Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vigevano (Fides Service) - “Here in Vigevano, the only diocese not visited by my venerable Predecessor John Paul II, I wished to start this pastoral pilgrimage in Italy. In this way it is as if I were taking up the same path he walked in order to continue to proclaim to the men and women of our beloved Italy the news, old and ever new which resounds with particular vigour in this Easter Season: Christ is risen! Christ lives! Christ is with us today and for ever!”. With these words from the central balcony of the Bishop' Residence in Vigevano in the afternoon of Saturday 21 April the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI commenced his pastoral visit to Vigevano and Pavia addressing young people and sick people in Piazza Sant’Ambrogio.
He also mentioned the Sisters at the convent of the Perpetual Adorers of the Most Holy Sacrament whom he visited on the way to the Bishops' Residence: “their prayerful presence represents for the whole diocese a call for ever deeper awareness of the importance of the Eucharist, centre and summit of the life of the Church”. Then entrusting the sick and the suffering to the Blessed Virgin Mary and her maternal protection, he said “may it be for each of you a source of strength and comfort at times of trial”. Lastly he invited the young people present to follow the Risen Christ: “Do not hesitate to trust Him: go to meet Him, listen to Him, love Him with all your heart; in friendship with Him you will experience true joy which gives meaning and value to life.”
Immediately after this Pope Benedict XVI presided the Concelebration of the Eucharist in Piazza Ducale in Vigevano with the Bishops of Lombardy region and the priests of the diocese. In the homily he reflected on the Sunday Gospel on the third apparition of the risen Jesus and the miraculous catch of fish at the See of Galilee. “I have come among you - the Holy Father said - above all to encourage you to be ardent witnesses of Christ. Trusting acceptance of his word will render your pastoral efforts fruitful. Whenever our labouring in the Lord's vineyard appears vain, like the night's toil of the Apostles, we must never forget that Jesus is able to turn everything around in a second. The Gospel passage we have just heard reminds us on the one hand that we must undertake our pastoral activity as if everything depended entirely on our efforts. On the other hand however, it helps us to understand that true success of our mission is entirely a gift of Grace. In the mysterious plans of his wisdom God knows when it is time to intervene.”
After greeting the faithful, the various components of the diocesan ecclesial community and civil authorities, the Holy Father illustrated the concrete meaning of Christ's request to "throw out your nets". “First of all this means, as for the disciples, to believe in Him and trust in his word - the Pope said. Like them Jesus asks you too to follow Him with sincere and unswerving faith. Therefore set yourselves to listen to His word and meditate it every day”. In particular he urged the people to keep alive the “missionary enthusiasm” aroused in the diocesan community by the last Synod which ended in 1999. He encouraged the members of the diocesan community to be open to the “vast horizons of evangelisation”, operating in harmony and according to the instructions of the Bishop. “Bear one another's burdens, share, collaborate, a spirit of co-responsibility must continually animate your community. This style of communion requires the contribution of each and all” he said. Pope Benedict XVI then underlined the need to be concerned for young people - those who are ‘close’ and those who are ‘distant’ - and to promote “organic and capillary vocation pastoral to help young people searching for real meaning to give to their life”. The family “is the carrier element of social life, therefore only by working for the family can the tissue of the ecclesial community and that of civil society be renewed”. Lastly the Pope indicated the example of numerous blesseds, saints, martyrs and other sons and daughters of this part of Italy whose process of beatification is underway: “Mirror their example, they reveal the working of Grace and for the People of God they are an encouragement to follow Christ on the demanding path to holiness.” At the end of his homily the Pope entrusted the diocesan community to Our Lady of the Bozzola.
After the Mass the Pope flew by helicopter to Pavia for his first meeting with young people in Piazza Duomo. “I have come to meet you this evening to repeat an announcement which is ever young - Pope Benedict XVI said -, to entrust you with a message which, if accepted, changes life, renews it and fills it. The Church proclaims this message with special joy in this Easter Season: Christ is risen and he lives among us!”. The Pope urged the young people not to be afraid to give their lives to Christ because “He never disappoints our expectations, because he knows what is in our hearts”. The Church needs young people committed to carrying the Gospel announcement to their peers and also society, subject to countless social changes, relies on their help “to build a harmonious community less selfish and more caring, authentically inspired by the great ideals of justice, freedom and peace”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 23/4/2007 - righe 60, parole 863)
