On the Lord's Work in History "God Gives Himself into Our Hands" VATICAN CITY, OCT. 2, 2011 (Zenit.org).

Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave today before and after praying the midday Angelus with those gathered in St. Peter's Square.

“…And the angels are the crown of the august Queen of Victories, the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Rosary, who in the first Sunday of October, precisely at this hour, receives the fervid plea, from the sanctuary in Pompeii and from the whole world, that evil be defeated and the goodness of God be revealed in its fullness. …”

Pope's Address to Bishops of Indonesia "The Missionary Impulse Remains Essential to the Church's Life" VATICAN CITY, OCT. 8, 2011 (Zenit.org).

Here is the address Benedict XVI delivered Friday upon receiving in audience the bishops of Indonesia, at the end their five-yearly "ad limina" visit to Rome.

“…I commend all of you to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church.…”

On Calabria, the Land of Marian Piety "Have Always in Your Heart Ecclesial Communion and Missionary Commitment" LAMEZIA TERME, Italy, OCT. 9, 2011 (Zenit.org).

Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave today before and after praying the midday Angelus after celebrating Mass in an industrial site in Lamezia Terme, during his pastoral visit to the Italian city.

“As we come to the end of our celebration, we turn with filial devotion to the Virgin Mary, whom this month of October we venerate in particular with the title Queen of the Holy Rosary.

I know that there are many Marian shrines present in this land of yours, and I am happy to learn that here in Calabria popular piety is alive. I encourage you to practice it constantly in the light of the teachings of Vatican Council II, of the Apostolic See, and of your pastors. I entrust your diocesan community affectionately to Mary, so that it will be united in faith, hope and charity. May the Mother of the Church help you to have always in your heart ecclesial communion and missionary commitment. May she support the priests in their ministry, help parents and teachers in their educational task, console the sick and the suffering, preserve in young people a pure and generous soul.

Let us also invoke Mary's intercession for the most serious social problems of this territory and of the whole of Calabria, especially those of work, of youth, of the care of handicapped people, who require increasing attention on the part of everyone, in particular of the institutions."

Pope's Address to Carthusian Monks "A Whole Life Barely Suffices to Enter into This Union With God" LAMEZIA TERME, Italy, OCT. 11, 2011 (Zenit.org).

Here is a L'Osservatore Romano translation of the homily Benedict XVI gave Sunday during vespers celebrated in the Carthusian monastery of St. Bruno. The Pope was on a one-day pastoral visit to Lamezia Terme and Serra San Bruno in the region of Calabria, Italy.

“ … By remaining firmly united to Christ, like the branches to the Vine, may you too, dear Carthusian Brothers, be associated to his mystery of salvation, like the Virgin Mary who stabat (stood) beneath the Cross, united with her Son in the same sacrifice of love.

Thus, like Mary and with her, you too are deeply inserted in the mystery of the Church, a sacrament of union of men with God and with each other. In this you are unusually close to my ministry. May the Most Holy Mother of the Church therefore watch over us and the holy Father Bruno always bless your community from Heaven. Amen."

Pope calls for respect for minorities in EGYPT VATICAN CITY, OCT. 12, 2011 (VIS)

“…During his greetings to pilgrim groups participating in the audience, the Holy Father also recalled the fact that the month of October is dedicated to the Rosary, inviting the faithful ‘to discover the beauty of this simple but effective prayer’.” AC/ VIS 20111012 (200)

On Psalm 126 "It Is Important Not to Lose the Memory of God's Presence in Our Lives" VATICAN CITY, OCT. 12, 2011 (Zenit.org).

Here is a translation of the Italian-language catechesis Benedict XVI gave today during the general audience held in St. Peter's Square.

[The Holy Father then greeted pilgrims in several languages. In English, he said:]

"…In our continuing catechesis on Christian prayer, we now turn to Psalm 126.… As we pray this Psalm, may we echo the song of the Virgin Mary by rejoicing in the great things which the Almighty has done for us (cf. Lk 1:49) and by awaiting in hope the fulfillment of God's promises."

[He concluded in Italian:]

Now I turn with great affection to young people, to the sick and to newlyweds. My thoughts go to Our Lady of Fatima, whose final apparition we will remember tomorrow. To the heavenly Mother of God I entrust you, dear young people, so that you might generously respond to the Lord's call. May Mary be for you, dear sick, comfort in your suffering and may she accompany you, dear newlyweds, in the journey of family life you are now beginning."

Pontiff Recommends Daily Rosary VATICAN CITY, OCT. 13, 2011 (Zenit.org).

Benedict XVI is encouraging the daily recitation of the rosary, emphasizing that it is a tool to grow in the theological virtues and a path for cooperating in the plan of salvation.

The Pope said this Wednesday at the end of the general audience when he gave multilingual greetings to various groups gathered with him in St. Peter's Square.

In Slovakian, he referred to the rosary as a "school of prayer for us," and he expressed his wish that the month of October, which is dedicated to the rosary, would assist in discovering "the beauty of this simple but efficacious prayer."

October 7 is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

The Holy Father invited Portuguese-speakers to "persist in the daily recitation of the rosary."

He reflected that through this prayer, families can be united with Our Lady, and "fully cooperate in the plans of salvation God has for you."

A similar message went to Hungarians, when the Pontiff presented the rosary as a prayer to "strengthen you ever more in faith, in hope and in love."

Papal Address to New Evangelizers "To Be Evangelizers Is Not a Privilege, But a Commitment That Comes from Faith"VATICAN CITY, OCT. 17, 2011 (Zenit.org).

Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave Saturday to participants in an event hosted by the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization.

“…At the end of this day let us also pray for the protection of the Virgin Mary, Star of the New Evangelization, …”

Pope's Homily at Mass with New Evangelizers "Proclamation Must Always Be Preceded, Accompanied and Followed by Prayer" VATICAN CITY, OCT. 17, 2011 (Zenit.org).

Here is a translation of the homily Benedict XVI gave Sunday when he celebrated a Mass for participants in an event hosted by the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization.

“…May the Virgin Mary, who was not afraid to answer "yes" to the Word of the Lord, and, after having conceived Him in her womb, went out full of joy and hope, always be your model and your guide. Learn from the Mother of the Lord and our Mother to be humble and at the same time brave, simple and prudent; balanced and strong, not with the force of the world, but with that of truth. Amen.”

On the Year of Faith "It Would Be Opportune to Remember the Beauty and the Centrality of the Faith" VATICAN CITY, OCT. 17, 2011 (Zenit.org).

Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave Sunday before and after praying the midday Angelus with those gathered in St. Peter's Square.

“…May the Virgin Mary help each Christian to be an effective witness of the Gospel….”

Porta Fidei: Apostolic Letter on the Year of Faith VATICAN CITY, OCT. 17, 2011 (Zenit.org).

“…By faith, Mary accepted the Angel’s word and believed the message that she was to become the Mother of God in the obedience of her devotion (cf. Lk 1:38). Visiting Elizabeth, she raised her hymn of praise to the Most High for the marvels He worked in those who trust Him (cf. Lk 1:46-55). With joy and trepidation she gave birth to her only son, keeping her virginity intact (cf. Lk 2:6-7). Trusting in Joseph, her husband, she took Jesus to Egypt to save Him from Herod’s persecution (cf. Mt 2:13-15). With the same faith, she followed the Lord in His preaching and remained with Him all the way to Golgotha (cf. Jn 19:25-27). By faith, Mary tasted the fruits of Jesus’ resurrection, and treasuring every memory in her heart (cf. Lk 2:19, 51), she passed them on to the Twelve assembled with her in the Upper Room to receive the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 1:14; 2:1-4). …”

Papal Address to Centesimus Annus Foundation "The Relationship Between Family and Work" VATICAN CITY, OCT. 18, 2011 (Zenit.org).

Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave Saturday to participants in the annual conference of the Centesimus Annus Foundation.

“…With this hope, while I entrust you to the intercession of the Virgin Mary, I impart to you and to your dear ones my wholehearted special Apostolic Blessing.”

Papal Message to German Aid Project "Adveniat Enables the Face of Christ ... to Shine Ever More in Latin America" VATICAN CITY, OCT. 19, 2011 (Zenit.org).

Here is a translation of a message Benedict XVI sent to Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck of Essen, Germany, on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of the Adveniat aid project.
“…With joy I support Adveniat's work for the people of Latin America with my prayers, in particular to Our Lady of Guadalupe, in addition to all the patron saints of Latin America.”

Pope's Address at Opening of Domus Australia "The Gospel Has Spread to the Very Furthest Regions of the World" ROME, OCT. 20, 2011 (Zenit.org).

Here is the text of the greeting Benedict XVI gave Wednesday at the celebration of the opening of Domus Australia.

“…Commending all of them, and all of you, to the intercession of Our Lady, Help of Christians and Saint Mary MacKillop, I gladly impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of the joys that await us in our eternal home.”

ANGELUS: BLESSED JOHN PAUL II AND PILGRIMAGE TO ASSISI : VATICAN CITY, OCT. 23, 2011 (VIS)

Following this morning's Mass for the canonization of Guido Maria Conforti, Luigi Guanella and Bonifacia Rodriguez de Castro, the Pope prayed the Angelus from the atrium of the Vatican Basilica, with faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.

Finally, he invoked the Blessed Virgin to intercede for "the Day of reflection, dialogue and prayer for peace and justice in the world: a pilgrimage to Assisi twenty-five years after the pilgrimage called by Blessed John Paul II".
ANG/ VIS 20111024 (170)

MIGRATIONS AND NEW EVANGELISATION: VATICAN CITY, OCT. 25, 2011 (VIS)

"Migrations and New Evangelisation" is the theme chosen by Benedict XVI for his Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2012, which will be celebrated on January 15, 2012. Extracts from the English-language edition of the text are given below:

"…Dear friends, let us invoke the intercession of Mary, 'Our Lady of the Way', so that the joyful proclamation of salvation in Jesus Christ may bring hope to the hearts of those who are on the move on the roads of the world….”
MESS/ VIS 20111025 (1200)

Sunday's Angelus: On Practicing Our Preaching Christ "Expresses the Truth of His Teaching Through Fidelity to the Father's Will" VATICAN CITY, NOV. 2, 2011 (Zenit.org).

Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave last Sunday before and after praying the midday Angelus with those gathered in St. Peter's Square.

"…Let us invoke the intercession of Mary Most Holy and pray, in particular, for those in the Christian community who are called to the service of teaching that they may always witness by deeds the truths that they transmit with words. …"