Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “The Annunciation, narrated at the beginning of the Gospel of St Luke, was a humble, hidden event - no one saw or was aware that it happened, only Mary -, but at the same time it was decisive for the history of humanity. When the Blessed Virgin said "yes" to the Angel’s announcement, Jesus was conceived and with Him there began a new era of history, which was to be confirmed with the Paschal Mystery as "new and eternal Covenant.” Before leading the recitation of the midday Angelus prayer with thousands of visitors in St Peter’s Square, on Sunday 25 March, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI reflected on the feast of the Annunciation which coincided this year with the fifth Sunday of Lent and was therefore celebrated on the Monday. “The Annunciation is also a Christological feast because it celebrates a central mystery of Christ: His Incarnation” the Pope said recalling that Mary’s ‘yes’ was the perfect reflection of Christ’s yes when he entered the world. The obedience of the Son was reflected in the obedience of the Mother and thanks to these two ‘yeses’ God was able to assume a human face.”
The Holy Father also mentioned the 15th Day for Missionary Martyrs on 24 March: “Mary’s reply to the angel is prolonged in the Church, called to render Christ present in history, offering her readiness to enable God to continue to visit humanity with his mercy. The "yes” of Jesus and Mary is renewed in that of the saints, the martyrs especially, killed for the cause of the Gospel. I underline this recalling that yesterday 24 March, the anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador, is marked as a day of prayer and fasting to commemorate missionary martyrs: bishops, priests, religious men and women and lay Catholics killed while on a mission of evangelisation and human promotion. These martyrs, as this year’s theme says, are "hope for the world” because they bear witness that Christ’s love is stronger than violence and hatred. They were not looking for martyrdom, but they were ready to give their lives to be faithful to the Gospel. Christian martyrdom is justified only as a supreme act of love for God and neighbour.”
After the Angelus prayer Benedict XVI recalled that next Sunday, Palm Sunday, will be the 22nd World Youth Day on the theme: "Love one another as I have loved you" (Jn 13,34). “To prepare for this appointment and for the Easter Liturgies - the Pope said -, I invite the young people of Rome diocese to take part in a Penitential Liturgy in St Peter’s on Thursday 29 March in the afternoon. Those who wish may make their individual confession, the true encounter with God’s love, which every person needs in order to live in joy and peace.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 26/3/2007; righe 33, parole 485)
