Readings of the day
Betesda Fundation
Songs
Juan Pablo I
Books
Secret report
Decisions of Juan Pablo I
In May 1989, the so-called “person of Rome” sent Camillo Bassotto (in the photo), a Venetian journalist and friend of John Paul I, a letter with some notes. In reality, it was a secret report. This report contained important and risky decisions that John Paul I had taken. He had communicated it to Cardinal Villot, Secretary of State. But he also communicated it to the person in Rome. It was a prudent measure. This is how we learned about it. John Paul I had decided to dismiss the president of the IOR (Institute for Works of Religion, the Vatican bank), to completely reform the IOR, to confront Freemasonry (covered or uncovered) and the Mafia. In other words, he had decided to put an end to Vatican business, to throw the merchants out of the temple. The report was to be published, but without signature. The author of the report could not do so because, as he said, “the position I hold does not allow me to do so, at least for now”. Camillo published it in his book “Il mio cuore è ancora a Venezia” (1990).
Actes des Apôtres
Pedro y Pablo, the two witnesses
In his first book, the Gospel, Luke relates the deeds and sayings of Jesus, “what Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when… he was caught up” (Acts 1:1-2; 2 Kings 2:1).In the second, he recounts the acts of the apostles, who were so called at the end of the second century.Both books tell a single story: “the events that have been fulfilled among us” (Lk 1:1), “the unfolding of God’s plan” that brings “salvation in all its fullness to the whole world” (Green, 77), not only to the Jews but also to the Gentiles.The figure of Peter occupies the first part of Acts (1-12); that of Paul, the second (13-28).In a special way, they are the two witnesses.It is surprising that nothing is said about the death of both.In the photo, bronze medallion of Peter and Paul, ca. 200 (Vatican).
Comunidad de Ayala, 50 years
Back to the sources
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Community of Ayala, it seems appropriate to recall some of the most important events in its history, as well as some of the antecedents that have made it possible. Paul VI said: “Is there any other way of proclaiming the Gospel than by communicating one’s own experience of faith? (EN 46). Moreover, “it is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing to his name, to proclaim his love in the morning and his faithfulness in the evening” (Ps 92). Many have tried. By successive approximations, we have been searching for the lost community of the Acts of the Apostles. It was there that the profound renewal of a Church was possible, which – being old and barren like Sarah (Rom 4:19) – could become fruitful again. In fact, this is what the Council was called for, “to restore to the face of the Church of Christ all her splendor, revealing the simplest and purest traits of her origin” (John XXIII, November 13, 1960). In the photo, mural painting, Eucharistic meal, Catacombs of St. Callixtus, Rome (Cordon…