Pope Francis denounced
consumerism as a poison that threatens true happiness, which comes from
membership in the church. The pope made his remarks before
praying the Angelus with a noontime crowd in St. Peter's Square. "The
encounter with the living Jesus, in the great family that is the church,
fills the heart with joy, because it fills it with true life, a
profound goodness that does not pass away or decay," he said. "But this
experience must face the daily vanity, the poison of emptiness that
insinuates itself into our society based on profit and having (things),
that deludes young people with consumerism," he said. "Young people are
particularly sensitive to the emptiness of meaning and values that
surrounds them," he said. "And they, unfortunately, pay the
consequences."
Finding St Anthony Among the Lost Items
Saint Anthony of Padua, though often associated with finding lost articles, was primarily known in his lifetime as a powerful and eloquent preacher. Originally a Canon Regular of St. Augustine, he was inspired to join the newly formed Franciscan order after witnessing the martyrdom of the first Franciscan missionaries in Morocco. His conversion to the mendicant life under St. Francis of Assisi transformed him, deepening his commitment to poverty, humility, and evangelical preaching. Gifted with profound theological knowledge and a captivating speaking style, he traveled across Italy and France, drawing immense crowds with his clear and passionate sermons, converting many and combating heresy with his unwavering faith and intellectual rigor. Beyond his public ministry, St. Anthony was a mystic who enjoyed profound spiritual experiences, most notably a vision of the Infant Jesus. This intimate connection with the Christ Child is a hallmark of his iconography, often depicting him c...
