Newsletter - 18 January
EXTRACT OF POPE LEO XIV’S ADDRESS TO MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS ACCREDITED TO THE HOLY SEE
Prompted by the tragic events of the sack of Rome in 410 AD, Saint Augustine wrote De Civitate Dei, The City of God. Pagans and even quite a few Christians thought that the God of the new religion and the Apostles themselves had shown themselves incapable of protecting the city.
While Saint Augustine highlights the coexistence of the heavenly and earthly cities until the end of time, our era seems somewhat inclined to deny the city of God its “right of citizenship.” It seems that only the earthly city exists. In the absence of a transcendent and objective foundation, only self-love prevails. Yet, as Augustine notes, “great is the folly of pride in those individuals who think that the supreme good can be found in this life, and that they can become happy by their own resources.” Pride obscures both reality itself and our empathy towards others. It is no coincidence that pride is always at the root of every conflict. Consequently, “we lose our sense of realism and surrender to a partial and distorted view of the world, disfigured by darkness and fear,” thus paving the way for the mentality of confrontation, which is the precursor to every war.
Notwithstanding the tragic situation before our eyes, peace remains a difficult yet realistic good. As Augustine reminds us, peace is “the aim of our good,” because it is the very aim of the city of God, to which we aspire, even unconsciously, and of which we can enjoy a foretaste even in the earthly city. During our pilgrimage on this earth, peacemaking requires humility and courage. The humility to live truthfully and the courage to forgive. In the Christian life, we see these virtues reflected at Christmas, when Truth, the eternal Word of God, becomes humble flesh, and at Easter, when the condemned Righteous One forgives his persecutors and grants them his life as the Risen One.
This coming October will mark the eighth century of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, a man of peace and dialogue, universally recognised. A humble and peace-loving heart is what I wish for each of us and for all who dwell in our countries at the beginning of this New Year.
Pope Leo XIV
Focus of the week
ADORATION
& CONFESSION
Monday – Friday 6 – 7pm
If you would like Confession, please speak to Fr Pascal.
PRAY AND PLAY
The first Sunday of each month
11am – 1pm
Pray: Meet at 11am Mass includes special animations for children.
Play: After Mass - enjoy a time of games, crafts and other family friendly activities.
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