Benedict XVI affirms First Communion for children at age of reason

Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Aug 18, 2010 / (CNA/EWTN News).-

The Holy Father remembered Pope St. Pius X and reviewed his Church reforms and renewals during Wednesday's general audience catechesis. Pope Benedict highlighted the importance of St. Pius X's decree that set the "age of reason" as the appropriate time for children to receive First Communion.

The general audience was held in the courtyard of the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo as is customary at this time of year. The space was filled with pilgrims carrying flags and banners and waiving scarves.

During the catechesis, Benedict XVI spoke of Pope St. Pius X, who from the time of his ordination at 23 years old, "showed that deep love of Christ and the Church, that humility and simplicity and that great charity towards the most in need, that were characteristic of his entire life."

Although he accepted his election to the papacy with difficulty because he did not feel himself to be worthy of the position, Pope Benedict XVI said, "he left an indelible mark in the history of the Church" through a pontificate that "was characterized by a notable effort for reform, summarized in his motto 'Instaurare omnia in Christo' (Renew all things in Christ)."

Pope Benedict pointed to Pius X's reorganization of the Roman Curia, how he began work to re-examine the Code of Canon Law and his revision of the protocol for priestly formation. He also spoke of the Pope-saint's work to develop a universal catechism after having witnessed the great need for a reference point of the faith amidst widespread emigration.

"The Catechism called 'from Pius X,' was for many a sure guide in learning the truth of the faith for its simple, clear and precise language and for its expositive effectiveness," recalled Pope Benedict.

He was also reminded of the attention Pius X gave to liturgical reform, in an effort "to guide the faithful to a more profound prayer life and to a fuller participation in the Sacraments." Referencing the 1903 motu proprio "Tra le sollecitudini," he explained that Pius X asserted through it that "the true Christian spirit has its first and indispensable source in the active participation in the sacrosanct mysteries and in public and solemn prayer in the Church.

"For this," continued Benedict XVI, "he recommended receiving the sacraments often, promoting daily participation in Holy Communion, (being) well prepared, and anticipating opportunely the First Communion of children at seven years of age, 'when the child begins to reason' ... "

In marking the 100th anniversary of the Pius X-approved decree "Quam singulari" earlier this month, Cardinal Antonio Cañizares, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments wrote about the same subject in the Vatican's L'Osservatore Romano newspaper. He suggested that the Church must confirm Pius X's decree and even possibly contemplate lowering the age further to ensure the graces for children as they reach the age of reason amidst the difficulties of today's world.

Concluding Wednesday's catechesis, the Holy Father said:

"Dear brothers and sisters, St. Pius X teaches all of us that the base of our apostolic action in the various fields in which we work must always be for us an intimate personal union with Christ, to cultivate and grow day after day this nucleus of all of his teaching, of all of his pastoral genius.

"Only if we are in love with the Lord will we be capable of bringing men to God and opening them up to His merciful love."

Is Ex Corde Ecclesiae still relevant?

Catholic Education prefect: Only universities with strong Catholic identity will last

Vatican City, Aug 13, 2010 / (CNA/EWTN News).-

"Only the Catholic university that conserves its identity will have a future," said the prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education just days before the 20th anniversary of John Paul II's document “Ex Corde Ecclesiae.” Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, in speaking about the continued relevance of the document on Catholic higher education, explained that if a Catholic university loses its identity, it becomes just like any other.

The Apostolic Constitution “Ex Corde Ecclesiae,” which established guidelines for the functioning of Catholic universities, was presented by Pope John Paul II 20 years ago this Sunday. Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education and prefect emeritus of the Apostolic Signatura, spoke with CNA about the importance of the document on Friday.

According to Cardinal Grocholewski, two motivations led John Paul II to write the document. The first was the "importance" that he attributed to the Catholic university, which, he said, the Pope himself explains best at the end of the document in an exhortation for Catholic witness. The second reason, the prefect pointed out, was that John Paul II believed it was necessary to create legislation outlining the nature and mission of Catholic universities, while giving them juridical norms for their creation and the composition of their faculty.

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“Ex Corde Ecclesiae” has produced "great results," he said, most of all we can see this in the foundation of so many Catholic universities "with a clear disposition" since its publication in 1990.

Citing the creation of more than 250 Catholic universities during Pope John Paul II's pontificate, he said, "many of these have had a guideline from the very beginning, a clear vision of what a Catholic university should be."

This has been especially significant in African and ex-Communist countries, he explained.

"I think that many universities, also based on this document, have strengthened their identities, which is very important," he added.

Fidelity to the Magisterium

CNA asked the cardinal about certain challenges that have come up in the course of applying norms for John Paul II's ideal for the Catholic university, such as the need for a "mandatum," a statement from the local bishop that assures theologians are in communion with the Church's teachings.

The cardinal prefect said that this is a question of methodology as with any other field of study. He explained that "to be a theologian, one must believe in the Sacred Scriptures and Tradition and must be united to the Magisterium (teaching) of the Church."

"It is a rather risky assumption if a single person wishes to be more important than the Magisterium of the Church," he remarked.

Catholic Identity

When asked about the requirement for Catholic institutions of higher learning to promote their Catholic identity, even with non-Catholic faculty members, the cardinal replied that all professors have a "responsibility" in this sense to the Church, and before science and the world.

"In the Catholic university people who are not Catholic can also teach, but they are obligated to respect the Catholic identity."

Reflecting on the application of the Apostolic Constitution today, Cardinal Grocholewski said that it remains "current everywhere." He considers it to be an "stupendous" document that "gives spirit to the Catholic university."

To the cardinal, "the Catholic university that conserves its own identity, as was delineated in Ex Corde, truly has a future and will contribute to the good of society," while seeking to be an interlocutor between cultures and a force for progress.

Stressing the importance of Catholic schools retaining their roots, the cardinal said that "if the Catholic university loses its identity, it's similar to all the other universities, practically it becomes less significant and this is a big challenge, or a big problem."

He noted that his congregation has received protests from people who attended Catholic universities, who have said that the education being offered was not in line with Church teaching. They have said that if the institution does not offer a Catholic education while claiming to be Catholic, it is "hypocritical and lying."

"I think they are right," said the cardinal prefect," and the same goes for Catholic grade schools, he said.

"I think that only the Catholic university that conserves its identity will have a future."

“Ex Corde Ecclesiae,” he said, "does not demand a 'grand reform,' the document is current, it is a very realistic approach, and in itself it has a great dynamism to make the Catholic university important in today's world ... where, as we know there is a cultural and moral relativism that creates so much damage."

What is needed in the modern context of permissibility and relativity, he said, is "the Catholic university that defends the truth, the objective truth."

The Model Catholic University

There is no specific model Catholic university in the world, noted Cardinal Grocholewski. Universities should not compare themselves to each other, he also advised, "rather they should turn to the document which is fundamental for the Catholic university, which is 'Ex Corde Ecclesiae'.”

"There," he said, "the ideal of the Catholic university is outlined, and I think that studying this document is much more productive" than looking to the "diverse realities" of other universities for direction.

Asked about Pope Benedict XVI's perspective on Catholic education today, the cardinal prefect said he is "a great enthusiast of the Catholic university. He practically rejoices when he sees that the Catholic university, (as) it progresses, preserves its identity ..."

The current Pope, he said, has encouraged him to continue "to fight for the Catholic university."

Apostolic nuncio to Haiti reports relief work continues in ‘chaotic’ times

Konigstein, Germany, Aug 12, 2010 / (CNA).-

The apostolic nuncio for Haiti has announced that the reconstruction of churches destroyed by the January earthquake should start early next year. However, he emphasized that the Church’s first priority must be helping the disaster victims in a “chaotic” situation further hampered by corruption and selfishness.

Archbishop Bernardito Auza spoke about relief work in Haiti during a visit to the international headquarters of the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) in Germany.

“First of all we have to look after the faithful, and then take care of the churches, which have to be built structurally better and safer,” he commented. As many as 70 percent of the buildings in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince were devastated by the Jan. 12 earthquake.

Thanking the charity for its support in the disaster and for its promise to support church reconstruction and educational programs, Archbishop Auza explained the situation in Haiti.

“The people are still traumatized. The parishes have been scattered, and over half the churches are destroyed,” he said.

Parish organizations built up over decades have dissolved after the disaster. While help is being provided, he said the situation is still “chaotic,” he told ACN News. “People have simply scattered. Some now live in camps, while others have moved out into the provinces. Others again have come into the city in search of work,” he added.

Schools will be a priority in reconstruction, the nuncio said, as this is an area where the Church takes her responsibilities “very seriously.” The Church provides over half of the schools in Haiti and according to the archbishop these are better than the state schools.

“For the Catholic Church, education and a Christian upbringing are the key to the true development of the country,” he remarked, lamenting a lack of funds for educational buildings and staff.

Archbishop Auza said that a lack of progress in reconstruction is due not only to lack of infrastructure and the collapse of government administration, but also widespread corruption. A selfish mentality still prevails, he reported.

The nuncio thanked ACN for its “indispensable assistance” in supporting pastoral work in Haiti, saying such work is needed to put people “back on their feet.”

ACN has received more than $5.1 million in donations for Haiti.

Lay Eucharistic ministers not entitled to position, Archbishop Burke clarifies

Vatican City, Aug 12, 2010 / (CNA/EWTN News).-

The rights of girls and Catholic lay faithful to carry out certain roles on the altar are not prescribed as "rights" within the Church, according to the Church's top legal authority, Archbishop Raymond Burke. The statement came in a clarification he wrote about the consequences of the reintroduction of the Latin Rite Mass by Pope Benedict.

The Catholic Church of Germany recently printed a commentary on the application of Benedict XVI's 2007 motu proprio, "Summorum Pontificum," which made Pope St. Pius V's Latin Rite Mass more widely available. In the preface of the volume, printed for the third anniversary of the motu proprio, Archbishop Raymond Burke clarified some confusion about the legislation's practical use.

Archbishop Burke is the prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, which is often described as the supreme court of the Catholic Church.

According to Vatican Radio, the archbishop explained in the preface that due to the motu proprio's papal origins, it is not just an act of legislation brought about as a "favor" to a specific group for the celebration of the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite, the Mass in Latin, but one that applies to the entire Church.

Archbishop Burke wrote, "it is about a law whose finality is the protection and promotion of the life of all the mystical body of Christ and the maximum expression of this life, that is to say, the Sacred Liturgy."

It implies an obligation of the Church "to preserve liturgical tradition and maintain the legitimate celebration of both forms of the Roman Rite, that preceding the Second Vatican Council and that which followed it," he said.

Archbishop Burke pointed out that the Holy Father himself explained that for the communion of the Church in the past and the future, "universally accepted uses of uninterrupted apostolic tradition" must be observed.

This, he he pointed out should be done "not only to avoid errors, but also to transmit the integrity of the faith, so that the law of the prayer of the Church might correspond to her law of faith."

The American archbishop went on to point out that certain elements may need to be clarified in this regard. For example, he wrote, among the "rights" of the baptized, assistance by "persons of the feminine sex" at the altar is not included. Additionally, serving as a lector or as an extraordinary distribution of communion is not a right of the laity, he noted.

As such, out of respect for the integrity of the liturgical discipline within the Roman Missal of 1962, these more modern modifications are not observed in the extraordinary form.

This clarification comes just a week after L'Osservatore Romano writer Lucetta Scaraffia published an article on the altar server pilgrimage to the Vatican which drew thousands of boys and girls alike. She drew some attention as she proposed that the introduction of girls into the position of serving at the altar "meant the end of every attribution of impurity to their sex ... it meant a different attention to the liturgy and an approach to the faith in bringing it near to their very hearts."

Archbishop Burke clarified, however, that the reality of the matter is that neither the presence of girls at the altar, nor the participation of lay faithful "belong to the fundamental rights of the baptized."

Pope teaches that through Christian existence, we are called to transform the world

Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Aug 11, 2010 / (CNA/EWTN News).-

We are asked to dedicate our lives to the Lord in the same way as the martyrs, taught Pope Benedict on Wednesday. While it may not be as a vocation to lay down our lives, he said, we are called to an always greater love of God and neighbor, "to transform our world."

Hosting Wednesday's audience in the interior courtyard at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, the Holy Father greeted the faithful in eight different languages. In his Polish greeting, he asked for "generous and efficient aid" for the victims of recent flooding in Pope John Paul II's homeland, which was recovering from being swamped by high water levels just last spring.

During a catechesis centered on martyrdom in light of the frequency of feasts for martyrs in the month of August, Pope Benedict taught that the foundation of martyrdom is really quite simple. It's based, he said, "on the death of Jesus, on his supreme sacrifice of love, consumated on the Cross so that we might have life."

It follows the same logic as that of the grain of wheat that dies and produces much fruit, said Benedict XVI. "Jesus is the grain of divine wheat, which allowed itself to fall to the earth, that allowed itself to split, to break in death and, in this way, opens itself and thus can produce fruit in the vastness of the world."

Martyrs, he explained, follow Christ completely "freely accepting to die for the salvation of the world, in a supreme proof of love," and their strength to do so comes from an intimate union with the Lord.

"If we read the lives of the martyrs, we are astonished by their serenity and courage in confronting suffering and death: the power of God is manifested fully in the weakness, in the poverty of he who entrusts himself to Him and puts his hope only in Him."

The martyr, he went on, is "a free person that in a single definitive action gives his entire life to God, and, in a supreme act of faith, hope and charity, abandons himself into the hands of his Creator and Redeemer; he sacrifices his life to be associated totally to the sacrifice of Christ on the cross."

Put briefly, noted the Pope, "martyrdom is a great act of love in response to the immense love of God."

Repeating his words from last Sunday's Angelus catechesis, he said again that while we are not likely to be called to martyrdom, "none of us is excluded from the divine call to holiness, to live (our) Christian existence in a 'high' way.

"We all, especially in our times in which selfishness and individualism seem to prevail, must take on as our first and fundamental commitment that of growing every day in an ever greater love of God and our brother to transform our world," he concluded.

"Communicate without fear the joy of friendship with Jesus"

Eucharist is Jesus' greatest gift to us, teaches Pope Benedict XVI

Rome, Italy, Aug 4, 2010 /(CNA/EWTN News).-

Benedict XVI underscored the importance of the Eucharist on Wednesday as a "treasure whose value cannot be measured." Illustrating a young third century martyr's dedication to the Body of Christ, he exhorted the tens of thousands of altar servers present at the audience to also give their lives in service to the Lord.

Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi estimated the number of people in St. Peter's Square at more than 80,000.

The Holy Father addressed the faithful in German, out of consideration for the native tongue of the great majority of the 53,000 young people present at the audience as part of a pilgrimage of European altar servers.

After donning a white pilgrim's handkerchief himself, he remembered St. Tarcisius in the catechesis. The young boy was martyred in Rome in the year 257 in the act of protecting the Eucharist and is now one of the patron saints of altar servers.

Reflecting on this life given in devotion to God, Pope Benedict told the young people in the square that St. Tarcisius teaches us "the profound love and great veneration that we should have towards the Eucharist."

"It is a precious good," he said, "a treasure whose value cannot be measured, it is the Bread of life, it is Jesus who makes himself food, support and strength for our daily path and open road to eternal life; it is the greatest gift that Jesus left us."

Offering advice to altar servers everywhere, the Pope exhorted them to give generous service to Jesus in the Eucharist. "It is an important task," he explained, "which permits you to be particularly close to the Lord and to grow as his true friends." He went on to ask them to protect this friendship as St. Tarcisius did, "ready to give (their) lives so that Jesus might be brought to all," and to be courageous and joyful in communicating it to their friends.

And, while our calling may not be to martyrdom, "Jesus asks faithfulness of us in the small things, the every day tasks, the witness of His love, attending Church and to the many friends with whom we learn to know him ever more. "

Speaking on the significance of their help, present at the altar when the bread becomes Jesus' body and the wine His blood, the Holy Father told them, "You are fortunate to live this great mystery closely!

"Carry out with love, with devotion and with faithfulness your task of serving; prepare yourselves well for the Holy Mass! Helping your priests in the service at the altar you contribute to making Jesus closer, to being ever more present in the world, in everyday life, in the Church and in every place."

He concluded by asking the for intercession of St. Tarcisius and St. John Vianney to aid them in their service.