Mass for Haitians by Archbishop Mamberti

(Jan.20,2010): Prayers and solidarity were expressed for the all the victims of the Haiti earthquake, by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti at a Mass celebrated on Tuesday at Rome’s Shrine of Perpetual Help. Beginning his homily with the words of St. John “When Jesus saw Mary weeping and crying, as the Jews who had accompanied him, Jesus groaned in spirit and wept”, Archbishop Mamberti, Vatican’s Secretary for Relations of States, said these words express what all Humanity feels in these days. Seeing the violent and shocking images on the television screens of dying and suffering people, we all expressed our solidarity to the tens of thousands of victims and survivors, who experienced physically and spiritually the death of their loved ones and the destruction of their homes. The world has mobilised to run to help the afflicted people, he said. Pope Benedict XVI in his general audience on January 13^th, a day after the terrible earthquake, urged all institutions and people of goodwill to help relieve the suffering of the people of Haiti and assist them overcome all adversities.
Offering condolences, Archbishop Mamberti said the Holy Mass is a prayer par excellence, as it celebrates the mystery of death and resurrection of Christ . It plunges us into the eternal love of God - the source of life and gives meaning and value to our existence. We are gathered at Mass to celebrate Jesus Christ - the hope of mankind , said Archbishop Mamberti and prayed to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Patroness of Haiti to give comfort and strength to all the people of the country.