Vatican News
Reflecting on today’s Gospel that invites meditation on the figure of Saint Joseph, Pope Leo XIV recalled how God reveals Joseph’s mission in a dream to which he responds with great faith and courage being "keenly sensitive and human" even in the face of the immense challenges foreseen and to be faced.
In his catechesis shared with the pilgrims and faithful gathered in Saint Peter’s Square for the midday Angelus on this fourth Sunday of Advent, the Pope recounted how Joseph, even before the Angel revealed to him the mystery that is taking place in Mary, chose a "discreet and benevolent path" of mercy towards her. And when he experienced the dream that revealed God’s plan of salvation to him, "the purity and nobility of his sentiments" became even more prominent when the Lord showed him the role he must take up as the spouse of the Virgin Mother of the Messiah. The Pope explained that "with a great act of faith, Joseph leaves even the last resort of his security and sets sail toward a future that is now totally in God’s hands."
“Piety and charity, mercy and abandonment: these are the virtues of the man from Nazareth that today’s liturgy shows us, so that they may accompany us in these last days of Advent, towards Christmas. These are important attitudes that educate the heart to encounter Christ and our brothers and sisters. They can also help us to be, for one another, a welcoming manger, a hospitable home, a sign of God’s presence.”
The Pope recommended that "in this time of grace" may we follow the example of Joseph and put into practice what he did: "forgiving, encouraging, giving a little hope to those with whom we live and those we meet; and renewing in prayer our filial abandonment to the Lord and his providence, entrusting everything to him with confidence."
And we can be sure to find help from the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph, he said, "who with faith and great love were the first to welcome Jesus, the Savior of the world."
The Pope then greeted all those present in Saint Peter’s Square, including over 1,500 children from Rome, and others from Spain and Hong Kong in particular. The Roman children showed the Pope the figures of the baby Jesus – "bambinelli" as they are called in Italy – that they brought with them to be blessed by the Pope. The figurines will then be placed in the nativity scenes in their homes, schools, parishes and oratories.
“Dear children, as you stand before your Nativity scenes, please pray to Jesus for the Pope’s intentions as well. In particular, let us pray together that all the world’s children may live in peace. I thank you from the bottom of my heart! And together with the “bambinelli” and all the expressions of our faith in the Child Jesus, may the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit always bless you. I wish you all a happy Sunday and a holy, peaceful Christmas!”
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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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