OPENING OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR OF ECCLESIASTICAL UNIVERSITIES

HOMILY OF JOHN PAUL II

Friday 24 October 2003

Mass was concelebrated in St Peter's Basilica by Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, for the opening of the academic year of the ecclesiastical universities in Rome. The following is the Homily for the Mass written by the Holy Father.

1. "May the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts so that we may understand the signs of the new times" (Gospel Acclamation; cf. Eph 1: 17; Lk 21: 29-31).

EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION WITH THE NEW CARDINALS

HOMILY OF JOHN PAUL II

Wednesday, 22 October 2003

1. "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Mt 16: 16).

How often have I repeated these words in the 25 years of my Pontificate! I have spoken them in the main languages of the world and in many corners of the earth. Indeed, the Successor of Peter can never forget the dialogue between the Teacher and the Apostle: "You are the Christ...". "You are Peter...".

ORDINARY PUBLIC CONSISTORY
FOR THE CREATION OF NEW CARDINALS

HOMILY OF JOHN PAUL II

Tuesday, 21 October 2003

Venerable and Dear Brothers,

1. Today's meeting is another moment of grace in these days that have been particularly full of ecclesial events. At this Consistory I have had the joy of presenting the Cardinal's biretta to 30 praiseworthy ecclesiastics, reserving in pectore the name of another. Some have worked closely with me in the Roman Curia; others carry out their ministry in venerable Churches of ancient tradition or of recent foundation; yet others have distinguished themselves in the study and defence of Catholic doctrine and in ecumenical dialogue.

BEATIFICATION OF MOTHER THERESA OF CALCUTTA

HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II

World Mission Sunday
Sunday, 19 October 2003

1. "Whoever would be first among you must be slave of all" (Mk10: 44). Jesus' words to his disciples that have just rung out in this Square show us the way to evangelical "greatness". It is the way walked by Christ himself that took him to the Cross:  a journey of love and service that overturns all human logic. To be the servant of all!

XXV ANNIVERSARY OF THE PONTIFICATE

HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II

Thursday, 16 October 2003

Address of Card. Ratzinger at the beginning of Thanksgiving Mass

1. "Misericordias Domini in aeternum cantabo - I will sing of your mercies, O Lord, for ever (cf. Ps 89[88]: 1).

Twenty-five years ago I had a special experience of divine mercy. At the Conclave, through the College of Cardinals, Christ said to me, as he once said to Peter by the Lake of Genesaret: "Tend my sheep" (Jn 21: 16).

CANONIZATION OF THREE BLESSEDS

HOMILY OF JOHN PAUL II

Sunday, 5 October 2003

1. "Preach the Gospel to the whole creation" (Mk 16:15). With these words before the Ascension the Risen One entrusted the universal missionary mandate to the Apostles. Immediately afterwards, he assured them that in this demanding mission they would always be able to count on his help (cf. Mk 16: 20).

CAPPELLA PAPALE FOR THE DECEASED POPES
PAUL VI AND JOHN PAUL I

HOMILY OF JOHN PAUL II

Saturday, 27 September 2003

1. "To this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living" (Rom 14: 9).

The words of the Apostle Paul from his Letter to the Romans recall the central mystery of our faith:  Christ, died and risen, is the ultimate reason for all human existence.

Every Sunday, the Day of the Lord, the Christian people relive this mystery of salvation in a special way. They increasingly deepen their knowledge of it. The Church, Bride of Christ, proclaims with joy and certain hope his victory over sin and death; she walks through the centuries, awaiting his glorious return. The acclamation rings out in the heart of every Holy Mass: "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again".

APOSTOLIC JOURNEY
OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II
TO THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC

MASS AND BEATIFICATIONS

HOMILY OF JOHN PAUL II

Bratislava, Esplanade of Petržalka
Sunday, 14 September 2003

1. O Crux, ave spes unica!  Hail, O Cross, our only hope!

During the celebration of this Sunday Liturgy, Dear Brothers and Sisters, we are invited to look upon the Cross.  It is the “privileged place” where the love of God is revealed and shown to us.  Bishop Vasil’ Hopko and Sister Zdenka Schelingová, whom I have had the joy of enrolling today among the Blessed, looked upon the Cross with invincible faith.

APOSTOLIC JOURNEY
OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II
TO THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC

HOMILY OF JOHN PAUL II

Rožňava
Saturday, 13 September 2003

1. “I beg you brothers to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Eph 4:1).  The pressing invitation of the Apostle Paul to the Christian community of Ephesus takes on special meaning for us congregated here. To every believer is entrusted, in the diversity of vocations and charisms, the task of being both disciple and apostle: disciple, by humbly listening to the word that saves; apostle by giving passionate witness of a life formed by the Gospel.