Search
-
October 11, 2023Photo from National Catholic RegisterFEAST DAY
October 11PATRON OF
BEATIFIED
Papal delegates, Patriarchy of Venice, Second Vatican Council (catholic.org)
September 3, 2000 by Pope John Paul II
CANONIZED
April 27, 2014 by Pope Francis
HOW CAN YOU RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF ST. JOHN XXIII IN YOUR HOME?
By The New Outlook
St. John XXIII is often referred to as "the Good Pope". When he was elected as pope, the intention of the cardinals was that he would be a "transitional pope", given his old age and his lesser known reputation. Perhaps most well known at the time for his ordinariness and his humility, Pope John XXIII surprised everyone with his 5-year pontificate, which turned out to be a turning point in the Church.
He inspired believers and non-believers alike across the globe with his concern for unity and world peace. Pope John XXIII became known for his works of mercy which he continued even after his election to the papacy and throughout the tremendous changes that he initiated in the Church. The people of the time, Catholic or not, remembered a particular spirit of prayer that always seemed to sustain the Good Pope.
It can be assumed that it was this spirit of prayer that inspired the history-making which Pope John XXIII initiated during his short pontificate. Just two years after his election, he convoked the very first Synod of Rome, teaching and encouraging Church leaders and laity alike to listen to the Holy Spirit's promptings.
To remember this holy man and his contributions to the Church today, consider doing one or more of these activities with your family or loved ones:- Read one or two news articles about today's Synod and discuss the process and some of the topics. What is a Synod, and why is it important that the Church undergoes this process?
- The Holy Spirit is the main character in any Synodal process. Discuss how you can make listening to the Holy Spirit a habit in your life and home.
- Spend some time outside to feel the things that you cannot see - the breeze, the heat from the sun - remember these parts of your day as reminders of the movement of the Spirit.
- Invite the Holy Spirit into an ordinary part of your day. Discuss how even when we are doing "boring" things or things not explicitly related to our Faith, the Holy Spirit is present and active in even those moments, and just waiting for us to listen.
“It is not that the gospel has changed; it is that we have begun to understand it better. Those who have lived as long as I have…were enabled to compare different cultures and traditions, and know that the moment has come to discern the signs of the times, to seize the opportunity and to look far ahead.” - St. John XXIII, on his deathbed
TIMELINE OF THE LIFE OF A SAINT
Gathered from the Holy See website
1881 - Born and baptized on November 25, named Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, in Sotto il Monte, in the Diocese and Province of Bergamo
1889 - Received Confirmation and First Communion
1892 - Entered the Seminary of Bergamo
1897 - Joined Secular Franciscan Order
1901 - Studied at the Pontifical Roman Seminary
1904 - Ordained a priest in Rome on August 10th in the Church of Santa Maria in Monte Santo in Piazza del Popolo
1905 - Named secretary to the new Bishop of Bergamo, the Most Reverend Giacomo Maria Radini Tedeschi. Also taught at the Seminary during this time.
1910 - When the statutes of Catholic Action were revised, the Bishop entrusted him with the pastoral care of Catholic women. He wrote for Bergamo's daily Catholic newspaper.
1915 - Called to military service as a sergeant medic. A year into his service, he began serving as a military chaplain.
1919 - Appointed spiritual director of the Seminary
1921 - Called to Rome by Pope Benedict XV to be the President for Italy of the central council of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith
1925 - Pope Pius XI named him Apostolic Visitor to Bulgaria, and subsequently named him the first Apostolic Delegate to Bulgaria. Ordained bishop in Rome on March 19, 1925.
1934 - Named Apostolic Delegate in Turkey and Greece
1944 - Appointed Apostolic Nuncio in Paris by Pope Pius XII
1953 - On January 12th was made a Cardinal, and on January 25th he was named Patriarch of Venice
1958 - Elected Pope on October 28th, taking the name John XXIII
1960 - Convoked the first Synod of Rome
1961 - Papal Encyclical Mater et Magistra, on Christianity and social progress, published May 15th
1962 - Convened the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council
1963 - Papal Encyclical Pacem in Terris, on establishing universal peace in truth, justice, charity, and liberty, published April 11th
1963 - Instituted the Commission for the Revision of the Code of Canon Law
1963 - Died on June 3rd, the day after Pentecost
2000 - Declared "Blessed" on September 3 by Pope John Paul II
2014 - Canonized on April 27th by Pope Francis