JAMSHEDPUR DIOCESE

                       

Is this a Fast, to keep                                        No: ‘tis a Fast to dole

The larder lean                                                    Thy sheaf of wheat

And clean                                                              And meat

From fat of veals and sheep?                            Unto the hungry soul.

Is it to quit the dish                                           It is to fast from strife

Of flesh, yet still                                               And old debate,

To fill                                                                And hate;

The platter high with fish?                                 To circumcise thy life.

Is it to fast an hour,                                           To show a heart grief-rent;

Or ragg’d to go                                                 To starve thy sin,

Or show                                                            Not bin;

A down-cast look and sour?                             And that’s to keep thy Lent.

                                                                                     (Robert Herrick)

 

 

Engagements of Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J  - March, 2007
Date	Day	Time		Place
01-02	Thu-Fri	Am/pm	Visitation of Minor Seminarians	Patna
03-04	Sat-Sun	Am/pm	Formator’s Forum Meeting	Patna
05-07	Tu-Wed	Am/pm	Visitation of Minor Seminarians	Lucknow
08	Thur	Pm	GB Vikash Maitri	Ranchi
10-11	Sat-Sun	Pm/am	Ordinary Pastoral Visit	Mosaboni
11	Sun	6.30 p.m	SJT House Blessing	Bistupur
12	Mon	AM	Finance Committee Meeting	BH
15	Thurs	AM PM	Consult Senate of Priests Meeting	BH BH
18	Sun	AM PM	Pastoral Visit cum Confirmation Golden Jubilee, St. Joseph’s School	Maubhandar Golmuri
19	Mon	AM	Jubilee, Fr. Jos De Cuyper, S.J.	Ranchi
21-22			Swami Sachidananda to Jamshedpur	BH
25	Sun	AM	Mass in honour of Cardinal Joseph Cardijn	Cathedral
29	Thur	Am/pm	Clergy Meeting/Recollection/Chrism Mass/ Jubilee Felicitation	Golmuri

 

D I O C E S A N   R O U N D  UP !

 

St. John’s Parish, Tepasai:  The solemnity of the feast St. John De Britto, the Parish Day was celebrated on Sunday, 4^th February. Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. presided at the Concelebrated Eucharist and conferred the sacrament of Confirmation to 36 members of the parish and ‘First Communion’ to 16. Soon after the Mass the parishioners had felicitation programme to honour the Bishop and the candidates who received Confirmation.  The clergy and religious of the area had a special meal in the evening. Congratulations to Fr. Bernard Bodra and his associates at Tepasai.

 

St. John De Britto Parish, Gomoh:  The feast of St. John De Britto, the patron saint of the parish was celebrated on February 05 with much enthusiasm and fervor. Fr. Michael Raj Presided at the solemn Mass. The hostel children had various activities to celebrate the day, such as football match, dances, games and a special meal. The clergy and religious had a special celebration in the evening with the Parish team. Congratulations to Fr. Chonas, Bro. Sonu, Sisters and the Parish Council Members for the meaningful celebration of the Parish Day.

 

Bishop’s House, Golmuri: Fr. John Crasta left Jamshedpur for Leuven on February 04 and Fr. James Quadros  for USA on the 5^th. Both of them spent time in visiting and interacting with many while in Jamshedpur.

On the feast of St. Blaise, Bishop Joe Rodericks arranged the blessing of the throat in the Bishop’s House. He had two lighted candles tied to bless the clergy available at the dinning room. He blessed Frs. Leo and Alphonse and got himself blessed. All of them had their shirts flashed with candle flakes and Fr. Alphonse tried to remove the same by using a hot iron over a newspaper page and noticed the shirt in blackened pieces. Bishop Joe Rodericks too mastered the same trick and enjoyed his new shirt falling on the floor like charcoal .

The 3^rd years Philosophers from Morning Star College visited Jamshedpur from January 31^st p.m. to 2^nd February. They resided at the Vikas Bharati and had guided tour of Tata Motors, Tinplate Company of India, Centre for Excellence, XLRI and other institutions in the town.

On the 7^th February, the 3^rd year Philosophers from St. Albert’s College came to Jamshedpur for their educational tour and they visited Tata Motors, Centre for Excellence , XLRI and Jubilee Park in the company of Fr. Marcel Barla, OFM(Cap) and returned in the evening..

The 50^th birthday of Fr. Johny Vithayathil and the 85th birthday of Msgr. John Bodra were celebrated on February 11 at the Bishop’s House with a special community meal.

Sr. Cletus, JMJ, the former Superior General of the Congregation visited Jamshedpur from February 17 to 20. She saw the set up at Bhilai Pahari and the work the Sisters are rendering - medical assistance to the many poor and needy.

 

St. Joseph’s Hospital, Kripa Sadan, Bhilai Pahari : The hospital team conducted another medical camp at Toklo on February 04 and there were 67 patients. Sr. Fidelis, JMJ, Sr. Mary, JMJ, 2 nurses, Dr. Mohanty, Sr. Elsy Cherian, SCJM and Sr. Prema, SCJM were part of the medical team that conducted the camp.

On the 4^th February at 3.00 p.m. one mini truck carrying chicken stopped in front of the hospital gate and while the driver rushed out for tea, one cock flew out and ran  up to Kripa Sadan and surrendered itself to the director, Fr. Cyprian Lobo. Neither the truck people nor anybody else came back for it. It stays in the dinning room and follows the new masters, Fr. Cyprian and Bro. Arnold wherever they move about. 

Fr. Cyprian Lobo Lobo celebrated his 58^th birthday on February 23 with a special Mass in the morning and meal in the evening with the community he is attached to. Many eminent people including Fr. Edwin Coelho paid visits during the day. The campus workers had a treat at tea time.

Church of Our Lady of Nativity, Sini: Fr. Cyriac, MSFS blessed the foundation for the new convent for the Assisi Sisters at the property at Mohindpur on February 08, at 3.30 p.m. in the presence of Vice-Provincial, Sr. James Mary , Mr. Eprhem Kispotta, Fr. Vijay Kachhap, S.J. and many others from Sini and Jamshedpur. A coconut was broken and sweets distributed to all present. The Sisters are hoping to have a residence of their own within the next six months. A tube well is already bored and the work is progressing fast.

The 47th birthday of Fr. George Kurickal, MSFS was celebrated on February 10 with a special Mass and community meal.

 

XLRI : The Dramatics and Cultural Association at XLRI presented the play ‘Silence! The Court is in Session’ , a Vijay Tendulkar play translated from Marathi by Priya Adarkar on February 10 at 7.00 p.m. at the Auditorium. The students indeed mesmerized the elite crowd gathered for the occasion. Congratulations to one and all.

The 52^nd birthday of Fr. James Santhanam was celebrated on February 03 with a special community Mass and a villa for the clergy of the town in the evening.

 

St. Mary’s English School, Bistupur: The Annual Prize Nite-07 was held on February 03 at the school premises at 5.00 p.m. Mr. Reghunath Pandey, President , Tata Worker’s Union was the Chief Guest and Mr. B.K. Bharadwaj, Chief, Education, JUSCO as the Guest of Honour. The school children performed colourful cultural programmes to the delight of all present. Merit certificates and mementos were presented to the toppers in all the classes and even for the back log of the last 3 years. The huge gathering of parents, guardians, invitees and well-wishers enjoyed the well prepared programmes. Congratulations to the Principal, staff and students of St. Mary’s English for the  great effort.

 

Jisu Jaher, Tundi: Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. conferred the sacrament of Confirmation to 26 members of the Parish on February 11 during the Santhal Rite Liturgy. Fr. Manu Horo reached Tudi 2 days in advance to prepare the liturgy according to Santhal customs and traditions. The parishioners earlier extended a warm and cordial welcome to the Bishop. After the Mass there was a cultural programme to felicitate the Bishop and the Confirmation candidates in the Hall. Congratulations to Frs. George Anthony & James Bara, Brothers, Sisters, Catechists and the Parish Council for the meaningful celebration.

  

Loyola School Kumardhubi:  31^st January 2007, was the ‘Graduation Day’ for class XII students. Mr. Umesh Pratap, the Vice President of ACC Cement Co., Madhukunda was the Chief Guest. The programme started with a prayer service. ICSE & ISC, 2006 toppers were awarded. The school Annual awards were presented to the outgoing students by the Principal. The Chief Guest congratulated the Management and staff for the discipline and academic excellence. He advised the students to be sincere and responsible citizens. Summit Kumar of Class XII thanked the Principal and the teachers for their tender care, love and affection. He stressed that values inculcated will remain indelible in their lives. Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed thanked the school for the selfless, committed, and excellent care of their wards in the school. Principal, Fr. Sahaya Thason urged the students to let the motto of the school ‘Light ever shine’ remain resplendent and illuminate in whatever they do and wherever they are. Amit and Eram Nishad Ahmed were awarded ‘MISTER LOYOLA’ and ‘MISS LOYOLA’ respectively for their best performance in the school .(Sumanto)

 

Jisu Marsal, Chandil: Bishop Felix Toppo had the pastoral visit of the sub station, Gereakocha of Jisu Marsal Parish on February 15. The Bishop offered Mass for the community and stayed with them until 2.30 p.m. The people extended a very warm welcome to the Bishop with traditional cultural items and a community meal for all. Congratulations to Fr. Nicholas for the initiative to arrange programs to strengthen the faith of the community.

 

XITE, Gamharia: Director, Fr. P.D. Thomas celebrated his 61st birthday on February 16 with great joy and happiness as he had received the affiliation news on the previous evening as a birthday gift. He had a special Mass in the morning with staff and students. In the evening many of the town clergymen assembled at XITE and celebrated the birthday of the Director. Congratulations to Fr. P.D for the great effort and achieving the impossible with ease.

 

St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Golmuri : The Cathedral Parish Council had a special meeting with the ‘Purnima’ mela committee to declare the mela details and accounts on February 11 at 6.00 p.m. at the Welfare Centre Hall. This was followed by a thanksgiving dinner and over 100 people were present. The total turn over from the mela, raffle and souvenir reached above Rs.5,35,000.00.  Congratulations to the organizing committee for the wonderful team work.

The Cathedral Church is getting a new coat color after almost 9 yeas and the work is in progress. The Golden Jubilee of the Church will be celebrated soon and that will bea mega event for the people of Jamshedpur.

Dean, Fr. Amatus organized  the annual clergy picnic at XITE, Gamarhia on Sunday, 18^th February from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. There were more than 30 clergymen for the picnic. Congratulations to Fr. Amatus for the initiative.

 

St. Anthony’s Church, Dhanbad: Fr. Edward Kongari, Dean of Dhanbad organized a picnic for the clergy and religious of the deanery on Saturday, 17^th February at Maithon. All the communities cooked food items and shared at the picnic spot. The group numbering 37  enjoyed the day and returned home refreshed and relaxed.

 

St. Xavier’s Parish, Chaibasa: The Pastoral visit of Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J to the parish was on the 17^th and 18^th February. The Bishop presided at the Parish Mass on the 18^th morning in the Church and later met all the various parish organizations. He also visited all the religious communities working in the parish. The parishioners had the special privilege to meet the Bishop and discuss the various issues concerning the progress and well being of the Parish.

 

St. Barbara’s Church, Mosaboni: Dean of Jamshedpur Fr. Amatus rushed to Mosaboni on hearing that Pastor, Fr. Raphael Monteiro is unwell and rushed him to Mercy hospital on February 19 morning. He is under treatment at Mercy. He was suffering from Malaria- pneumonia-  high sugar & BP. Frs. Ajay Tiru and Vijay Kachhap took care of the Sunday Masses at Mosaboni.

On February 25, Sunday, the leaders of the Basic Christian Communities, Parish Council members and area leaders had a training programme conducted at the Parish. Mr. Vincent Athaide was the resource person. More than 60 leaders took part in the training on the theme “empowering the laity in the church”.

 

Vidya Jyoti, Siadih: On February 11 a medical team from St. Joseph’s Hospital, Bhilai Pahari conducted a medical camp for the villagers around Siadih at the School. There were 51 patients from the villages other than the hostel/school children. The team was at work from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m and returned safely with satisfaction and joy of having given medical assistance to so many needy.

 

 

St. Mary’s Church, Omra: Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. blessed and inaugurated the new hostel building on February 20 during the Solemn Concelebrated Eucharist. The Parishioners welcomed the Bishop as he reached the village with traditional washing of the feet, and making him walk on the leaves while the dancers brought him in procession to the stage.  Soon after the Mass and blessing the school children and the parishioners felicitated the Bishop and guests with many cultural items. The programme concluded with a family meal.

 

CRI, Jamshedpur: The Annual General Body Meeting of the CRI, Jamshedpur was held at Vikas Bharati, Sundernagar on the 24^th and 25^th February. Sr. Severin, SSH, the President welcomed the members and guests. Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. inaugurated the sessions and addressed the assembly of 100 + CRI members at 5.30 p.m. Fr. Paul Fernandes, S.J. mesmerized the CRI with a power-point presentation on ‘ Gender Sensitivity’.

The second day began with the Holy Eucharist presided over by Fr. Panneerselvam and the theme for the day was “Two Post-Conciliar Controversial  Issues Concerning Consecrated Life”.  Bishop Joe Rodericks took one session on questions concerning ‘Temporary Vocation’ to consecrated life at 8.30 a.m. and another at 9.50 a.m.  on ‘Facing the challenge of Clergy/Religious from developing countries missioned  to developed Nations’. The business sessions followed and Sr. Christi, SJT proposed the vote of thanks.  The programme happily concluded with a sumptuous meal at 1.00 p.m. (Jacob,DDS)

 

St. Theresa,s Parish Sindri: Pastor, Fr. Junas Purty celebrated his 35^th birthday on February 25 with Mass, felicitation and special meal in the evening. Dean, Fr. Edward Kongari made sure that his associates join the celebrations at Sindri and support Fr. Junas and his mission work..

 

St. Mary’s Church, N. Road: A charismatic team from Kolkata led by Dr. Albinus Lakara of Mercy Hospital conducted a day of recollection for the parishioners of St. Mary’s from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. on February 25, to begin the season of lent in a meaningful way. Over 300 faithful took part in the prayers, confessions and Mass. Seven Priests assisted at the sacrament of Reconciliation in the afternoon. Congratulations to Pastor, Fr. Edwin Coelho and Parish Charismatic group for the initiative.

 

 

DSWC, Dhanbad:  Director, Fr. Walter Crasta returned home on February 28 after his 2 months ministry in Fort Wayne and a whirl wind tour of Canada. He was given a rousing welcome by the Nirmala Campus members and staff. There were many visitors at DSWC during the months of January and February either to do voluntary service or to study the work of DSWC for better co-operation in future.  

 

N A T I O N  A L – I N T E R N A T I O N AL – R O U N D – U P !

 

Morning Star College, Barrackpore: My friends and I are fine here. We went for a picnic yesterday. Mayapur, in the Diocese of Krishnanagar, was our location. We were all happy that we chose that place for our picnic, as we had many things learn, like the Philosophy and Theology of “Krishna-Conscious Movement”. We also had a chance to interact with some of the ardent followers of this movement. It was interesting to learn that most of the followers were from Europe and America and they made India their second Home due to this ideology.

The Theologians had their recollection on 16^th February. The second years went to Varnasi for Ashram experience and returned on the 26^th.The first years will be out for two weeks for village experience from the 1^st week of March.  (Anthony Felix)

 

“Messengers of Peace and Harmony” Organization Canonically Erected as Pius Association: MPH has been canonically erected as a ‘ Pious Association of the Faithful’ by Archbishop of Delhi, Vincent M. Concessao. This movement was started as a movement of Catholic Priests under the patronage of then Archbishop of Delhi Alan de Lastic on April 09, 1999. The society works for the promotion of peace and communal harmony in the religions in the field of inter religious studies and dialogue. To realize this objective it plans to conduct special training programmes on meditation methods practiced by different religious traditions. (cbcisite)     

 

In the Indian Church where are people who have had a God-experience: The local Church that emerges in such a religious country is expected to be a church of God which lays emphasis on God experience as basic to its existence. Most of us  in the Indian church have lost sight of the importance of God-experience for an authentic Christian life and ministry. Many of our priests are not seen as men of God, but only as dispensers of sacraments, administrators of schools or colleges, builders and providers of social service. Only those who have an authentic God experience can build up a strong sense of equality and close bonds of fellowship within the Church and in the society. (Fr. S. Devaraj- New Leader)

 

Holy Spirit College, Leuven:  I returned to Leuven on February 9 after a lovely visit to Mangalore and Jamshedpur. I had a wonderful stay at the Bishop’s House and could visit a few places around- thanks to the kindness of our Bishop. The second semester at the University of Leuven has begun. Despite the cold and wet conditions, Leuven is as lively and beautiful as ever. The next big event that we eagerly await is the Holi celebrations in March.  (John Crasta)

 

Universita Urbaniannum: Yesterday I finished my first semester exams.I had four of them including Biblical Greek and I did well. From tomorrow we begin our second semester at the end of which we will have exams and the comprehensive.

As per my holidays, I will depart from here on 7^th July and will come back on 27^th September. I cannot leave prior to that because from 27^th June to 5^th July I will have some guests (Fr. Cyril and co., 22 of them) and definitely I have to play the tourist guide for them. And if I am not mistaken, I will have the privilege of hosting Fr. Joy and co. on April, 07.(Dileep Marandi)

 

 

St. Albert’s College, Ranchi : The Republic Day celebrations were very coloruful. On the same day the newly ordained deacons were felicitated. Fr. John Crasta made a flying visit to St. Albert’s College on the 1^st of February. 15^th was another great day of celebration for the 14 of 24 newly Ordained Priests arrived. The day began with Mass, basketball match and fellowship meal. The newly ordained priests shared their experiences with all. The staff too had relaxing time with them. 17^th was the day of class picnic. Brothers had a wonderful time in different places such as, Johan Falls, Dasham Falls, Hirni Falls , Rani Falls etc. Fr. Rector had given strict warning not to venture into water in of the places.

22^nd of February was a tense day for the third year theologians as they were waging war of moral practical exams. The presence of Professors Fr. Felix Podimattam and Fr. Gabriel Maliakkal put them in extra worries. Deacon Jondko is very happy to announce his Ordination Day.(Raju Crasta)

 

Indian Christian Association: Dr. Raymond D’Souza, the Honorary General Secretary of Jamshedpur Branch of ICA is elected as the National President of AICA at the general assembly held in Hyderabad in the 1^st week of February. The Jamshedpur Branch is indeed honored by this election. It is the second time a Catholic lay leader is elected to the post of President. The previous president was Lady F. Noronha from Kanpur in 1960. Congratulations and prayerful good wishes to Dr. Raymond D’Souza .

 

 

Christian Leaders Denounce “Commercialisation of Religion”: In the light of the expose by news channel CNN-IBN 7 which showed two pastors accepting money for issuing baptism certificates, Christian leaders have already denounced the act.

Archbishop of Delhi and President of the National United Christian Forum, Vincent M. Concessao has stated, “Any Commercialisation of religion needs to be condemned no matter who does it. It seems to be a result of self-appointed pastors accountable to nobody and appropriating for themselves designations that do not belong to them. This is very unchristian and cannot along with Christian life, much less that of Christian leaders. We, therefore, condemn the actions of some pastors as reported in IBN 7 and some papers to the extent that they are true”.(Cbcisite)

 

 

Papal Lenten Message: Cross Reveals The Fullness Of God's Love

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

 

"They shall look on Him whom they have pierced" (Jn 19:37). This is the biblical theme that this year guides our Lenten reflection. Lent is a favourable time to learn to stay with Mary and John, the beloved disciple, close to Him who on the Cross, consummated for all mankind the sacrifice of His life (cf. Jn 19:25). With a more fervent participation let us direct our gaze, therefore, in this time of penance and prayer, at Christ crucified who, dying on Calvary, revealed fully for us the love of God. In the Encyclical Deus caritas est, I dwelt upon this theme of love, highlighting its two fundamental forms: agape and eros.

 

God's love: agape and eros

 

The term agape, which appears many times in the New Testament, indicates the self-giving love of one who looks exclusively for the good of the other. The word eros, on the other hand, denotes the love of one who desires to possess what he or she lacks and yearns for union with the beloved. The love with which God surrounds us is undoubtedly agape. Indeed, can man give to God some good that He does not already possess? All that the human creature is and has is divine gift. It is the creature then, who is in need of God in everything. But God's love is also eros. In the Old Testament, the Creator of the universe manifests toward the people whom He has chosen as His own a predilection that transcends every human motivation. The prophet Hosea expresses this divine passion with daring images such as the love of a man for an adulterous woman (cf. 3:1-3). For his part, Ezekiel, speaking of God's relationship with the people of Israel, is not afraid to use strong and passionate language (cf. 16:1-22). These biblical texts indicate that eros is part of God's very heart: the Almighty awaits the "yes" of His creatures as a young bridegroom that of his bride. Unfortunately, from its very origins, mankind, seduced by the lies of the Evil One, rejected God's love in the illusion of a self-sufficiency that is impossible (cf. Gn 3:1-7). Turning in on himself, Adam withdrew from that source of life who is God Himself, and became the first of "those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage" (Heb 2:15). God, however, did not give up. On the contrary, man's "no" was the decisive impulse that moved Him to manifest His love in all of its redeeming strength.

 

The Cross reveals the fullness of God's love

 

It is in the mystery of the Cross that the overwhelming power of the heavenly Father's mercy is revealed in all of its fullness. In order to win back the love of His creature, He accepted to pay a very high price: the blood of His only begotten Son. Death, which for the first Adam was an extreme sign of loneliness and powerlessness, was thus transformed in the supreme act of love and freedom of the new Adam. One could very well assert, therefore, together with Saint Maximus the Confessor, that Christ "died, if one could say so, divinely, because He died freely" (Ambigua, 91, 1956). On the Cross, God's eros for us is made manifest. Eros is indeed -- as Pseudo-Dionysius expresses it -- that force "that does not allow the lover to remain in himself but moves him to become one with the beloved" (De divinis nominibus, IV, 13: PG 3, 712). Is there more "mad eros" (N. Cabasilas, Vita in Cristo, 648) than that which led the Son of God to make Himself one with us even to the point of suffering as His own the consequences of our offences?

 

"Him whom they have pierced"

 

Dear brothers and sisters, let us look at Christ pierced in the Cross! He is the unsurpassing revelation of God's love, a love in which eros and agape, far from being opposed, enlighten each other. On the Cross, it is God Himself who begs the love of His creature: He is thirsty for the love of every one of us. The Apostle Thomas recognized Jesus as "Lord and God" when he put his hand into the wound of His side. Not surprisingly, many of the saints found in the Heart of Jesus the deepest expression of this mystery of love. One could rightly say that the revelation of God's eros toward man is, in reality, the supreme expression of His agape. In all truth, only the love that unites the free gift of oneself with the impassioned desire for reciprocity instills a joy, which eases the heaviest of burdens. Jesus said: "When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself" (Jn 12:32). The response the Lord ardently desires of us is above all that we welcome His love and allow ourselves to be drawn to Him. Accepting His love, however, is not enough. We need to respond to such love and devote ourselves to communicating it to others. Christ "draws me to Himself" in order to unite Himself to me, so that I learn to love the brothers with His own love.

 

Blood and water

 

"They shall look on Him whom they have pierced." Let us look with trust at the pierced side of Jesus from which flow "blood and water" (Jn 19:34)! The Fathers of the Church considered these elements as symbols of the sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist. Through the water of Baptism, thanks to the action of the Holy Spirit, we are given access to the intimacy of Trinitarian love. In the Lenten journey, memorial of our Baptism, we are exhorted to come out of ourselves in order to open ourselves, in trustful abandonment, to the merciful embrace of the Father (cf. Saint John Chrysostom, Catecheses, 3,14ff). Blood, symbol of the love of the Good Shepherd, flows into us especially in the Eucharistic mystery: "The Eucharist draws us into Jesus' act of self-oblation … we enter into the very dynamic of His self-giving" (Encyclical Deus caritas est, 13). Let us live Lent then, as a "Eucharistic" time in which, welcoming the love of Jesus, we learn to spread it around us with every word and deed. Contemplating "Him whom they have pierced" moves us in this way to open our hearts to others, recognizing the wounds inflicted upon the dignity of the human person; it moves us, in particular, to fight every form of contempt for life and human exploitation and to alleviate the tragedies of loneliness and abandonment of so many people. May Lent be for every Christian a renewed experience of God's love given to us in Christ, a love that each day we, in turn, must "regive" to our neighbour, especially to the one who suffers most and is in need. Only in this way will we be able to participate fully in the joy of Easter. May Mary, Mother of Beautiful Love, guide us in this Lenten journey, a journey of authentic conversion to the love of Christ. I wish you, dear brothers and sisters, a fruitful Lenten journey, imparting with affection to all of you, a special Apostolic Blessing.

 

(BENEDICTUS PP. XVI)

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