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VATICAN CITY, NOV. 18, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI urged the faithful to live without fear for the future, and to persevere in faith when faced with hardships and difficulties.

The Pope said this today before leading the praying of the midday Angelus in St. Peter's Square. Reflecting on the Gospel of St. Luke, the Holy Father said that Jesus invited his disciples "to face difficulties, misunderstandings and even persecutions with trust, persevering in faith in him."

"History must follow its course," said the Pontiff, "which also brings human dramas and natural calamities with it. A plan of salvation that Christ has already carried out in his incarnation, death, and resurrection develops in history.

"The Church continues to proclaim and realize this mystery through preaching, the celebration of the sacraments and the witness of charity."

"Let us welcome Christ's invitation," he said, "to face daily events trusting in his providential love. Let us not be afraid of the future, even when it appears bleak to us, for the God of Jesus Christ, who took up history to open it up to its transcendent fulfillment, is its alpha and omega, the beginning and the end.

"He guarantees that in every little but genuine act of love the meaning of the whole universe is contained, and those who do not hesitate to lose their lives for him, will find them again in fullness."

Benedict XVI then turned his attention to consecrated persons, and especially those living in cloistered communities, who he said "have placed their life without reserve at the service of the kingdom of God invite us with singular effectiveness to keep this perspective alive."

Recalling that the Church will remember its cloistered members in a special way on Wednesday, the memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the temple, the Pope said, "We owe much to these persons who live by what providence procures for them through the generosity of the faithful."

ZE07111803 - 2007-11-18

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04 December 2022

Joachim and Anna Rejoice

Today the bonds of childlessness are loosed, * for God has heard Joachim and Anna * and He promises manifestly that they, against all hope, would give birth to the Maiden of God * from whom the Uncircumscribed One Himself would be born, becoming man, * and he commanded the Angels to cry out to her: * “Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you!” (Troparion - Tone 4)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Today the whole world celebrates * the conception of Anne which was brought about by God, * for she gave birth to the one who, beyond understanding, * gave birth to the Word. (Kontakion - Tone 4)

Saint Nicholas of Myra

The truth of your deeds has revealed you to your flock, * as a rule of faith, an image of meekness, and a teacher of abstinence. * Therefore, you attained the heights through humility, * and riches through poverty. * O Father and Hierarch Nicholas, * pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved. (Troparion, Tone 4)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

In Myra, You were shown to be a servant of the sacred things, O Holy Nicholas, * for, fulfilling the Gospel of Christ, you, O Venerable, laid down your life for your people, * and saved the innocent from death. * Therefore, you were sanctified as a great initiate of the grace of God. (Kontakion, Tone 3)