Pope Francis

October 15, 2021 By Sr. M. Cacilda Becker

Father Rómulo Aquilar, Schoenstatt priest has passed away in Panama

Schoenstatt priest, Father Rómulo Aguilar, a Panamanian who was deeply committed to the Church in Panama and to the forging of a society committed to values since he joined the Schoenstatt Movement, passed away.

By Enrique Soros
October 15, 2021

On October 13, Father Rómulo Aguilar, a Schoenstatt diocesan priest, passed away in Panama. He first heard of Schoenstatt through Esteban Uriburu, who traveled to Panama in 1989 to promote the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign. There he met Fr. Rómulo, who was immediately enthusiastic about the mission, and with whom he began to visit families with the MTA in Panama City.

Father Romulo played an essential role in the founding of Schoenstatt in Panama, while he was also a priest committed to the parishes in which he exercised his priestly ministry, to the Archdiocese of Panama, and to the Universal Church, since he was the coordinator of World Youth Day in Panama, where he had several opportunities to meet with Pope Francis.

Pope Francis appointed him ‘Chaplain to His Holiness’

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Panama, José Domingo Ulloa Mendieta, issued a statement regarding the death of Fr. Rómulo, in which he said that “Monsignor Rómulo has been one of the priests who has tirelessly served the Catholic Church in Panama”. In the same statement he states that “his priestly ordination was on December 12, 1983, by the hands of Monsignor José Dimas Cedeño Delgado. He studied Philosophy and Theology at the San José Major Seminary of Panama, fulfilling the academic and pastoral requirements necessary to receive the degree of Presbyter for the Archdiocese of Panama”.

He continues: “He specialized in Liturgical Theology at the Higher Institute of Liturgy in Barcelona, Spain, in 1989. In 1993 he was appointed director of the Department of Liturgy of the Archdiocese of Panama until 2019. On September 2, 2019, it was announced that Pope Francis appointed him ‘Chaplain to His Holiness’.

Fr. Romulo Aguiar — Foto: Schoenstatt Panama

He held several positions in the Metropolitan Curia of Panama, including being their spokesman and participated in the organization of major events of the Panamanian Catholic Church, such as the Eucharistic Appointment.

He was greatest source of deepening and expansion for Schoenstatt in Panamá

After exercising his priestly ministry in numerous parishes, Fr. Rómulo was appointed parish priest of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in La Caleta in 2006, where he exercised his ministry until 2018. He met on several occasions with Pope Francis, regarding WYD Panama 2019. Within that framework, he was in charge of the WYD volunteers’ encounter with the Pope, at the Rommel Fernandez Stadium on January 27, 2019.

“Father Rómulo is not only the founder of Schoenstatt in Panama, with Fr. Esteban, but he was also its greatest source of deepening and expansion. There are two wayside shrines of the Virgin of Schoenstatt in Panama, both in parishes where he was located: in Santa Marta and in San Francisco de Asis de la Caleta. He was our spiritual advisor and the national coordinator,” relates Carmen de Franco, secretary of the Schoenstatt coordination in Panama.

“His house was always open to everyone”

Carmen then offered a personal testimony about Fr. Rómulo: “We are his spiritual children. He taught us that the easiest way to reach God is through Mary. In her we feel sheltered. Father Rómulo, through his example, invited us to imitate Mary, placing ourselves at the service of others”.

And she adds: “His house was always open to everyone. All the Schoenstatt priests who visited Monsignor Rómulo felt this way. He gave us examples to imitate until the very end and, in his illness, he offered all his sufferings as capital of grace for the spiritual growth of Schoenstatt and of all the other ministries that he embraced. Everyone was welcome and the parish was always on the move. I remember his beautiful smile and his peaceful voice that encouraged us and supported us in all the initiatives”, and deeply saddened by his departure, but reflecting a deep connection of hearts, she concludes by saying: “He was a saint!”

October 5, 2021 By Vanessa Franke

Pope inaugurates synodal journey with a Mass on October 10

The celebration will take place in St. Peter's Basilica at 10 a.m. with the participation of the congregation. The previous day, Saturday, October 9, there will be a time for reflection in the New Hall of the Synod, including work in a plenary session and in groups divided by language, as well as meditations, and testimonials.

Vatican News
05.10.2021

The Pope’s Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica will officially open the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican next Sunday, October 10. The Eucharistic celebration will be preceded on Saturday, October 9 by time for reflection in the Synod’s New Hall.

Novelty for the Synod: it will begin with the local Churches

Saturday’s program – according to a report from the Holy See Press Office – includes work in plenary sessions and in groups divided by language. Representatives from various groups will be present, among them delegates from the international meetings of the Bishops’ Conferences and participating organizations, members of the Roman Curia, fraternal delegates, delegates representing consecrated life and lay ecclesial movements, the youth council, and others.

Meditations

Pope Francis will participate in the first part of the program, scheduled from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. There will be a welcome act at 8:00 am, followed at 9:00 a.m. by the enthronement and proclamation of the Word of God (Rev 1:9-20). This will be followed by a meditation by Father Paul Béré, a Jesuit from Burkina Fasso, and by Cristina Inogés Sanz, a Spanish theologian.

The Pope will then deliver a speech, followed by a greeting from Cardinal Jean Claude Hollerich, General Rapporteur of the Synod. There will also be six testimonials: the first, from a young woman from South Africa, then a religious man from the United States of America who will speak via video streaming, and finally a bishop from Korea. After a silent pause, a family from Australia will offer their testimony -video streamed as well -, a priest from Brazil will speak and the cycle of testimonials will conclude with the participation of the founder of a religious community in France. A moment of silence will be observed and Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod, will read his message. This will be followed by the introduction of the work in small groups at 11.00 a.m. and at 11.30 a.m. there will be group workshops divided by language.

Mass at St. Peter’s

All those present will participate in the Mass the following day, Sunday, October 10, at 10 a.m. presided by Pope Francis in the Basilica. The Eucharistic celebration will thus officially inaugurate the Synod for the diocese of Rome together with the universal Church.

Both Saturday’s plenary session and Sunday’s Mass will be broadcast live by Vatican Media.

Source: Vatican News

Photos: Cathopic

October 3, 2021 By Rosario Consiglio

Economy of Francis – Ingrid Basaldúa – present this Saturday at the event

Economy of Francis - Ingrid Basaldúa - present this Saturday at the event

On Saturday, October 2, from 1:30 to 5:00 pm, Italian time, the second generation of "The Economy of Francesco" will close with a global celebration in Assisi, and in many other countries. The project is an initiative that invites young people around the world, economists or not, to get involved and be protagonists of change by bringing God into the economic world. The artist Ingrid Basaldúa will paint live an image allusive to the theme, which she has kept concealed, and will reveal on Saturday.

Enrique Soros
October 2, 2021

Ingrid, you were invited to present your art live at the event The Economy of Francis which will be seen worldwide and will feature a special message from Pope Francis…

What is the Economy of Francis?

Internationally it is called The Economy of Francesco. It is an initiative of Pope Francis that proposes a sustainable and inclusive economic model, in which development is integral for our brothers of all nations, respecting their culture and supporting originality, seeking a balance between human and economic development and the responsible enjoyment of God’s gifts that come to us through the Earth.

This project is an initiative that invites mainly young people from all over the world, economists or not, to get involved and be protagonists of change by bringing God into the economic world with our Catholic values, with a Franciscan perspective and an austere and just lifestyle.

What is going to happen in Assisi this Saturday, October 2?

This Saturday we will have the closing of the second generation of The Economy of Francesco. For almost a year, young economists from all over the world have received comprehensive training from international experts, Catholic and non-Catholic, on issues related to society, culture, economics, sustainable development, and ecology. The main venue is Assisi but there will be simultaneous events internationally, connecting The Economy of Francesco community. There will be lectures and presentations of the projects on which they have been working at the international level. At the same time there will be cultural activities.

How are you going to participate in this event?

I was just invited to this great event last Monday. I was going to leave Europe in September, but Divine Providence had me stay an additional month. I had absolutely nothing planned. You have to let yourself be carried away by God’s foolishness. Corinthians 1:25. And I was invited to go to Assisi, and to paint during the Saturday event.

What are you going to paint and when?

I want it to be a surprise. But it goes along the lines of what Francesco’s Economy is and what we experienced these past months. Therefore, for you to get to know the painting you should tune in to the closing event on The Economy of Francesco YouTube channel this Saturday, October 2 between 1:30 and 5:00 pm, Italian time. They will broadcast while I paint.

How did this desire to paint arise in you?

It has been a journey and there is a life story behind it. I have been painting since I was six years old. I was a Mexican girl in an environment with very limited resources. Drawing was a good way to distract myself, to connect and to escape this hostile environment. I never stopped drawing and my technique improved gradually. I never went to an art school.

What about painting religious art?

Catholic art, like the one I do now, started when I joined the Schoenstatt Movement. This process of painting Catholic art has been an organic process guided by God’s hand. After the experience I had two years ago in Schoenstatt, Germany, I have felt the call for a mission quite present in my heart: To show God from my smallness and originality through the gifts he gave me. To carry God’s message and evangelize children and young people through art so that his beautiful image may reach the ends of the earth together with Mary, my trusted ally. She accompanies me even when I am afraid and I often ponder on how she fulfilled the mission God gave her. She is the bridge that leads me repeatedly to Christ.

Tell us a little about how you live this gift that God gave you through art.

It has not been very easy. When I learned about Schoenstatt, I wanted to dedicate my life to evangelization, and the truth is that it was very difficult and frustrating. I mean, I was finishing my career as an accountant! At that time my life looked really complicated. And then I had the experience of Schoenstatt Germany. I went back and continued with my work as an accountant but that feeling in my heart wouldn’t leave me. I went on with it.

Luckily, I had an excellent spiritual guide in my advisor, Sister Alejandra Chacón. But it was not easy. At first my family had a hard time understanding what was going on with me. A student graduating with honors in accounting school and, all of a sudden, I wanted to talk about God everywhere and start painting here and there? I don’t blame them, I’ve always been kind of a whirlwind.

Was it obvious what God wanted from you?

I asked Mary to intercede for me. To let me know if this was truly coming from God or if it was a longing of mine, if it was my ego that was driving everything. I must say that the figure of Father Kentenich and his story helped me a great deal to think about Divine Providence and the good that God always does for us. That even if “one somersault led me to another” in the end I was going to arrive in the arms of the Father. And God was glorified, and Mary was crowned.

And well I am here, for the glory of God. Now I feel sure that God wants me here because it is all for him and it makes me happy. I want to make God happy and that’s it.

What message would you give to young people?

That God is the most beautiful adventure of our lives. It is the only reason to fight and to exist. That they should never be afraid to risk their lives for God, that Mary is truly a mother and accompanies us, and that everything the good God does is always for our own good.

May God bless you brothers! Give your youth to the most rebellious cause: to holiness!

The program of the event can be found here:

Summary sheet:

What: The Economy of Francesco event

Where: Assisi and in many countries

When: Saturday, October 2 – 1:30 to 5:00, Italian time

Broadcast: www.bit.ly/economia-francisco

Event program: https://francescoeconomy.org/event2021/

Schoenstatt Comics: www.instagram.com/schoenstattcomics/

September 30, 2021 By Rosario Consiglio

‘Listen!’: Vatican announces theme for World Communications Day

Pope Francis has chosen the single word, “Listen!” as the theme for the 56th World Communications Day, which will be celebrated in 2022. Announcing next year’s theme, the Holy See says, “Pope Francis is asking the world to listen again.”

Vatican News
September 30, 2021

By Holy See Press Office

This is the theme that the Holy Father Francis has chosen for the 56th World Communications Day, to be celebrated in 2022:

Listen!

After the Message of 2021, which focused on going and seeing, in his new Message for World Communications Day 2022 Pope Francis asks the world of communication to learn to listen again.

The pandemic has affected and wounded everyone, and everyone needs to be heard and comforted. Listening is also fundamental for good information. The search for truth begins with listening. And so does witnessing through the means of social communication. Every dialogue, every relationship begins with listening. For this reason, in order to grow, even professionally, as communicators, we need to relearn to listen a lot.

Jesus himself asks us to pay attention to how we listen (cf. Lk 8:18). To be able to truly listen requires courage, and a free and open heart, without prejudice.

At this time when the whole Church is invited to listen in order to learn to be a synodal Church, we are all invited to rediscover listening as essential for good communication.

September 27, 2021 By Vanessa Franke

Pope on Diocesan Youth Day: “Arise, bear witness to Jesus with your lives”

Pope on Diocesan Youth Day:
"Arise, bear witness to Jesus with your lives"

Pope Francis releases his message for the 2021 Diocesan World Youth Day, and calls on young Christians to courageously bear witness to Jesus Christ, in the footsteps of St. Paul.

Dewin Watkins - Vatican News
27.09.2021

The 36th World Youth Day takes place on 21 November 2021 and will be celebrated in dioceses around the globe as the Church prepares for the 2023 WYD in Lisbon, Portugal.

Pope Francis released his message for the 2021 Diocesan WYD on Monday, under the theme: “Arise. I appoint you as a witness of what you have seen” (Acts 26:16).

In the message, the Pope pointed to the important role that young people have to play in the world, especially as they have faced enormous setbacks and difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Many young people, said the Pope, experienced a rise in family problems, unemployment, depression, loneliness, and addictive behavior.

But, he added, the experience of the pandemic has also revealed the virtues of young people, including our “inclination to solidarity.”

“Whenever a young person falls, in some sense all humanity falls,” he said. “Yet it is also true that when a young person rises, it is as if the whole world rises as well.”

With that in mind, Pope Francis urged young Christians to “arise” and help the world start afresh with their passion and enthusiasm.

Blinded by the Light

The Pope then reflected at length on the passage from which the theme is taken (Acts 26:16), in which St. Paul tells the story of his conversion as he stands trial before King Agrippa.

Twenty-five years earlier, as Paul is busy persecuting Christians, he is thrown off his horse by a bright light and hears the voice of Jesus speaking to him.

Jesus, said the Pope, called Paul—then Saul—by his name, showing that he knew him personally.

“Only a personal and non-anonymous encounter with Christ changes lives… This grace, this unmerited and unconditional love, will be the light that radically transforms Saul’s life.”

Jesus and the Church are one

Pope Francis said St. Paul responds to Jesus by asking, “Who are you, Lord?”, a question the Pope said we will all have to ask sooner or later. This question, he added, is what prayer is all about: a personal dialogue and relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Pope noted that Jesus responds by saying that he is “Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Paul believed he was only persecuting Christians. Instead, Jesus makes him realize that He and the Church are a single Body.

“One cannot know Jesus if one does not know the Church,” said Pope Francis. “One cannot know Jesus apart from the brothers and sisters in his community. We cannot call ourselves fully Christian unless we experience faith’s ecclesial dimension.”

Our true image revealed

In choosing Saul, said the Pope, Jesus shows that no one is lost in God’s eyes, and that every person—if they consider it—feel the fire of God’s love burning in their hearts.

The encounter with Jesus leaves Paul lying on the ground and temporarily blinded, since the Lord has revealed the errors of his ways and humbled him to his true stature.

Pope Francis said that Saul then changed his name to Paul, which means “small”, as a sign of the deep change he had undergone.

The Pope also noted how many young people spend so much time on social media seeking to portray an image of themselves that does not correspond to reality.

“Christ, the noonday sun, comes to enlighten us and to restore our authenticity, freeing us from all our masks. He shows us clearly who we are, for that is exactly how he loves us.”

After his encounter with the Lord, Paul is led to Damascus, where he will spend time in prayer and silence, deepening his newfound relationship with Jesus.

Persecutor to great witness

Pope Francis went on to urge young Catholics to follow Paul’s example, as he turned his youthful passion and strength into zeal as a “herald of the Gospel to the very ends of the earth.”

Paul went on to become known as the “apostle of the nations,” after the Lord put His trust in him.

“God’s ways of thinking can turn the worst persecutor into a great witness.”

The Pope then called on young people to “arise” and accept their mission to testify to Jesus and His power to heal our broken hearts.

“The Lord, the Church and the Pope trust you and appoint you to bear witness before all those other young people whom you will encounter on today’s ‘roads to Damascus’,” said the Pope.

Arise and bear witness

And he concluded his message with several encouragements which young Catholics can take to heart as they prepare for the 2021 Diocesan World Youth Day.

Arise! Do not remain downcast or caught up in yourself: a mission awaits you! You too can testify to what Jesus has begun to accomplish in your lives. In Jesus’ name, I ask you:
Arise! Testify that you too were blind and encountered the light. You too have seen God’s goodness and beauty in yourself, in others and in the communion of the Church, where all loneliness is overcome.
Arise! Testify to the love and respect it is possible to instil in human relationships, in the lives of our families, in the dialogue between parents and children, between the young and the elderly.
Arise! Uphold social justice, truth and integrity, human rights. Protect the persecuted, the poor and the vulnerable, those who have no voice in society, immigrants.
Arise! Testify to the new way of looking at things that enables you to view creation with eyes brimming with wonder, that makes you see the Earth as our common home, and gives you the courage to promote an integral ecology.
Arise! Testify that lives of failure can be rebuilt, that persons spiritually dead can rise anew, that those in bondage can once more be free, that hearts overwhelmed by sorrow can rediscover hope.
Arise! Testify joyfully that Christ is alive! Spread his message of love and salvation among your contemporaries, at school and in the university, at work, in the digital world, everywhere.

Read the complete message from Pope Francis.

Source: Vatican news
Photos: Vatican news, Cathopic