God Draws Near and Shares Human Frailty

In places of care, God continues to make Himself present each day through the often hidden service of those who work for the good of others. This was emphasized by Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President Emeritus of the Governorate of Vatican City State, during the celebration of a Holy Mass in honor of the Christmas season on Saturday afternoon, 20 December, in the Church of Mary, Mother of the Family, at the Governorate.

With friendship and cooperation

He was known to everyone as “Father Fernando”, as he had not yet been created Cardinal. The then Father Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, joined the Directorate of Telecommunications, now known as the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems, as Director in January 2008.

Remembering this bond, the employees and managers of the Directorate wished to greet him, by sharing a Eucharist celebration, on Thursday morning, 27 March, at the Governorate’s Church of Mary, Mother of the Family, presided by the Cardinal.

We are all chosen by God, like Mary

“We too, like Mary, were chosen by God to embody his kindness, his tenderness, his mercy. He needs our hands to continue his work and our lips to announce his message”, highlighted Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, on Friday morning, 20 December, as he celebrated Holy Mass for Vatican employees at the Altar of the Chair in Saint Peter’s Basilica, in preparation for the Solemnity of Christmas.

In continuity and harmony, at the service of the Successor of Peter

Sometimes words alone are not enough to express what one feels within, when one’s service to the Pope, to the Hoy See and to the Governorate ends, after 53 years. The farewell becomes imbued with feelings, memories and affection, as occurred during the farewell ceremony of Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and President of the Governorate, until 28 February. Having completed his 80th birthday, he wished to step down by celebrating Holy Mass on Monday morning, 3 March, in the Church of Mary, Mother of the Family.

Like many small flames before the Heart of Mary

Hundreds of tiny flames, like many pleas brought before the Heart of Mary so they may reach her Son’s Heart, lit a long procession through the Vatican Gardens on Friday evening, 31 May. The procession ended at the Grotta di Lourdes. A large number of faithful participated in the recital of the Rosary, surrounded by the light of the flambeaux, and listened to the concluding reflection of Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State.

A sign of loyalty to the Successor of Peter from Vietnamese Catholics  

The presence of a statue of Our Lady of La Vang, near the Tomb of the Apostle Peter in the Vatican City, is a sign of the loyalty of Vietnamese Catholics to Christ, to the Pope, and to the Church. Our Lady of La Vang is venerated with the title of Our Lady of Peace. It is with this objective that a statue of her was placed near the Jubilee Bell in the Vatican Gardens.

The profession of faith and the oath of fidelity are two important events in the lives of the employees of the Governorate, which occur after they are hired  on a trial basis. Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, presided at the so-called swearing ceremony on Thursday morning, 13 February, in the Governorate’s Church of Mary, Mother of the Family. Also present were Sister Raffaella Petrini, Secretary General of the Governorate, and a number of Directors.

Fostering trust in Christ Jesus

Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President Emeritus of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, celebrated Mass on the Fifth Sunday of Lent, for the personnel of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene on Saturday afternoon, March 21, in the Chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae in the Vatican.

The Magnificat according to Blessed Cardinal Pironio

The mystery of Mary is a mystery of “spoliation and annihilation, of hiddenness and littleness, of humility and service”, said Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, presiding over day 7 of the Immaculate Conception Novena, on Thursday evening, 5 December, in Rome’s Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles. A Eucharistic Concelebration was celebrated in the Basilica cared for by the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, prior to the recital of the Rosary and the litanies.

I will remember you in my prayers and in the sacrifice of Mass

On Friday morning, 21 February, Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, presided at Holy Mass for the employees of the Directorate for Infrastructures and Services. He made two promises: “I will carry you in my heart” and “I will remember you in my prayers and in the daily sacrifice of Mass”.

Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, and H.E. Ms. María Isabel Celaá Diéguez, Ambassador of Spain to the Holy See, will inaugurate an exhibition titled, “Bernini’s Souls” at the Pinacoteca of the Vatican Museums on Tuesday, 19 November.

Un’esplosione di calore, fede e tradizione popolare, intorno al grande albero di Natale, collocato al centro del Cortile del Palazzo Apostolico di Castel Gandolfo. Figure modellate a mano in terracotta ricordano la nascita di Gesù. Si tratta di un presepe messicano, con un numero di personaggi essenziale: il Bambino, Maria, Giuseppe, i tre Magi, un pastore e un angelo. Hanno forme semplici ma molto espressive: volti assorti a contemplare il mistero, tutti protesi verso la mangiatoia circondata dal bue e l’asinello.

An outpouring of warmth, faith and popular tradition surrounds the great Christmas tree placed at the center of the Courtyard of the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo. Hand-modeled terracotta figures recall the birth of Jesus. It is a Mexican nativity scene, with an essential number of characters: the Child, Mary, Joseph, the three Magi, a shepherd, and an angel. They have simple yet highly expressive forms: faces absorbed in contemplation of the mystery, all leaning toward the manger surrounded by the ox and the donkey.

Insieme come pellegrini di speranza 

Camminare insieme per i Giardini Vaticani dietro la Croce per ricordare e rivivere i momenti più dolorosi della Passione di Cristo. Come da tradizione, anche quest’anno, durante la Settimana Santa, il Governatorato dello Stato della Città del Vaticano ha promosso il pio esercizio della Via Crucis.

Ascoltare la voce del Signore

Insieme attraverso i Giardini Vaticani per rivivere la dolorosa Passione di Cristo. Come da tradizione, anche quest’anno, il Governatorato dello Stato della Città del Vaticano ha promosso il pio esercizio della Via Crucis.

Nel mistero della Visitazione, la gioia di Elisabetta per la presenza di Gesù, si trasforma in annuncio di salvezza in Maria. Una riflessione che accompagna i fedeli nel cammino dell’Avvento, a pochi giorni dalla solennità del Natale. L’hanno potuta ascoltare i dipendenti della Direzione di Sanità e Igiene del Governatorato, partecipando alla Messa, celebrata, sabato pomeriggio, 21 dicembre, nella chiesa di Maria, Madre della Famiglia, dal Cardinale Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, Presidente del Governatorato dello Stato della Città del Vaticano.

The traditional inauguration of the Nativity Scene and the lighting of the Christmas tree will take place in St. Peter’s Square on Monday, 15 December, at 5:00 p.m. The ceremony will be presided over by Sr. Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, in the presence of Archbishop Emilio Nappa and Attorney Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi, Secretaries General of the same Governorate.

La tradizionale inaugurazione del Presepe e illuminazione dell’albero di Natale, si terrà, in Piazza San Pietro, lunedì 15 dicembre, alle ore 17,00. La cerimonia sarà presieduta da Sr. Raffaella Petrini, Presidente del Governatorato dello Stato della Città del Vaticano, alla presenza dell’Arcivescovo Emilio Nappa e dell’avvocato Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi, Segretari Generali dello stesso Governatorato.

La tradizionale inaugurazione del Presepe e illuminazione dell’albero di Natale, si terrà, in Piazza San Pietro, lunedì 15 dicembre, alle ore 17,00. La cerimonia sarà presieduta da Sr. Raffaella Petrini, Presidente del Governatorato dello Stato della Città del Vaticano, alla presenza dell’Arcivescovo Emilio Nappa e dell’avvocato Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi, Segretari Generali dello stesso Governatorato.

Il Cardinale Fernando Vérgez Alzaga e Sr. Raffaella Petrini, rispettivamente Presidente e Segretario Generale del Governatorato dello Stato della Città del Vaticano, inaugureranno il Presepe e illumineranno l’albero di Natale, allestiti in Piazza San Pietro. La cerimonia si svolgerà, sabato 7 dicembre, alle ore 18.30.