Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Amman (Agenzia Fides) - “Unlike the pilgrims of old, I do not come bearing gifts or offerings. I come simply with one intention, a hope: to pray for the precious gift of unity and peace, most specifically for the Middle East. Peace for individuals, for parents and children, for communities, peace for Jerusalem, for the Holy Land, for the region, peace for the entire human family; the lasting peace born of justice, integrity and compassion, the peace that arises from humility, forgiveness and the profound desire to live in harmony as one.” These were the words of the Holy Father Benedict XVI on the afternoon of May 8, in his visit to the Regina Pacis Center in Amman, which offers services to the disabled.
In his address, the Pope greeted with great affection the Central Committee members, the Comboni Sisters and the dedicated lay staff, as well as the youth present. He then commented: “It is a great joy for me to be with you. As you know, my visit to the Our Lady of Peace Centre here in Amman is the first stop along my journey of pilgrimage. Like countless pilgrims before me it is now my turn to satisfy that profound wish to touch, to draw solace from and to venerate the places where Jesus lived, the places which were made holy by his presence.”
The Pontiff then mentioned that “every one of us is a pilgrim. We are all drawn forward, with purpose, along God’s path. Naturally, then, we tend to look back on life – sometimes with regrets or hurts, often with thanksgiving and appreciation – and we also look ahead – sometimes with trepidation or anxiety, but always with expectation and hope, knowing too that there are others who encourage us along the way.” Addressing the patients of the Center, the Pope mentioned that the journeys that may have led many of them to this center “have been marked by suffering or trial” and praised the work of the Center “in promoting the rightful place of the disabled in society and in ensuring that suitable training and opportunities are provided to facilitate such integration.”
“At times it is difficult to find a reason for what appears only as an obstacle to be overcome or even as pain – physical or emotional – to be endured,” the Pope said. “Yet faith and understanding help us to see a horizon beyond our own selves in order to imagine life as God does. God’s unconditional love, which gives life to every human individual, points to a meaning and purpose for all human life. His is a saving love (cf. Jn 12:32). As Christians profess, it is through the Cross that Jesus in fact draws us into eternal life, and in so doing indicates to us the way ahead – the way of hope which guides every step we take along the way, so that we too become bearers of that hope and charity for others.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 12/5/2009)
