Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) – Almost everything is prepared for the arrival of nearly 30 Cardinals and 200 Bishops who will come from all over the world, in addition to many families, to attend the 6th World Meeting of Families to be celebrated January 14-18 in Mexico City. The Holy See published a letter from the Holy Father Benedict XVI, written in Latin and signed Dec. 28, 2008, in which he named Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State, as the pontifical legate to the VI World Meeting of Families.
In his letter, the Holy Father recalls “several members of the faithful, from both the past and more recent times, who have left Christian families...with an example of strength and testimony of virtue.” Among them, within the Eastern Church, the Holy Father named Basil and Emmelia who lived between the 3rd and 4th century, and 4 of their 9 children who have been declared saints: St. Basil, St. Gregory Nyssa, St. Peter of Sebaste and St. Macrina the Younger. The Pope then noted the example from the Western Church of Senator Gordianus, example of political integrity, and his wife Silvia, who were the parents of St. Gregory the Great, who lived in the 6th century.
Among more recent examples, Benedict XVI pointed to the Spanish martyr María Teresa Ferragud Roig, who was arrested at age 83 together with her four daughters, all of whom were contemplative religious women. On Oct. 25, 1936, feast of Christ the King, María Teresa asked to accompany her daughters in martyrdom and to be executed last so she could encourage them to die for the faith. Her death impressed her executioners so much that they exclaimed: "This is a true saint."
The Pontiff also mentioned the exemplary life of the Italian couple Luigi (1880-1951) and Maria (1884-1965) Beltrame Quattrochi, the first couple to be beatified together. He was a lawyer for the state, and she was a professor and writer.
Finally, Benedict XVI referred to the recently beatified parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, patroness of the missions: Louis Martin (1823-1894) and Marie-Zélie Guérin (1831-1877).
Pope Benedict XVI also noted who would accompany Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state, in his trip to Mexico: Father Rogelio Alcántara Mendoza, spiritual director of the Hispanic Seminary of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Father Martín Muñoz López, chaplain of the choir of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
This past January 4, the Organization Committee for the 6th World Meeting of Families informed that during the Encounter, the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI will give two messages: the first, at the beginning of the celebration of the event and the second, via satellite connection, during the Closing Mass on January 18.
They also expressed their gratitude to all those who have contributed to making this international event possible. The event begins in Mexico City on January 14. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 7/1/2008)
