Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “This first Sunday in October offers us to motives for prayer and reflection: the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Rosary, which falls today, and missionary commitment to which this month is dedicated in a special way”. Pope Benedict XVI said this on Sunday October 7 from his study window overlooking St Peter's Square in his reflection before leading the recitation of the midday Angelus prayer with the crowds gathered to receive his blessing.
“The Rosary is the means given us by the Blessed Virgin Mary to contemplate Jesus so that meditating his life, we make love him and follow him ever more faithfully” the Pope said referring to the traditional image of Our Lady Queen of the Rosary as with one arm she hold the Infant Jesus and with the other she gives the rosary beads to Saint Dominic. The Rosary is the “task Our Lady left us in her various apparitions" Benedict said, mentioning in particular the apparitions at Fatima, 90 years ago, when Mary asked the three shepherd children to recite the rosary every day to obtain the end of the war. “Let us too respond to Our Lady's maternal request - the Pope said -, committing ourselves to reciting with faith the Rosary for peace in families, in nations and all over the world.”
“However we know that true peace spreads where people and institutions accept the Gospel- Pope Benedict XVI continued -. The month of October reminds us of this fundamental truth by means of special animation to foster a lively spirit of mission in every community and to sustain the work of priests, men and women religious and lay people, on the frontiers of the Church's mission. With special care we prepare to celebrated on 21 October, World Mission Sunday which will have as its theme: "All the Churches for all the World". The proclamation of the Gospel is still the first service the Church owes to humanity to offer Christ's salvation to the men and women of our day, in many ways humiliated and oppressed, and to orient in a Christian sense the present cultural, social and moral changes happening today. This year another reason prompts new missionary effort: the 50th anniversary of the Fidei donum encyclical of the Servant of God, Pope Pius XII, who promoted and encouraged cooperation among the Churches for mission ad gentes. I wish to recall that 150 years ago five priests and a layman from the Don Mazza Institute in Verona set out for Africa, to be precise for what is present day Sudan. One of them was Daniele Comboni, future Bishop of central Africa and patron saint of those peoples, whose feast day is October 10”.
The Pope then entrusted all missionaries to the intercession of Saint Daniele Comboni, all missionary saints and blessed and to the protection of Our Lady of the Rosary. “May Mary help us remember that every Christian is called to be an announcer of the Gospel with word and lifestyle”.
After the Angelus prayer the Pope greeted young people who animated the 4th Missione di Roma called "Gesù al centro". “I congratulate you dear friends for carrying the news of God's love through the streets, and to some of the city's hospitals and schools - the Pope said -. Missionary experience is part of Christian formation and it is important for adolescents and young people to have this personal experience. Continue to bear witness to the Gospel every day and offer your generous participation in the next missionary initiatives organised by the diocese of Rome.” He also greeted children from all over Lazio taking part in "Terza Festa dello Sportivo" on the theme "Sport, Amicizia, Preghiera", and to the Associazione Fiaba, which strives to remove architectural barriers. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 8/10/2007 - righe 43, parole 630)
