VATICAN - Pope Benedict XVI celebrates the Dedication of a new church: “Particularly in our widely secularised social context today, the parish is a beacon which irradiates the light of the faith and responds to the deepest and truest longings of the human heart”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - On Sunday 10 December, as Bishop of Rome, Pope Benedict XVI went to dedicate a new church in the southern outskirts of Rome dedicated to Saint Mary, Star of Evangelisation. This was the first time in his pontificate that Pope Benedict XVI presided the Rite for the Dedication of a new Church. “The solemn Liturgy of the dedication of a Church is a moment of intense spiritual joy shared by all the people of God in the area: I gladly join you in your joy... Particularly in our widely secularised social context today, the parish is a beacon which irradiates the light of the faith and responds to the deepest and truest longings of the human heart, giving significance and hope to the life of individuals and families” the Pope said in his homily.
For the past sixteen years the diocese of Rome has made the season of Advent a time to collect money to build the very necessary new churches in the sprawling city suburbs and the Pope called on “Catholics and all citizens of goodwill to give generously so that city districts without a church may soon have their own parish ”. Addressing the parishioners, mostly young families, the Pope said: “Your community faces the arduous and fascinating task of educating children to the life and the joy of the faith ”.
Pope Benedict XVI then commented the readings of the Mass: “the three readings of this solemn Liturgy show us the significance of a church as the house of God and the house of his people under very different aspects. We have before us three great themes heard in the readings: the Word of God gathers the people together, in the first reading; the city of God, the bride in the second, and thirdly the confession of Jesus Christ as the incarnate as Son of God, expressed first of all by Peter, who founded the living Church manifested in the material building of every church.”
At the end of the homily the Holy Father recalled that “at the decisive moment in the history of humanity, Mary offered herself, body and soul, to God…in this way Mary shows us the meaning of Advent: going towards the Lord who comes to us. Waiting for Him, listening to Him, looking at Him. Mary shows us the meaning of a church building: they exist so that within our hearts we may make room for the Word of God; so that through us the Word of God may be made flesh today.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 11/12/2006, righe 30, parole 456)