Fr. Stephen, MSC

The Vatican has recently published the Pontiff’s message for the World Day of Peace, which will be celebrated on the first day of 2006. The theme for the celebration is “In Truth, Peace.” Pope Benedict XVI says that the theme “expresses the conviction that wherever and whenever men and women are enlightened by the splendor of truth, they naturally set out on the path of peace.”

Just when you thought everyone agreed to the swift canonization of the late Pope John Paul II, there are theologians who urge Catholics to oppose his elevation to sainthood.

Today, we commemorate the World AIDS Day. The principal goal of this yearly commemoration is to make the world aware that HIV/AIDS is humanity’s common problem and that everyone must make the fight against it a priority. World AIDS Day has been celebrated since 1998. This year’s theme is “Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise”, which is an appeal to governments and policy makers to ensure they meet the targets they have agreed to in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Out today is the Vatican instruction “Concerning the Criteria for the Discernment of Vocations with Regard to Persons with Homosexual Tendencies in View of Their Admission to the Seminary and to Holy Orders.”

During his weekly general audience this morning at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI shared his reflections on Psalm 135 (136). The Holy Father underlined that the Psalm speaks of creation as reflection of God’s beauty. He also spoke about what the good God has done for His people throughout the course of history.