Mary, Guide of Missionaries - Pope’s Mission Intention for May 2012

May 01, 2012: The Mission intention of Pope Benedict XVI for the month of May 2012: Mary, Guide of Missionaries. That Mary, Queen of the World and Star of Evangelization, may accompany all missionaries in proclaiming her Son Jesus.
When we contemplate Mary's place in the saving plan of God, we realize that the predestination of Mary is inscribed in the predestination of Jesus, and likewise that of every human person.
Mary is the "Star of the New Evangelization" at whose school we learn how to bring Christ to the men and women of our time. She helps us to find appropriate pastoral strategies to ensure that Christ is encountered by young people.
Mary renders us capable of evangelizing the world of work, the economy and politics which need a new generation of committed lay Christians who can seek competently and with moral rigor sustainable solutions of development. In all aspects of Christian commitment we can always count on the guidance and support of the Blessed Virgin.

Mary accompanied and watched over Jesus from the moment of the Annunciation, from his birth in Bethlehem, and during his hidden life in Nazareth. She was present at the first miracle of Cana, the first mystery of Light. She was with Jesus on the road to Calvary, and she stayed with her Son at the foot of the Cross. Mary was in the Upper Room with the apostles when they were preparing to take up their mission. She prayerfully waited with them for the coming of the Spirit to empower them. So this month, we pray with the Pope that every missionary feels the guiding, compassionate and loving presence of Mary.

As Mary brought Jesus to birth in our world 2000 years ago, once again, may she, the Star of Evangelization accompany and assist missionaries today in bringing Jesus to birth in the hearts of men and women today.