News

VATICAN CITY, NOV. 30, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Top Vatican officials will meet with Catholic nongovernmental organizations for the first time this weekend to discuss best practices for cooperating on topics of global importance.

The Vatican reported that 85 civil society associations will take part in the encounter, organized by the Pope's Secretariat of State. According to a Vatican communiqué, the participating organizations all "have as a point of reference the evangelical teaching and social doctrine of the Church."

Nongovernmental organizations, also known as NGOs, are legally constituted entities directed by private citizens with no participation or representation of any government. They often work as advocates of social causes such as human rights, poverty and religious freedom.

The notes states that the meeting "deals with an important moment of reciprocal knowledge, as well as an outstanding occasion for promoting dialogue and cooperation of the nongovernmental organizations among themselves and with the Holy See about current global themes and about the challenges and opportunities they imply."

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Pope's secretary of state, Archbishop Dominic Mamberti, secretary for relations with states, and Archbishop Celestino Migliore, permanent observer to the United Nations, will all address the meeting.

Benedict XVI will receive the participants in audience Saturday.

ZE07113007 - 2007-11-30

 

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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)