While I am sure the Holy Father did not plan his Sunday Angelus around American's veteran day weekend. I can't help but note that he focused on a Saint that was in the military at one time. A very good Angelus. Of note is his words on Lebanon at the end. Thanks again to the Ratzinger forum for the translation.
ANGELUS OF 11/11/07
Here is a translation of the Holy Father's words at Angelus today.
Dear brothers and sisters! The Church remembers today, November 11, St. Martin, Bishop of Tours (France), one of Europe's most celebrated and venerated saints. Born to pagan parents around 316 in Pannonia, now Hungary, he was directed to a military career by his father. As an adolescent, Martin encountered Christianity, and overcoming many difficulties, he enrolled as a catechumen to prepare himself for Baptism.
He received the Sacrament when he was about 20, but he still had to serve more time in the army, where he gave ample witness to his new way of life: He was respectful and understanding to all; he treated his manservant like his brother; he avoided vulgar entertainments. Once dismissed from the army, he went to Poitiers in France, to be with the Bishop Hilarius.
Ordained deacon and priest by him, he chose the monastic life , and started, with some disciples, the oldest known monastery in Europe at Liguge. About ten years later, the Christians of Tours, who were without a pastor, acclaimed him as their Bishop. From then on, Martin dedicated himself with ardent zeal to the evangelization of the countryside and to the formation of priests.
Even if numerous miracles have been attributed to him, St. Martin was famous above all for an act of fraternal charity. As a young soldier, he encountered a poor man on the street who was shivering from the cold. He took off his cloak, cut it in half with his sword, and gave one piece to the man.
That night, Jesus, wrapped in that cloak, appeared to him in a dream. Dear brothers and sisters, the charitable gesture of St. Martin is the same logic that made Jesus multiply the loaves of bread for a hungry crowd but above all, to leave himself as food for humanity in the Eucharist, supreme sign of God's love, sacramentum caritatis, the sacrament of love. It is the logic of sharing through which love for neighbor is concretely expressed.
May St. Martin help us to understand that only through a common commitment to share is it possible to respond to the great challenge of our time, which is to construct a world of peace and justice, in which every man may live in dignity. This can happen if a world model of authentic solidarity prevails which is able to assure to every inhabitant of the planet food water, necessary medical care, but also employment and energy resources, as well as cultural benefits and scientific and technological knowledge.
Let us turn to the Virgin Mary that she may help all Christians to be, like St. Martin, generous witnesses for the Gospel of love and tireless builders of brotherly sharing.
After the Angelus prayers, he had a special message on Lebanon:
The National Assembly of Lebanon will soon be called to elect a new Head of State. As the numerous initiatives undertaken in recent days have shown, this is a crucial transition on which the very survival of Lebanon and its institutions depends.
I take on myself the concerns expressed recently by the Maronite Patriarch, His Beatitude Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir, and his wish that all Lebanese may acknowledge the new President. Together let us ask Our Lady of Lebanon to inspire all interested parties towards the necessary detachment from their own personal interests and a true passion for the common good.
He also had a special message for Italians and for Argentines:
Italy celebrates today the Day of Thanksgiving with the theme 'Custodians of a beloved land we must serve". In our day, farmers are not only the producers of essential goods but also guardians of the natural environment and the national patrimony. Therefore, as we thank God for the gifts of Creation, let us pray that the workers of the land may live and work in serenity and prosperity and take care of the environment for the good of all.
I address a special greeting to the Argentine community in Rome. Dear friends, many of you have come on the occasion of the beatification of Zeffirino Namuncura, which takes place today in Chimpay, Argentina, where the celebration will be presided by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who has gone there in my representation. May the Blessed Zeffirino intercede for you and your families. In English, he said: I extend heartfelt greetings to the English-speaking visitors here today. At this time the Church remembers Saint Martin of Tours, the saintly monk and bishop who was moved with such great compassion for the sufferings of the poor. Recalling the occasion when he cut his cloak in two, and gave one half to a poor man, we resolve to follow his example by sharing what we have with those less fortunate than ourselves. Upon all of you, and upon your families and loved ones at home, I invoke God’s abundant blessings.
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