Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Florida (Agenzia Fides) - About 4,000 Catholics came from all over the country to render homage to the Blessed Virgin Mary at the national Marian shrine of Our Lady of Trenta Tre, taking part in the annual national pilgrimage with the theme "With Mary sharing the joy of our faith" (see Fides 8/11/2007).
Bishop Raúl Scarrone of Florida diocese, welcomed the thousands of people who had braved rain and wind to pay homage to Our Lady and present their prayer intentions. The Bishop of Florifa mentioned three intentions in particular with regard to the situation in the country and also in view of the Bishops plenary assembly to discuss pastoral guidelines for the next few years. The Bishop said "let us ask Mary to help us be true disciples and missionaries of Jesus Christ; let us pray that all may have life and life to the full and that life may be respected from conception to natural death, because life belongs to God; may the peoples of Uruguay and Argentina form bonds of brotherhood, dialogue and love at this time of difficulty".
A special Mass presided by Bishop Scarrone, was concelebrated by the apostolic nuncio in Uruguay, Archbishop Janusz Bolonek, and all the bishops of Uruguay. In his homily Bishop Pablo Galimberti of Salto, confirmed the intentions presented by Bishop Scarrone. With regard to the conflict between Uruguay and Argentina the Bishop of Salto issued a statement calling the clergy, religious, lay Catholics, families and communities to pray peace between the two countries may be restored. During the pilgrimage the people prayed for this intention “confident that Mary's maternal intercession will break down the barriers which separate us". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 14/11/2007; righe 24, parole 341)
