In a special liturgy Monday evening in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Pope Benedict
XVI entrusted to Our Lady of Guadalupe the people of Latin America and reiterated
the right of the unborn to live, while urging nations to effectively confront the
social and public justice challenges that face them.
The Pope also announced
his intention to make an apostolic journey to Cuba and Mexico ahead of Easter next
year. Pope Benedict said that he desired to make the trip in order to "preach the
Word of Christ" and to confirm anew that now is the time to proclaim the Gospel with
true faith, living hope, and ardent charity.
The Holy Father was presiding
the special mass on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe – the patron saint of Latin
American countries who are also marking in these days the bicentennial of their independence
from colonial powers.
In preparation for Monday’s liturgy, pairs of young
people dressed in colourful traditional costumes processed down the central nave,
bearing the flags of the different countries that make up Latin America, fanning out
around the central altar and stopping briefly to pay homage to an image of Our Lady
of Guadalupe prominently on display there.
In a sense, the liturgy was the
Pope’s way of joining on-going celebrations throughout Latin America as countries
mark their own national anniversaries of independence. Many are commemorating two
hundred years of freedom in the period between 2008 to 2024.
And St. Peter’s
basilica was bursting with Latino Americans who’d come to celebrate the Eucharist
with the Holy Father: Cardinals and Bishops; diplomats accredited to the Holy See
from North and Central America, from South America and the Caribbean/Antilles; religious
and students living in Rome and even Vatican employees from Latin America.
Punctuating
the Spanish, Portoghese and Latin liturgy: uplifting hymns sung by the Sistine Chapel
Choir alternating with the rich and rhythmic Latino beat of maestro Fabrizio Barchi’s
choir performing hymns from Argentine composer Ariel Ramirez’s “Misa Criolla:”
In
his homily, Pope Benedict recalled the bicentenary of emancipation of Latin America
and noted how the “pathway towards integration of that beloved Continent continues.”
At the same time, he reflected, this Continent is emerging with a “new protagonism”
on the world scene.
“It is important,” the Holy Father said, “ that her different
peoples safeguard their rich wealth of faith and their historic-cultural dynamism,”
and that they continue to act “as defendors of human life from conception to natural
death, and to be promoters of peace.”
The Pope called on Latin Americans
to “protect the family in its authentic nature and mission, intensifying at the same
time a vast and widespread educational network that will correctly prepare people
and will make them understand their capabilities so that they can confront their destiny
in a dignified and responsible way.”
He urged Latin Americans to promote more
“numerous and effective programs” to “facilitate reconciliation and brotherhood, to
increase solidarity and care for the environment.” At the same time, he said, it
is necessary that they also “reinforce…efforts to overcome poverty, illiteracy and
corruption and eradicate injustice, violence, crime, unsafe public environments, drug
trafficking and extorsion.”