encounter" is the theme chosen by the Holy Father for World Communications Day.
The choice of theme this year has clearly been determined by the Celebration of
the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, and the Holy Father undoubtedly desired
that
World Communications Day would provide the appropriate occasion to reflect on
the deep synergy between communication and mercy.
 In the Bull of Indiction of the Jubilee Year, in paragraph 12, the Pope
affirms
that the Church is commissioned to announce the mercy of God, the beating heart
of the Gospel, which in its own way must penetrate the heart and mind of every
person. He adds that her language and her gestures must transmit mercy, so as
to
touch the hearts of all people and inspire them once more to find the road that
leads to the Father.
 It is helpful, in this regard, that communication is a key element for the
promotion of a culture of encounter. The Pope, on this occasion, refers to the
language and gestures of the Church but the context makes it clear that all men
and women in their own communications, in their reaching out to meet others,
ought to be motivated by a deep expression of welcome, availability and
forgiveness.
 The theme highlights the capacity of good communication to open up a space for
dialogue, mutual understanding and reconciliation, thereby allowing fruitful
human encounters to flourish. At a time when our attention is often drawn to
the
polarised and judgemental nature of much commentary on the social networks, the
theme invokes the power of words and gestures to overcome misunderstandings, to
heal memories and to build peace and harmony.
 Once again, Pope Francis is reminding us that, in its essence, communication
is
a profoundly human achievement. Good communication is never merely the product
of the latest or most developed technology, but is realised within the context
of a deep interpersonal relationship.
 World Communications Day, the only annual worldwide event called for by the
Second Vatican Council, is celebrated in most countries, on the recommendation
of the bishops of the world, on the Sunday before Pentecost (in 2016, May 8th).
 The Holy Father's message for World Communications Day is traditionally
published on 24 January, in conjunction with the Memorial of St. Francis de
Sales, patron of writers.
 Communication and Mercy: a fruitful encounter
 Vatican City, 29 September 2015 (VIS) "Communication and mercy: a fruitful
encounter" is the theme chosen by the Holy Father for World Communications Day.
The choice of theme this year has clearly been determined by the Celebration of
the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, and the Holy Father undoubtedly desired
that
World Communications Day would provide the appropriate occasion to reflect on
the deep synergy between communication and mercy.
 In the Bull of Indiction of the Jubilee Year, in paragraph 12, the Pope
affirms
that the Church is commissioned to announce the mercy of God, the beating heart
of the Gospel, which in its own way must penetrate the heart and mind of every
person. He adds that her language and her gestures must transmit mercy, so as
to
touch the hearts of all people and inspire them once more to find the road that
leads to the Father.
 It is helpful, in this regard, that communication is a key element for the
promotion of a culture of encounter. The Pope, on this occasion, refers to the
language and gestures of the Church but the context makes it clear that all men
and women in their own communications, in their reaching out to meet others,
ought to be motivated by a deep expression of welcome, availability and
forgiveness.
 The theme highlights the capacity of good communication to open up a space for
dialogue, mutual understanding and reconciliation, thereby allowing fruitful
human encounters to flourish. At a time when our attention is often drawn to
the
polarised and judgemental nature of much commentary on the social networks, the
theme invokes the power of words and gestures to overcome misunderstandings, to
heal memories and to build peace and harmony.
 Once again, Pope Francis is reminding us that, in its essence, communication
is
a profoundly human achievement. Good communication is never merely the product
of the latest or most developed technology, but is realised within the context
of a deep interpersonal relationship.
 World Communications Day, the only annual worldwide event called for by the
Second Vatican Council, is celebrated in most countries, on the recommendation
of the bishops of the world, on the Sunday before Pentecost (in 2016, May 8th).
 The Holy Father's message for World Communications Day is traditionally
published on 24 January, in conjunction with the Memorial of St. Francis de
Sales, patron of writers.

___________________________________________________________

 "Cantate Domino", the music of Popes, recorded in the Sistine Chapel
 Vatican City, 29 September 2015 (VIS) - This morning in the Holy See Press
Office a conference was held to present the music CD "Cantate Domino. The
Sistine Chapel and the music of Popes", produced by Deutsche Grammophon. The
speakers were Archbishop Georg Ganswein, prefect of the Papal Household; Msgr.
Massimo Palombella, S.D.B., director of the Pontifical Sistine Chapel Choir;
Mark Wilkinson, president of Deutsche Grammophon; and Mirko Gratton, director
of
the classical music section of Universal Italia.
 "The Pontifical Musical Choir, also known as the Sistine Chapel Choir, is
among
the oldest choral institutions in the world and has the unique characteristic
of
being the Pope's choir", explained Archbishop Ganswein. This characteristic
makes it part of the life of the "Pope's Home" and places the Pontifical
Sistine
Chapel Choir within the structure of the Prefecture of the Papal Household, and
gives it the specific task of being an entity whose service is entirely devoted
to the Pontiff. "The Prefecture is the point of reference for the Choir in
terms
of its artistic, administrative and disciplinary management. It is a composite
and structured entity made up of 20 adult singers regularly employed by the
Holy
See, with the addition of 20 pueri cantores who attend the private elementary
school annexed to the Choir. The release of a musical CD under the prestigious
Deutsche Grammaphon label is an unprecedented event in the history of the
Pontifical Musical Choir, and attests to the quality and professionalism that
this Institution has achieved, thanks to its serious and diligent work under
the
guidance of Maestro Massimo Palombella".
 The album, released on 25 September, includes Renaissance music written for
the
Sistine Chapel Choir by Palestrina, Lassus and Victoria. There are also two
pieces of Gregorian chant, alongside world premiere recordings of the original
version of Allegri's fabled Miserere (Sistine Codex of 1661) and a Nunc
dimittis
attributed to Palestrina which is still used during papal celebrations. Cantate
Domino offers listeners the chance to hear these pieces as the composers
intended - in Latin and in the surroundings for which they were originally
written. In order to capture the magic, mystery and beauty of the music in such
unique surroundings, Deutsche Grammophon set up a specially constructed studio
within the Chapel. The mixing desk was set up in an ante-chamber, next to the
"Sala del Pianto" (where the newly elected pontiff first dresses in the papal
vestments).
 "The Sistine Chapel was consecrated in 1483, and since then it has been home,
without interruption, of the Pontifical Musical Choir", explained Msgr.
Palombella. "In recent years, after intense and specific study of Renaissance
religious music and its aesthetic importance, we have been able to undertake an
interesting and significant recording. My hope is that these musical
masterpieces will reach millions of people throughout the world, bringing them
into contact with the historical culture and profound spirituality of the
Catholic Church".

___________________________________________________________

 Other Pontifical Acts
 Vatican City, 29 September 2015 (VIS) - The Holy Father has appointed:
 - Bishop Hugo Alberto Torres Marin, auxiliary of Medellin, Colombia, as bishop
of Apartado (area 26,000, population 561,000, Catholics 403,000, priests 65,
religious 118), Colombia.
 - Bishop Joao Evangelista Pimental Lavrador, auxiliary of Oporto, Portugal, as
coadjutor of the diocese of Angra (area 2,243, population 246,102, Catholics
224,105, priests 147, permanent deacons 5, religious 129), Portugal.

___________________________________________________________

 Vatican Radio
 Vatican City, 29 September 2015 (VIS) - Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro
Parolin has appointed Fr. Andrzej Majewksi, S.J., as director of programming
for
Vatican Radio.

___________________________________________________________

For more information and to search for documents refer to the site:
www.visnews.org and www.vatican.va

Copyright (VIS):  the news contained in the services of the Vatican
Information Service may be reproduced wholly or partially by quoting
the source:  V. I. S. - Vatican Information Service.
http://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/vis/vis_en.html

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