Pope Benedict XVI has returned to the House of the Father. The Vatican Press Office announced that he died a few minutes ago at 9.34 a.m. at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery residence in Rome, which the 95-year-old Pope Emeritus had chosen as his residence after renouncing the Petrine ministry in 2013.From the morning of Monday,
We wish all our readers a very merry Christmas!
Christmas is an overflow of HOPE. It is to “inhabit the crib” and let myself be watched by the CHILD, by MARY and JOSEPH. It is to activate TENDERNESS, LOVE and KINDNESS, searching together for horizons of UNITY. It is to be MARY who inhabits all the “cribs” of history. It is to contemplate her
A crisis just comes one after another.It’s hard to bear. You could switch off, or simply shut down.In the meantime, this is necessary for self-protection.In the long run, we become like little children,who think they’re invisibleif they cover their eyes. One could be aware of all the information,the probable and the imperceptible..,and let it rain
Two days before Holy Christmas, we certainly cannot miss the day dedicated to the prayer for the beatification of Mary Ward. We share with you the video produced as always by Manuela Ferrari from Rovereto and thank her for her dedication and passion. Venerable Mary Ward, pray for us and give us your spirit. How
I received this nativity scene from South Tyrol before the beginning of this Advent. It came from my grandmother Erna, who passed away 20 years ago. She used to bake biscuits for Christmas with my sister and me. This year I am happy that the wood-carved figures have found their way into my own home
The road stretches seemingly without end, the landscape barren and desolate. But travellers always have a destination, even if orientation to the destination occasionally wavers, even if the same place has different meanings for different people. The road is long and arduous for Mary and Joseph and seemingly has no end. But they have an
During Advent we sing or pray the O Antiphons. They date back to the 8th century and are an expression of wonder at the grace that God continually gives to the world. In the various phases of Israel’s history, God’s attention was promised by the prophets in different biblical images and motifs. Christians see beyond
Last Advent I experienced a particularly “magical” moment. After a choir rehearsal, I walked through the deserted Mainz Christmas market and let the special atmosphere take effect on me. I was also able to take a closer look at the Christmas pyramid – of course, the Mainzelmännchen, a guard officer of the Mainzer Fassenacht and
A figure of Our Lady wanders through the house from the 1st of Advent, carried from room to room every evening by the sisters, with a light and prayers and songs. Sr M. Bernardine Weber CJ has carved a small figure of Mary especially for this purpose, which is easy to carry. Who carries whom?
A winter evening, it gets dark early. And then there are lights that illuminate the night. They shine far and wide and announce human closeness and hope. Photo: Sr Monika Glockann CJ
At the end of November, Sr Jane Livesey CJ and Sr Noelle Corscadden IBVM accepted the proposal of Fr John Dardis SJ and the Jesuit Curia Communications Office to record a short video on the Becoming One Process. Finally, we are happy to share with all of you the result of this short ‘interview’. Below
Yes, the green branches with which we decorate our rooms in Advent are signs of longing and hope for me. They remind me of the Advent season in my childhood.Born in the Franconian Forest, I knew my way around our forest well. I knew where to find the most beautiful huckleberries and the best porcini
I was given a ” sun glass” as a gift many years ago. It has a cover that catches the sun’s rays and generates electricity with it. It gives a little more light than a candle and enlightens the meditation impulse for my Advent prayer time in the early morning. Without words, it tells me
Every year, we are delighted anew by the 70-year-old wooden Advent stand that was turned by hand by Martha’s grandfather, a model carpenter. It stands on the dining table, beautifully decorated. The candles are especially warm and glowing this year! Every week is more intense! May the light brighten the time and rejoice the souls!
In many places in Hungary it is a practice to have a solemn morning mass during Advent. In Piliscsaba, the early Mass at 6 am in Advent is a particularly popular service, followed by a simple agape. In past years, the church has been lit once a week in the darkness of dawn with candles
During Advent, I especially love to hear the book of Isaiah read aloud. On the first Sunday of Advent, it is Is 2:1-5, about paths, about light and the forging of swords into ploughshares.A “word” that Isaiah has “seen”. He sees the mountain of the Lord to which all nations are drawn. As if from
What a strange idea we sometimes have of each other…. but God also comes into our strange imaginations…. fortunately, He does not let Himself be stopped from becoming a human being among us and everywhere. Sr. Gabriele Martin CJ
