19th August 2018 - 1978: The Year of the three Popes

On this weeks programme John, Shane and Lorraine take a look back into the history books to mark the 40th anniversary of the Year of Three  Popes. We have our regular notices, reflection on Sunday gospel as well as our usual visit to this weeks saints of the week.

You can listen to the podcast of this weeks full programme HERE.

1978 - The Year of the Three Popes

This year is the 40th anniversary of the Year of the Three Popes which occurred in 1978. The three popes involved were:

• Paul VI, who was elected on 21 June 1963 and died on 6 August 1978. 
• John Paul I, who was elected on 26 August 1978 and died thirty-three days later on 28 September 1978.
• John Paul II, who was elected on 16 October 1978 and held the position until his death 26 years, 5 months, and 18 days later on 2 April 2005.

So on this weeks programme we discuss that eventful year and the impact it had on Church and world history with the end of the Italian stranglehold on the papacy and a shift to engagement with the world following the implementation of the Second Vatican Council.

BBC - 1978: Year of the three popes
‘Year of Three Popes’: Paul VI’s Death 40 Years Ago Heralded Whirlwind in Church

You can listen to the discussion about 1978 excerpted from the main programme podcast HERE.

Gospel - John 6:51-58

Jesus said to the crowds:
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven;
whoever eats this bread will live forever;
and the bread that I will give
is my flesh for the life of the world."
The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying,
"How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
Jesus said to them,
"Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood,
you do not have life within you.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
has eternal life,
and I will raise him on the last day.
For my flesh is true food,
and my blood is true drink.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
remains in me and I in him.
Just as the living Father sent me
and I have life because of the Father,
so also the one who feeds on me
will have life because of me.
This is the bread that came down from heaven.
Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died,
whoever eats this bread will live forever."

Reflections on this weeks gospel:

Word on Fire
English Dominicans
Centre for Liturgy
Sunday Reflections

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours - Psalter week 4

Saints of the Week

August 20th - St Bernard of Clairvaux
August 21st -  St Pius X
August 22nd - Queenship of Mary
August 23rd - St Eoghan
August 24th - St Bartholomew
August 25th - St Louis of France