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2018 Lenten Resources February 13th, 2018
“I urge the members of the Church to take up the Lenten journey with enthusiasm, sustained by almsgiving, fasting and prayer.” Pope Francis, 2018 Lenten Message
Lent 2018 runs from February 14 (Ash Wednesday) and ends on Holy Thursday (March 29). In the Catholic tradition, we are asked to observe the three traditional pillars of Lent during this time: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
OMI JPIC has compiled a few useful resources to support your Lenten practice.
- Read Pope Francis’ Lent 2018 Message
“Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold”: English | Spanish - Interreligious Working Group on Extractive Industries: Worship Aid for Lent 2018 and online Lenten Calendar
- Written by Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI, Daily Reflections for Lent
- Pax Christi’s e-booklet of reflections for Lent 2018: Go Forth & Live in Peace (cost $3.75)
- US Conference of Cath0lic Bishops: Online Lenten Calendar 2018
- Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns’ Lenten Reflection Guide: Forty Days with Scripture and Laudato Si’
Pope Francis Proposes New Beatitudes Linking JPIC, Evangelization and Ecumenism November 21st, 2016
by Fr. Harry Winter, OMI
After his ecumenical celebration with Lutherans in Lund, Sweden, on Oct. 31, Pope Francis celebrated Mass for All Saints Day in nearby Malmo. During his homily on the Beatitudes, he proposed six new Beatitudes. Notice how they link together the various dimensions of our Catholic Faith:
- Blessed are those who remain faithful while enduring evils inflicted on them by others and forgive them from their heart.
- Blessed are those who look into the eyes of the abandoned and marginalized and show them their closeness.
- Blessed are those who see God in every person and strive to make others also discover him.
- Blessed are those who protect and care for our common home.
- Blessed are those who renounce their own comfort in order to help others.
- Blessed are those who pray and work for full communion between Christians.
Pope Francis observed that new situations require new energy and new commitment. It is also significant that the Prayer Intentions at the Mass were read in 5 European languages (Swedish, English, Spanish, German and Polish) as well as Arabic.
For the joy which we receive from working with other Christians, especially Lutherans, see the Christian Joy page, Mission-Unity-Dialogue website: www.harrywinter.org.
In one of the early translations after Vatican II, of the Scriptures into English for proclamation at Mass, the beatitudes became the “happytudes”: Happy are those, etc.
As we work for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation with other Christians, may we share more blessedness, happiness and joy!
Pope Francis Addresses Constantinople Patriarchate Delegation, Highlights Plight of Refugees June 30th, 2016
Pope Francis addressed a delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, with whom he held a private audience on Tuesday in the Vatican, calling the mercy of God ‘the bond uniting us.’
The delegation came to Rome following the conclusion of the week-long Pan-Orthodox Council, which was held on the Greek island of Crete.
Read the article and full statement.
“..I thank the Lord that this past April I was able to meet my beloved brother Bartholomew when, together with the Archbishop of Athens and of All Greece, His Beatitude Ieronymos II, we visited the Isle of Lesvos, to be with the refugees and migrants. Seeing the despair on the faces of men, women and children uncertain of their future, listening helplessly as they related their experiences, and praying on the shore of the sea that has claimed the lives of so many innocent persons, was a tremendously moving experience. It made clear how much still needs to be done to ensure dignity and justice for so many of our brothers and sisters. A great consolation in that sad experience was the powerful spiritual and human closeness that I shared with Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Ieronymos…”
Read the article and full statement.
Join Oblate JPIC in Praying for Orlando Shooting Victims June 14th, 2016
The Missionary Oblates Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Office stands in solidarity with the shooting victims, their families and friends in light of the horrible attack that took place at an LGBT night club in Orlando. We keep them in our prayers. We also unite our voice to those who work for peace and reject all kinds of violence against the human life.
‘Pope Francis decries Orlando massacre and prays for victims.’ Read Pope Francis statement on the massacre here.
Bishop John Noonan of the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, FL released the following statement. “A sword has pierced the heart of our city. Since learning of the tragedy this morning, I have urged all to pray for the victims, the families and first responders.”
Read the full statement along with that of Archbishop Joseph Kurtz.
Reflecting on the same tragedy Catholic Bishop Robert Lynch of St Petersburg in Florida lamented the role religion has played in propagating disapproval for the LGBT community and raised questions about gun laws in the United States.
Read the statement here.
Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation on Love in the Family April 8th, 2016
Missionary Oblates JPIC welcomes the teaching from Pope Francis’Apostolic Exhortation on Love in the Family – “Amoris Laetitia – The Joy of Love.”
With insights from Synod of Bishops, local Bishops and families around the world, the apostolic teaching reminds us of the importance of family life, love and marriage in society.
The apostolic exhortation was released on April 8. In Amoris Laetitia – The Joy of Love, Pope Francis reminds us:
This Exhortation is especially timely in this Jubilee Year of Mercy. First, because it represents an invitation to Christian families to value the gifts of marriage and the family, and to persevere in a love strengthened by the virtues of generosity, commitment, fidelity and patience. Second, because it seeks to encourage everyone to be a sign of mercy and closeness wherever family life remains imperfect or lacks peace and joy. (5)
Read: Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation “Amoris Laetitia – The Joy of Love“
