Communicare Ecclesia

In profound continuity with the Encyclical Delexit nos, in which Pope Francis developed the inexhaustible mystery of the divine and human love of the Heart of Christ, the document begins from the words of the Lord: “I have loved you” (Rev 3:9) and wants to point out the strong connection that exists between the love of Christ and his call for us to draw near to the poor.

The care of the poor is part of the Great Tradition of the Church, like a beacon of light that, from the Gospel onward, has illuminated the hearts and steps of Christians of all time. Therefore, we should feel the urgency to invite everyone to immerse himself in this river of light and of life that comes from recognizing Christ in the face of the needy and the suffering. For us Christians, the question of the poor leads to what is essential in our faith, since the poor are not a sociological category, but the very body of Christ.

This resource is for all Liturgical Ministers, formators, leaders, catechists and teachers in our dioceses. In each section we provide a range of ideas to help you accompany your parishes and schools in developing their engagement with the Scriptures during and outside of Mass.

These ideas are devised to help you and those you accompany to deepen a love of the Bible and navigate the new Lectionary.

All our ideas are simple suggestions for you to adapt according to your needs and contexts. They are not an exhaustive list but a platform from which you can develop other resources, tools and approaches to benefit from the new Lectionary.

We encourage you to be creative and flexible in how you use these ideas and resources to suit your communities.

We include helpful web links to support our information

I am deeply saddened and extremely worried by the progress made in the House of Commons towards the legalisation of assisted suicide. While this is not yet the final step in enacting this legislation, it represents a seismic and concerning shift in our nation’s approach to caring for the most vulnerable among us.

Compassion, rightly understood, means standing with those who suffer, sharing their burdens, and honouring their dignity until the natural end of their lives. It does not mean hastening death, even in the face of pain or despair. Every human life is of immeasurable value, and our response must always be to protect and support those who are most in need.

The experience of other countries where assisted suicide has been introduced serves as a grave warning. Promised safeguards are eroded over time, leaving the elderly, disabled, and seriously ill at risk of feeling their lives are a burden to others. The subtle, and sometimes overt, pressure this creates threatens the very fabric of a society built on care and protection for the weakest.

Legalising assisted suicide also undermines the essential trust between patients and healthcare professionals. Those who dedicate their lives to healing and comforting the sick are being placed in an untenable position. Conscientious objection — the right of medical practitioners, nursing and care staff, and institutions to refuse to participate in practices that violate their deeply held ethical or religious convictions — must be upheld and protected. Without this assurance, the ethos of our healthcare system and the integrity of those who serve within it are at serious risk.

Instead of moving towards assisted suicide, we must commit to improving palliative care, ensuring that expert pain relief, emotional support, and spiritual care are available to all who need them. No one should feel alone or abandoned in their suffering.

As we face this challenging moment, I call on Catholics and all people of goodwill to advocate for the protection of life at every stage and to stand in solidarity with those who are most vulnerable. Let us also turn to the Lord Jesus, who shared in human suffering and revealed the depth of his love through his death and resurrection. Through him, we find the strength to defend the dignity of every person and to build a society that values the gift of life from conception to natural death.

Archbishop John Wilson

29 November 2024

Pope Francis has given us a profound gift in his latest encyclical, Dilexit Nos (He Loved Us). This beautifully written document invites us to contemplate the immense love of Christ and its transformative power. It reminds us that His Sacred Heart beats for every one of us, offering unconditional love and calling us to bring that love into a fractured world.

An encyclical is more than just a letter from the Pope—it is a teaching document meant to inspire and guide the entire Church, addressing vital issues of faith, society, and morality, offering wisdom and encouragement for living the Gospel in today’s world. With Dilexit Nos Pope Francis speaks directly to our hearts, inviting us to deepen our relationship with Christ through a rediscovery of His Sacred Heart.

The Core Message: A Love That Knows No Bounds

The central theme of Dilexit Nos is the unshakable truth that “He loved us first” (1 Jn 4:19). Long before we turned to Him, Christ’s love was already reaching out, calling us into friendship. His Sacred Heart—wounded on the Cross yet alive and burning with love— remains a powerful symbol of that divine love.

Pope Francis writes: “In the heart of Christ, we encounter the fullness of love. It is here that we find the strength to heal wounds, reconcile with others, and discover our true purpose.”

This message speaks directly to the restlessness many of us feel. In a world filled with noise and distraction, the encyclical invites us to return to the quiet, where our hearts can once again beat in harmony with Christ’s.

In Dilexit Nos, Pope Francis invites us to deepen our relationship with Christ. Here are the passages from the encyclical that brought my personal attention:

On the Authenticity of the Heart: "Mere appearances, dishonesty, and deception harm and pervert the heart. Despite our every attempt to appear as something we are not, our heart is the ultimate judge, not of what we show or hide from others, but of who we truly are."

On the Transformative Power of Christ's Love: "The heart of Christ is 'ecstasy,' openness, gift, and encounter. In that heart, we learn to relate to one another in wholesome and happy ways, and to build up in this world God’s kingdom of love and justice."

On the Necessity of the Heart in Human Experience: "If we fail to appreciate the specificity of the heart, we miss the messages that the mind alone cannot communicate; we miss out on the richness of our encounters with others; we miss out on poetry."

Reconnecting with the Heart of Christ

In today’s fast-paced world, we often lose sight of what matters most. We can become disconnected from ourselves, our loved ones, and even God. Pope Francis urges us to reflect deeply on the state of our own hearts. He asks us to consider: Who am I at my core? What motivates my choices and actions? Is my heart open to the love of Christ and the needs of others?

The Sacred Heart serves as a reminder that true transformation begins within. When we allow Christ’s love to heal and renew us, we are better equipped to live out our mission as His disciples.

Living Out Dilexit Nos in Our Parish

The beauty of this encyclical is that it doesn’t stop at personal reflection—it calls us to action. It challenges us to bring Christ’s love into every corner of our lives. As a parish community, we are invited to embody this love through our shared worship, service, and outreach. When we gather for Mass, pray together, or support those in need, we become living witnesses of Christ’s love.

This is particularly important as we approach Advent, a time of hope and renewal. Let us take this opportunity to recommit ourselves to being a community rooted in love. Imagine the impact we can have if each of us makes a conscious effort to love more deeply, forgive more readily, and serve more generously.

How Can You Engage with Dilexit Nos?

I encourage you to read Dilexit Nos in its entirety. It is available online through the Vatican or through our parish website. Set aside time for prayer and reflection, perhaps during Adoration or in the quiet of your home. Let the message of Christ’s Sacred Heart guide your thoughts and actions.

As Pope Francis reminds us, the world often feels fragmented and divided, but healing begins in the heart. By opening our hearts to Christ’s love, we allow His peace to transform us, bringing hope to our families, our parish, and beyond.

Let us take to heart Pope Francis’s inspiring words: “The world can change, beginning with the heart.” Will you let Christ’s love transform your heart today? Together, as one parish family, we can become beacons of His love, bringing light to a world in need. Let the coming Advent season be a time of renewal, as we draw closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and one another.

See the full text of the Encyclical at https://www.papalencyclicals.net/