AMERICA/PERU - Celebrations in Lima and Rome for Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo "who distinguished himself for the spirit of selfless dedication to building and consolidating the ecclesial communities of his time with a great spirit of communion and collaboration” a Papal Message recalls

Wednesday, 26 April 2006

Lima (Fides Service) - To mark the 4th centenary of the death of Saint Toribio di Mogrovejo, 2nd archbishop of Lima and patron saint of Latin American Bishops, an International Academic Congress is taking place in Lima (see Fides 24/4/2006) and on Thursday 27 April Cardinal Nicolás di Jesús López Rodríguez, special envoy of Pope Benedict XVI will preside a solemn Mass in honour of Saint Toribio in Lima Cathedral followed by a procession with the relics of the saint. In a message for the occasion addressed to Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani archbishop of Lima and participants at the celebrations, Pope Benedict XVI urges them to “consider the anniversary as a providential opportunity to revive the life of the Church in every dioceses in Peru drawing inspiration from the life and work of Saint Toribio”. “He distinguished himself - the Pope continues in the message - for his spirit of selfless dedication to building and consolidating the ecclesial communities of his time. He did this with a great spirit of communion and collaboration, always fostering unity, as he demonstrated by calling the 3rd Provincial Council of Lima”. Among the most important fruits of the pastoral work of Saint Toribio, the Holy Father recalls the Catechism which bears his name, “which was most useful for teaching the faith which was sound and in keeping with the authentic doctrine of the Church to millions of people through the centuries”, and also the Council Seminary of Lima which the Holy Father hopes may “continue to bear abundant fruit, particularly today when it is urgent to foster vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated life”.
Pope Benedict XVI notes also the Saint’s profound missionary spirit, revealed in certain significant details such as his decision to “learn many languages to be able to preach in person to the people entrusted to his pastoral care” which was also “a sign of respect for the dignity of every person whatever their condition”.
Celebrations in Rome will include a solemn Mass in St Mary Major’s Basilica on Thursday 27 April presided by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, organised by the Peruvian Ambassador to the Holy See. Concelebrants will include Cardinal Bernard Francis Law and many priests and bishops from Peru and other South American countries. The Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, members of the Roman Curia, Peruvian religious in Italy are also invited. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 26/4/2006; righe 31, parole 429)


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