VATICAN - Pope Benedict XVI’s homily during Mass on the first anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II: “We hear resounding in our soul his repeated calls to advance without fear along the path of fidelity to the Gospel as heralds and witnesses of Christ in the third millennium”

Vatican City (Fides Service) - “This evening our thoughts look back with emotion to the moment of the death of our beloved Pope but at the same time our heart is somehow impelled to look forward. We hear resounding in our soul his repeated calls to advance without fear along the path of fidelity to the Gospel as heralds and witnesses of Christ in the third millennium. We call to mind his incessant exhortations to cooperate generously in building a more just and caring humanity, to be builders of peace and architects of hope. May our eyes remain set on Christ, "the same yesterday, today and always" (Heb 13,8), who firmly guides his Church.” With these words the Holy Father Benedict XVI addressed tens of thousands of visitors gathered in St Peter’s Square in the early evening of Monday 3 April for Mass offered for the repose of the soul of Pope John Paul II.
“In these days on the first anniversary of his death the memory of the Servant of God John Paul II is especially vivid in the Church and in the world - Pope Benedict XVI said at the beginning of his homily -. I greet with affection together with the cardinals, bishops, priests and religious all the many visitors who have come from different countries, Poland especially, to show their esteem, affection and deep gratitude in his regard”.
Reflecting on the readings proclaimed during the Liturgy of the Word and applying them to Pope John Paul II, the Holy Father said: “The first reading taken from the Book of Wisdom reminds us of the final destiny of the just: a destiny of superabundant happiness which recompenses immeasurably the sufferings and trials faced during life.” Then he said, referring to the mission of John Paul II : He “made a gift of his life to God and to the Church and lived the spiritual dimension of his priesthood especially in the celebration of the Eucharist… He never made a secret of his desire to be ever more one with Christ the Priest through the Eucharistic sacrifice, source of tireless apostolic dedication”. In the second reading, St Peter used the image of gold tested by fire applying it to the faith (cfr 1 Pt 1,7). “In fact in the difficulties of life it is above all the quality of our faith which is tested and sounded: for solidity, purity, consistency with life - said Benedict XVI - . Well, the late Pontiff, endowed by God with many human and spiritual gifts, passing through the crucible of apostolic labouring and also of sickness, became clearly more and more a ‘rock’ of faith … faith convinced, strong, genuine, free of fear or compromise, faith which won the hearts of so many people thanks also to his numerous apostolic pilgrimages all over the world, and in a special way his last ‘journey’ of agony and death.”
Lastly the Pope said the Gospel, which presented John close to Mary at the foot of the Cross and Jesus who entrusts them to one another, highlighted another aspect of the human and religious personality of John Paul II: “Like the Apostle evangelist, he too took Mary into his house … those who take Mary into their hearts are in actual fact taken in by her and become hers. The motto on the coat of arms of the Pontificate of Pope John Paul II, Totus tuus, is a perfect summary of this spiritual and mystical experience in a life totally oriented to Christ through Mary: ‘ad Iesum per Mariam’” - Pope Benedict XVI said ending his homily with these words - “May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, help us to be like John Paul II under every circumstance tireless apostles of her Divine Son and prophets of his merciful love”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 4/4/2006 - righe 42, parole 626)