Morning Catholic must-reads: 19/10/10

Benedict XVI issued a deeply personal letter to the world’s seminarians yesterday (full text).

The Synod of Bishops for the Middle East has reached the half-way stage with the publication of its post-discussion report.

The Pope has described Verdi’s Requiem as “a great cry to the Father” even though the composer was “somewhat of an atheist”.

Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles tells John Allen that the number of Eastern Rite Catholics in his diocese is growing.

The full text of Martin Mosebach’s address at the Liturgy Convention of the Archdiocese of Colombo is now available.

Russell Shaw compares the development of in vitro fertilisation to Tuskegee-style experiments.

Valle Adurni says that Bishop Broadhurst and Archbishop Hepworth are likely to be allowed to join the Ordinariate.

Rocco Palmo notes that the US bishops are slowly embracing the digital world.

Carl Olson explains where you can find good free reading about Blessed John Henry Newman.

And singer Sharon Corr explains why meeting John Paul II gave her a fit of giggles.