December 2016 Archives

The Gospel of the day: 18th December

17/12/2016

- Saint Matthew 1:18-24
  This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home…

17/12/2016

Today the Holy Father Francis received in audience the president of the Republic of Malta, Her Excellency Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.

During the cordial discussions, the good relations between the Holy See and Malta were evoked, focusing in particular on the special contribution of the Catholic religion in the formation of the identity of the country and on the relevant role of the Church in promoting the human and cultural progress of society…

17/12/2016

Saint Matthew 1:1-17
The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab…

16/12/2016

The Vatican has created new email addresses for well wishers to leave Birthday messages for Pope Francis, who turns 80 years old on December 17th.

According to his staff, Pope Francis will be working “just as normal” on the day itself. He will receive the President of Malta in audience and will later meet with the Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, Cardinal Marc Oullet, as well as other guests and dignitaries…

16/12/2016

L‑Arċisqof Charles J. Scicluna, l‑Arċisqof Emeritu Mons. Pawlu Cremona u l-Vigarju Ġenerali Mons. Joe Galea Curmi ser jilqgħu lill‑awtoritajiet tal‑Istat u lill‑korpi kostitwiti għall‑bdil tal‑awguri tal-Milied u l-bidu tas-Sena l-Ġdida, it-Tlieta 27 ta’ Diċembru, fil‑Palazz tal‑Arċisqof, il‑Belt Valletta.
Fl‑okkażjoni tal‑festi ta’ żmien il‑Milied u l‑bidu tas‑Sena l‑Ġdida, l‑Arċisqof Charles J. Scicluna, l‑Arċisqof Emeritu Mons. Pawlu Cremona u l-Vigarju Ġenerali Mons…

16/12/2016

Pope Francis on Thursday greeted young patients, their families and hospital staff of Rome’s ‘Bambino Gesù’ Children’s Hospital and encouraged them to nurture hope and to say ‘thank you’ to God for having shown us the way to give meaning to our human existence.

Amongst the hundreds of children at the audience receiving care from the Vatican hospital, were young patients from across the world including 15 kids from the Central African Republic where the ‘Bambino Gesù’ has a special cooperation project like the ones in Jordan and in Palestine which reach out to give medical assistance to refugee children from Syria and Iraq…

16/12/2016

Saint John 5:33-36
Jesus said to the Jews: “You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth. I do not accept testimony from a human being, but I say this so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John’s…

15/12/2016

- Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna has appointed Mro Hamish Dustagheer as ‘Maestro di Cappella’ of the Metropolitan Cathedral. This appointment follows a public call for applications. The ‘Maestro di Cappella’ is to prepare and direct the music and choir during liturgical celebrations at the Metropolitan Cathedral and St John’s Co-Cathedral. He is also to promote liturgical music in the Archdiocese of Malta…

15/12/2016

Pope Francis continued his catechesis on the theme of ‘Christian hope’ at his Wednesday General Audience, saying the Kingdom brought by Jesus at his birth calls us to be joyful heralds in a world that “yearns for justice, truth, and peace”.

Pope Francis focused his reflection on the words of the prophet Isaiah: “How beautiful upon the mountains, are the feet of the one bringing good news” (Is 52:7,9-10)…