Message for World Youth Day 2004
The theme of the 19th World Youth Day is the petition some “Greeks” brought to the Apostles: “We Want to See Jesus” (Jn 12:21). We also offer a video of scenes from previous meetings of John Paul II with participants in UNIV congresses.
First centers of Opus Dei opened in Croatia and Slovenia
In 2003 new centers of Opus Dei were opened in nine countries: Argentina, Chile, the Czech Republic, Lebanon, Mexico, South Africa, Spain, Croatia, and Slovenia. The centers in Croatia and Slovenia were the countries’ first.
Don Alvaro's cause opened
Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar of Rome, presided on March 5th over the opening session of the Tribunal of the Vicariate of Rome, which was convened for the cause of canonization of Bishop Alvaro del Portillo, Prelate of Opus Dei (Madrid, 1914 – Rome, 1994).
Cause of canonization to open for Bishop Alvaro del Portillo
Cardinal Camillo Ruini will preside over the opening session of a tribunal of the Vicariate of Rome in the cause of canonization of Bishop Alvaro del Portillo on March 5, 2004. Bishop del Portillo was born in Madrid in 1914, succeeded St. Josemaría Escrivá as head of Opus Dei in 1975, and died in Rome in 1994.
Message of the Pope for Lent
"Dear Brothers and Sisters, let us set out with trust on our Lenten journey, sustained by fervent prayer, penance and concern for those in need." Full message follows.
Cardinals Tauran and Herranz installed at their titular churches
Zenit reports on the installation of Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran and Cardinal Julián Herranz at two churches in Rome entrusted to Opus Dei, St. Apollinare and St. Eugenio.
Theological issues raised in the Da Vinci Code
Although this book was published as a work of fiction, claims have been made that it is “meticulously researched” and useful as a tool for theological reflection. We wish to alert readers to the fact that it many of its claims about Christian history and theology are contrary to the conclusions of mainstream Christian scholarship.
The Media and the Family: A Risk and a Richness
On the feast of St. Francis of Sales, patron of journalists, the Holy See published Pope John Paul II's message for the 38th World Communications Day. Excerpts follow.
Holy humorist
Much has been written, and is being written, about Saint Josemaria Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei. But there is a side to him that is rarely commented on, but was noticed by his contemporaries. It was his good humor.