Re-proposing and rediscovering the relevance of the Beatitudes in society and the Church today: that is the objective of this year’s Lenten cycle of homilies promoted by the French Church in the cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris. The idea of the Lenten homilies goes back to 1835 and now represents “a major event for reflection on the relevance of the Christian faith in our time. “This year says a press release put out by the French Bishops’ Conference the preaching of Lent in Notre-Dame in Paris forms part of the wider preparations for the International Congress for the new evangelization which is due to be held in Paris from 23 October to 1st November. This year the reflections are focused on the spirit of the Beatitudes. “Their paradoxical character explain the French bishops is a sign of their power”. The cycle of reflections will begin on Sunday, 29 February with “Blessed are the poor in spirit”: it is entrusted to Cardinal Policarpo, archbishop of Lisbon. Later homilies will be given by the Orthodox Metropolitan of France Emmanuel (7 March), Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, archbishop of Vienna (14 March), Cardinal Erdö, archbishop of Budapest (21 March), and Cardinal Danneels, archbishop of Brussels (28 March). The cycle will end on Sunday 2 April with a homily by the archbishop of Paris, Cardinal Lustiger, who will speak about the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” and “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 5:9-10).
