Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The miracle of the healing of the blind man at Jericho, narrated by St Mark the Evangelist, the Gospel of the 30th Sunday of the Year, was the theme of Pope Benedict XVI’s reflection before the recitation of the midday Angelus prayer on Sunday 29 October. The blind Bartimaeus meeting with Jesus, his request for healing, the miracle worked by Jesus and Bartimaeus desire to follow Him “evoke the catechumen’s itinerary towards the sacrament of Baptism, called ‘Illumination’ in the early Church- the Pope said -. The faith is a journey of illumination: it starts from humble recognition of the need for salvation and leads to a personal encounter with Christ who calls us to follow Him on the path of love”.
"In places of long-standing evangelization, where the Baptism of children is widespread, young people and adults are presented with experiences of catechesis and spirituality enabling them to rediscover their faith with maturity and awareness, so that they can then take on a coherent commitment of witness" to that faith. Benedict XVI praised the work of catechists and pastors in this field, highlighting how "the rediscovery of the value of their own Baptism lies at the root of all Christians' missionary commitment, because we see from the Gospel that people who let themselves be fascinated by Christ cannot but bear witness to the joy of following His footsteps." Recalling how the month of October is traditionally dedicated to missions, the Pope called for the intercession of the Virgin Mary, "that missionaries of the Gospel may proliferate," and that "all the baptized may feel themselves called to announce, with the witness of their own lives, God's love to everyone."
After praying the Angelus with thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope remarked upon the many requests he receives to intervene "in favor of people who, in different parts of the world, are victims of kidnapping." He went on: "Reiterating my firm condemnation of this crime, I give assurances of my recollection in prayer for all the victims and their families and friends. In particular, I endorse the urgent appeal recently sent to me by the archbishop and the community of Sassari, Italy, in favor of Giovanni Battista Pinna, kidnapped on September 14, that he may soon be restored to his loved ones."
Benedict XVI then went on to address young people from various regions of Italy, who are meeting in Rome over these days as part of a project organized by the Italian Church every three years, known as the "Agora of young people." "Dear friends," he told them, "I bless your journey and await your participation in large numbers at the great meeting of Italian youth, scheduled to take place on September 1 and 2, 2007 in Loreto, Italy. At that beloved Marian shrine we will experience a moment of grace together, in the joy of the faith and with a view to the mission, also as a preparation for World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia, in 2008”. (Agenzia Fides 30/10/2006; righe 37, parole 512)
