayer that is a mere formality.

Difficulties

POPE FRANCIS
“To suffer is to accept life's difficulties and carry them with strength. That way the difficulty does not drag us down. To carry it with strength: this is a Christian virtue! Saint Paul says several times: Suffer, endure. This means do not let yourselves be overcome by difficulties. This means that a Christian has the strength to not give up, to carry difficulties with strength. Carry them, but carry them with strength. It is not easy, because discouragement comes, and one has the urge to give up and say, ‘Well, come on, we’ll do what we can but no more.’ But no, it is a grace to suffer. In difficulties, we must ask for this grace, in difficulty.”

Our Lady of Sheshan

Pope Francis ‏@Pontifex9h

On the feast of Mary Help of Christians I join the Catholics in China who trust in the protection of Our Lady of Sheshan and I pray for them

Salt

May 23, 2013. (Romereports.com) During his homily at the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta Chapel, the Pope called on Christians to be the 'salt of the earth.' He described it as living life with 'flavor' that's reflected in faith, hope and charity. He also urged them to not become so called 'museum piece' Christians. 

POPE FRANCIS
“Christian originality is not uniform! It takes each one as is, with one's own personality, characteristics and culture. One protects that because it is a treasure. However, it gives one something more: it gives flavor! This Christian originality we have is so beautiful, because when you go after uniformity – and everyone is 'salted' in the same way, things will be like when a woman cooks with too much salt. One can only taste the salt and not the meal. Christian originality is this: each person as is, with one's God given gifts.”

The Pope also said that this 'salt of the earth' must be shared with others. When one keeps it stored, he explained, it becomes stale and humid. 

work place

Pope Francis ‏@Pontifex5h

Do I take the Gospel message of reconciliation and love into the places where I live and work?

Mother Teresa

May 22, 2013. (Romereports.com) The Pope took some time to visit the Missionaries of Charity to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Vatican’s' Soup Kitchen. It's here that a group of sisters take care of the poor and needy day in and day out, just a few steps away from St. Peter's Square.   

“This day takes us back 25 years, when on May 21, 1988 Blessed John Paul II entrusted the 'Dono di Maria' house to Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta,” said sister Mary Prema Pierick, the Superior of the Missionaries of Charity.


POPE FRANCIS
“This structure, was wished and opened by Blessed John Paul II, now these are actions of saints, actions of blesseds. John Paul II and Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Holiness has been here. How beautiful is that!"

The Pope also met with roughly 100 people who often receive help and support from the missionary sisters, volunteers and collaborators. The Pope described it as not just a home, but a family, and a school of charity.  

POPE FRANCIS
“This is a home, and when I say home I mean a place of welcome, a house with a human environment where one can feel at ease, a place to meet others, to feel included in one place, in a community.”

He then added that the home is a gift for the Church, but those who are helped also bring a gift to the Church. The Pope explained that it's in the faces of the needy that one can see Jesus. 

POPE FRANCIS
“We must recover the meaning of gifts, of gratuity, solidarity. Extreme capitalism teaches the logic of profit at all costs, of giving to receive, exploitation without considering the person. These are the results we see in the crisis we are living.”
The rosary was then prayed before our Lady of Fatima, by the Pope and the sisters of charity. 

As a gift, the Pope gave the home some gifts, among them a basket of food and an image of St. Francis of Assisi. 

He greeted people one by one, and when needed, he also spoke in Spanish. 

“It's a pleasure to meet you.”

POPE FRANCIS
“Where are you from?”

“I am Italian but I lived in Argentina for 40 years, in Mendoza.”

PAPA FRANCISCO
“You're a Mendozan!”

“It's a pleasure, nice to meet you.”
“It's a pleasure Holy Father, we are mother and daughter.”

POPE FRANCIS
“From Mendoza?”

“Mendozens from Mendoza”

POPE FRANCIS 
“Do you miss Mendoza's wine?”

With this visit, Pope Francis joins the tradition his predecessors began. Benedict XVI visited Rome's Missionaries of Charity in 2008 and John Paul II in 1988. 

China

POPE FRANCIS 

“What do I do with my life? Do I bring unity? Or do I divide with gossip and envy? Let ask ourselves this.”

The Pope also highlighted that on May 24th, the Church invites all faithful to pray for Catholics in China, where religious liberty isn't  always respected. 

POPE FRANCIS 

“I urge all Catholics around the world to join in prayer with our brothers and sisters in China, to ask God for the grace to proclaim their faith with humility and joy. To proclaim Christ who died and rose again; to be faithful to His Church and the Successor of Peter and to live everyday life in service to their country and their fellow citizens in a way that is consistent with the faith they profess.”

In China for example, there are 12 million Catholics, yet they are only allowed to practice their faith under the control of the government. Meaning, only with bishops and priests approved by the Chinese Patriotic Association and only in registered parishes. That's why many Catholics, follow the so called 'underground' Church which follows Rome. 

Selfishness

Pope Francis ‏@Pontifex10h

To live according to the Gospel is to fight against selfishness. The Gospel is forgiveness and peace; it is love that comes from God.

Signs

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

“In our catechesis on the Creed, we now pass from the article on the Holy Spirit to that on the Church, 'one, Holy, Catholic and apostolic.'

 The Holy Spirit and the Church are in fact inseparable.  The Spirit enlivens and guides the Church, and each of us within the Church, to carry out Christ’s mandate to make disciples of all peoples.  He opens minds and hearts to the beauty and truth of the Gospel.  The Spirit overcomes selfishness and division, creating unity, communion, reconciliation and love.  

The Spirit also instils the strength needed to bear courageous witness to the Risen Christ; he is the spirit of mission and evangelization.  The fire of the Holy Spirit was sent down upon the Apostles at Pentecost in answer to their fervent prayer; ardent prayer in the Spirit must always be the soul of new evangelization and the heart of our lives as Christians.  

Let us renew each day our trust in the working of the Holy Spirit, open our hearts to his inspiration and gifts, and strive to be signs of unity and communion with God in the midst of our human family.”

Serving

May 21, 2013. (Romereports.com) During Tuesday's morning Mass at the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, the Pope talked about the concept of power. Echoing the words he said during his Inaugural Mass, the Pope said true power comes in serving others. He also said there is no room for power struggles within the Church.  

POPE FRANCIS 

“Real power is found in service. Just like Jesus, who didn't come to be served, but to serve. His service was seen on the Cross. He humbled Himself unto death, He died on a Cross for us, to serve us, to save us. It's with this path that the Church moves forward. For the Christian, getting ahead, progress, means humbling oneself. If we do not learn this Christian rule, we will never, ever be able to understand Jesus’ true message on power.”

During the Mass, the Pope also prayed for all the people who were affected by the tornado in Oklahoma. Among those in attendance where employees of Vatican Radio as well as Maria Voce, the president of the Focolares Movement and its vice-president Giancarlo Faletti. 

Oklahoma

Pope Francis ‏@Pontifex25m

I am close to the families of all who died in the Oklahoma tornado, especially those who lost young children. Join me in praying for them

Holy Spirit

Pope Francis ‏@Pontifex19 May

The Holy Spirit transforms and renews us, creates harmony and unity, and gives us courage and joy for mission.

News

POPE FRANCIS“All of you out there on the Square have yelled out 'Francis, Francis, Pope Francis! But where is Jesus? I would have rather heard 'Jesus, Jesus is Lord and He is among us.' From now on, it shouldn't be 'Francis,' you scream out, it should be 'Jesus.'”
When it comes to the word crisis, the Pope said society often talks about the economy and not the needy. 

POPE FRANCIS “Today, it's painful to say, but a homeless man out on the street, freezing to death, isn't considered news. Nowadays, news is about  scandals! Oh a scandal! Yes, that's news. To think that even today, there are so many children that don't have anything to eat, yet that's not considered news. This is serious! It's serious! We cannot be quiet about this.”
So the Pope called on people to take action, to help out and to not be indifferent. 

POPE FRANCIS“Just like John Paul II and Benedict XVI said, today's world needs many witnesses. Not so much teachers, as witnesses. It's not about just talk. It's about talking through your actions. Living a coherent life. It's precisely about a coherent life.”
When it comes to living out this message, the Pope said the best way is by going out of one's comfort zone. 

POPE FRANCIS“This is dangerous. We lock ourselves in our parish, with our friends, in our movement, with those who think just like we do. But you know what happens? When the Church is closed off, it gets sick.”

Harmony

POPE FRANCIS“This is not a question of novelty for novelty’s sake, the search for something new to relieve our boredom, as is so often the case in our own day. The newness which God brings into our life is something that actually brings fulfillment, that gives true joy, true serenity, because God loves us and desires only our good.”
The second point is harmony. The Pope said that despite all the different movements, charisms and missions, all these groups fall under the umbrella of the Universal Church. 

POPE FRANCIS“The Holy Spirit would appear to create disorder in the Church, since He brings the diversity of charisms and gifts; yet all this, by His working, is a great source of wealth, for the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of unity, which does not mean uniformity, but which leads everything back to harmony. In the Church, it is the Holy Spirit who creates harmony.”
As his third point, the Pope explained that the Holy Spirit drives the mission of the Church, by opening all doors, so that everyone can go out and spread the Gospel. 
 
POPE FRANCIS“The Holy Spirit is the soul of mission. The events that took place in Jerusalem almost 2,000 years ago are not something far removed from us; they are events which affect us and become a lived experience in each of us.”
Towards the end, the Pope thanked all the movements for their work. He also encouraged them to go out of their comfort zones to preach the Gospel. 

Receive

Pope Francis ‏@Pontifex18 May

We must learn from Mary, and we must imitate her unconditional readiness to receive Christ in her life.

Filled

Pope Francis ‏@Pontifex9h

Are our lives truly filled with the presence of God? How many things take the place of God in my life each day?

Peter

POPE FRANCIS 

“Today, let us ask the Lord that the example of St. Peter, a man who constantly encounters the Lord and who is purified by the Lord, making him more spiritually mature,  may help us move forward. May it allow us to search for the Lord and to find Him. The most important thing though, is to allow ourselves to be found by the Lord. He is always there, close to us, looking for us. But sometimes, we look the other way because we don't want to speak to the Lord or we don't want to allow ourselves to be found by Him.”

Buenos Aires

POPE FRANCIS “When the city of Buenos Aires was founded, the founder wanted to name the city the Holy Trinity, but the sailors who had took him there were Sardinian and they wanted the city to be named 'Our Lady of Bonaria.' They had their differences, but in the end they compromised. The name of the city was too long, it was 'The City of the Holy Trinity and the Port of Our Lady of Bon Aira.” So because the name was too long, it was just the last two words that stuck. 'Bon Aira' meaning Buenos Aires. But the root of the name honors our Lady. 

Part-time

1. Pope Francis ‏@Pontifex2h

   We cannot be part-time Christians! We should seek to live our faith at every moment of every day.
2. Pope Francis ‏@Pontifex15 May

   It is God who gives life. Let us respect and love human life, especially vulnerable life in a mother’s womb.

Pro-life

POPE FRANCIS
“It brings me great joy to see that so many Italian parishes are taking part in the pro-life signature campaign. This initiative titled 'One of Us,' guarantees the legal protection of the embryo, protecting human life from the very start.”

In mid June, the Vatican is organizing a pro-life event. So, the Pope encouraged the crowd to get ready for the two day gathering.

POPE FRANCIS
“It will be a special moment for those who take the defense of human life and its sacredness seriously. The 'Evangelium Vitae Day' will be held here in the Vatican as part of the Year of Faith, on June 15th and 16th.”

Memory

POPE FRANCIS 
“And when a little vanity creeps in, when someone believes themselves to be a winner of the ‘Nobel Prize for Holiness,” then memory is also good for us. The Bible says, ‘But ... remember where I took you from, the very least of the flock. You were behind, in the flock.’ Memory is a great grace, and when a Christian has no memory – this is a hard thing to say, but it's true - he is not a Christian, he is an idolater. Because he is before a god that has no road, that does not know how to move forward on the road. Our God is moving forward on the road with us, He is among us, He walks with us. He saves us. He makes history with us. Be mindful of all that, and life becomes more fruitful, with the grace of memory.”

Big

POPE FRANCIS 

“These days, as we prepare to celebrate the feast day of the Holy Spirit, let us pray: Come Holy Spirit! Come and make my heart bigger. A heart that can love with humility and meekness. Give me a big heart so that I may love. We ask this grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Spirit lead us, so we don't stray on the wrong track of selfishness, which always ends badly. Let's pray for this grace.”

Open

POPE FRANCIS 
“The Holy Spirit, then, as Jesus promises, guides us 'into all truth.' He leads us not only to an encounter with Jesus, the fullness of Truth, but guides us "into" the Truth.”
The Pope explained that truth is not an idea that everyone agrees with, nor is it a possession, rather he said, it's an encounter that's made possible by the Holy Spirit. 

POPE FRANCIS 
“Let's ask ourselves: are we open to the Holy Spirit, do I pray to him to enlighten me, to make me more sensitive to the things of God? And this is a prayer we need to pray every day, every day!”

Vigilant

POPE FRANCIS“Read this beautiful text and as you read it, pray for us, for bishops and priests. We need prayers to stay loyal to our calling. To be men who can watch over their flock and ourselves. To truly to do this...so that their hearts will always run towards their flock. Also pray that the Lord can keep us from temptations, because if we follow a path of wealth, if we follow a path of vanity, we become wolves and not shepherds.”
The Pope then made a reference to a reading from St. Paul, where he calls Christians to be vigilant and instruments of the Holy Spirit.

Vulnerable

1. Pope Francis ‏@Pontifex3h

   It is God who gives life. Let us respect and love human life, especially vulnerable life in a mother’s womb.
2. Pope Francis ‏@Pontifex13 May

   Am I faithful to Christ in my daily life? Am I able to “show” my faith with respect but also with courage?

Truth

 Dear Brothers and Sisters,

“In our catechesis on the Creed, we have been considering the person and work of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus calls “the Spirit of Truth” (cf. Jn 16:13).  In an age skeptical of truth, we believe not only that truth exists, but that it is found through faith in Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God.  The Holy Spirit brings us to Jesus; he guides the whole Church into the fullness of truth.

As the “Paraclete”, the Helper sent by the Risen Lord, he reminds us of Christ’s words and convinces us of their saving truth.  As the source of our new life in Christ, he awakens in our hearts that supernatural “sense of the faith” by which we hold fast to God’s word, come to a deeper understanding of its meaning, and apply it in our daily lives.  Let us ask ourselves: am I truly open, like the Virgin Mary, to the power of the Holy Spirit?  Even now, with the Father and the Son, the Spirit dwells in our hearts.
Let us ask him to guide us into all truth and to help us grow in friendship with Christ through daily prayer, reading of the Scriptures and the celebration of the Sacraments.

"show"

1. Pope Francis ‏@Pontifex13 May

   Am I faithful to Christ in my daily life? Am I able to “show” my faith with respect but also with courage?

   
   
2. 
   

   Pope Francis ‏@Pontifex12 May

   Let us pray for the many Christians in the world who still suffer persecution and violence. May God grant them the courage of fidelity.

   
   
3.