Pope Francis

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Video, with English commentary, at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-francis-general-audience-discernment-prayer.html
Pope at Audience: Prayer is indispensable aid to discernment
28 September 2022, 09:17

At the General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis focuses on the importance of prayer in discernment, which allows us to enter into intimacy with God.
By Christopher Wells

Continuing his catechesis on discernment, at the Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of prayer.

He said prayer is “an indispensable aid to spiritual discernment, especially when it involves the affections.” Prayer, he added, allows us to “go beyond thoughts, to enter into intimacy with the Lord, with an affectionate spontaneity.”

“The secret of the lives of the saints is familiarity and confidence with God, which grows in them and makes it ever easier to recognize what is pleasing to Him.”
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-francis-general-audience-appeal-ukraine-gendarmerie.html
Pope prays for “martyred” Ukraine
28 September 2022, 10:22

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2022.index.html
Audiences 2022
General Audience of 28 September 2022 - Catechesis On Discernment: 3. The elements of discernment. Familiarity with the Lord

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-09/vatican-to-host-international-meeting-on-sport-for-all.html

Vatican to host international meeting on "Sport for All"
28 September 2022, 13:21

At a press conference in the Vatican on Wednesday, organizers present the International Summit "Sport for All: Cohesive, Accessible and Tailored to each Person" to be held at the New Synod Hall on Friday and Saturday, bringing together people from around the world to underscore the importance of sports for human, educational and spiritual growth.
By Vatican News staff writer

From September 29 to 30 in the New Synod Hall at the Vatican, sports enthusiasts and representatives of major sports and intergovernmental institutions and organizations will be meeting to discuss the social responsibility of sports and and how participating in sports can promote human, educational and spiritual growth, responding to a call of Pope Francis.
 
Working together

At the conclusion of the Summit, in the presence of Pope Francis, participants will be invited to sign a Declaration with a commitment to give greater promotion in their own institutions and sports organizations to the social and inclusive dimensions of sports. This invitation will later be extended to all sports entities, especially  those inspired by a Christian vision of the person and of sport itself.

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-francis-apostolic-journey-bahrain-interreligious-dialogue.html

Pope to travel to Bahrain in November
28 September 2022, 12:00

The Holy See Press Office announces that Pope Francis will undertake an Apostolic Journey to Bahrain at the beginning of November.
By Linda Bordoni

Pope Francis is scheduled to travel to the Persian Gulf island country of Bahrain from 3 to 6 November 2022.

A statement released by the Director of the Holy See Press Office on Wednesday said the Pope had accepted the invitation of the country's civil and ecclesial authorities.

During his Apostolic Journey, the Pope will visit the cities of Manama and Awali “on the occasion of the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue: East and West for Human Coexistence.”

The programme and further details of the Journey will be published at a later date.

Pope Francis will be the first Pope to visit Bahrain.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252409/pope-francis-to-visit-kingdom-of-bahrain-in-november
Pope Francis to visit Kingdom of Bahrain in November
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Sep 28, 2022 / 04:57 am

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-09/cardinal-roche-pays-tribute-to-queen-elizabeth-at-mass.html

Cardinal Roche pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth at Mass of Remembrance
28 September 2022, 11:30

English Cardinal Arthur Roche pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at a Mass of Remembrance celebrated in Rome, recalling the "hidden gem" of what inspired and directed her life: her faith based upon the truths and values found in the life of Christ.
By Vatican News staff writer

On Wednesday morning at Rome's Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, English Cardinal Arthur Roche celebrated a Mass of Remembrance for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Cardinal Roche is prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

In his homily for the occasion, Cardinal Roche recalled fondly how so many throughout the world expressed their great affection and joined together in "commemorating, praying for and paying tribute to a very great woman - a deeply loving wife and proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother – a dedicated Sovereign who exercised wise leadership - and is now greatly missed."
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-francis-jesuits-russia-region-kazakhstan-journey.html

Pope to Jesuits in Kazakhstan: ‘Our hearts must be freed from hatred’
28 September 2022, 21:27

The Jesuit review “La Civiltà Cattolica” releases Pope Francis’ conversation with Jesuits in the “Russian Region” while on his Apostolic Journey to Kazakhstan, in which the Pope reflected on the causes of what he calls the third world war.
By Paolo Ondarza

We must free our hearts from hatred. Pope Francis offered that plea to the 19 Jesuits he met in the Apostolic Nunciature in Nur-Sultan on 15 September 2022, while on his Apostolic Journey to Kazakhstan.

The members of the Society of Jesus had traveled to the Central Asian nation from various countries which the Jesuits refer to as the “Russian Region”.

"It is the people who suffer in war,” said the Pope. “This generates hatred, and those who make war forget 'humanity.'”

Not conflict between good guys and bad guys
"I think it's a mistake to think it's a cowboy movie where there are good guys and bad guys," noted Pope Francis, adding that he has no doubt that "this is a world war."

"We need to investigate the root causes that led to the conflict," he said, referring first to the "international factors that contributed to provoking the war."
 
The full text of Pope Francis’ conversation with Jesuits in Kazakhstan will be made available online on Thursday, 29 September at 10:00 AM in "La Civiltà Cattolica" in an article by the magazine's editor, Father Antonio Spadaro.

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-gregorian-university-conference-migrants-refugees.html

Pope: Educational institutions are to be places of welcome, integration for all
29 September 2022, 10:30

Pope Francis urges participants at the Gregorian University conference on Initiatives in Refugee and Migrant Education to do more in research, teaching and social promotion of migrants and refugees, and to make all educational institutions places of welcome, protection, promotion and integration for all, to the exclusion of none.
By Benedict Mayaki, SJ

Pope Francis received in audience at the Vatican Thursday, the participants at the Gregorian University Conference on “Initiatives in Refugee and Migrant Education.”

Welcoming them, the Pope highlighted the conference as a planned moment of reflection grounded “in the needs of our migrant brothers and sisters, with particular attention to children and young people,” who have expressed their desire to pursue their education despite being uprooted from their native lands.

The Pope then emphasized the importance of the participants' contributions in three areas pertaining to their competencies – research, teaching and social promotion.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/september.index.html
Speeches 2022 September
To Participants in the meeting on refugees promoted by the Pontifical Gregorian University (29 September 2022)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-francis-mission-festival-heart-life-church-milan.html

Pope tells Christians to be witnesses of peace
29 September 2022, 19:00

Pope Francis encourages participants at the Mission Festival in Milan to be witnesses of peace and to cultivate a missionary spirit, saying that mission is the heart of the life of the Church.
By Benedict Mayaki, SJ

Pope Francis has sent a message on the occasion of the Mission Festival taking place in Milan, Italy, from 29 September to 2 October.

In a letter signed by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and addressed to  Archbishop Mario Delpini of Milan, the Holy Father extended his greetings to the participants, expressing appreciation for the beautiful initiative themed: “Living by gift.”

“In this change of epoch,” the Pope said, “it is important to show the missionary trait of the faith and the Church in order to announce also to the people of today that God is always with us and loves us.”

The event, promoted by Fondazione Missio Italia (pastoral body of the CEI) and CIMI (Conference of Italian Missionary Institutes), is hosted by the Archdiocese of Milan.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-09/social-communications-day-theme-57-speak-heart.html

Vatican announces theme for 57th World Day of Social Communications
29 September 2022, 12:54

The Holy See Press Office announces “Speak with the heart: Veritatem facientes in caritate” as the theme for the 57th World Communications Day.
By Vatican News staff writer

“Speak with the heart: Veritatem facientes in caritate” (Doing the truth in charity) is the theme for World Day of Social Communications 2023, announced the Holy See Press Office on Thursday.

The theme, which connects with that of 2022 – “Listen with the ear of the heart” is intended to form part of the path that will lead the entire Church to the celebration of the Synod in October 2023.

Speaking with the heart, explained a statement, means giving “a reason for your hope” and by doing so gently, “using the gift of communication as a bridge and not as a wall.”

It is an invitation to “go against the grain” at a time characterized by polarization and heated debates that exacerbate tempers – even in ecclesial life.
 
Appointments of new consultors

Pope Francis, 29 September, appointed two new members and 10 new consultors to the Dicastery for Communications.

The members include Archbishop Ivan Maffeis, archbishop of Perugia-Città della Pieve (Italy) and Bishop Valdir Jose De Castro, of Campo Limpo (Brazil).

The Dicastery's new consultors are Fr. George Plattoham, secretary of the Office of Social Communication of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC); Oscar Elizade Prada, coordinator of the Department of Communication of CELAM; Helen Osman, president of SIGNIS; Fr. Fabio Pasqualetti, dean of the Faculty of Communication Sciences at the Pontifical Salesian University; Sr. Veronica Donatello, head of the National Service for the Pastoral Care of Persons with Disabilities of the Italian Bishops' Conference, Sister Adelaide Felicitas Ndilu, national executive secretary of the Commission for Social Communications of the Kenyan Bishops' Conference and director of Radio Waumini; Father Andrew Kaufa, coordinator of the Office of Communications of the AMECEA Regional Conference of Bishops; Tomas Insua, executive director of the Laudato Si movement; Professor Antonio Cisternino, president of the University of Pisa's Ateno Information System (CIO); and John E. Corcoran, founder of Trinity Life Sciences.

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-09/dicastery-promoting-integral-human-development-praedicate-evange.html

New structure for Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development
29 September 2022, 17:03

The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development undergoes an organizational restructuring in line with Pope Francis’ new Apostolic Constitution “Praedicate Evangelium.”
By Vatican News

A press briefing at the Holy See Press Office on Thursday revealed a new organizational make-up and mission of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development that reflects directives issued by Pope Francis in the new Apostolic Constitution, Praedicate Evangelium.

The Constitution entrusts the Dicastery, headed by Cardinal Michael Czerny, with the objective to “promote the human person and their God-given dignity, human rights, health, justice and peace” in all areas of public and social existence, in “the common home entrusted to our one human family.”

After the first five years of experience since it was established by Pope Francis in 2017, a  thorough evaluation was carried out with the aim of reconfiguring the Dicastery.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252421/everything-is-connected-cardinal-czerny-explains-future-of-vatican-office-for-integral-human-development
‘Everything is connected’: Cardinal Czerny explains future of Vatican office for integral human development
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Sep 29, 2022 / 12:00 pm

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https://www.laciviltacattolica.com/freeing-hearts-from-hatred/

‘Freeing Hearts From Hatred’: Pope Francis meets the Jesuits of the Russian Region
by Antonio Spadaro, SJ -- September 29, 2022

On Thursday, September 15, 2022, during his apostolic journey to Kazakhstan, Pope Francis met with 19 Jesuits working in the Russian Region of the Society of Jesus. The appointment was set for 9 a.m. at the apostolic nunciature, but the pope showed up early at 8.45 a.m. In the hall, where chairs were placed in a circle, the regional superior, Fr. Bogusław Steczek, presented the activities of the Jesuits in  these words:

“Holy Father, we are your confreres of the Russian Region of the Society of Jesus. We work in three countries: Russia, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan. There are about 30 of us from 11 countries. In Belarus we live where the Society survived its suppression in the 18th century. These Jesuits made a great contribution to the revival of the Society in 1814. We work in the city of Vitebsk, where we have a parish. The bishop recently consecrated a church dedicated to Saint Ignatius. In Russia we are in Moscow, where we have an Institute of Higher Formation named after St. Thomas. We also publish a Russian edition of La Civiltà Cattolica. The superior and director of the Institute is also the secretary general of the Catholic Bishops Conference in Russia.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-francis-discourse-saint-thomas-aquinas.html

Pope to Thomas Aquinas fraternity: Your mission also has a maternal aspect
30 September 2022, 10:16

Pope Francis meets with members of the Fraternity of St. Thomas Aquinas Associations, and stresses that what they do in cultivating education is essential for the growth of spiritual mercy.
By Francesca Merlo

Addressing the members of the Fraternity of St. Thomas Aquinas International Association of the Faithful of Pontifical Right, (FASTA), on the occasion of their 60th anniversary, Pope Francis stressed his desire to contribute to the teachings that arose from the Second Vatican Council.

A message which is embraced

"One of the novelties of the Council was to become aware of the rights and duties of the laity with respect to the evangelizing mission, which they also possess, as sons and daughters of God through baptism."

The Pope noted that it is always surprising to see how the Holy Spirit makes His way into every reality of human beings through the talents He inspires in the disciples of Jesus.

With that in mind, the Pope continued, "today we see how your Fraternity has embraced the conciliar message and initiated various projects for the evangelization of culture, youth, and the family, creating a great variety of educational institutions, such as schools, universities and university residences in different parts of the world."
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/september.index.html
Speeches 2022 September
To the members of the "Fraternidad de Agrupaciones Santo Tomás de Aquino" (FASTA) (30 September 2022)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-francis-preface-book-2nd-vatican-council-anniversary.html

Pope Francis writes preface for book marking Vatican II anniversary
30 September 2022, 17:10

Marking the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, a book that traces the conciliar path undertaken by Pope St. John XXIII to the current synodal process called for by Pope Francis, goes to press with a preface by the Argentine Pope himself.
By Linda Bordoni

Entitled “John XXIII. Vatican II a Council for the world” by Fr. Ettore Malnati and Marco Roncalli, the book – in the words of Pope Francis who wrote the preface – reviews the history of the Council in light of the ecumenical developments it triggered and of the current synodal process.

The Pope says he is honoured to have been asked to present this book for a number of reasons.

“The main reason is the Holy Pontiff John XXIII and the Second Vatican Council - which were so decisive for the Church, for its development and its approach to the contemporary world, for its ecumenical journey” he writes.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-food-waste-awareness-fao-world-day.html

Pope Francis: 'To throw food away means to throw people away'
30 September 2022, 11:12

Pope Francis sends a message to the FAO on the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, highlighting the importance of putting an end to inequalities that deny the poor of food in the face of increasing numbers of hungry people across the globe.
By Benedict Mayaki, SJ

Pope Francis has called for everyone to reorient our lifestyles in a conscious, responsible manner to ensure that no one is left behind and everyone receives food, both in quantity and quality.

The Holy Father made this call in a message addressed to Mr. Qu Dongyu, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), on the occasion of the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, celebrated annually on 29 September to promote collective action to reduce food loss and waste.

“Both the loss and the waste of food are truly deplorable events because they divide humanity between those who have too much and those who lack the essentials,” said the Pope, “because they increase inequalities, generate injustice and deny the poor what they need to live in dignity.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-ursuline-global-education-compact-beauty-message.html

Pope to Ursuline Global Education Compact: 'Allow your beauty to shine!'
30 September 2022, 14:57

Pope Francis encourages student participants at the Ursuline Global Education Compact to embrace true beauty and allow it shine throughout the world by welcoming the marginalized and working to defend our common home.
By Benedict Mayaki, SJ

Pope Francis, on Friday, sent a message to participants at the Ursuline Global Education Compact during the closing session of their meetings.

Addressing the students, he encouraged them to carry out their projects with enthusiasm, while recalling that he considers his school experiences as both a student and as a teacher to be among the most beautiful and important periods of his own life.

Pope Francis acknowledged the initiatives implemented, as well as those in the pipeline, concerning the protection of the environment, sustainability, human fraternity and attention to the poor and vulnerable.

He credits these initiatives to the young people who, he says “are awake rather than asleep”, adding that they are active participants in the Global Education Compact which he launched 3 years ago as “an alliance open to all and aimed at educating ourselves and others in universal fraternity.”
 

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Video, with English commentary, at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-may-sport-be-home-for-all-open-welcoming.html
Pope: May sport be home for all, open and welcoming
30 September 2022, 17:00

Pope Francis meets with participants at a Vatican meeting on “Sport for all. Cohesive, Accessible and Tailored to each Person” and encourages them to "strive to make sport a home for everyone, something open and welcoming."
By Thaddeus Jones

Greeting athletes, managers and officials participating in the International Summit on sport, Pope Francis on Friday afternoon praised the noble goal that inspires them: "promoting the notion of sport as something for everyone; sports that are “cohesive”, “accessible” and “fit for every person”.

He addressed them in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican as the meeting “Sport for all. Cohesive, Accessible and Tailored to each Person” came to its conclusion. The event was organized and promoted by the Dicasteries for the Laity, Family and Life, and Culture and Education in collaboration with the John Paul II Foundation.

Leaders and delegates from various sporting institutions, organizations, and athletes - amateur and professional - met over Thursday and Friday at the Vatican-sponsored meeting, representing 40 countries and people of various faiths. Refugees, former detainees, people with physical and intellectual challenges made up the great diversity of participants, all united in the importance of sport for building personal character and maturity, uniting peoples and building peace.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/september.index.html
Speeches 2022 September
To the Participants in the International Summit: “Sport for all. Cohesive, Accessible and Tailored to each Person” (30 September 2022)

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Update:  Vatican finance trial

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252432/prosecution-calls-witnesses-as-vatican-finance-trial-resumes
Prosecution calls witnesses as Vatican finance trial resumes
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Sep 30, 2022 / 08:37 am

After a break of over two months, the Vatican trial on financial corruption in the Secretariat of State continued this week with the interrogation of witnesses for the prosecution.

The court reconvened Sept. 28, 29, and 30 to begin the questioning of the first of what the prosecution expects to be a total of 41 witnesses it will call.
 
https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2022/09/at-trial-vatican-auditor-says-he-was-shocked-by-misuse-of-funds
At trial, Vatican auditor says he was shocked by misuse of funds
By Junno Arocho Esteves
Sep 30, 2022 | Catholic News Service

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-10/pope-to-redemptorists-dont-be-afraid-of-renewal.html

Pope to Redemptorists: 'Dare to renew your mission to serve the poor'
01 October 2022, 13:28

Addressing the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Pope Francis encourages the Redemptorist missionaries to “rethink” their Alphonsian charism in the light of the signs of the time, and warns against the hardening of the heart which hinders the renewing action of the Spirit.
By Lisa Zengarini

Pope Francis, on Saturday, addressed the members of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (CSsR), commonly known as Redemptorists, who are gathered in Rome for the 26th General Chapter from 11 September to 7 October.

The four-week session is focused on setting the direction for the Congregation founded by St. Alphonsus de' Liguori for the next six years and on electing its new governance to oversee its implementation.

In his prepared remarks, Pope Francis extended his greetings to the participants in the Chapter and to the entire Redemptorist Family, acknowledging in particular the new Superior General, Father Rogério Gomes
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/october.index.html
Speeches 2022 October
To Participants in the General Chapter of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) (1st October 2022)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-10/pastoral-care-of-tourism-moved-to-dicastery-for-evangelization.html

Pope moves pastoral care of tourism to Dicastery for Evangelization
01 October 2022, 14:11

Pope Francis transfers responsibility for the pastoral care of tourism from the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development over to the Dicastery for Evangelization, following a recent audience with Cardinal Michael Czerny.
By Vatican News

The pastoral care of tourism has now passed from the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development to the Dicastery for Evangelization. Pope Francis communicated the decision in a Rescript on Saturday following an audience on 7 September with Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Human Development.

As stated in the document, which went into effect on the same day, 1 October 2022, the Pope "decided to transfer competence for the pastoral care of the faithful who undertake travel for piety, study, or recreational purposes from the same Dicastery (for Promoting Integral Human Development) to the Section for Fundamental Questions of Evangelization in the World of the Dicastery for Evangelization."
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252430/more-than-the-nuts-and-bolts-world-s-newest-bishops-talk-synodality-in-rome

More than ‘the nuts and bolts’: World’s newest bishops talk synodality in Rome
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Oct 2, 2022 / 03:00 am

The world’s newest bishops gathered in Rome last month to learn more about what it means to be a Catholic bishop.

While the week’s presentations spanned a range of topics, three U.S. bishops who attended told CNA that synodality emerged as a key theme.

The Vatican’s annual formation course, sometimes known by the nickname “baby bishop school,” was canceled for two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic — making the 2022 edition the largest yet, with approximately 330 participating bishops across two sessions.

“People kind of picture baby bishop school as nuts and bolts, like ‘how to be a bishop.’ It’s not that at all,” Bishop Erik Pohlmeier of the Diocese of St. Augustine, Florida, told CNA at the end of the course.

“It’s kind of whatever the Church is talking about at that time, bringing that to the bishops that are coming on board,” he said. “The synodal process has been ... a hallmark of conversation for the last couple of years, so now as we’re new bishops ... the reflections revolved around that.”
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252439/8-quotes-from-saints-on-guardian-angels

8 quotes from saints on guardian angels
By Francesca Pollio Fenton
Denver Newsroom, Oct 2, 2022 / 00:00 am

On Oct. 2, the Catholic Church celebrates the memorial of the guardian angels.

Guardian angels are instruments of providence who protect their charges from suffering serious harm, and care for their salvation.

It is a theologically certain teaching that every one one of the faithful has his or her own guardian angel from baptism, and it is the general teaching of theologians that every human person has his or her own guardian angel from birth.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their [angels’] watchful care and intercession. ‘Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.’ Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God” (CCC, 336).

Several of our greatest saints have also shared their thoughts on guardian angels. Here’s what they had to say: