Pope Benedict XVI prayed the Regina coeli with the faithful gathered in the
courtyard of the Apostolic retreat in Castel Gandolfo on Easter Monday – a bright,
crisp, clear day, with an April breeze stirring the air.
Easter Monday – a
day of rest and recreation in many countries, as the Holy Father noted at the beginning
of his remarks to the gathered faithful ahead of the traditional Eastertide prayer
of Marian devotion – a day in which people often take leisurely walks in the city,
or visit the country, spending precious hours with friends and family.
The
real reason for this holiday, though, is the resurrection of Our Lord – as Pope Benedict
called it, “the decisive mystery of our faith.”
The Holy Father went on
to note that the Gospel writers do not describe the Resurrection, itself. “The event,”
he said, “remains mysterious – not as something unreal, but as something beyond the
reach of our knowledge - as a light so bright the eyes cannot bear it.” The narratives
begin instead by when, at dawn the day after the Sabbath, the women went to the tomb
and found it open and empty.
St. Matthew speaks of an earthquake and a bright
angel who rolled away the great tomb stone and sat on it (cf. Mt 28.2). The women,
when they had received from the angel the announcement of the resurrection, ran full
of fear and joy, to break the news to the disciples – and it was in just that moment
that they met Jesus, fell at his feet and worshiped him – and Jesus said to them,
“Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee: there shall they see
me (Matthew 28:10).”
The Pope went on to note important role that women play
in the Gospel accounts of the appearances of the risen Jesus, as also in His passion
and death.
“In those days, in Israel,” said Pope Benedict, “women's testimony
could have no official legal value.” Nevertheless, the Pope continued, “women have
experienced a special bond with the Lord, which is crucial for the practical life
of the Christian community, and this always, in every age, not only at the beginning
of the Church’s pilgrim journey.”
The Holy Father then called the attention
of the faithful to Mary, Mother of the Lord: Sublime and exemplary model of this relationship
with Jesus, especially in His paschal mystery. Precisely through the transformative
experience of the Passover of her Son, the Virgin Mary becomes Mother of the Church,
that is, of all believers and of their communities. “May Mary,” he concluded, “obtain
for us that we too might experience the living presence of the Risen Lord, source
of hope and peace.”
After the Regina coeli, the Holy Father greeted
pilgrims in many languages, including English.
I am pleased to welcome all
the English-speaking pilgrims present today for this Regina coeli prayer.
Today we continue our solemn Easter celebration, recalling with greater joy than ever
our redemption from sin and death in Jesus Christ. May the Risen Lord pour out his
grace upon us, and give us the courage to bring the Good News to others. I invoke
Easter blessings upon all of you! Listen: