AMERICA/MEXICO - Mexican Bishops statement a year from the death of Pope John Paul II: “His greatness was the fruit of his profound unity with Christ”: prayers and masses at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Mexico City (Fides Service) - “We are filled with the treasure of grace of John Paul II who from his very first visit to our country triggered a process of pastoral dynamism which has fortified us enormously” the Bishops of Mexico said in a statement to mark the first anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II “a man who changed the direction of whole nations, pulled down walls, demolished frontiers and touched millions of human hearts helping them to discover the real meaning of life”. But his greatness lies not in the great numbers, but rather “in his profound unity with Christ, fruit of the life the Pope’s deep inner life” the Bishops said.
For the Bishops of Mexico Pope John Paul II was “a point of reference for the conscience of today’s world. His positions and initiatives revealed the greatness of his personality and the validity of his thought”. The Bishops’ recall his visits to Mexico “which fortified popular, led to a flourish of vocations, triggered pastoral dynamism in the life of the Church and consolidated communion with the successor of Peter”.
On Sunday 2 April the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe organised various initiatives to demonstrate the deep gratitude of the people of Mexico for the Pope’s teaching and to call for his canonisation soon: 9am Mass presided by the rector, Mgr. Diego Monroy Ponce; 10am floral tribute to a statue of John Paul II; 11am recitation of the rosary with the Shrine’s pastoral workers. After the rosary there will be another Mass celebrated by general co-ordinator of pastoral Mgr. Pedro Agustín Rivera, followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and adoration until 4pm. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 1/4/2006 - Righe 24, parole 342)