The New Evangelization: Tweeting

I was on Twitter briefly, but it just didn't work for me as a means of communication.  But now the Holy Father has joined the trend (@pontifex).

From VIS::

Vatican City,  (VIS) - "Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you from my heart".

This was Benedict XVI's first tweet, published after the blessing that concluded today's general audience. The Pope used a tablet to send his first tweet, which was transmitted in eight languages (English, Italian, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Polish and Arabic), and displayed on a screen installed in the Paul VI Hall.

Throughout the day the Pope will respond to three questions - submitted from three different continents - selected from those sent during recent days.

The Holy Father already has over one million followers on Twitter.

Personally, I would have gone for two tweets, preceding the one above with "In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen."  With such a universal tool of communication like Twitter, the universal language of the Latin Church is logical. 

December 21st, 2012

From the Associated Press via myfoxny.com:

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican's top astronomer has some assurances to offer: The world won't be ending in about two weeks, despite predictions to the contrary.

The Rev. Jose Funes, director of the Vatican Observatory, wrote in Wednesday's Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano that "it's not even worth discussing" doomsday scenarios based on the Mayan calendar that are flooding the Internet ahead of the purported Dec. 21 apocalypse.
Yes, Funes wrote, the universe is expanding and if some models are correct, will at one point "break away" — but not for billions of years. But he said Christians profoundly believe that "death can never have the last word."

The Mayan Long Count calendar begins in 3,114 B.C., marking time in roughly 394-year periods known as Baktuns. The Mayans wrote that the significant 13th Baktun ends Dec. 21.

Pope Benedict's Christmas Schedule 2012

Via Vatican Insider

:

Tuesday 25 December 2012 
SOLEMNITY OF THE LORD’S BIRTH
Central loggia of the Vatican Basilica, at 12:00

The Holy Father Benedict XVI will address His Christmas message to the world and pronounce the "Urbi et Orbi" Blessing.


Monday 31 December 2012
SOLEMNITY OF MARY, HOLIEST MOTHER OF GOD
Vatican Basilica, 17:00

The Holy Father Benedict XVI will preside over the First Vespers of the Solemnity of Mary, Holiest Mother of God, followed by the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the traditional Te Deum hymn in thanksgiving for the past year and the Eucharistic Blessing.


Tuesdat 1 January 2013
SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLIEST MOTHER OF GOD – WORLD DAY OF PEACE
Papal Chapel, Vatican Basilica, 9:30

The Holy Father, Benedict XVI will celebrate Holy Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, Holiest Mother of God on the eighth day of Christmas, which falls on the same day as the 46^th World Day of Peace on the theme "Blessed are the peacemakers".

The Mass will be co-celebrated with the Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone; the President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson; the Titular Archbishop of Roselle and Substitute for General Affairs to the Secretary of State; the Titular Archbishop of Sagona and Secretary for Relations with States, Mgr. Dominique Mamberti; S.D.B., Titular Bishop of Bisarcio and Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Mgr. Mario Toso and the Titular Archbishop of Midila and President of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, Mgr. Beniamino Stella.


Sunday 6 January 2013
HOLY MASS ON THE SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY 
Papal Chapel. Vatican Basilica, 9:00
The Holy Father, Benedict XVI will celebrate Holy Mass on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, during which he will confer Episcopal Ordination upon some presbyters.


Sunday 13 January 2013
FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
Sistine Chapel, 9:45
The Holy Father, Benedict XVI will preside over the Eucharistic Celebration, during which he will administer the Sacrament of Baptism to some children.