ANGELUS OF 10/12/08
Posted earlier in NEWS ABOUT BENEDICT
Here is a translation of the Holy Father's multi-lingual message before the Angelus today:
Dear brothers and sisters,
Before we conclude this celebration with the recital of the Angelus, I wish to address my greetings to the pilgrims who have come from various places to pay homage to our new saints.
In English, he said:
I cordially greet the English-speaking pilgrims, in particular the Official Delegation from India, and all those who have come to celebrate the canonization of Saint Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception.
Her heroic virtues of patience, fortitude and perseverance in the midst of deep suffering remind us that God always provides the strength we need to overcome every trial.
As the Christian faithful of India give thanks to God for their first native daughter to be presented for public veneration, I wish to assure them of my prayers during this difficult time.
Commending to the providential care of Almighty God those who strive for peace and reconciliation, I urge the perpetrators of violence to renounce these acts and join with their brothers and sisters to work together in building a civilization of love. God bless you all!
In German, he said:
I joyously welcome all the German-speaking faithful, especially the official delegation and the numerous pilgrims from Switzerland, as well as the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Mariahilf.
St. Maria Bernarda dedicated her entire life to the Lord. She became an instrument of the love of God, whom she announced to the ends of the earth.
In her example we, too, wish to act in order to bring the God of love and hope to men. To this end, may the Lord grant you the fullness of his graces.
In Spanish, he said:
I address a warm greeting to the pilgrims who came to Rome to participate in the joyous celebration of proclaiming our new saints, especially to the Archbishops and Bishops who accopmany them, to the Sister Missionaries of Mary Help of Christians, and to the delegations and other authorities from Colombia and Ecuador who are here to represent those lands that are so fertile in the fruits of sanctity.
May the new saints intercede for all their fellow citizens of today so that, following the saints' examples of consistency in the faith and charity towards their brothers, they may constantly bear witness to the love of Christ for all men, thus bringing new vigor to the Christian roots of their countries, and illuminating the construction of a soiety that is more just and fraternally solid, inspired by the values of the Gospel. Many thanks.
He next spoke in French:
I heartily greet the French-speaking pilgrims. Today, following the call of the Lord and the example of the saints who have just been canonized, we are led, at the crossroads, to be daring witnesses to the Word of God in order to invite to the wedding banquet of the Gospel all those whom we meet.
May our prayers go with the General Assembly of the Bishops' Synod during the duration of their work. With my Apostolic Blessing...
In Polish, he said:
Among the participants at these solemn canonization rites, I greet the pilgrims from Poland. Your country today celebrates the day dedicated to the memory of my beloved predecessor, John Paul II. I bless every intiative that commemorates his figure. In prayer, I entrust you all to God.
He concluded in Italian:
Finally, my heartfelt greeting to Italian-speaking pilgrims, especially the spiritual sons of St. Gaetano Errico and the faithful coming from Naples and Campania.
Dear friends, in the lives of the saints, one always finds the strong spiritual presence of the Virgin Mary. I am happy to note, in this month of October, their attachment to praying the Rosary as a means of daily union with Jesus, as a source of inspriation and comfort, and as an instrument of intercession for the needs of the Church according to the Pope's intentions.
In this regard, I invite you all to pray for reconciliation and peace in some situations which have caused alarm and great sufferings. I think of the people of Northern Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the violences against Christians in Iraq and India, whom I remember daily to the Lord.
Let us invoke the protection of Mary, Queen of Saints, for these, as well as for the work of the Bishops' Synod meeting these days at the Vatican.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 12/10/2008 20:17]