Pope Francis formally began his ministry as bishop of Rome and as pope by pledging to protect the Catholic Church, the dignity of each person and the beauty of creation, just like St. Joseph protected Mary and Jesus.
Although attempts were made to simplify the ceremony, Pope Francis officially inaugurated his ministry as pope and bishop of Rome in a liturgy filled with biblical symbolism and signs of the universality of his mission.
But before the solemn rites began March 19, Pope Francis—known for choosing public transport over chauffeur-driven limousines—took his first spin in the popemobile, blessing the tens of thousands of people who arrived in St. Peter’s Square as early as 4:00am to pray with him.
Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, the leader of a large urban archdiocese in Latin America, was elected the 266th pope and took the name Francis.
He is the first pope in history to come from the Western Hemisphere and the first non-European to be elected in almost 1,300 years. The Jesuit was also the first member of his order to be elected pope, and the first member of any religious order to be elected in nearly two centuries.
"Now let's begin this journey, bishop and people...a journey of brotherhood, love and trust among us." Pope Francis is the first pope from the Americas, from the Jesuit order, and the first to take the name Francis. He is known to take the bus and subway, cook his meals...
The world watches with interest as cardinals gather in conclave-literally under lock and key-to elect the next pope. The rarity of the event, the ceremony and secrecy add to the intrigue. Take a look at the graphic put together by CNS.
Directors for Hispanic Ministry from Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas gathered at the Holy Family Center here Feb. 18-19 to select a new Coordinator for the Region. Father Hector J. Madrigal, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church, Amarillo and national President of the Association of Diocesan Directors for Hispanic Ministry, along with Dr. Arturo Chavez, current president of the Mexican American Catholic College, led the discernment.
“The Word: Get Plugged In,” is the theme of the annual Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference (DCYC) Youth Rally, set for Friday, April 5 through Sunday, April 7 at the Amarillo Civic Center.
Academic competition season is in full swing for Amarillo Catholic Schools, having competed at six events, with several students qualifying for regional and state competition.
Father John E. Hurley, C.S.P., Executive Director for the Department of
Monday, April 22 is the deadline to register for the second of three seminars being offered in the Diocese of Amarillo during The Year of Faith.
Evangelization in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and former Executive Director of the National Pastoral Life Center and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Secretariat for Evangelization, will present the second of three seminars being offered during the Year of Faith in the Diocese of Amarillo.
The Catholic Foundation of the Texas Panhandle will host the second annual Bishop’s Gala Friday, May 3, beginning at 6:00pm at the newly remodeled Amarillo Country Club, 4800 Bushland Blvd. The evening will include a social hour, dinner, speaker, live auction, dance and casino tables.