The Samaritan showed more faith than the Jewish lepers, which signifies that following outward forms of religion with precision is not necessarily a sign of a strong relationship with God. The outcaste Samaritan had more faith than the Jews despite being born in a heretical sect.
It’s no wonder that, in this Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 17:11-19), Jesus is more than willing to heal the ten lepers who shouted from afar: “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” Jesus became man in order to remove all the barriers that stand between each person and God.
Saint John, in his First Letter (1:8-10) says: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
In Macau’s largest parishes, catechesis classes will mobilize more than 100 children, O Clarim was told by the Diocesan Commission for Catechetical Formation. The number refers only to the Cantonese-speaking Catholic community. In the smaller Portuguese-speaking community, about 130 children – distributed by the Cathedral parish and by Our Lady of Carmel parish – will attend catechesis this year.
The Saint Pius X Music Academy will celebrate its 60th anniversary on October 8th. To mark the occasion, Bishop Stephen Lee Bun-sang will unveil the busts of the school’s founder, Father Áureo Castro, and the school’s patron, Saint Pius X, in the new premises of the institution. The academy has moved lock, stock and barrel to the former building of the Matteo Ricci College, not far from the government headquarters in Macau.
Created by Italian teenager Carlo Acutis, the exhibition was extended until last Friday and, in its second stint, it received more than two thousand visitors, willing to develop a better understanding of the Eucharistic Miracles phenomena and exploring the relationship between Catholic doctrine and contemporary science.
The love towards the saint and requests for his intercession has been increasing day by day among the faithful.
Santa Rosa de Lima College, one of the oldest schools in Macau, has been placed under the direct supervision of the Diocese of Macau, informs the school’s new chaplain Father José Mario Mandía. And for the first time ever, a feast mass was celebrated in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment, and also the patron saint of the college.
John Paul I’s humility and ability to touch the innocent profoundly are unmistakeably evident. One wonders about the change he might have wrought in the Church, had he lived longer.
The relentless persecution of Catholics and other ethnic minorities has reached monumental proportions. The violence perpetrated has, however, brought these groups in solidarity with each other and produced a deeper, stronger faith in many.