Vatican City (Fides Service) - “The month of May closes with the liturgical feast of the Visitation: the second joyful mystery which fills hearts with ever new hope. The encounter between Mary and Elisabeth is animated totally by the Holy Spirit who fills the mothers with joy and causes the future prophet to leap. This year we celebrate this feast the day after Pentecost and this makes us think of the wind of the Spirit which compels Mary and with her the Church along the roads of the world to carry to all Christ, the hope of humanity.” This is a passage of a special message which Pope John Paul II addressed to people taking part in the annual end of May Rosary procession in the Vatican gardens. The candle-light procession which made its way from the little Church of St Stephen of the Abyssinia to the copy of the Grotto of Lourdes was led by Bishop Vittorio Lanzani, Delegate for the Fabbrica S. Pietro and the Message from the Pope was read by Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, substitute for the Secretariat of State.
“I am united with you spiritually as you take part in the traditional Marian procession at the end of the month of May in the Vatican” the Pope said recalling that the flames of the candles carried by the faithful represented the hope given to humanity by Christ who died and is risen. The Holy Father encouraged those present to “carry this light. Indeed as the Lord tells his disciples, be light in your homes, in every place and every circumstance of life. Be light with your faithful witness to the Gospel, learning day after day from Mary the perfect disciple of her Divine Son.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 1/6/2004; Righe 19 - Parole 283)