Nathan de Melo Brito Pires emociona o Papa Francisco I na Jornada Mundia...(One will understand without translation one viewed.)

RIO DE JANEIRO — Nathan de Brito brought Pope Francis to tears during one of his motorcades through the streets of Rio de Janeiro on July 26, when the boy broke past barriers to deliver an important message to the Holy Father.

“Your Holiness, I want to be a priest of Christ, a representative of Christ,” de Brito whispered into the ear of Pope Francis. De Brito, 9, had jumped hurdles and made his way to the popemobile wearing his Brazilian national soccer team jersey. The boy later told reporters about the emotional exchange, which was also captured on.

“I am going to pray for you, but I ask you to pray for me,” Pope Francis told him.

“As of today, your vocation is set,” said the Pope, moved to tears and embracing de Brito.

Onlookers noticed that the boy did not want to leave the Holy Father. Only after several attempts did the Popeʼs security detail finally take de Brito off the popemobile.

Once on the street, de Brito walked next to the popemobile, waving to Francis and blowing him kisses. One of the security guards stopped to console the boy before bringing him back to his waiting family.

The Miracle of the Sun in Fatima October 13, 1917

A Response to Rachel Held Evans CNN Article, “Why millennials are leaving the church”.

A Response to Rachel Held Evans Article, “Why millennials are leaving the church”.

Written by Thomas W. Bigham

The following is in response to an article written by Rachel Held Evans titled, “Why millennials are leaving the church”, published in CNN’s “Belief Blog” on July 27th, 2013. As the author has offered her valued insight both honestly and directly, such deserves the same in addressing her points of issue.

 

The following excerpts from her article and this writer’s accompanying responses will attempt to briefly address those concerns as they have been raised. I respond as a lay person and practicing Catholic. My responses are not to be construed as an official response of the Roman Catholic Church or any affiliation thereof, but specifically as one who had been separated for many years from all organized religion. It was only after the realization of my own errors and the pursuit of a deeper knowledge and understanding of Christianity that I had returned through the guidance of scripture to the Catholic faith.

 

Rachel Held Evans, Excerpt  #1:

“Many of us, myself included, are finding ourselves increasingly drawn to high church traditions – Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, the Episcopal Church, etc. – precisely because the ancient forms of liturgy seem so unpretentious, so unconcerned with being “cool,” and we find that refreshingly authentic.”

 

Response: I would only comment here that a number of changes over the last few centuries and even more so over the last few decades have caused many sincere Christians from various denominations to voice their concerns questioning the guidance of the faith they had followed. Jesus Christ did not adapt His teachings or His presentation to be more accommodating or acceptable to more people. He did not accept the opinions of others in determining the “best approach” for the biggest return, and he certainly did not conform to society’s popular opinions - and neither should His Church if it truly presents His teachings faithfully. Likewise, the Catholic Church has retained the consistency of His teachings for 2000 years even in the darkest of times, regardless of any particular era’s fluctuating social or moral standards. In fact, just as today, there were times throughout history the Catholic Church struggled in direct opposition to popular opinion. As was said, the Church can not care about what is “cool” or popular, especially when popularity infringes upon the truth and guidance provided to the faithful.    

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