Synod: Vice President of the American Bishops suggests a blessing for children in the womb




October 12, 2012. (Romereports.com) The Synod meetings bringing together bishops from around the world are continuing at the Vatican. Discussions are offering a rich exchange of ideas on the New Evangelization.
 
Among those at the Synod is Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, of Louisville, Kentucky in the US. He has proposed that all parishes offer the blessing of babies in the womb.


MSGR. JOSEPH KURTZ
Archbishop of Louisville (US)
“It's a blessing for the child in the woomb, for the mother and for the father and other family members”.

The formula for the blessing was proposed by the US Bishops and approved by the Vatican last December. It already has been very successful in local parishes.

Besides highlighting the dignity of human life, the blessing offers an opportunity to show the humanity of the Church and a great instrument in the New Evangelization.

MSGR. JOSEPH KURTZ
Archbishop of Louisville (US)
“This blessing is a great opportunity, first of all, to join a mother who is fill with joy and sometimes with concerns about what is best for her child. It's a time to unite with the father. And of course it is a great opportunity as a first step in reaching out to the family, to invite them to begin preparation for the Baptism of the child who is not yet born”.

This is the first synod for Archbishop Joseph Kurtz. He says one of the keys to the New Evangelization is for the Church go out to meet people and do it cheerfully.

MSGR. JOSEPH KURTZ
Archbishop of Louisville (US)
“One of the great things that has been in the synod so far is the need for expressing joy, the joy of having found Jesus Christ in our own life, in our comunity. That is where all evangelization begins”.

It is further evidence that being an example is worth much more than words and speeches.

-

Comments

Post a Comment

Comments are moderated and are published at the blogger's discretion.

Blog Archive

Show more

Popular posts from this blog

The Spirituality and Miracles of St. Clare of Assisi

Image
August 11 is the memorial of St. Clare, one of my favorite saints. She was the first woman to follow the life of radical poverty practiced by St. Francis of Assisi and is the co-founder of the Poor Clares. Although I am not a Franciscan, I have had Franciscan friends, clergy, and spiritual directors instruct me on the beauty of St. Clare's spirituality. I have also learned a great deal from reading about her over the years. Clare and Francis (2007) is a film which depicts the fascinating story of her dramatic conversion and surrender to the will of God. St. Clare is the patron saint of television. She is also the patron of eye disorders, embroiderers, good weather, and telephones. The Contemplative Life The Lady Clare was born into a noble family in Assisi in 1193 and was admired for her great beauty. When she heard Francis of Assisi preach his Lenten homilies at the Church of San Giorgio, she was captivated by his words. At age eighteen, she heard him say: "When the
Read more

Saint Michael de Sanctis: Patron of Cancer Patients

Image
Today is the feast of Saint Michael de Sanctis, also known as St. Michael of the Saints, a Spanish Discalced Trinitarian priest, the patron of cancer patients. Michael Argemir was born on September 29, 1591 at Vic, Catalonia, Spain. At age 6, he told his parents that he planned to become a monk and began modeling his life after Saint Francis of Assisi. Michael’s parents died when he was about ten years old. He then served as an apprentice with a local merchant. During this apprenticeship, he continued his fervent devotion to the Lord, especially to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. At the age of 12, he joined the Trinitarian Friars at Barcelona, taking his vows at St. Lambert’s monastery in Saragosa four years later.  Shortly afterwards, Michael expressed a desire to join the reformed group of Trinitarians and was given permission to do so. He went to the Novitiate at Madrid and, after studies at Seville and Salamanca, he was ordained a priest. Twice he served as Superior of the hou
Read more

St. Raymond Nonnatus, Patron of Expectant Mothers, Midwives, and Newborn Babies

Image
The saint of the day for August 31 is St. Raymond Nonnatus. He is the patron of expectant mothers, midwives, obstetricians, infertile couples, and newborn babies. Raymond was born at Portella, Catalonia, Spain in 1204, the son of wealthy parents. He was delivered by cesarean section when his mother died in childbirth. Hence his name non natus (not born). In his childhood, he seemed to find pleasure only in his devotions and serious duties. His father, sensing that Raymond was drawn to religious life, ordered him to manage one of the family farms. Raymond readily obeyed but spent his time with the shepherds and workers, studying and praying until his father abandoned the idea of making his son a worldly success. Raymond later joined the the Order of Our Lady of Mercy or the Mercederians, which was founded by St. Peter Nolasco, who devoted to ransoming Christians captured by the Moors. He succeeded Peter as chief ransomer and went to Algeria to ransom slaves. He remained as hosta
Read more