PASTORAL VISITS IN ITALY

PASTORAL VISIT TO LORETO, Sept. 1-2, 2007





Here's the first story from La Stampa posted by Lella on her blog late tonight - translated here:


A crowd of 400,000 young people from every part of Italy and many countries of the world welcomed Pope Benedict XVI on the plain of Montorso this afternoon on the first day of the 2007 Agora of Italian Youth.


'EVERYONE'S CRAZY ABOUT PAPA RATZY' says it all

Songs, prolonged applause and screams chanting his name alternated during the Pope's 'embrace' of the youth. It started with his Popemobile travelling through all the sectors of the vast esplanade. The Pope was accompanied by Mons. Angelo Bagnasco, president of the Italian bishops conference.

Jesus, the faith, the Church and society were the issues at the center of the questions addressed to the Pope who answered them extemporaneously, encouraging them to 'move ahead' even 'in
difficult situations'.

"In the divine plan," he told them, "there are no peripheries" - referring to the 'periferia', the outskirts of large cities which is home to some of the young people who told their stories. "Wherever Christ is, is the center."

But to avoid staying "at the margins of society and history", one must understand that "the greatness of our life is in discovering we are loved and because of this, called on to love in return."

"Society today," he told them, "needs solidarity, and to put Christ in the center. The world has to change."

"Go forth, live and love! In the eyes of God, each of us is important," the Pope exhorted. "Don't anyone of you feel marginal. No life is without importance or sense. You are all truly important, each one is a protagonist because you are at the center of God's love."

"You should not be afraid to dream with open eyes great plans for good and do not allow yourselves to be discouraged by difficulties," he called on them, whom he greeted earlier as "the hope of the Church in Italy."

"I would like my words to reach everyone: the Pope is close to you, he shares your joys and your pains; above all, he shares the most intimate hopes in your hearts and for each of you, I ask the Lord for the gift of a full and happy life, a life rich with sense, a true life."

The Pope's advice was forceful: "Do not be afraid," he said more than once. "Can there be any unrealizable dreams when it is the Spirit of God which inspires and cultivates them in your heart?... Unfortunately today, not unusually, a full and happy existence is seen by many young people as a difficult dream, sometimes almost unrealizable. So many of your contemporaries look at the future with apprehension and ask themselves not a few questions."

"But allow me to repeat to you tonight: If you remain one with Christ, each of you can achieve great things. That is why, dear friends, you should not be afraid to dream with open eyes great plans for good and do not let yourselves be discouraged by difficulties. Christ trusts you and wants you to realize each of your most noble dream for true happiness. Nothing is impossible for those who trust in God and entrust themselves to him."








Loreto, spiritual capital of the young

NB: A full translation of the Pope's address is in the preceding post.

Loreto, Sept. 1 (AsiaNews) – As the moving voice of tenor Andrea Bocelli singing Gounod’s Ave Maria drifted across the Plains of Montorso, the dark statue of Our Lady of Loreto slowly made its way through a huge crowd of almost 300,000 young people, amid their applause and enthusiasm.

Organised by the Italian Bishops’ Conference in preparation of the 2008 World Youth Day in Sydney, the statue symbolises the gathering, the agora. A combination of carnival, party and prayer, the youth Vigil brought out the best in young Italian Catholics, their concerns and eagerness included; it did the same for Benedict XVI, who expressed his emotions, attentiveness and imagination, who answered questions posed to him directly in an easy, fatherly, even anecdoytal manner.

The vigil, which included chanting and music, saw some speakers bear witness as to what it means to be young today, addressing questions to the Pope.

From the southern Italian city of Bari, Piero, an engineer, and Giovanna, a social worker from the city’s slums, were the first to speak. After talking about their own commitment, they asked: “How is it possible to hope when reality takes away whatever dream for happiness you may have, denies you a chance to plan your life?”

In his reply, the Holy Father spoke about marginalisation and ghettoisation, tragedies caused by the inaction or weakening of institutions like the parish and the family.

He said no one is an outsider in the Church and everyone is part of the whole; that Christ was born in Nazareth, a place on the outskirts of the Roman empire, and yet he “revolutionised the world.”

He said the Church should go into the poorer neighbourhoods and with Christ’s help rebuild the social fabric, and that young people must do their part to “change the world,” starting in its poorest corners.

Sara, a 24-year-old office worker from Genoa, spoke about young people’s confusion, about the violence they experience and the lack of educators “as good and credible reference points to whom one may turn with one’s pain is too much. "Holy Father, in this silence so heavy for me and my faith, where is everybody? Above all, where is God?” she asked.

“Every believer knows about God’s silence,” said the Pontiff answering off the cuff. “With all her charity, even Mother Teresa suffered from God’s silence.” But he recalled a story about Pope John Paul II, when he was still Cardinal Wojtyla. A scientist told him that he was “certain” that God did not exist but that “whenever he looked out at the mountains, he saw that He existed.”

In truth, “the beauty of creation,” the Pope said, “is a sign of God’s goodness.” Not only do we meet God in creation, but we feel his “presence in the liturgical celebrations and in the Word,” he said. We have the same experience in the “great music by Bach, Mozart, and Haendel.” Listening to them we discover that God is the source of everything.

Also there is friendship and companionship in faith and travel like what young people in Loreto have experienced. “God,” he said, “wants us to bear witness to our faith and be a light” onto others.

Acknowledging that “it is hard to talk to our friends about God and the Church,” especially if it is a God “of prohibitions” and “a Church that imposes,” he urged his audience to “try to experience the living Church, not the image of a Church that is a centre of power.”

Remembering his visit to Fazenda Esperanza in Brazil, a drug rehab centre, he said that “the certainty in God’s existence means salvation from desperation.” God “broadens life,” he noted, “drugs destroy it.”

He concluded saying that “Christ came to create a network of communion in the world so that we can all help each other. In so doing we discover that the commandments and the relationship to God are in reality a path to joy.”

Ilaria, 26 and from Rome, offered a story with a happy ending. She told her fellow young people the story of her family, a violent father, her anorexia and worsening health problems and how her mother and a priest helped her recover spiritually. Now she is married and the mother of a little girl, and has adopted Pope Wojtyła’s apostolic motto Totus Tuus ("totally yours”) which he borrowed from the Marian consecrating prayer.

Fr Giancarlo Bossi’s story is another happy ending. A missionary with the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME), he survived 39 days in captivity in southern Philippines.

“Holy Father,” he said, “I am happy to be here tonight to give thanks, to God for holding my life lovingly in His hands; to you for holding me in your heart during my captivity and encouraging so many to pray for me; to all those young people who through their prayers and love gave me courage to remain faithful to Christ, His Church, my missionary vocation and all the people to whom I belong. You also gave courage to missionaries who work around the world. Thank you in the name of God!”

After singing, praying and Bible readings, Benedict XVI spoke about Loreto which, because of so many young people, has become the “spiritual capital, the centre, where so many young people from the five continents have converged to share their ideals.”

The Pope spoke about their hopes and expectations, but also about their deceptions, the “impossible” dreams they have. He referred to their “anxieties” and “doubts,” asking “how can one become part of a society with so much injustice and suffering? How can one react to selfishness and violence which sometimes appears so overwhelming? How can one give real meaning to life? In raising these questions Benedict XVI said he felt “close” to the young people in Loreto, telling them that “through you,” he could reach out “to people of your own age.”

“Fear not, Christ can fulfill the most intimate aspirations your heart holds! Can some dreams be impossible if they are awakened and nourished in the heart by God’s spirit?”

In comforting tones, he told young people to face the unease that their fragility, insecurity and sense of uselessness may cause. “Let me repeat, tonight,” he said, “if each one of you remains united with Christ, you can accomplish great things. This is why, dear friends, you must not fear to dream, eyes wide open, and do good; don’t let yourselves be discouraged by hardships. Christ trusts you and wants you to achieve your highest and noblest dream of real happiness.”

“Look upon Mary,” he suggested, who, in saying “yes” to God found Herself at the “centre of humanity.” “Looking upon her, meekly following her, you shall discover the beauty of love, not a disposable one, transient and deceptive, prisoner to a selfish and materialistic mentality, but one that is true and deep.”

The Pope also raised the issue of so many “broken” families, of couples that break up, saying that to “those who find themselves in such a delicate and complex situations I say this tonight: the Mother of God, the Community of Believers and the Pope stand by you and pray that the crisis that affects today’s families not turn into an irreversible failure.”

In his address to the young crowd Benedict XVI was especially keen in supporting the more responsible choices young people make, helping them overcome their fear of failure. “In the night that awaits us, at the foot of Her Holy House, Mary shall again tell each one of you, my dear young friends, the same words She heard from the Angel: Don’t fear! Don’t be afraid! The Holy Spirit is with you and shall never abandon you. To anyone who places his trust in God, nothing is impossible. This is true for those who are meant to marry; it is even more so for those to whom God proposes a life of total detachment from earthly things and a full commitment to his Kingdom.”

Referring to Fr Bossi, the Pope said: "In him we want to greet and thank all those who live for Christ on the edges of evangelisation. My dear young people, if the Lord calls you to live intimately at His service, answer with generosity. Be certain that a life devoted to God is never lived in vain.”

The Pope ended his homily, greeting with a “father’s heart” “each one” of the young people present in the Plains of Montorso, urging them to meet again in Sydney.

“Let us pray that the Lord who does all kinds of wonders may let many of you to be there. May He give me and you such an opportunity! This is but one of the many dreams we have and which tonight we shall entrust in Mary as we pray together.”

The Pontiff then blessed the Jubilee Cross from the diocese of Endeber (Ethiopia). Young Italian Catholics have in fact taken on the task of helping the Church in this African country.

At the end of the meeting and following a brief pause the Pope walked over to the Holy House to pray in silence as young people prepared for the night vigil. Tomorrow he is scheduled to celebrate mass in the Plains of Montorso.







Here is the reportage from korazym.org, translated:

MONTORSO (LORETO), Sept. 1 (korazym.org) - It is time for the vigil, for the Pope's arrival, for the testimonials and prayer. The most awaited moment of the day. In the skies over Loreto, the Pope's helicopter arrives on time, first circling over the plain of Montorso, alive with all the vibrant colors of youth, before landing at the John Paul II youth center.

Then, the Popemobile tour among the tens of thousands who had been waiting hours under the sun. And the enthusiasm rose as the Popemobile approached the stage, asnd the youth sang 'Emmanuel' (hymn of WYD 2000) and 'Jesus Christ, you are my life' (from the Toronto WYD).

They also sang 'Laudato sii' (May He be praised) with its clear reference to the Creator and his Creation, since today is also the Day for the Protection of Creation.

When the Pope finally walked on to center stage, he was welcomed by Mary Petrilo and Fabriio Bucci, who read from psalms. "Men look at appearances, God looks at the heart. Before him, a man is worth what his heart is." The onstage choir and orchestra sang the hymn "Alzati e risplendi" (Arise and shine).

The Pope formally started the Prayer Vigil with the Sign of the Cross.

A young man, Luca Romani, welcomed the pope in behalf of all the youth. "Your presence with us, Holiness, presents an important sign of the Church's attention even for us, the young."

He also spoke for those who were not there, Romani said. "They are friends, colleagues, fellow travelers, not different from us. We have the same doubts, and questions and expectations...We present ourselves to you, certain that your words will be for us a beacon in the great sea of life."

"We are here," he said, "because we are committed to give a concrete face to hope...Many times, the world of the young is described as indifferent and superficial. but the message we want to send from Loreto is the opposite: 'Tonight, we want to tell everyone - it is mot so! We truly want to be active players in society, in the family, at school and work and in the Christian community."

The Pope joined the assembly in applauding these lines.

Later, he thanked them for being at what he called 'the Nazareth of Italy', where, as in many centuries ago, God's proposal to man resounds as it did then in Galilee.

Testimonials followed, led by Fr. Giancarlo Bossi, the missionary who was held captive by Muslim rebels in southern Philippines. He thanked God for "having once again held my life tenderly in his hands", the Pope "for having carried me in your heart and in your prayers during my hour of need" and the youth "because with your prayers and love, you give me the courage to remain faithful to Christ, to his church, to my missionary vocation and to the people to whom I belong."

Some of those who gave testimonials directed their question to the Pope who answered them spontaneously. Their stories told of difficulties in life, deprivation, marginalization, loneliness. At least two described themselves as inhabitants of a big city suburb, the peripheries.

The Pope said in the Church there are no peripheries because wherever Christ is, is the center. But he also pointed out that God has a plan for each of us, a plan we should learn to accept, within the security of the faith.

He said each of us must understand the 'greatness of life' that one discovers by knowing one is loved, and because of this, is also called on to love.

Sarah, a 24-year-old mother from Rome who has found happiness after a troubled life, said "It's not easy to speak about God with my friends, and in the face of so much rejection, I wanted to feel the nearness of God, and asked in all of the silence of loneliness, 'Where is God?""

The Pope answered: "Your desperate cry - we now all know - was the same that was felt by Mother Teresa, who with all her charity and the force of her faith suffered from the silence of God". The silence, he said, helps us to 'understand our brothers who don't believe' and it does form part of human experience.

Nevertheless, the Pope said, we must look for the voice of God, listening to it 'in celebrations and feasts of faith' as well as in 'a personal dialog' with God, in which 'God does not always answer us right away.' But he can speak to us through our friends - "The gathering here in Loreto did not come out of nothing!".

God may be silent, but "he talks to us and reveals himself", and so it is important "that we remain attentive to him."

Then, the image of the Madonna of Loreto was borne into the plain borne on a platform decorated with flowers and escorted by the Capuchin friars who have custody of the Basilica. As it neared the stage, pop tenor Andrea Boccelli sang Schubert's Ave Maria.

One of the young presentors read: "The angel had said, Do not be afraid, Mary. If God does not choose triumphal ways, lights and the gold of the temples, he comes as a God in love. To believe in him is to acquire the beauty of living, to know that is is beautiful to meet others, to work, to get married, to reproduce, it is beautiful to dedicate oneself to another, who is also of God, it is beautiful to be a man and a woman, and to work for something positive here in time, towards a life that will never end."

Three of the young presenters read the story of the Annunciation from the Gospel of Luke, followed by the Pope’s homily.

[The report then cites some excerpts from the Pope's address]

Afterwards, the pope blessed a large wooden Crucifix which will be sent to the Ethiopian diocese of Emdeber, beneficiary of a charitable project for which the 2007 Agora raised funds. On September 16, the Cross will be received by all the Ethiopian bishops at the start of their Jubilee celebrations (by their local calendar, the second millennium jubilee of Christianity starts on September 12).










THE POPE GREETS ENTERTAINERS
AND TV EXECUTIVES

Before leaving the Agora site, Pope Benedict XVI greeted the executives of RAI state TV, entertainers and volunteer workers for the Agora, including director general Claudi Cappon.

He also greeted actors Alessandro Preziosi, Bianca Guaccero, Fabio Fulco and Giancarlo Giannini, and the singers Lucio Dalla, Claudio Baglioni, Andrea Bocelli, the rock group Vibrazioni, along with the pianist Giovanni Allevi and ballerina Eleonora Abbagnato, who were to perform in the entertainment show that was broadcast by RAI later in the evening.


THE POPE AT THE HOLY HOUSE



Translated from Vatican news bulletin:

At 8 p.m., the Pope left Montorso by car for the Apostolic palace in Loreto, where he is staying for the night. After a priivate dinner, he went down to the Basilica at 9:15, accompanied by Archbishops Bagnasco and Danzi.

They were welcomed at the entrance by the Rector of the Sanctuary, the Capuchin friar P. Marzio Calletti.

In th German Chapel, he imparted his blessing to the Cappuchin friars who are in charge of the sanctuary, the cloistered nuns of Loreto from the Monastery of the Annunciation (Discalced Carmelites) and from the Monastery of San Gabriele dell'Addolorata (Passionist).

He then proceeded to the Holy House for private prayers. A TV feed at 9:25 to Montorso enabled the gathered youth to join him in prayer to begin their all-night Prayer Vigil.

The Pope led them in reciting a prayer he had written last February for the Agora, which he first reicted with the Bishops and pilgrims from the Marche at the Vatican after a Gene3ral Audience last February.

A highlight of the Pope's visit to the Holy House this time was that he presented the Papal Golden Rose - a token of special homage - to the image of Our Lady of Loreto.

Caterina got hold of the only picture of this that I have seen, which she presented as an enlargement. Please click twice on the thumbnail to get the full size.




[Below is the Prayer which we first posted in the 8/14 announcement of the Loreto trip.]

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THE POPE'S PRAYER FOR THE AGORA

On February 14th, the Holy Father asked the faithful of the Marche region to recite this prayer everyday in preparation for the Agora.

Mary, Mother of YES, you have listened to Jesus. You know the sound of His voice and you have heard the beat of His heart. Star of the Morning, speak to us of Him. Tell us of your following Him on the road of faith.

Mary, you lived with Jesus in Nazareth. Imprint in us your docility and that silence that listens. Make the Word flower in us so that we choose true liberty.

Mary, speak to us of Jesus, so that the freshness of faith shines in our eyes and warms the hearts of those we meet. Visiting Elizabeth in her old age, you made her rejoice with you in the gift of life. May we too cause those we meet rejoice in the gift of life.

Mary, Virgin of the Magnificat, help us bring joy to the world. Help us to inspire today’s youth to fraternal service and as at Cana, to do what Jesus says.

Mary, look kindly on the Agorà of Italian youth, so that Italy may become fertile land for the Church. Pray that Jesus, crucified and risen, may be born again in us and change our night into a day of light and Him.

Mary, Our Lady of Loreto, gate of heaven, help us to raise our sights. Help us to see Jesus, to talk with Him, to tell everyone of His love.

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Before leaving the Holy House, the Pope offered a silver Rose for the Virgin - similar to Papal roses given in the past to other Marian images such as Fatima, Aparecida and Guadalupe.




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Korazym takes up the story for the rest of the evening:

21:00, Sept. 1 (korazym.org) - The live broadcast from Montorso, opened by reflections, proceeded to spectacle and music. A play of lights introduced the images direct from the Basilica of Loreto, and to the Pope’s prayer at the Holy House.

Then on to Claudio Baglioni and the Vibrazioni and Luci Dalla. In between were testimonials by young people, with stories of difficulties as well as togetherness, affections, new lives.

But the most intense moment was the long account by Fr. Giancarlo Bossi of his recent captivity.


Fr. Bossi greeted by the Pope earlier.

Quite uneasy as the center of attention, the missionary was overcome with emotion several times as he told of his captivity and his attempts to establish rapport with his captors, whom he called ‘poor devils’ stricken more by poverty than the wish to do evil, how he asked guidance from God, his attempts to make sense of what was happening. Applause greeted his story of how he was finally liberated, his first telephone call to his mother, and his final words of reflection.

“I’ve been back in Italy for some weeks but I would like to return as soon as possible to the Philippines. Here I hear both children and adults saying in front of food, 'How awful!’ In the Philippines, some children have to look for food in garbage cans and thank God if they find something. We must change all this.”

Other ‘light’ shows and testimonials concluded the evening – quite an atypical formula for an encounter which saw some 400,000 participants who came to the Marche for this event.

The attendance was much greater than expected – all the sectors of the esplanade were occupied. It was warm but not humid, so there were no particular emergencies, except a few cases who were seen for fatigue.