At the Angelus, Benedict XVI reaffirms the significance of the feast of the Epiphany, Jesus is the sun that illuminates the existence of man and of peoples, and the Church is entrusted with the announcement of this mystery of salvation. Best wishes to the Eastern Churches that celebrate Christmas tomorrow (according to the Julian calendar). An invitation children for Holy Childhood Mission Day. The announcement of a Consistory with the appointment of 22 new cardinals. The list includes the prefect of the Congregation of Propaganda Fide, Mgr. John Tong, bishop of Hong Kong, His Beatitude, George Alencherry, major archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the Syro-Malabar (India).

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "The world, with all its resources, is not able to give humanity the light to guide its path. We can see as much in our day: Western civilization seems to have lost its sense of direction, it is sailing blind. But the Church, through the Word of God, sees through this fog. She has no technical solutions, but keeps her eyes fixed on the goal, and provides the light of the Gospel to all people of good will, to every nation and culture. "

This is how Benedict XVI summed up the sense of today's feast, the Epiphany of the Lord, in his reflection before the Angelus with the pilgrims in St Peter's Square. The Adoration of the Magi, remembered in today’s liturgy, shows "the mystery of the revelation of Jesus Christ to all nations."
"Jesus - said the Pope - is the sun which appeared on the horizon of humanity to illuminate the personal life of each one of us and guide us all together toward the goal of our pilgrimage to the land of freedom and peace, where we will live forever in full communion with God and among ourselves".

"The announcement of this mystery of salvation - he pointed out - has been entrusted to the Church by Christ."

After the Marian prayer, the pontiff addressed best wishes to the Eastern Churches, which according to the Julian calendar, celebrate Christmas tomorrow. "May every family and every community – the Pope said – be full of the light and peace of Christ the Saviour."

Before the greetings in different languages, he recalled that today is also the Children's Missionary Day, organized by the Pontifical Society for Holy Childhood. "Children around the world - said Benedict XVI – gathered in groups, are educated in a missionary awareness and support many projects of solidarity for their peers. Dear children and young people! May your heart be open to the world, like the heart of Jesus, but be mindful also of those who live next to you, always ready to lend them a helping hand. "

Before the Angelus, "with great joy," Benedict XVI announced a new consistory for February 18 to 20, in which he will appoint 22 new cardinals. The Pope invited all faithful to pray for them, "asking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, so they may always bear witness with courage and dedication to their love for Christ and his Church."

Below the list of new cardinals:

1. Msgr. Fernando Filoni, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples;

2. Msgr. Manuel Monteiro de Castro, Major Penitentiary;

3. Msgr. Santos Abril Y Castellò, Archpriest of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major;

4. Msgr Antonio Maria Veglio, President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People;

5. Msgr. Giuseppe Bertelli, President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and President of the Governorate of the same State;

6. Msgr. Francesco Coccopalmerio, President of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts;

7. Msgr. JOÃO Braz de Aviz, Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life;

8. Msgr. Edwin O'Brien, Pro Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem;

9. Msgr. Domenico Calcagno, President of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See;

10. Msgr. Giuseppe Versaldi, President of the Prefecture for Economic Affairs of the Holy See;

11. His Beatitude GEORGE Alencherry, Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the Syro Malabar (India);

12. Msgr. Thomas Christopher Collins, Archbishop of Toronto (Canada);

13. Msgr. Dominik Duka, Archbishop of Prague (Czech Republic);

14. Msgr. Willem Jacobus Eijk, Archbishop of Utrecht (Netherlands);

15. Msgr. Giuseppe Betori, Archbishop of Florence (Italy);

16. Msgr. Timothy Michael Dolan, Archbishop of New York (United States);

17. Msgr. Rainer Maria Woelk, Archbishop of Berlin (Federal Republic of Germany);

18. Msgr. John Tong Hon, Bishop of Hong Kong (China);

The Holy Father has also decided to raise the dignity of cardinal a revered prelate, who carry out his ministry as Pastor and Father of the Church, and three worthy clergymen, who are distinguished for their commitment to serving the Church.

They are:

1. His Beatitude Lucian Muresan, Major Archbishop of Fagaras and Alba Julia of the Romanians (Romania);

2. Rev. Julien Ries, priest of the Diocese of Namur and professor emeritus of history of religions at the Catholic University of Louvain;

3. Fr. Prospero Grech, OSA, Professor Emeritus of various Roman universities and Consultant to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith;

4. Fr. Karl Becker, SJ, Professor Emeritus of the Pontifical Gregorian University, Consultant for many years the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.


Photo: CPP

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