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Pope tells missionaries of mercy: Abandon the ‘cudgel of judgement’
Posted On Feb 10 2016
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He told the missionaries that they need to recognize that people’s desire for forgiveness might be obscured by their inability or embarrassment to talk about their sins.
DIVINE MERCY CONFERENCE: In conjunction with the year of mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis, a Divine Mercy Conference will be held Feb. 26-27 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 4640 Canal St. On Feb. 26, the program begins at 7 p.m. with speakers Mike Hammer and Jerry Christopher Jr., followed by Mass at 8 p.m., celebrated by Father Steve Bruno.
Pope Francis is greeted by a priest during a special audience with the missionaries of mercy, in the Regia Hall at the Vatican, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016.
“It was like being received by a father”, he said.
The Pope mentioned the fact that in his message for this World Day Sick he reflected on the irreplaceable role of Mary at the Wedding in Cana and said that Mary’s concern and attention reflects the tenderness of God and the huge mercy of Jesus.
The person who comes to you does so in search of consolation, forgiveness, peace in his soul; to find a father who embraces him and says, “God loves you”, and who makes him feel this. Pope Francis has smudged ashe… The pope lamented that many people abandon confession because priests scold them or pry for embarrassing details. It’s the mystery of sin: “we have distanced ourselves from God, from others, from ourselves”. I ask you: never tire of forgiving.
“May Lent be a time of a healthy “pruning” back of falsehood, worldliness, indifference; of no longer thinking that everything is fine as long as I am doing well; of understanding that what matters isn’t acceptance, seeking success or approval, but the cleansing of one’s heart and life”.
While Pope Francis will engage in a whirlwind of activity during the first half of 2016, well-informed circles of the papal administration informed about Pope’s intention to visit the South Caucasus.
Pope Francis receives the ashes during the Ash Wednesday mass, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016.
The pope broke with the tradition of walking from the Benedictine monastery of St. Anselm to the Dominican-run Basilica of Santa Sabina in order to commission the missionaries of mercy from St. Peter’s Basilica.
