Catholic Fire

PROMOTING AUTHENTIC EUCHARISTIC ADORATION In the Eucharist we experience the fundamental transformation of violence into love, of death into life; the Body and Blood of Christ are offered so that we ourselves may in turn be transformed. Benedict XVI reiterated this in his speech to the participants of the Plenary Assembly of the Congregation for Divine Worship, during which he also emphasized the importance of being vigilant against the dangers of deviating from a correct use of the liturgy.The Pope requested that Eucharist adoration be intensified through a greater awareness of this mystery, in complete fidelity to Sacred Tradition, and through the enrichment of our communities liturgical life.

In his Sunday Angelus, Pope Benedict underlined the importance of Prayer, fasting and forgiveness in our spiritual life. The Holy Father also made reference to the Spiritual Exercises he completed on Saturday in the Vatican, saying that this week of silence and prayer follows the example of Jesus who brought the disciples to a high mountain in the Gospel story of the Transfiguration. He urged the faithful in St Peters Square in this Lenten season to find moments of silence, and reflect on life in the light of Gods love.

May Lent, a time marked by the frequent listening of the Word of God and intense prayer be a stimulus for conversion and true love toward our bothers, especially the poor and those in need.This was the reflection offered by Benedict XVI during the Eucharist that opened Lent with the rite of the blessing and the distribution of the Ashes after the penitential procession from the church of St. Anselm to the Basilica of Saint Sabina (Aventino).During the homily the Pope traced out the features of Lent in reference to the Pauline year, the bi-millennia anniversary of St. Paul's birth. LENT, A TIME FOR MORE INTENSE PRAYER AND PENANCE

The priest encounters Jesus and follows him: this is the theme that will guide the spiritual exercises at the Vatican, in which Pope Benedict XVI will himself participate. A period of spiritual meditations and intense prayer will be guided by Cardinal Francis Arinze, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. The exercises begin March 1st in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel of the Apostolic Palace with the celebration of Vespers, the introductory meditation, and Adoration and Benediction of the Eucharist. The retreat ends Saturday, March 7th with the final sermon and blessing. All pontifical audiences are suspended during these days.

Venerable Bede , the evangelist of the British Isles between the seventh and eighth centuries, contributed to the building of Christian Europe. Benedict XVI recalled this, dedicating the General Audience catechesis to the works of this important medieval scholar.His style of doing theology, through weaving together the Bible, liturgy and history, brings a message that still has value today. To scholars, Bede reminds that the Word of God should be presented in an attractive way for the faithful. To pastors, that the priority should be given to preaching and to the use of common language. The religious are asked to collaborate in the work of evangelization. Lay people should learn to pray and form themselves in the gospel and for parents, that the focus of their work should be the Christian education of their children. For his tireless commitment, Bede was compared to a new sun that God raised from the west to illuminate the world. More Information at the Vatican website: VENERABLE BEDE:...