Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Navarra (Agenzia Fides) – Over 8,000 people participated in the first of the traditional pilgrimages to the birthplace of the Navarran Saint Francis Xavier, Patron of the Missions, held this past weekend. Each year, the event takes place in Javier, on the two weekends of the Novena of Grace. Pilgrims mainly from Navarra, but also accompanied by a large group of young people from Madrid and other parts of Spain went to Javier, to take part in a tradition that began 69 years ago. During the religious ceremony, which was led by Archbishop Francisco Perez Gonzalez of Pamplona-Tudela, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies, the Archbishop called for respect for life “from the beginning until the end.”
Bearing the weight of their fatigue from hours and even days of pilgrimage, the pilgrims attended the Mass in which Archbishop Francisco offered a special blessing for children, who are “the joy of society.” In his homily, the Archbishop of Pamplona first of all recalled the figure of Saint Francis Xavier, in whom we find “the testimony of a young man who, one fine day, felt God's call and left behind his pride and vanity for Christ.” “He did not let himself be led by empty words and false ideologies, but instead, he decided to face life by filling it with the only content that can truly fill it,” Archbishop Francisco said. He was a young man who “transformed his life and let Christ use him as an instrument to transform the lives of so many who still did not know Him and for whom he spent hours of the night without rest, attending their needs.”
Following Saint Francis' example, “as Christians we should emerge from our indifference and complexes that make us feel like foreigners to society,” the Prelate said. Following the example of Saint Francis and Saint Paul, “we should not give in, but rather be witnesses of the fact that: what is Christian and Catholic does not contradict citizenship; rather, it elevates and enhances it.” This following of Christ is precisely what “makes us defenders of life, of a cultures that respects it from its beginning to the final moment of its existence; it leads us to be messengers of an authentic peace by eliminating any tendency to violence; it makes us feel responsible for the lack of solidarity witnessed by thousands and thousands of missionaries working on the frontline of battle for human dignity, with the arms of the Gospel.”
“Remain steadfast, do not fear,” is the appeal that the Archbishop made, in order to “face our mission as messengers and witnesses of Jesus Christ without trauma or fear.” In this path, there will certainly be “moments that will have to be lived with courage” and thus, “only generosity of spirit will bring about a new reality, which will culminate in the joyful encounter with Christ.” Thus, Archbishop Francisco encouraged everyone, but especially the youth, not to hesitate in giving their lives completely to Christ, in the spirit of Saint Francis Xavier and Saint Paul. Addressing married couples, he encouraged them to “to reflect the greatness of God's love in their love, that their children may be the incarnation of the fruit of this love.” Speaking to the elderly, he told them to never let themselves be led by discouragement and that they should consider themselves as “indispensable to society, as you can strengthen and encourage us through your life experience and faith.” He told priests and religious not to forget that “many look to you with confidence and, above all, admire your generous dedication that makes the Kingdom of Christ visible in society.”
“In Mary's hands I place the lives of each one of you and of those who are not here amongst us. She, as a Good Mother, will know how to lead us on better paths, those that will take us to our destination, which is Christ,” Archbishop Francisco said, in concluding his homily. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 9/3/2009)
