Cardinal calls priests to conversion as Year of Faith nears

Last updated on: September 24, 2012 at 6:06 pm by CNA Daily News

Cardinal calls priests to conversion as Year of Faith nears 2012-09-24T18:06:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Lima, Peru, Sep 24, 2012 / 12:06 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani of Lima, Peru said the Year of Faith decreed by Pope Benedict XVI should be a time of conversion for priests, so that others “may see the presence of God in us.”

“We priests and religious work with greater enthusiasm. Jesus awaits us, and the first guideline that I give you is that you live with more faith,” he told the priests of his archdiocese Sept. 19 during a monthly retreat.

Th cardinal added that during the Year of Faith – which begins on Oct. 11, the 50th anniversary of the opening of Vatican II – priests should express this interior conversion in the way they “celebrate the Mass, preach and prepare their homilies.”

“I encourage you to spend more time in the confessional. Always have time, never say I can’t.”

Cardinal Cipriani also asked priests to be united with their bishops, so they can be their main collaborators in motivating the faithful and encouraging them to take part in the Church’s mission.

Priests should express their faith with works, especially in the celebration of the Mass. “If you don’t have works, you are dry,” he told them.

“When a priest does what he is supposed to, people notice. And people notice in the Mass, in the confessional, in the schools he is in charge of, and they notice because Christ lives in him, and his thoughts are those of Christ,” the cardinal said.

“May Christ enlighten our senses, and for this reason let us pray the Rosary. Thus the joy of the Eucharist will convert our hearts,” he said.

Cardinal Cipriani noted that Pope Benedict XVI has decreed the Year of Faith so that “the faith may more clearly illuminate our encounter with Christ” in a world that has become “relativistic” and “has forgotten about God.”

“Nobody should give in to the temptation to say this is 'just another year,'” the cardinal said.

He called on priests to “encourage collaboration from good volunteers. May there be a greater commitment to the formation of the laity in parishes, schools, campus ministries and ecclesial movements.”

Americas

Previous Post

September 23, 2012

Thousands join grassroots women's movement opposing HHS mandate

Next Post

September 24, 2012 Pope says Christians politicians must be prophetic voices for dignity

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who killed his own brother out of jealousy and became the first murderer in the Bible?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Ishmael Cain Jacob Esau