By Olivier Bonnel
Under a bright winter sun, Pope Leo greeted the thousands of faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square on Sunday to celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
Observed on the Sunday following Epiphany, the feast marks the conclusion of the Christmas season and ushers the Church into Ordinary Time and the beginning of a new liturgical year.
This is a time, the Pope said in his address from the window of the Apostolic Palace, that “invites us to follow the Lord together, to listen to his word and to imitate his gestures of love toward our neighbour.”
Jesus’ baptism in the waters of the Jordan, the Pope continued, is an invitation to each of us to renew the promises of the sacrament, “which makes us Christians, frees us from sin and transforms us into children of God through the power of his life-giving Spirit.”
Commenting on the Gospel of Matthew, Pope Leo explained that, in this event, “the whole Godhead is made present in history: just as the Son descends into the waters of the Jordan, so the Holy Spirit descends upon him and, through him, is given to us as a force of salvation.”
“God does not look at the world from afar, without touching our lives, our wounds and our hopes,” the Bishop of Rome continued. “He comes among us with the wisdom of his Word made flesh, drawing us into a surprising plan of love for all humanity.”
To the great astonishment of John the Baptist, the Lord himself chooses to be baptized “like all sinners, in order to reveal the infinite mercy of God.”
The sacrament of baptism, Pope Leo said, introduces each of us into the life of the Church, “the People of God, made up of men and women of every nation and culture, reborn by his Spirit.”
The Pope encouraged the faithful to remember “this great gift we have received,” committing themselves “to bear witness to it with joy and authenticity.” He also recalled the service earlier that morning in the Sistine Chapel, during which he baptized twenty newborns, now “our new brothers and sisters in the faith.”
“This first of the sacraments is a sacred sign that accompanies us forever. In moments of darkness, Baptism is light; in life’s conflicts, it is reconciliation; at the hour of death, it is the gateway to heaven.”
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The Angelus is a special prayer recited by Catholics three times a day, at 6am, noon, and 6pm and is accompanied by the ringing of the Angelus bell. The name comes from the Latin word for Angel and the prayer itself reminds us of how Jesus Christ assumed our human nature through the Mystery of the Incarnation.
The Pope recites the Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square every Sunday at midday.
He also gives a brief reflection on the Gospel of the day and often comments on some issue of international concern. The Pope’s words are broadcast all over the world on radio and television and widely shared on social media.
From Easter to Pentecost the Regina Coeli is prayed instead of the Angelus. This prayer commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and, like the Angelus, concludes with the recitation of the Gloria three times.
Angelus
Angelus Dómini nuntiávit Mariæ.
Et concépit de Spíritu Sancto.
Ave Maria…
Ecce ancílla Dómini.
Fiat mihi secúndum verbum tuum.
Ave Maria…
Et Verbum caro factum est.
Et habitávit in nobis.
Ave Maria…
Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei génetrix.
Ut digni efficiámur promissiónibus Christi.
Orémus.
Grátiam tuam, quǽsumus, Dómine,
méntibus nostris infunde;
ut qui, Ángelo nuntiánte, Christi Fílii tui incarnatiónem cognóvimus, per passiónem eius et crucem, ad resurrectiónis glóriam perducámur. Per eúndem Christum Dóminum nostrum.
Amen.
Gloria Patri… (ter)
Requiem aeternam…
Benedictio Apostolica seu Papalis
Dominus vobiscum.Et cum spiritu tuo.
Sit nomen Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus,
Pa ter, et Fi lius, et Spiritus Sanctus.
Amen.
The Angelus Prayer
The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, etc…
Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
Be it done unto me according to Your Word.
Hail Mary, etc…
And the Word was made Flesh.
And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, etc…
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
Pour forth, we beseech You, O Lord,
Your Grace into our hearts;
that as we have known the incarnation of Christ,
Your Son by the message of an angel,
so by His Passion and Cross
we may be brought to the glory of His Resurrection.
Through the same Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
Glory be, etc… (3 times)
Eternal rest…
Apostolic Blessing
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Now and forever.
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Who has made Heaven and Earth.
May Almighty God bless you.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
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