VATICAN - “Christian life is a mystery of communion with Jesus” the Pope says at the midday Regina Cæli prayer. He also recalled the assassination attack 25 years ago on John Paul II and his miraculous escape thanks to the intervention of a ‘maternal hand’

Monday, 15 May 2006

Vatican City (Fides Service) - On Sunday 14 May addressing thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square for the midday Marian prayer Pope Benedict XVI reflected on Union with God by means of the sacrament of the Eucharist and the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima 13 May 25 years ago. Referring to the Gospel of the 5th Sunday of Easter in which, “at the Last Supper Jesus urges his disciples to be united with Him like branches with the vine”, the Pope said “Christian life is a mystery of communion with Jesus... the secret of spiritual fecundity and union with God, union achieved principally in the Eucharist which we also call Communion”. He then sent special greetings to children making their First Holy Communion in this Easter season urging them to “become branches of Jesus the Vine and His authentic disciples”.
The Pope then mentioned the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on 13 May 1917 at Fatima, where she appeared several times to the three little shepherd children. “The message she entrusted to them in continuity with that of Lourdes was an urgent call to prayer and conversion; a truly prophetic message considering the 20th century overshadowed by unheard of destruction caused by war and totalitarian regimes, as well as widespread persecution against the Church. Moreover, on 13 May 1981 - 25 years ago - the Servant of God John Paul II sensed that his miraculous escape from death was due to the intervention of a "maternal hand", as he himself said, and the whole of his pontificate was marked by what Our Lady foretold at Fatima. Although anxieties and sufferings have not been lacking and motives of apprehension for the future of humanity persist, it is of comfort to recall the promise the Lady in White made to the little shepherd children: ‘In the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph.” Pope Benedict XVI thanked the Blessed Virgin Mary “for her constant intercession” asking her to continue to watch over the “the path of the Church and all humanity, especially families, mothers and children”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 15/5/2006 - righe 23, parole 349)


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