VATICAN - The " Sermons of Advent " this year dedicated to evangelization

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The traditional " Sermons of Advent " in view of Christmas, delivered by the preacher of the Pontifical Household at the Roman Curia, in the presence of the Holy Father Benedict XVI, will this year be on the theme of evangelization, in view of next year’s Synod of Bishops in October 2012. According to the statement of the Vatican press Office, the Preacher Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M. Cap, will focus on four periods of evangelization in the history of the Church: 1) the second half of the third century when the vast sectors of the Roman Empire were converted thanks to the efforts of bishops; 2) the VI-IX centuries during which the monks worked for the re-evangelization of Europe following the barbarian invasions; 3) the sixteenth century with the discovery and conversion of the peoples of the "New World" through the apostolate of the friars, and 4) Our own day, when the Church is committed to re-evangelizing a secularized West through the commitment of the lay faithful. The first sermon was held on Friday, December 2, the next to be held on Friday 9, Friday 16 and Friday, December 23. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 03/12/2011)