The Catholic Church

EVENOR, CSSP. BISHOP OF PORT-LOUIS, MAURITIUS POLI, MARIO AURELIO ARCHBISHOP OF BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA POOLA, ANTHONY ARCHBISHOP OF HYDERABAD, INDIA PORRAS CARDOZO, BALTAZAR ENRIQUE ARCHBISHOP OF MÉRIDA, VENEZUELA POUPARD, PAUL JOSEPH JEAN PRESIDENT EMERITUS PONTIFICAL COUNCIL OF CULTURE PUJATS, JANIS ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS OF RIGA PULJIC, VINKO ARCHBISHOP OF VRHBOSNA

WHAT IS THE COLLEGE OF CARDINALS? The College of Cardinals is composed of the men whom the Pope has elevated to the dignity of Cardinal, entrusting them with the duty to be his close advisors and collaborators, and to elect his successor. The decisions of the College are made collectively, and ratified by the Pope, unless of course there is no Pope. During such a Papal Interregnum the Cardinals gather in General Congregation to decide by majority vote on the funeral of the Pope, the beginning of the Conclave to elect a new Pope, as well as any ordinary business of the Holy See which cannot wait, in keeping with papal law, currently the Apostolic Constitution  Universi Dominici Gregis . WHO IS A CARDINAL? The ecclesiastical rank of Cardinal dates from the time of Pope Sylvester I, around 315 AD. It was given to the closest advisors of the Pope. With time it came to be reserved to those whom the Pope had given pastoral responsibility for the 7 suburban dioceses of the Roman Province, as

    St. Catherine of Siena, Virgin, Doctor of the Church (Memorial) Color: White FIRST OPTION   SECOND OPTION First Reading ACTS 9:31-42 31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Sama'ria had peace and was built up; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit it was multiplied.   32 Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda.   33 There he found a man named Aene'as, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed.   34 And Peter said to him, "Aene'as, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose.   35 And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.   36 Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.   37 In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.   38 Since Lydda was near J

    St. Louis Grignion de Montfort, Priest (Optional Memorial) FIRST OPTION   SECOND OPTION First Reading ACTS 9:1-20 1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest   2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.   3 Now as he journeyed he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him.   4 And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"   5 And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting;   6 but rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do."   7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.   8 Saul arose from the ground; and when his eyes were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brough

    Easter Weekday Color: White First Reading ACTS 8:26-40 26 But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is a desert road.   27 And he rose and went. And behold, an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a minister of the Can'dace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of all her treasure, had come to Jerusalem to worship   28 and was returning; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah.   29 And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go up and join this chariot."   30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?"   31 And he said, "How can I, unless some one guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.   32 Now the passage of the scripture which he was reading was this: "As a sheep led to the slaughter or a lamb before its shearer is dumb, so he opens not his mouth.   33 In his humi