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Pope Benedict XVI- Addresses |
 Address
of H.H. Pope Benedict XVI
On the Recitation of the Rosary
"This Prayer Helps to Put Christ at the Center"
Basilica of St. Mary Major
May 3, 2008
Here is
Benedict XVI's address at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where
he prayed the rosary with the faithful.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
At the conclusion of this moment of Marian prayer, I would like
to address my cordial greeting to all of you and thank you for
your participation. In particular I greet Cardinal Bernard
Francis Law, Archpriest of this stupendous Basilica of St Mary
Major. In Rome this is the Marian temple par excellence, in
which the people of the City venerate the icon of Mary Salus
Populi Romani with great affection. I gladly welcomed the
invitation addressed to me to lead the Holy Rosary on the First
Saturday of the month of May, according to the beautiful
tradition that I have had since my childhood. In fact, in my
generation's experience, the evenings of May evoke sweet
memories linked to the vespertine gatherings to honour the
Blessed Mother. Indeed, how is it possible to forget praying the
Rosary in the parish or rather in the courtyards of the houses
and in the country lanes?
Today, together we confirm that the Holy Rosary is not a pious
practice banished to the past, like prayers of other times
thought of with nostalgia. Instead, the Rosary is experiencing a
new Springtime. Without a doubt, this is one of the most
eloquent signs of love that the young generation nourish for
Jesus and his Mother, Mary. In the current world, so dispersive,
this prayer helps to put Christ at the centre, as the Virgin
did, who meditated within all that was said about her Son, and
also what he did and said. When reciting the Rosary, the
important and meaningful moments of salvation history are
relived. The various steps of Christ's mission are traced. With
Mary the heart is oriented toward the mystery of Jesus. Christ
is put at the centre of our life, of our time, of our city,
through the contemplation and meditation of his holy mysteries
of joy, light, sorrow and glory. May Mary help us to welcome
within ourselves the grace emanating from these mysteries, so
that through us we can "water" society, beginning with our daily
relationships, and purifying them from so many negative forces,
thus opening them to the newness of God. The Rosary, when it is
prayed in an authentic way, not mechanical and superficial but
profoundly, it brings, in fact, peace and reconciliation. It
contains within itself the healing power of the Most Holy Name
of Jesus, invoked with faith and love at the centre of each
"Hail Mary".
Dear brothers and sisters, let us thank God who has allowed us
to live such a beautiful hour this evening, and in the following
evenings of this Marian month, even if we will be far away, each
in their own family and community, may we, just the same, feel
close and united in prayer. Especially in these days that
prepare us for the Solemnity of Pentecost, let us remain united
with Mary, invoking for the Church a renewed effusion of the
Holy Spirit. As at the origins, Mary Most Holy helps the
faithful of every Christian community to form one heart and
soul. I entrust to you the most urgent intentions of my
ministry, the needs of the Church, the grave problems of
humanity: peace in the world, unity among Christians, dialogue
between all cultures. And thinking of Rome and Italy, I invite
you to pray for the pastoral goals of the Diocese, and for the
united development of this beloved Country. To the new Mayor of
Rome, Honourable Gianni Alemanno, who I see present here, I
address the wish of a fruitful service for the good of the
city's entire community. To all of you gathered here and to
those who are linked to us by radio and television, in
particular the sick and the infirm, I gladly impart the
Apostolic Blessing.
© Copyright 2008 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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