Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) – “I like to reflect on the pontificate of Pope John Paul looking at his crest, at the great Cross and capital M for Mary, Most Holy, the Mother of Jesus at the foot of the Cross of her son, with Him for the redemption of the world.
The Pope calls men and women of today to open the doors to Christ, and he also invites us to open the doors to Mary. Who can count how many times in his Teaching Pope John Paul II has said to the Mother of Christ “totus tuus ego sum”! Who can count the explicit or implicit Marian references in his Teachings. Who can count the prayers and acts of consecration and entrustment dedicated to Mary! But, above all, who can measure his vast and profound filial love, which flows from his person, his writings, in a word, from his life for the Mother and for all mothers?
Looking only at the crest of this Pontificate with its great Cross and capital M we realise immediately the great importance of the Mother of God in the life of this Pope, of the Church today, which continues that of yesterday and which stems from the Church as it has always been: the new born Church! And it was born at the foot of the Cross and from the Cross Jesus entrusted his fledgling Church, signified in St John the Apostle of love, to a Mother, not any mother, but to his own most holy Mother “son behold your mother!”
That was the first “totus tuus” on the day of the greatest Act that history has ever witnessed, the Act of the infinite love of God who offers himself in Jesus Christ for our salvation.
That first “totus tuus” has become familiar to us with John Paul II through his own “totus tuus” in our day: days, months, years of this Pontificate lived under the banner of a Women clothed with the sun, Mother of all peoples.
Yes, truly “My Mother always” as the Holy Father exclaimed in one of his prayers of entrustment to Mary, and we too with him wish to say: “My Mother always!”
(L. A.) (Service Fides 23/10/2003; lines 24 – words 364)
