Pope: Mary a Paradigm for the Faith of the Church

(15 Aug 09 - RV) The Feast of the Assumption is one of the most popular Marian feasts in the liturgical year and was celebrated world wide this Saturday with mass, moments of prayer, pilgrimages and festivals.


In Sri Lanka thousands gathered to give thanks and pray for peace at the Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu, while India’s 14 million Catholics, who were also marking Independence day, entrusted the future of their Homeland to Our Lady’s care.


Also on Saturday a smaller Catholic community high in the Roman Hills were joined by thousands of pilgrims to honour Mary. They are the parishioners of St Thomas of Villanova in Castel Gandolfo, a church that stands across the square from the Papal Summer residence and where Pope Benedict XVI chose to celebrate the Assumption with early morning mass.


In his homily Pope Benedict told the community that “The Assumption reminds us that Mary's life, like that of every Christian is a journey to follow Jesus, a path that has a clearly defined goal, a future already mapped out: the final victory over sin and death and full communion with God”.


Drawing on the Gospel of the Magnificat he remarked : “All of life is an ascent, all of life is meditation, obedience, trust and hope even in darkness and all of life is this sacred haste that knows that God is always the priority and nothing else should create haste in our lives”.


Following Mass Pope Benedict XVI made his way through the throngs from the Church to his Summer Residence where yet more pilgrims waited for him in the Palace’s enclosed internal courtyard, many more spilling out on to the square.


“As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, we are invited to raise our eyes to heaven and contemplate Mary, the Mother of Jesus and our Mother. She who on earth believed in God’s word is now glorified in body and soul”.


The Pope emphasized the relationship between Mary and priests, recalling once again the Year for the Priest and St. John Mary Vianney. "The heart of this good Mother is love and mercy, her only desire to see us happy, we need only to turn to Her to be heard”.


Pope Benedict concluded : “May Mary’s intercession and example guide you always and renew your hearts in faith and hope. May God grant you and your families abundant blessings of peace and joy!”.