'The whole of history and of life hinges on the person of Jesus Christ.' Memorial of Pope St John XXIII

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Pope John XXIII presiding at the opening of Vatican II
11 October 1962
[Wikipedia; photo]

Today, 11 October, is the Memorial of Pope St John XXIII, the date chosen because it is the anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council in 1962. I remember watching that on black and white TV early in my second year in the seminary. That time we were around 180 seminarians in St Columban's, Dalgan Park, here in Ireland. Today we are around 60 priests, mostly retired, not a seminarian in sight. Only one seminary remains open in Ireland. So things have changed since 1962.

The Second Reading from the Office of Readings in the Breviary for the Memorial of Pope St John XXIII is an extract, below, from his address on the occasion of the opening of the Council. I have highlighted parts of it.

From the address of St John XXIII, Pope.

(At the solemn inauguration of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, 11 October 1962.)

The Church is the most loving mother of all

Today, Venerable Brethren, is a day of joy for Mother Church: through God's most kindly providence the longed-for day has dawned for the solemn opening of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, here at St Peter's shrine. And Mary, God's Virgin Mother, on this feast day of her noble motherhood, gives it her gracious protection.

Continue at Bangor to Bobbio.

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