December 27, 2010. March marks the peak of
the Lenten Season, which prepares Christians worldwide for Easter.
Pope Benedict XVI made a
landmark visit St. John of the Cross parish in the northern part of
the city to celebrate the third Sunday of Lent.
Benedict XVI
“ I am very
pleased to be among you today to celebrate with you the Lord’s
day.”
March
also marks the month the Vatican established an international
commission to study the alleged Marian apparitions at Medjugorje, a
small Bosnian town.
The
commission consisted of cardinals, bishops and 17 other experts.
Their work is being developed under the strictest of secrecy and will
deliver its findings to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith.
The Holy Father also approved
recognition of miracles obtained through the intercession of one of
the most revered viceroys working in Mexico.
With this approval,
Spaniard Juan de Palafox y Mendoza got one step closer to becoming a
blessed. Vatican officials agreed that he cured a Spanish priest
dying of tuberculosis.
Fr. Ildefonso Moriones
Postulator
“
Palafox
said he didn’t take chocolate because he didn’t want to be
anyone's slave. Not for penitence, but for pride. Because he had seen
that whoever became used to it, would always take it, and he didn’t
want to be controlled.”
The
Pope made a monumental visit to the Lutheran Community of Rome, with
the purpose of promoting unity between the two Christian
denominations.
Benedict
XVI said although there are still major differences and they can’t
celebrate mass together, the meeting showed the fruits of ecumenical
dialogue.
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