Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
San Giovanni Rotondo (Agenzia Fides) – At the end of the Holy Mass celebrated in front of the church of San Pio da Pietrelcina at San Giovanni Rotondo, Sunday 21 June, the Holy Father Benedict XVI, led the recitation of the Angelus. “Here at the shrine of san Pio da Pietrelcina, we seem to hear his voice urging us to turn with the hearts of children to the Blessed Virgin Mary: ‘Love Our Lady and lead others to love her'. He said this to everyone and even more powerful than his words, was his exemplary testimony of profound devotion to the heavenly Mother” said Benedict XVI before the Marian Prayer. The Pontiff then recalled that Saint Pio “always nourished a tender love for the Blessed Virgin Mary” and lived “his life and his apostolate under the maternal gaze of Our Lady and the power of her intercession”. The Pope entrusted to the maternal protection of the Mother of God, the Capuchin Friars, the sick at the hospital and those who offer them loving care, and also the Prayer Groups which carry on the spiritual command of their Holy Founder in Italy and all over the world.
The Pontiff entrusted to the intercession of Our Lady and san Pio da Pietrelcina “the Year of the Priesthood … may it be a special occasion to highlight the value of the mission and the holiness of priests at the service of the Church and of humanity in the third millennium!” He invited those present to pray “for the difficult and at times dramatic situation of refugees. Yesterday was the World Refugee Day promoted by the United Nations. Many seek refuge in another country fleeing situations of war, persecution, calamities, receiving them creates no few difficulties yet it is nonetheless our duty. Please God, with commitment from everyone, may everything possible be done to remove the causes of this sad phenomenon.”
Lastly, after greeting the pilgrims who had gathered for the occasion, and thanking the civil authorities and all who helped to prepare the visit, the Pope said once again: “walk the path indicated by Padre Pio, the path of holiness according to the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Along this path the Blessed Virgin Mary with a maternal hand leads and guides you to the heavenly homeland ”.
The Pope then said a few words in Polish greeting participants at celebrations for the 1000th anniversary of the martyrdom of St Bruno di Querfurt “who today, at Giżycko, thank God for the gift of the faith carried to them by this great Missionary. May his efforts to build good relations between nations bear fruits of harmony and of zeal for the proclamation of the Gospel ”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 22/6/2009; righe 29, parole 448)
