Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mexico City (Fides Service) - Every day at the end of mass in the chapel of Guadalajara minor seminary one of the students takes the microphone and says: “Let us pray for the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II. He needs us and we need him!”. This is only one of many ways in which the people of Mexico are uniting in prayers for the Pope, Joel De Anda García, a seminarian at Guadalajara minor seminary told Fides.
“This crusade of prayer knows no boundaries of city, country or continent, race or tradition or customs, no barriers of thought. People, children adolescents, young people, adults, the elderly are united in prayer for the Supreme Pontiff of the universal Church. God listens to children their prayer is pure because they are innocent. He listens to the prayer of the sick because it rises from suffering. Nor does he forget the prayer of the needy rising from poverty. God is attentive to the laments of his children and knows when and how much they need him.
To help the Pope at this time of trial, people offer intentions for Mass, the sick offer their suffering, the disappointments, their fatigue. They understand the suffering of the Pope because they experience them in their own body. Parishes organise community recitation of the rosary, prayer vigils, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, not to mention countless visits to the church all day long. People are putting more effort into their Lenten resolutions, offering them for the recovery of the Pope. Catholic television channels, press and other media keep on asking men and women of goodwill to provide spiritual support for the Successor of Peter. People pray in their own way. Children try to be more obedient to their parents, more attentive in school, more helpful at home; families pray together. Many spend the night in adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament: the week’s tiredness is forgotten: Christ is light and strength, and he is health for the sick. The same fervour is found in religious communities, convents and monasteries. Parish priests encourage parishioners to offer Forty Hours of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for the Pope. Many non Catholics and even many affirmed non believers, follow the news of the Pope’s health with concern. They remember his commitment for peace in every corner of the planet.
In what language are people praying for the Pope? In every language. All the love the Pope has showered on humanity is now pouring over him with the affection and prayers of people everywhere. All over the earth love is taking concrete form in prayer. The staff on which John Paul II is leaning is the staff of the prayers of the Church, the prayer of all of us together!” (RZ) Agenzia Fides 10/3/2005, righe 33, parole 511)
