Apostolic Voyage to France, Angelus of the Holy Father at Lourdes
Dear Pilgrims, dear brothers and sisters!
Every day, praying the Angelus gives
us the opportunity to meditate for a few moments, in the midst of all our activities,
on the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God. At noon, when the first hours
of the day are already beginning to weigh us down with fatigue, our availability and
our generosity are renewed by the contemplation of Mary’s “yes”. This clear and unreserved
“yes” is rooted in the mystery of Mary’s freedom, a total and entire freedom before
God, completely separated from any complicity with sin, thanks to the privilege of
her Immaculate Conception. This privilege given to Mary, which sets her apart from
our common condition, does not distance her from us, but on the contrary, it brings
her closer. While sin divides, separating us from one another, Mary’s purity makes
her infinitely close to our hearts, attentive to each of us and desirous of our true
good. You see it here in Lourdes, as in all Marian shrines; immense crowds come thronging
to Mary’s feet to entrust to her their most intimate thoughts, their most heartfelt
wishes. That which many, either because of embarrassment or modesty, do not confide
to their nearest and dearest, they confide to her who is all pure, to her Immaculate
Heart: with simplicity, without frills, in truth. Before Mary, by virtue of her very
purity, man does not hesitate to reveal his weakness, to express his questions and
his doubts, to formulate his most secret hopes and desires. The Virgin Mary’s maternal
love disarms all pride; it renders man capable of seeing himself as he is, and it
inspires in him the desire to be converted so as to give glory to God. Thus, Mary
shows us the right way to come to the Lord. She teaches us to approach him in truth
and simplicity. Thanks to her, we discover that the Christian faith is not a burden:
it is like a wing which enables us to fly higher, so as to take refuge in God’s embrace. The
life and faith of believers make it clear that the grace of the Immaculate Conception
given to Mary is not merely a personal grace, but a grace for all, a grace given to
the entire people of God. In Mary, the Church can already contemplate what she is
called to become. Every believer can contemplate, here and now, the perfect fulfilment
of his or her own vocation. May each of you always remain full of thanksgiving for
what the Lord has chosen to reveal of his plan of salvation through the mystery of
Mary: a mystery in which we are involved most intimately since, from the height of
the Cross which we celebrate and exalt today, it is revealed to us through the words
of Jesus himself that his Mother is our Mother. Inasmuch as we are sons and daughters
of Mary, we can profit from all the graces given to her; the incomparable dignity
that came to her through her Immaculate Conception shines brightly over us, her children. Here,
close to the grotto, and in intimate communion with all the pilgrims present in Marian
shrines and with all the sick in body and soul who are seeking relief, we bless the
Lord for Mary’s presence among her people, and to her we address our prayer in faith:
“Holy Mary, you showed yourself here one hundred and fifty years ago to the young
Bernadette, you ‘are the true fount of hope’ (Dante, Paradiso, XXXIII:12). Faithful
pilgrims who have gathered here from every part of the world, we come once more to
draw faith and comfort, joy and love, security and peace, from the source of your
Immaculate Heart. Monstra Te esse Matrem. Show yourself a Mother for us all,
O Mary! And give us Christ, the hope of the world! Amen.” -----