Pontificate

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Sunday, 13 March 2016 : Fifth Sunday of Lent, Third Anniversary of the Election of Pope Francis, Supreme Pontiff and Vicar of Christ (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Psalm 125 : 1-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6

When the Lord brought the exiles back to Zion, we were like those moving in a dream. Then our mouths were filled with laughter, and our tongues with songs of joy.

Among the nations it was said, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord had done great things for us, and we were glad indeed.

Bring back our exiles, o Lord, like fresh streams in the desert. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs and shouts of joy.

They went forth weeping, bearing the seeds for sowing, they will come home with joyful shouts, bringing their harvested sheaves.

Alternative reading (Readings from Year A)

Psalm 129 : 1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8

Out of the depths I cry to You, o Lord, o Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears pay attention to the voice of my supplication.

If You should mark our evil, o Lord, who could stand? But with You is forgiveness, and for that You are revered.

I waited for the Lord, my soul waits, and I put my hope in His word. My soul expects the Lord more than watchmen the dawn. O Israel, hope in the Lord.

For with Him is unfailing love and with Him full deliverance. He will deliver Israel from all its sins.

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Sunday, 13 March 2016 : Fifth Sunday of Lent, Third Anniversary of the Election of Pope Francis, Supreme Pontiff and Vicar of Christ (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Isaiah 43 : 16-21

Thus says YHVH, Who opened a way through the sea and a path in the mighty waters, Who brought down chariots and horses, a whole army of them, and there they lay, never to rise again, snuffed out like a wick. But do not dwell on the past, or remember the things of old.

Look, I am doing a new thing : now it springs forth. Do you not see? I am opening up a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The beasts of the land will honour Me, jackals and ostriches, because I give water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert that My chosen people may drink. I have formed this people for Myself; they will proclaim My praise.

Alternative reading (Readings from Year A)

Ezekiel 37 : 12-14

So prophesy! Say to them : This is what YHVH says : I am going to open your tombs, I shall bring you out of your tombs, My people, and lead you back to the land of Israel. You will know that I am YHVH, o My people! when I open your graves and bring you out of your graves, when I put My Spirit in you and you live.

I shall settle you in your land and you will know that I, YHVH, have done what I said I would do.

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Passing of Cardinal Ersilio Tonini of Italy, at the age of 99

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Cardinal Ersilio Tonini, Cardinal Priest of SS. Redentore a Valmelaina has passed away on Sunday, 28 July 2013 at the age of 99, just a few days after his birthday on 20 July. At 99, he was the oldest living Cardinal in the College of Cardinals.

http://www.gcatholic.org/hierarchy/data/cardJP2-6.htm#175

Cardinal Tonini was created Cardinal in 1994 by the late Blessed Pope John Paul II and he was the Metropolitan Archbishop of Ravenna-Cervia, Italy from 1975 to 1990. He was the last Cardinal to have been born in the Pontificate of Pope St. Pius X, the last Pope to be made a saint. Pope St. Pius X passed away exactly one month after Cardinal Tonini was born (20 August 1914). He was also the last Cardinal to have been born prior to World War I, which began just a week after his birth.

We pray for Cardinal Tonini, that he will rest in peace, and God will reward him for all his hard work as the shepherd of the people of God in Ravenna-Cervia and his numerous other contributions to the Church and for the Lord’s sake. May the Lord welcome him into His embrace in heaven and give him eternal rest and happiness that he deserved.

With the passing of Cardinal Tonini, the College of Cardinals now stands at 202 members, with 112 Cardinal-electors and 90 Cardinal non-electors.

There are now 8 Cardinal-elector vacancies in the College of Cardinals, 11 vacant Cardinal Titles (for Cardinal Priests) and 8 vacant Cardinal Deaconries (for Cardinal Deacons)

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Eighth Anniversary of the Election of Pope Benedict XVI to the Pontificate (19 April 2005)

Happy 8th Anniversary of the election of our beloved Pope Benedict XVI!

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He may have retired, but he will always be our Pope, and so I find that it is still relevant and indeed recommended to celebrate this joyful occasion, that 8 years ago, on 19 April 2005, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected as Pope Benedict XVI, the 265th Pope. I can still clearly remember the Habemus Papam uttered by Cardinal Jorge Medina Estevez on that day.

Ad multos annos, Holy Father! Pray for us always! May you live long and see through your successors! Support them with your prayers.

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(Image : From the election of Pope Benedict XVI on 19 April 2005)

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Pope Francis : First day as Pope, Visit to Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

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On his first day as Pope, on Thursday morning, 14 March 2013, Pope Francis made his surprise visit to the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major) to ask for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for his Pontificate.

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Pope Francis’ Schedule in his first few days as Pope

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-to-have-busy-schedule-in-coming-days/#.UUFDoB4Y6Vk.facebook

 

Our new Pope, Pope Francis will be busy in his first day as Pope, and here is the list of his appointments for the first days of his Pontificate :

1. First Mass with the Cardinals at the Sistine Chapel, Thursday, 14 March 2013 at 5 pm Rome time (UTC+1)

2. Private visit to Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major / Santa Maria Maggiore to ask for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary

3. Meeting with all Cardinals in the Clementine Hall / Sala Clementina, on Friday, 15 March 2013 at 11 am Rome time (UTC+1)

4. Audience for journalists and media representatives in Hall of Paul VI, on Saturday, 16 March 2013

5. First Angelus on Sunday, 17 March 2013 at 12 pm (Noon/Midday)

6. Papal Inauguration Mass at St. Peter’s Square on Tuesday, 19 March 2013 at 9.30 am Rome time (UTC+1), Feast of St. Joseph

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Papal Inauguration Mass of the Pontificate of Pope Francis I, Bishop of Rome

http://www.romereports.com/palio/inauguration-mass-for-pope-francis-i-scheduled-for-feast-day-of-st-joseph-english-9411.html

The Papal Inauguration Mass of the Pontificate of Pope Francis I, Jorge Maria Bergoglio, who was the Metropolitan Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and elected the 266th Pope on Wednesday, 13 March 2013, will be held on :

 

Feast of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Tuesday, 19 March 2013, at 9.30 am Rome time (CET/UTC+1)

 

The timing in other timezones are :

1. UTC : Tuesday, 19 March 2013 at 8.30 am

2. EDT : Tuesday, 19 March 2013 at 4.30 am

3. PDT : Tuesday, 19 March 2013 at 1.30 am

4. WIB / UTC+7 : Tuesday, 19 March 2013 at 3.30 pm

5. Singapore / UTC+8 : Tuesday, 19 March 2013 at 4.30 pm