Pope Francis – Communio

Pope once again the Patriarch of the West

It seems the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis, is once again the Patriarch of the West, according to the Annuario Pontificio 2024. It was removed from the list of papal titles by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005. An act that was unfathomable to me.

The Annuario has on the front page the Pope with his original title: “Francis, Bishop of Rome”.

The current list of titles that the Roman Pontiff claims for himself:

Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Pontifex Maximus of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Province of Rome, Sovereign of the State of Vatican City, Servant of the Servants of God”. And now, add Patriarch of the West.

Each title has a history and has a place in our ecclesiology. Titles as they are make certain claims in light of service (diakonia) and faith.

There was no shortage of irritation among the churches of the East by the change effected by Benedict since it was among the appropriate titles because it affirms a basic ministry of the Roman Pontiff. The title, also allows us to understand our place among the communion of churches viz. the gift of headship and fatherhood.

Pope’s prayer intention for August ’20

We pray for all those who work and live from the sea, among them sailors, fishermen and their families.

The Apostleship of Payer

Prayer intention of Pope Francis for May 2020

We pray that deacons, faithful in their service to the Word and the poor, may be an invigorating symbol for the entire Church.

Through the intercession of St Stephen and St Lawrence, let pray for the deacons and for the Church.

The Gospel Proclaimed in Greek at St Peter’s, 2020

The Gospel Proclaimed in Greek at Pope’s Easter Mass doesn’t seem newsworthy unless you have a special concern for the catholic Church’s Sacred (Divine) Liturgy. Yesterday caught our attention.

If you watched Pope Francis’ Easter Mass at St Peter’s Basilica yesterday, then you may have noticed the very moving gospel of the Resurrection sung in Greek. The deacon, Gianpiero Vaccaro, from the Italo-Albanian Eparchy of Lungro (Calabria, Italy, is also a student of the Pontifical Greek College in Rome.

It was a good thing to see this “tradition” for Easter as it gives one the sense of greater universality of the Catholic Church. As you know, the Church is much more that Latin; for that matter, it is much larger than the Greek Churches, too. We do have the Armenian, Chaldean, Coptic, and Syriac families! Wouldn’t be nice to hear the Gospel sung in liturgical Armenian or Syriac (or Aramaic)?

In the meantime, let us pray for Deacon Gianpiero Vaccaro and his ministry for the Eparchy of Lungro.

https://www.facebook.com/fr.d.duvelius/videos/10158199961882512/UzpfSTY5MTA2MzY2NToxMDE1NzM4MDU3MDMwODY2Ng/

Pope’s prayer intention for December

The December intention of Pope Francis:

That every country take the measures necessary to prioritize the future of the very young, especially those who are suffering.

Let us be united in prayer, fasting and almsgiving through the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the angels.

Pope’s Prayer Intention, August 2019

Pope’s Prayer Intention for August 2019

That families, through their life of prayer and love, become ever more clearly “schools of true human growth.”

Let us be united in prayer.

Pope’s June prayer intention 2019

The June prayer intention by which we join with Pope Francis, is for the The Mode of Life of Priests.

That priests, through the modesty and humility of their lives, commit themselves actively to a solidarity with those who are most poor.

June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Let us pray for our priests, especially the newly ordained.

Pope’s prayer intention for May

The May 2019 Prayer intention of Pope Francis is for unity among the African peoples.

That the Church in Africa, through the commitment of its members, may be the seed of unity among her peoples and a sign of hope for this continent.

May the Holy Family hear and answer our prayers.

Pope’s prayer intention for March

For March, the Pope’s prayer intention is:

That Christian communities, especially those who are persecuted, feel that they are close to Christ and have their rights respected.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us.

Pope’s prayer intention for September

The September Prayer Intention of the Pope:

That young people in Africa may have access to education and work in their own countries.