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Pope Benedict XVI- Addresses |
PAPAL
FAREWELL TO AUSTRIA
"Gratitude and Joy Fill My Heart at This Moment"
International Airport of Vienna/Schwechat
H.H. Benedict XVI
September 9, 2007
Mr President,
As I prepare to leave Austria at the conclusion of my pilgrimage for
the 850th anniversary of the National Shrine of Mariazell, I recall
with gratitude these days filled with memorable experiences. I feel
that I have come to know even better this beautiful country and its
people.
I offer heartfelt thanks to my Brother Bishops, to the Government,
to the public authorities and, not least, to the many volunteers who
assisted in the organization of this visit. I pray that you will
share richly in the graces we have received in these days. My warm,
personal thanks go in particular to you, Mr President, for your
gracious words of farewell, for having accompanied me on this
pilgrimage, and for all the attention you have shown me. Thank you!
Once again I was able to experience Mariazell as a particularly
grace-filled place, a place which in these days welcomed all of us
and gave us inner strength for the road ahead. The throngs of people
who joined in our celebration in the Basilica, in Mariazell itself
and throughout Austria should inspire us, with Mary, to look to
Christ and, as persons whom God looks upon with love, and to face
with confidence the path to the future. It was nice that the wind
and the bad weather could not stop us, but, in the end, added even
more to our joy.
At the very beginning of my pilgrimage, our common prayer in the
Square "Am Hof" brought us together in a way which transcended
national borders and directly showed us Austria's open hospitality,
which is one of this country's finest qualities.
May the quest for mutual understanding, and the creative development
of ever new ways of building trust between individuals and peoples,
continue to inspire the national and international policies of this
nation. Vienna, faithful to its rich history and its location in the
vital centre of Europe, can offer a specific contribution in this
regard, by consistently upholding the traditional values of the
continent, values shaped by the Christian faith, to the European
institutions and to the work of promoting international,
intercultural and interreligious relations.
On life's pilgrimage we frequently pause to consider with gratitude
the progress already made, and to look with prayerful hope at the
road still before us. I made just such a stop at the monastery of
Heiligenkreuz. The tradition cultivated there by the Cistercian
monks puts us in touch with our roots, whose strength and beauty
ultimately derive from God himself.
Today I was able to celebrate Sunday, the Lord's Day with you --
representing all the parishes of Austria -- in the Cathedral of
Saint Stephen. This gave me an opportunity to be united in a special
way with the faithful in all the parishes of Austria.
Finally, a very moving moment for me was my meeting with volunteers
from the charitable organizations which are so many and varied in
Austria. The thousands of volunteers I was able to see represent the
many thousands more who, throughout the country, by their readiness
to help others, show forth humanity's noblest features and help
believers to recognize the love of Christ.
Gratitude and joy fill my heart at this moment. To all of you who
have been with me during these days, to all who put so much effort
and hard work into making this very full programme proceed so
smoothly, and to all who joined in my pilgrimage and shared in our
celebrations, I once more express my deep gratitude. As I leave you,
I entrust the present and the future of this country to the
intercession of the Gracious Mother of Mariazell, Magna Mater
Austriae, and to all the saints and beati of Austria. With them we
want to look to Christ, our life and our hope. With great affection
I offer to one and all a sincere "Vergelt's Gott"!
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