Pope: Pauline Year Was a Time of Grace

Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
1 Jul 2009

During his Angelus address, Pope Benedict spoke about the Pauline Year, which ends on Monday, saying the year was a time of grace that showed the figure of St. Paul to be a man of extraordinary works and a great evangelizer.

As the Pauline Year ends, the Year of the Priest begins under the patronage of St. John Vianney, Cure d'Ars. The Holy Father noted that the Apostle Paul was an example of a priest totally identified with his ministry, conscious of carrying an incalculable treasure, that is, the message of salvation.

The Pope went on to say that the priest has to be all to Christ and all to the Church, dedicating himself with love, like a faithful bridegroom to his bride.