VATICAN CITY, JUN 16, 2007 (VIS) - Following this morning’s private meeting, and their exchange of speeches, the Pope and His Beatitude Chrysostomos II, signed a Joint declaration in the presence of the Catholic and Cypriot Orthodox delegations.
In the declaration, Benedict XVI and the archbishop of New Justiniana and All Cyprus declare their “sincere and firm desire, in obedience to the will of Our Lord Jesus Christ, to intensify the search for full unity among all Christians. … We wish the Catholic and Orthodox faithful of Cyprus to live fraternally and in full solidarity. … Furthermore, we wish to support and promote theological dialogue which, through the competent international commission, is preparing to consider the most onerous questions that marked the historical event of division. It is necessary to reach substantial agreement over full communion in the faith, in sacramental life and in the exercise of pastoral ministry.”
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St. Louis de Montfort tells us that “those who desire to take up this special devotion should spend at least 12 days in emptying themselves of the spirit of the world, which is opposed to the spirit of Jesus. They should spend 3 weeks imbuing themselves with the spirit of Jesus through the Most Blessed Virgin.” (T.D., No. 227) It is obvious that this total consecration, or perfect renewal of our baptismal vows with and through Mary, is not to be taken lightly. Pope John Paul II said that, “Reading this book (St. Louis de Montfort’s True Devotion to Mary) was to be a turning point in my life…. This Marian devotion…has since remained a part of me. It is an integral part of my interior life and of my spiritual theology.” In his Marian Year encyclical, Mother of the Redeemer, speaking of Marian Spirituality, the Holy Father singles out: “…among the many witnesses of this spirituality, the figure of Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, who proposes consecration to Christ through the hands of Mary, as an effective means for Christians to live faithfully their baptismal commitments.” (No. 48)
This booklet is intended merely as a guide to help you in your immediate preparation before entering fully into this beautiful way of Marian Spirituality, in the footsteps of her Son, Jesus.
Memorial of St. Louis Marie De Montfort 28th April
VATICAN CITY, JUN 9, 2007 (VIS) - At midday today, the Holy Father visited the offices of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, which are located near the Vatican, to mark the 90th anniversary of the foundation of that dicastery by Pope Benedict XV. Also today, the Pope accepted the resignation from the office of prefect of the congregation presented by Cardinal Ignace Moussa I Daoud and appointed Archbishop Leonardo Sandri to replace him.
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VATICAN CITY (ZENIT.org): Benedict XVI paid tribute to Eastern Christians, expressing his gratitude for their fidelity at the price of martyrdom.
The Pope said this when he visited the headquarters of the Congregation for Eastern Churches on Saturday as part of the dicastery’s 90th anniversary celebrations.
He said: “Today the Pope gives thanks to Eastern Christians for their fidelity at the price of the shedding of blood — admirable accounts which fill the pages of history even to the present-day martyrology!”
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On June 11, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI explained why he took the name Benedict.
According to Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Benedict XV, whose pontificate lasted from 1914 to 1922, established the Congregation for Eastern Churches. He said he took the name of a “Pope who dearly loved the East” because he wants his pontificate to be “a pilgrimage to the heart of the East.”
He continued saying “In a particular way, the Eastern Churches guard the echo of the first announcement of the Gospel; the most ancient memories of the signs performed by the Lord; the first beams of the paschal light, and the reverberations of the unquenchable Pentecost fire.”
“Their spiritual legacy, rooted in the teachings of the apostles and the Fathers of the Church, has generated venerable liturgical, theological and disciplinary traditions, showing the ability of ‘Christ’s thought’ to make fruitful cultures and history.”
“Without a continuous connection with the tradition of the origins,” the Pope said, “there is no future for Christ’s Church.”
All Legion of Mary councils and praesidia should read Chapter 40, #3 of the Legion of Mary Handbook (make sure to read from the 2005 Handbook; Which may require printing the page out from our PDF online version of the Handbook.
PHILADELPHIA SENATUS - Regina Pacis Hispanic Curia set up two new praesidia. They give great assistance to new immigrants. An Evangelisation day had 32 legionaries and 12 parishioners participating. Results included two conversions and a Church wedding. The sales of Maria Legionis have increased in the US and Canada since the Officers conference in Ireland last year. Mater Dolorosa Curia reported a new work of book barrow done at 5 locations with 110 contacts made. Norristown Comitium provides services for street people.
LOS ANGELES SENATUS - East and West Curiae have redoubled their praesidia in the past year. Pasadena Curia has two Patrician groups and two Exploratio projects in the last six months. Pomona Valley has five Patrician groups.
CHICAGO SENATUS - One Curia has a Landings programme for returning Catholics. It seems to be a way of welcoming them back to the Faith and making their return easy.
CINCINNATI SENATUS - New praesidia were started in Pennsylvania. The first Exploratio Dominicalis was held and 150 homes were visited.
ST. LOUIS SENATUS - The Senatus has visited a Comitium and 3 praesidia in Kansas. A Peregrinatio Pro Christo project took place to Oklahoma. Columban drives gained several new members. Several returns to the Sacraments were reported including 3 who died shortly afterwards.
NEW YORK SENATUS - In the South Bronx Curia works include home and hospital visitation and book barrow. Results reported Baptisms, Adult confessions, First Holy Communions and Confirmations.
HOUSTON SENATUS - In San Antonia, jail ministry and door to door visitation is done. Mother of Fatima Korean Curia provides support to newcomers and evangelises immigrants. Dallas Comitium has 9 Curiae attached. A new praesidium was started. The new Northern Curia reported a third praesidium in a parish and 2 new praesidia in Texas.
ARLINGTON REGIA - The Korean Curia reports many conversions and returns to the Sacraments. A new praesidium in West Virginia is already involved in extension in the State.
MIAMI REGIA - The Spanish Comitium has 48 senior praesidia. A successful Congress was held for their attached praesidia in the Regia. Reports show conversions.
To locate the boundries of these higher-councils see our Legion of Mary USA Map.
Please pray for the Legion of Mary at St. James Catholic Church in Falls Church Virginia. Their sole English-speaking praesidium had a number of members move out-of-town, and is having trouble recruiting new members. Please pray a Novena to the Holy Spirit for that praesidium.
A recent news article in Dublin describes how the Legion of Mary recently drove drug dealers out of a town by handing out holy medals and religious pamphlets.