Wednesday, January 10, 2007

At general audience, Pope receives soccer jersey; evokes first martyr, St. Stephen


AP - Wed Jan 10, 9:50 AM ET

In this photo released by Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI receives a soccer jersey with his name on it from unidentified priests and soccer enthusiasts, during the weekly general audience in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/Osservatore Romano)
enlarge photo...

Pope: persecution always gives impetus to faith

At the general audience, Benedict XVI evoked the first martyr Stephen whose story teaches that charity is inseparable from proclamation of the Gospel. The memory of the institution of the diaconate is linked to him too.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Charity and “courageous proclamation” always go hand and hand and faith is spread by persecution. These lessons emerge from the story of the first Christian martyr Stephen who was portrayed today by Benedict XVI when he addressed around 8,000 people present in the Paul VI Hall for the general audience. A festive Christmas spirit could still be felt among those present. Before the audience started, Benedict XVI visited an exhibition of cribs displayed in the atrium of the Hall.

The figure of Stephen, in the words of the Pope, highlights the “irreplaceable nature of testimony” and “love for the Cross” belonging to the Church but also to the life of each of us.
more...

2 Comments:

At 9:50 PM, Blogger Saint Peter's helpers said...

Delightful! Thanks.

 
At 4:23 PM, Blogger Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. said...

Bravissimo, Benedetto XVI!

 

Post a Comment

<< Home