AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JAN 13, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

 - Cardinal Sergio Sebastiani, president of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See.

 - Bishop Salvatore Fisichella, auxiliary of Rome and rector of the Pontifical Lateran University.

 - Fr. Pascual Chavez Villanueva, major rector of the Salesian Society of St. John Bosco.

  This evening, he is scheduled to meet in separate audiences:

 - Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops.

 - Fr. Dom Edmund Power O.S.B., abbot of the Abbey of St. Paul's Outside-the Walls.
AP/.../...                                        VIS 20060113 (100)

POPE THANKS "SEDIARI PONTIFICI" FOR THEIR WORK

VATICAN CITY, JAN 13, 2006 (VIS) - Benedict XVI today received the "sediari pontifici" or pontifical seat bearers, the body of men once charged with the duty of bearing the Pope's "sedia gestatoria," and who now carry out functions of protocol in the Pontifical Household.

  "Yours is an ancient task," the Pope told them, "which over the course of the centuries has evolved in different ways depending upon the customs and needs of the times," but has always remained "linked with the See of Peter."

  "Your work, then, is part of a context wherein everything must speak to the whole world of the Church of Christ, and must do so coherently, imitating Him Who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.' It is in this light that the recent reforms put into effect by my predecessors must be seen, particularly by Pope Paul VI to whom it fell to implement the new requisites of the Council. Ceremonies were simplified, bringing them back to a greater sobriety more in keeping with the Christian message and the needs of the times."

  The Pope thanked the "sediari" for their contribution to the smooth functioning of pontifical audiences and celebrations, adding that "diligence, courtesy and discretion must be the characteristics that distinguish you in your work."

  "My wish, dear friends," he concluded, "is that you may always be - both in the Vatican and at home, in the parish and in all situations - helpful and attentive to others. This is a precious lesson for your children and grandchildren, who will learn from your example how service to the Holy See means, above all, a Christian mentality and lifestyle."
AC/.../SEDIARI PONTIFICI                            VIS 20060113 (300)

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 12, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Paul-Simeon Ahouanan Djro O.F.M., of Yamoussoukro, Cote d'Ivoire, as coadjutor archbishop of Bouake (area 18,818, population 918,730, Catholics 152,240, priests 50, religious 66), Cote d'Ivoire.
NEC/.../AHOUANAN                                VIS 20060112 (40)

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JAN 12, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

 - Piero Marrazzo, president of the Region of Lazio, Italy.

 - Walter Veltroni, mayor of the City of Rome.

 - Enrico Gasbarra, president of the Province of Rome.

  This evening, he is scheduled to receive in audience Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
AP/.../...                                        VIS 20060112 (70)

NEOCATECHUMENAL FAMILIES: SPREAD THE GOSPEL OF LIFE

VATICAN CITY, JAN 12, 2006 (VIS) - Today in the Vatican, Benedict XVI received a group from the Neocatechumenal Way, including 200 families who will soon depart on evangelizing missions in various countries, especially in Latin America.

  These "mission families" came into being in 1986 in response to a call from John Paul II to undertake new evangelization. Participants, who all belong to the Neocatechumenal Way, offer themselves as volunteers to go to countries where the Church needs help. Their destination is decided by the founders of the Neocatechumenal Way - the Spaniards Kiko Arguello and Carmen Hernandez, and the Italian priest Mario Pezzi - bearing in mind the specific requirements of each particular area, and in response to requests from bishops who ask for "mission families" to be sent to their dioceses.

  "Your task," said the Pope after greeting the group, "is part of the context of new evangelization, ... because your apostolic activity aims to situate itself within the bosom of the Church, in total harmony with her directives and in communion with the particular Churches where you will go to work, fully evaluating the richness of the charisms that the Lord has generated through the founders of the Way."

  The Holy Father stressed how the families will be "humble and joyful witnesses" of Christ, "travelling in simplicity and poverty down the roads of all the continents. "He then went on to emphasize the importance of the liturgy in evangelization: "Your long experience can well confirm how the centrality of the mystery of Christ, celebrated in liturgical rites, constitutes a privileged and indispensable way to build vibrant and lasting Christian communities."

  The Pope then referred to norms concerning the celebration of the Eucharist recently emanated, specifically for the Neocatechumenal Way, by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. "I am sure," he said, "that you will attentively observe these norms, which are based on liturgical texts approved by the Church. By faithful adherence to all Church directives, you will render your apostolate even more effective, in harmony and full communion with the Pope and the pastors of dioceses."

  "Dear families," Pope Benedict concluded, "with your own history you can testify that the Lord does not abandon those who entrust themselves to Him. Continue to spread the Gospel of Life. ... In a world seeking human certainties and heavenly security, show that Christ is the solid rock upon which to build the edifice of one's own life, and that trust placed in Him is never placed in vain."
AC/NEOCATECHUMENAL FAMILIES/ARGUELLO            VIS 20060112 (440)