Pope calls on Christians to entrust themselves to care of the Virgin Mary

(Dec. 08,2009): On December 8, the Feast of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Benedict XVI asked pilgrims and tourists gathered in St Peter's Square for the Angelus prayer, to entrust themselves to the care of the Virgin Mary, as well as their families, communities, the entire Church and the whole world. The Pope also said that on Tuesday evening, he was to go to the city centre of Rome to pay homage to the statue of the Immaculate Conception raised on a column that stands at the Spanish Steps and he would pray for all.
The feast of the Immaculate Conception has been celebrated for many centuries in the liturgy, but the dogma was only proclaimed in 1854 by Pope Pius IX.
In his Angelus prayer message on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Benedict explained the value and the immense joy to have Mary Immaculate as our Mother. He said every time we experience trials and temptations, we can turn to Her to receive light and comfort. The Church, also, when exposed to the negative influences of the world, always finds in Her, the guiding star to follow the path indicated to Her by Christ. Mary is indeed the Mother of the Church, as solemnly proclaimed by Pope Paul VI and Vatican Council II, said the Holy Father.
After the Marian prayer, the Pope greeted the crowd in different languages, including English, in which he said - “Today, we celebrate the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. As we venerate her life of holiness, full of grace from the beginning of her existence, we praise God and acclaim the power of his gifts. May all Christians, filled with joyful hope and following the example of Mary, be faithful to God’s grace and seek a life of holiness.
Wishing everyone the joy of the feast, the Pope prayed that all Christians, filled with joyful hope would follow the example of Mary and seek a life of holiness.