Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Aparecida (Agenzia Fides) - In his homily after the recitation of the Holy Rosary on Saturday 12 May at the vast Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil, the Holy Father used intense words and moving contents to turn the minds and hearts of bishops and faithful towards the mystery of God's love for mankind, manifested fully in Jesus Christ born of Mary through the power of the Holy Spirit. “The Pope has come to Aparecida with great joy so as to say to you first of all: "Remain in the school of Mary." - the Pope said - Take inspiration from her teachings, seek to welcome and to preserve in your hearts the enlightenment that she, by divine mandate, sends you from on high.”. “Just as the Apostles, together with Mary, "went up to the upper room" and there, "with one accord devoted themselves to prayer" (Acts 1:13-14), so too we are gathered here today at the Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, which at this time is our "upper room" where Mary, Mother of the Lord, is in our midst. Today it is she who leads our meditation; it is she who teaches us to pray. It is she who shows us the way to open our minds and hearts to the power of the Holy Spirit, who comes to fill the whole world.
The Holy Father encouraged and blessed families, church movements and associations calling them “living expression of the Church's youth!” The Pope thanked the people of Brazil for the warm welcome, the thanked the priests of Latin America and the Caribbean and the whole world for giving themselves totally to God for ehe good of souls “The witness of a priestly life well lived brings nobility to the Church, calls forth admiration among the faithful, and is a source of blessings for the community; it is the best way to promote vocations, the most authentic invitation to other young people to respond positively to the Lord’s call. It is true collaboration in building the Kingdom of God!”. He told “beloved consecrated persons ” they are “an offering, a gift of God to the Church”, recalling that “in Brazil religious life has always played an important part in evangelisation”. Eloquent sign was the 11th of May the canonisation of Sant’Antonio of Sant’Anna Galvão, a Franciscan Friar, the first Brazil born saint. The Pope mentioned other consecrated persons including Santa Paulina, foundress of the Little Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. The Holy Father then encouraged those present: “The Church is our home! This is our home! In the Catholic Church we find all that is good, all that gives grounds for security and consolation! Anyone who accepts Christ, "the way, the truth and the life" in his totality, is assured of peace and happiness, in this life and in the next! For this reason, the Pope has come here to pray and to bear witness with you all: It is worth being faithful, it is worth persevering in our faith! The coherence of the faith also requires, however, a solid doctrinal and spiritual formation, which thus contributes to building a more just, humane and Christian society" And he concluded with a prayer to Our Lady: «"Our Mother, protect the Brazilian and Latin American family! Guard under your protective mantle the children of this beloved land that welcomes us, As the Advocate with your Son Jesus, give to the Brazilian people constant peace and full prosperity, Pour out upon our brothers and sisters throughout Latin America a true missionary ardour, to spread faith and hope, Make the resounding plea that you uttered in Fatima for the conversion of sinners become a reality that transforms the life of our society, And as you intercede, from the Shrine of Guadalupe, for the people of the Continent of Hope, bless its lands and its homes, Amen."”. (LA) (Agenzia Fides 14/5/2007 righe: 52 parole: 694)
