Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - Pope John Paul II devoted his weekly catechesis today, Wednesday 24 March, to the mystery of the Annunciation, celebrated tomorrow March 25. “This feast which falls at the heart of Lent- the Pope said - “on the one hand takes us back to the beginning of our Redemption and encourages to turn our attention to the Paschal Mystery. We look to the crucified Christ who redeemed humanity by fulfilling the will of the Father. On Calvary in the final moments of his life, Jesus entrusted Mary to us as our mother and gave us to Her as children.”
The Pope then looked back at significant Marian moments in his 25 years of pontificate: “at the beginning of my Pontificate, 8 December 1978, at the Basilica of St Mary Major I entrusted the Church and the world to Our Lady; on June 4 the following year I renewed this entrustment at the Shrine of Jasna Gora. In particular I recall March 25, 1984, during the Holy Year of the Redemption. Twenty years have passed since that day in St Peter’s Square where in union with all the Bishops of the world previously “convoked”, I entrusted the whole of humanity to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in reply to Our Lady’s request at Fatima.”
Recalling that it was the Day of Commemoration of Missionary Martyrs, the Pope said: “On this day of commemoration and prayer for "Missionary Martyrs", we cannot fail to remember the priests, consecrated persons and lay faithful who died in mission lands in 2003. So much blood is still being shed in many regions of the globe. There is urgent need for people to open their hearts to make a courageous effort for reciprocal understanding. Ever greater is the longing for justice and peace in every corner of the earth. How can we respond to this thirst for hope and love if not by turning the Christ through Mary?”. At the end of his address in Italian the Pope said: “May this day of commemoration of missionary martyrs be for each and all of us an opportune moment to rediscover faith in Christ, the only Saviour, and to nourish our hope for a more just and fraternal world.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 24/3/2004; Righe 26 Parole 365)
