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MAY 23

Pope invites Mexicans to give witness of their faith

Vatican City, 23 (NE) Mexico needs the light of faith in order to construct a more just society, said yesterday Pope John Paul II, as he met at St. Peter's Square with pilgrims who had come to Rome to participate in the canonization of 27 Mexican Blessed which was held on Sunday. Recalling his last trip to this country, the Holy Father called faithful to make "the word of Christ reach those who still ignore it". "Have the courage to witness the Gospel in the streets and squares, in the valleys and mountains of your nation", he further urged.

The Mexican people, the Pope underlined, "have always stood out for their great love for God, the Virgin, the Church and the Pope, deeply rooted in the Catholic faith which, notwithstanding the vicissitudes of history, remains an integral and fundamental part of your nation's soul." Recalling the witness of the new saints, the Pontiff invited the pilgrims to follow their example, following "Christ radically". The new saints, he said, "encourage us to live, with renewed fidelity, our condition as His children called to give witness of faith, to maintain alive hope and to practice charity at all moments of life."

Referring specially to the three lay people canonized on Sunday, the Pope said they are a "precious witness of ecclesial commitment and of the vocation to holiness, which every baptized has, which must lead us to live in communion of faith and love". "Return to Mexico," the Holy Father finally said in closing, "with the commitment to renew your faithfulness to God and the Church, to give, in all places and times, a brave witness of Christian life and to collaborate in the new evangelization that Christ may become known and loved by all Mexicans."

Exposition of Holy Shroud: August 12 to October 22

Vatican City 23 (NE) Archbishop Severino Poletto of Turin, Custodian of the Holy Shroud, presided at a press conference held yesterday in the Holy See Press office to illustrate the exposition of the Holy Shroud. The exposition, as it was informed, will take place in the Cathedral of St. John in Turin, Italy, from August 12 to October 22. The Shroud of Turin is believed by millions of Christians to be the burial cloth which wrapped the body of Jesus Christ following his death.

The Jubilee Year exposition will be similar to the 1998 one, given the successful organization of that showing, Archbishop Poletto said during the news conference. He also explained that the original date of the exposition was set for late August, but was afterwards changed to allow young pilgrims travelling to Rome for World Youth Day the opportunity to visit Turin and see the Shroud.

Recalling the theme of the exposition, aiming to encourage faith and conversion, the Archbishop of Turin said that on this year, pilgrims will have access to the sacrament of Reconciliation after visiting the Cathedral where the shroud is kept, as well as an area for the adoration of the Eucharist.

Jubilee of Scientists in Rome from May 23 to May 25

Vatican City, 23 (NE) The Jubilee of Scientists will take place in Rome from May 23 to 25, the Holy See Press Office recently informed. The event will be organized by the Pontifical Council for Culture, the Pontifical Academy of Science, the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Pontifical Academy for Life and the Vatican Observatory.

This Jubilee -considered an "event without precedents in the history of the Jubilee" by Cardinal Paul Poupard, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture, will take place in two different moments. The first will be an International Congress on the dialogue between science and faith that will take place from May 23 to 24 on the theme "The Human Search for Truth. Philosophy-Science-Faith, Perspectives for the Third Millennium." In this event the different fields of knowledge will be discussed; such as, the foundations of knowledge, philosophy and theology, and their relations to science, natural sciences, science of life and social sciences.

The second moment of this Jubilee will take place on May 25. The scientists will pass through the Holy Door, a gesture that signifies, as the organizers noted, "the acknowledgment of Christ as the Lord of the cosmos and of history by those people who work in the world of science, threatened by the temptation of turning science itself into an idol." They will participate in a Eucharist and a renewal of their profession of faith before the tomb of Saint Peter. At the end of the celebration, Pope John Paul II will receive the scientists in audience.

As parallel activities to the Jubilee of the Scientists there will be a concert of baroque music in the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, in charge of the "Young Italian Musicians' Chamber Orchestra." The movie "Lourdes", based on the script of Vittorio Messori and inspired in the adventure of faith of Alexis Carrel, Nobel Prize winner for Medicine, will also be shown as an exclusive world debut.

Cardinal Castrillon urges Colombians "real efforts for reconciliation"

Medellin, 23 (NE) "I urge all the faithful to offer God real efforts for reconciliation. This means that we must work from our hearts for a country based on justice and the law," stated Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, in a recent interview with the Colombian press on the situation of the armed conflict in this country. The Colombian Cardinal also expressed his concern regarding the uncertainty that Colombia is experiencing due to the suspension of the peace process with the FARC guerrilla group. He expressed his hope that these dynamics help reflection and encourage the negotiations towards reconciliation again.

Dominican Archbishop urges politicians unity for the common good of the country

Santo Domingo, 23 (NE) Archbishop of Santo Domingo, Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez, urged the politicians of the Dominican Republic last Sunday to work for the common good of the country. He also expressed his hope that the newly elected government work to "answer all the expectations that the people have placed in them." In his well-known TV program "Fe y Acontecer", the Cardinal congratulated the people of the Dominican Republic for having attended in great number the elections that took place last Sunday. On the other hand, he emphasized the need to organize a debate among the different political parties and to "reach a consensus" to correct the deficiencies in the Constitution of the Republic and the constitutional reform of 1994. He also urged the political groups to hold "more serious political campaigns." "I think we have to wish the president elect and the vice-president," stated the Dominican Cardinal, "that the Lord assist them, help them, and that they try to form a good government team to answer all the expectations that the people have placed in them."

MAY 22

New saints must encourage "desire for holiness", recalls Pope

Vatican City, 22 (NE) During a solemn Eucharist celebration held in St. Peter's Square, attended by thousands of Mexican pilgrims, Pope John Paul II proclaimed yesterday 27 new saints. Of all these, all but two were killed under anti-clerical governments which encouraged religious persecution during the first decades of the 20th century. "They are saints", the Pope said "because they placed God in the center of their lives and made of the search and extension of His Kingdom the meaning of their own existence". They are saints, he continued, because "their works still talk about their total love to the Lord and to their brethren, bearing much fruit thanks to the living faith in Jesus Christ".

Blessed Cristobal Magallanes (1915-1937), and 24 martyred companions, priests and lay people, Blessed Jose Maria de Yermo y Parres (1851-1904), priest, founder of the Congregation of the Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Poor; and Blessed Maria de Jesus Sacramentado Venegas de la Torre (1868-1959), virgin, foundress of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, were recalled by the Holy Father as a "precious heritage, fruit of the faith deeply rooted in Mexican lands, which at the threshold of the Third millennium must be maintained and revitalized so that you may remain faithful to Christ and His Church as you have been on the past".

"The new saints" the Pope further said, "teach us that the true followers and disciples of Jesus are those who fulfill His will and that are united to Him through faith and grace." "To listen to the Word of God, harmonizing one's own existence, giving the first space to Christ, configures the life of human beings to that of Christ". "We are living the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000. Among its aims is the need to 'encourage in every faithful a true desire for holiness'. May the example of these new saints, gift of the Church in Mexico to the Universal Church, move every faithful, with all the resources available to him and specially with the aid of God's grace, to search holiness with courage and decision".

Third secret of Fatima is not a dogma of faith, says Cardinal Ratzinger

Rome, 22 (NE) Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, declared to the Italian newspaper La Repubblica that the so called third secret of Fatima "is not a dogma of faith." The vision and its meaning, stated the Cardinal, must be seen properly. "We have to avoid any type of sensationalism," he added. He also announced that the complete text of the secret would be presented before mid-June, together with a commentary prepared by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The aim of the publication is to "set the revelation in its proper historic context," with relation to the attempt suffered by Pope John Paul II in May of 1981.

"We are working on and want to publish the whole text of the third secret of Fatima as soon as possible, with the commentary and historic reference table," stated the Cardinal Prefect, affirming that the work is progressing quickly. The document will probably be presented next month at a press conference. Presently, he explained, a group of historians and theologians is working with great attention, in order to produce a commentary that is "useful for everyone."

"There will be no new surprises. Even more, I believe that in the end the secret will be reduced to its just dimension. This is because you cannot expect too much from these private revelations. Even though they represent, for those who want, a help for prayer and for Christian life, they certainly are not essential for a Christian," explained the Vatican Cardinal. "Therefore, I believe that it is important to leave these things in their just terms, to forget sensationalism, not to think in extraordinary things, but only in the fundamental matters of Christianity."

Church in Eritrea issues urgent call for peace

Rome, 22 (NE) The Holy See Press Office published during the weekend a message from the Council of Bishops of the Catholic Church in Eritrea, regarding the conflict with Ethiopia that the country is enduring over the last two years. In their communique, the Bishops call the attention to the terrible situation lived in both countries, were "entire regions have been transformed into one battleground", and "cities and villages are constantly being bombarded". "Shepherds of a people which is now suffering the consequences of a war it has never wanted, we limit ourselves to one observation: a single day of delay may mean the extinction of an entire people", the Bishops warned, inviting the international community to take action in order to reach peace. A year ago, Pope John Paul II called to peace among the two nations, during a meeting with prelates of both African nations held in the Vatican. "Peace is not merely the absence of war and is not limited to maintaining the balance of power between adversaries… Peace is the work of justice and the effect of charity", the Bishops wrote in a message for that occasion.

Madrid: Cardinal emphasizes Marian devotion in the life of the Church

Madrid, 22 (NE) The message of Fatima "was an answer, humbly pronounced and formulated and simply heard by some children, to what the Lord, through his Mother, was telling Europe, especially Europe," recently stated the Archbishop of Madrid, Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco, during an interview he gave in Fatima for the Spanish weekly magazine Alfa y Omega. He also highlighted the importance of Marian devotion in the life of the Church, and recalled that the "Marian dimension of the Holy Father's personal spirituality is extraordinarily relevant."

The Cardinal affirmed that, in his opinion, the message of Fatima emphasized that there would only be an answer for the problems manifested by humanity during the XX century "through a profound path of conversion from the sins of men and of Christians, and a return to the experience of love that Christ expressed through the Ave Maria."

"The message of Fatima, therefore, hasn't lost actuality, because we continue unwilling to accept the answer fully. We don't want to live the experience of conversion to the risen Christ; we don't want to live the Word. All this makes the message of Fatima relevant today," continued the Cardinal. He finally emphasized the importance of the Rosary in Christian piety. "The Rosary," added the Cardinal of Madrid, "is a Marian prayer par excellence, like a synthesis of the great events of the history of Christ by the hand of the Virgin, bead by bead, mystery after mystery".

Church in Taiwan to encourage reconciliation in China

Rome, 22 (NE) "In this Jubilee year we are working hard for reconciliation", said Cardinal Paul Shan Kuo-hsi, Archbishop of Kaohsiung, in recent declarations to Fides news agency. The Cardinal highlighted the importance of encouraging reconciliation not only within "in our own Taiwan society, but also between China and Taiwan". "We must be reconciled with others and love others, to promote co-existence and reconciliation", Cardinal Paul Shan Kuo-hsi stressed, recalling that war is "no good for either side". "We are praying for reconciliation between the two sides of the straits, China and Taiwan". The Archbishop also emphasized the evangelizing responsibility that the Church in Taiwan has with respect to China. Catholics in Taiwan have a mission to China and must encourage reconciliation of the two sides, he said, stressing that "we are, as the Pope once said, a bridge-Church: our duty is to prepare to build unity between the Church of China and the universal Church. We must work for reconciliation, this is our task".

MAY 20

Pope asks diplomats to defend life

Vatican City, 20 (NE) "My 80 years have been lived in a century which has known attacks on life like never before, but also sublime witnesses in its favor", said Pope John Paul II yesterday, as he received members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See. Before the 171 diplomats who came to express their best wishes to the Pope on the occasion of his 80th birthday celebrated on May 18, the Pontiff renewed his call to defend the gift of life.

"You have come here to thank God with me for the gift He has given me of a long life, as well as to confirm once again the aspirations for peace, values which give meaning to man's life, and the commitment of the Bishop of Rome for the promotion and defense of the dignity of every person and all peoples," the Pope said during his address in French.

"The gift of life!" he then exclaimed. "Yes, life is a gift which comes from an act of love. It is therefore with love that we must receive it, respect it, cultivate it and promote it in all manners and defend it when it is threatened". In these times, the Pope further emphasized, the Church "feels herself called to welcome God's plan for humanity; to listen the voice which raises from the different societies, cultures and civilizations from all the world; to perceive the most profound demands in order to place herself at their service".

Argentina: Archbishop Aguer to give conferences on "Reasons for our joy"

Buenos Aires, 20 (NE) Coadjutor Archbishop Hector Aguer of La Plata will offer a series of conferences on themes related to Christian life. During three days the Prelate will give three conferences related to the general title "Reasons for our joy." The conferences will take place in the auditorium of the Maria Auxiliadora School in the city of La Plata. Archbishop Aguer will reflect on the following themes: "A thousand years… as a day. Evaluation of the millennium," "The Eucharist, glory of the Trinity" and "A Great Sign Appeared in Heaven." These conferences continue the tradition that Archbishop Aguer started when he was Auxiliary Bishop in Buenos Aires, from 1992 to 1998. He resumed this tradition in the Archdiocese of La Plata.

Sevilla: Symposium on history of the Church

Madrid, 20 (NE) The Real Alcazar in Sevilla will be the next site for the 11th Symposium on History of the Church in Spain and America, that will begin on Monday, May 22. Reflection will be centered on the different consequences of globalization in people's everyday life and other themes related, such as the development of the communication means and new technologies and the challenges they mean for the mission of the Church. The opening of the symposium will be in charge of Archbishop Carlos Amigo Vallejo of Sevillo. Cardinal Ricard M. Carles, Archbishop of Barcelona will also be present. He will offer a conference on "Globalization and the Spirit of the Gospel." Archbishop Manuel Monteiro de Castro, Apostolic Nuncio in this country, will attend the closing ceremony of the symposium.

MAY 19

Holy Father celebrates Jubilee of Priests and 80th birthday

Vatican City, 19 (NE) Pope John Paul II presided yesterday at the Jubilee of Priests, celebrating as well his 80th birthday. Almost seven thousand priests and hundreds of Cardinals and Bishops concelebrated the Mass, held at St. Peter's Square. On his birthday, the Pope received as well greetings and expressions of closeness from people all over the world, including presidents and authorities from almost every country.

During his homily, the Pope spoke about the priestly vocation, saying that "after more than fifty years of priestly life, I still feel inside of me the need to praise and thank God for His great love". "At the Cenacle, Jesus made us participate of His vocation and the mission entrusted to Him by the Heavenly Father: guide man to the mystery of universal salvation", the Pope further said.

"The Eucharist, above all, links us. ... We are all participants (in the priesthood) and today we wish to raise a choral cry of thanks to God for this extraordinary gift. A gift for all times and all people, of all races and cultures. A gift that renews itself in the Church thanks to unchanging divine mercy and the generous and faithful response of so many fragile human beings. A gift that never ceases to amaze those who receive it."

Afterwards, the Pope stressed that priests are consecrated "in the Church for this specific ministry". "We are called to contribute in different ways to the formation of the community of the People of God, wherever Providence takes us". After the ceremony, pilgrims sang in several languages "Happy Birthday" to the Pope. Polish pilgrims sang the traditional "Sto lat" (literally "may you live a hundred years"), to which the Pope answered "I have still twenty left".

Pope invites priests to follow witnesses of holiness

Vatican City, 19 (NE) On Wednesday evening, Pope John Paul appeared at the window of his study which overlooks St. Peter's Square, and addressed the priests who had gathered there to pray on the vigil of the Jubilee of Priests. Expressing his joy for the celebration of the Jubilee of Priests, the Pope recalled that the "Great Jubilee commemorates the Incarnation of the Word in history". "The saints", the Pope added, "are those brothers and sisters who constitute a sort of perpetuation of that mystery, by virtue of their great obedience to the Holy Spirit." Recalling the two millennia of Church history, the Holy Father pointed out as well that "in the long list of chosen souls which mark the two millennia of the Christian era, there are numerous priests who, in every generation, have made the holiness of Christ, the Good Shepherd, present among the People of God. In the 20th century the Church is also rich in holy priests - martyrs and confessors". From his window over St. Peter's Square, the Pope finally invited priests from different parts of the world to follow the example of those priests witnesses of holiness.

Preparations for exposition of Holy Shroud continue

Vatican City, 19 (NE) The Holy See Press Office informed this week that the coming Monday, May 22, a press conference will be held to present the exposition of the Holy Shroud, that will take place in Turin from August 12 to October 22 of this year. Archbishop Severino Poletto of Turin, current custos of the Shroud, will attend the press conference. Other members of the committee that organizes the exposition of the "sindone" will also be present.

In the past months different preparation activities for this exposition have taken place, among them a congress with the theme "Jubilee and Holy Shroud 2000." An official Internet site has also been opened (www.sindone.org) where different aspects of the Holy Shroud and of the exposition are explained, containing all the necessary information to make a pilgrimage.

This year the time of visits to see the "sindone" will be extended. Pilgrims will be able to see the shroud from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. Also, a special area close to the temple where the shroud is kept will be especially arranged to offer the sacrament of reconciliation. Approximately 3 million pilgrims are expected. The last exposition was in 1998.

Panama: Archbishop receives the keys of the city

Panama, 19 (NE) Archbishop Jose Dimas Cedeño of Panama asked God to illuminate legislators so that through their services and the approval of laws they attain the greatest wellbeing for the country. During a meeting with legislators in Panama, the Archbishop also thanked the approval of a resolution which granted the Prelate a special recognition on occasion of the 25th anniversary of his episcopal consecration.

During the event, the Prelate asked as well legislators to attain unity and to reach agreements in favor of the people of Panama, recalling that God gives each one a place and an area to serve.

On occasion of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the episcopal consecration of Archbishop Cedeño, private and government organs organized different activities on May 16 and 17. Entities such as the Major's office of Panama, the municipal council and the recently organized Pro Faith Foundation made different events, among which was the giving of the Keys of the City to the Archbishop of Panama by the major of the city, Juan Carlos Navarro.

On Wednesday afternoon, a Mass took place, attended by the Apostolic Nuncio, Bishops from different dioceses of the country, ministers of the nation and different national and municipal authorities.

Italy: Episcopate will reflect on pastoral in schools

Rome, 19 (NE) The Italian Bishop's Conference will celebrate its 47th general assembly next week, from May 22 to 26. The Bishops will reflect on the pastoral orientations that the Church in Italy will follow in coming 10 years. The assembly will begin next Monday, with a conference by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Vicar general of Pope John Paul II for the Diocese of Rome and current President of the Italian Bishop's Conference. The Italian Bishops' meeting will finish on Friday 26 in the city of Assisi, with a Eucharistic celebration. Among the themes to be reflected are school reformation, teaching of Catholic religion in schools and school pastoral in general. The organization of the National Eucharistic Congress that will be celebrated on the Holy Year, the celebration of the World Youth Meeting and other events in the framework of the Great Jubilee of the year 2000 will also be discussed.

MAY 18

Pope recalls pilgrimage to Fatima

Vatican City, 18 (NE) Pope John Paul II shared yesterday with pilgrims several reflections about his recent trip to Fatima, where he beatified the two little shepherds who witnessed the apparition of the Blessed Virgin. The Pope expressed his thanks to God for being able to visit once again the Marian shrine, one of the most visited places of pilgrimage.

"At Fatima, just as at Lourdes," said the Holy Father, "the Virgin chose children, Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia, as the recipients of her message. They accepted it with such faith that ... they themselves became examples of evangelic life." The Pope also expressed his joy for seeing Sister Lucia, the third witness of the 1917 apparitions and now 93 years old. She "has offered very significative descriptions about the new blessed", the Pope said.

"With the two little shepherds of Fatima, the Church has proclaimed two young children as Blesseds because, although not martyrs, they demonstrated that they heroically lived Christian virtue, notwithstanding their tender age". "Heroism of children, but genuine heroism. Their sanctity does not depend on the apparitions but on the faithfulness and commitment with which they responded to the singular gift they received from the Lord and Mary Most Holy", the Pontiff further said.

"As the time seemed appropriate, I felt it right to make public the contents of the so-called third part of the secret," the Holy Father stated afterwards. "I gave thanks for what divine mercy wrought through Mary's maternal intercession during the 20th century. In the light of the Fatima apparitions, the events of that much troubled historical period assume a particular eloquence." The message of Fatima, the Pope finally said, "is a message of conversion and hope, a message that in conformity with the Christian revelation, is profoundly integrated to history".

Sri Lanka: Archbishop issues urgent call to peace

Rome, 18 (NE) In a special message issued on May 16th Archbishop Nicholas Marcus Fernando of Colombo, Sri Lanka, called to cease the ongoing conflic that has caused the death of 60 thousand lives over the last 17 years in that country. Sri Linka, regarded by several historians as suffering the worst crisis in its history, needs peace, the Archbishop said in his message, and called faithful to begin a prayer campaign for peace, as Vatican Fides agency reported yesterday. "In this hour of dire need we show our solidarity by resuming in earnest the prayer to Our Lady for peace in our country after every Mass," Archbishop Fernando said. The message also requests that May 27th and 28th be regarded as special days of prayer and all Masses offered for peace in the country. The Archbishop's Message, which received wide publicity in the secular media according to Fides, also requested that external celebrations, including those for Church feasts, be reduced this year till "hopefully the war gives way to a peaceful solution without loss of lives". "Let us join together as a nation in this hour of need", the Prelate finally emphasized.

"Pages of Faith": New book of Latin American founder

Lima, 18 (NE) FE, "Fondo Editorial" publishing house, located in Lima, Peru, has published a new work by Luis Fernando Figari, founder of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae and the Christian Life Movement, entitled "Pages of Faith" (Paginas de Fe). This book is a collection of Figari's different journalistic articles written in the years 1998 and 1999, sharing several reflections forged in the light and warmth of faith. With the conscience that the celebration of the two thousand years of faith demands, and aware of the new millennium that starts, the author offers in this new work reflections that aim to deepen into the fundamental questions of the human being about the meaning of life and history. In the past years the author has been publishing numerous articles, booklets, and books on theological and spiritual themes. In this occasion FE presents only the articles published in newspapers over the past two years.

Congress will reflect on dignity and mission of elderly

Washington, 18 (NE) The department of communication of the U.S. National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) informed this week that the four experts that will represent this country's Bishops in the Jubilee year celebration of the elderly have already been chosen. The Jubilee is organized by the Pontifical Council for the Laity, and will take place in mid September in Rome. The delegates will join other national groups in a one-day congress on "The gift of a long life: responsibility and hope." Cardinal J. Francis Stafford, President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, stated that the congress is an opportunity for "reflecting on the dignity and mission of the elderly." "Aware of the immense richness of the gift of life from its beginning to its natural death, the participants of the congress -elderly and leaders of the pastoral ministry of the elderly- will share their experiences and wisdom with the whole Church," the Cardinal emphasized.

Paraguay: Number of vocations to priesthood increases

Asuncion, 18 (NE) On occasion of a Eucharist celebrated on the Day of Vocations to Priesthood and Religious Life, Archbishop Felipe Santiago Benitez of Asuncion, Paraguay, thanked God for the important growth in the number of priests in this archdiocese. The Archbishop commented that the present number of seminarians in the Archdiocese has not got precedents in the history of the Church that peregrinates in Paraguay. In another moment of the celebration the Archbishop read the message that the Holy Father sent for this occasion. The Prelate commented the message, stating that "for the Pope the main point of Catholic faith is a fact never imagined: that God, the infinite, powerful, perfection itself becomes man, becomes child".

MAY 17

Pope to canonize 27 Mexican blessed on Sunday

Vatican City, 17 (NE) During a solemn Eucharist celebration to take place this Sunday, May 21, Pope John Paul II will canonize 27 Mexican Blessed. The celebration will be held at St. Peter's Square, beginning at 10 a.m. local time. As a communique issued yesterday by the Holy See Press Office informed, during the Mass Blessed Cristobal Magallanes (1915-1937), and 24 martyred companions, priests and lay people, will be canonized. Also canonized will be Blessed Jose Maria de Yermo y Parres (1851-1904), priest, founder of the Congregation of the Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Poor; and Blessed Maria de Jesus Sacramentado Venegas de la Torre (1868-1959), virgin, foundress of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. "In this time of Easter of the Great Jubilee 2000", reads the communique announcing the celebration, "the Universal Church rejoice by the flourishing of new saints from the People of God in Mexico". They, it further says, "have been faithful disciples of the Word and have given plenty and lasting fruits".

Cardinal Sodano encourages priests to renew "apostolic commitment"

Rome, 17 (NE) "You have come here, today, dear priests, from different parts of the world, on occasion of the Great Jubilee of the year 2000, aiming to renew your apostolic commitment". With these words, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Pope John Paul II' Secretary of State, addressed on Monday more than 2000 priests gathered in the Eternal City, many of them coming from different countries, to attend the Jubilee of Priests. This jubilee will have its main event on Thursday, when priests will gather together with Pope John Paul II for a Eucharist celebration to be presided by the Pontiff on the day of his 80th birthday.

"Next Thursday", Cardinal Sodano said to the priests gathered at St. John Lateran's Basilica, "you will concelebrate a Mass with the Holy Father, offering your filial adhesion on occasion of his 80th birthday". "These will be days of intense spiritual renewal, to rediscover better the greatness and beauty of the gift Christ has given to us, calling us to follow Him closely and associating us to Him in the fulfillment of the work of Redemption", the Cardinal further stressed.

Last Sunday, the priests in the Eternal City began their Jubilee with the prayer of vespers and a Eucharist adoration at the Basilica of St. Mary Maggiore. A Mass was celebrated on Monday at St. John Lateran's Basilica, and on Tuesday again Mass was held, at St. Paul Outside the Walls' Basilica. The main event will take place tomorrow at St. Peter's Basilica, with a Mass presided by Pope John Paul II.

Peru: series of conferences on "The truth about Truth"

Lima, 17 (NE) Thursday of this week, the cycle of conferences titled "The truth about Truth" will begin in Lima, Peru. The event, organized by the Vida y Espiritualidad (Life and Spirituality) Institute will take place in the Auditorium of the Municipality of Miraflores. Among the conferences to be pronounced between Thursday 18 and Friday 19 are "Man as an Explorer of Truth", "The Crisis of Truth," "The Science of Faith and the Demands of Philosophical Truth," and last, "Faith's trust in Reason". The organizers informed that the aim of the series of conferences is to "open a space of dialogue in the search for truth, during a time when truth is continually more obscured and the lack of confidence in the possibility of finding it grows." They also noted that with this initiative they are trying to show that "reason and faith are two ways that together may reach this truth that answers the deepest questions of the human being."

Sao Paulo prepares Jubilee of Youth

Sao Paulo, 17 (NE) With firm step, groups of faithful in Sao Paulo, Brazil, are organizing the Jubilee of Youth, to be held under the theme "The Word became Man and Dwelt among Us." This Jubilee will be held in consonance with the XV World Youth Meeting that will take place on that same August 20 in Rome, with the same title. Representatives from each diocese have already met to define the themes for reflection and to plan the encounter's activities. Each diocese will have preparatory activities, such as pilgrimages, social work, moments of meditation, among others. It was also informed that the program on August 20 would include a live representation of the meaning of the Jubilee and the experiences of the Lord Jesus among young people. It will also have the participation of the Pastoral for Vocations. Testimonies of the activities held in each diocese will also be given, and faithful will attend a Eucharist celebration concelebrated by several Bishops of the area. A musical presentation will close the event.

Chile: Bishops define pastoral orientations for the coming years

Santiago de Chile, 17 (NE) Last week the Chilean Episcopal Conference concluded its 79th General Assembly, during which it reflected on the different pastoral orientations that the Church will take in the coming years. Congregating almost the totality of this country's Bishops for five days, the assembly concluded with a pilgrimage to the Marian sanctuary of Lo Vasquez.

The Prelates informed that the sessions of the general assembly were destined to define the "navigation chart" and the pastoral orientations for the next 5 years. These were made taking into account the country's present reality, to which an answer will be given in light of the Gospel. The Chilean Bishop's Conference will issue the final document in September.

During the sessions the Bishops agreed to begin a campaign to alleviate the fragile conditions of the country's most needy. They also reflected on the preparatory activities for the next Eucharistic National Congress that will take place in November, which will be preceded by local and diocesan events throughout the country.

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