|
Pope Benedict XVI- Angelus |
Regina
Caeli Message
On the Mission of Priests
"Sowing the Joy of the Gospel in the World"
H.H. Benedict XVI
April 27, 2008
www.zenit.org
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
A few moments ago we concluded a celebration in St. Peter’s Basilica
in which I ordained 29 new priests. This is a time every year of
special grace and festivity: The lifeblood of the Church and society
has been renewed and recirculated in them. If the presence of
priests is indispensable for the life of the Church, it is also
something precious for all.
In the Acts of the Apostles one reads that the Deacon Philip brought
the Gospel to a city of Samaria; the people adhered to his preaching
with enthusiasm and also saw the miracles that he worked for the
sick; “and there was great joy in that city” (Acts 8:8). As I
reminded the new presbyters in the course of the liturgical
celebration, this is the meaning of the Church’s missions and
particularly the mission of priests: Sowing the joy of the Gospel in
the world!
Where Christ is preached with the power of the Holy Spirit and he is
accepted with an open soul, society, though it be full of problems,
becomes a “city of joy” -- which is also the title of a book about
the work of Mother Teresa in Calcutta. This then is the wish I have
for the newly ordained priests, for whom I invite all to pray: That
where they are sent they may spread the joy and hope that flow from
the Gospel.
In truth this is also the message that I brought last week to the
United States of America, on an apostolic voyage that had these
words as its motto: “Christ our hope.” I give thanks to God for
abundantly blessing this singular missionary experience of mine and
deigning to make me an instrument of the hope of Christ for that
Church and that country. At the same time I thank God because I too
was confirmed in hope by American Catholics: Indeed, I discovered a
tremendous vitality and a decisive will to live and to witness to
the faith in Jesus. Next Wednesday, during the general audience, I
will speak more about this visit of mine to America.
Today many Eastern Churches, following the Julian Calendar,
celebrate the great solemnity of Easter. I would like to express my
fraternal spiritual nearness to these brothers and sisters of ours.
I cordially greet them, praying that the God who is one and three
will confirm them in the faith, fill them with the splendorous light
that emanates from the resurrection of the Lord and to comfort them
in the difficult situations that they often find themselves living
and witnessing to the Gospel. I invite all to join with me in
invoking the Mother of God, that the road of dialogue and
collaboration that was started upon sometime ago will soon lead to a
more complete communion among all the disciples of Christ, that they
may be a luminous sign of hope for all humanity.
[After reciting the Regina Caeli, the Pope said in Italian:]
The news from some African countries continues to cause profound
suffering and much concern. I ask you not to forget about these
tragic events and the brothers and sisters who are involved in them!
I ask you to pray for them and to be their voice!
In Somalia, especially in Mogadishu, bitter armed conflicts are
worsening the humanitarian crisis of this dear people, which for too
many years has been oppressed by brutality and misery.
Darfur, despite a momentary glimmer of hope, remains a tragedy
without end for hundreds of thousands of defenseless and abandoned
persons.
Finally, Burundi. After the recent bombardments that struck and
terrorized the capital city of Bujumbura and also affected the
apostolic nunciature, and in the face of the threat of a new civil
war, I invite all the parties involved to take up again without
delay the way of dialogue and reconciliation.
I ask the local political authorities, the leaders of the
international community and every person of goodwill not to give up
on efforts to bring and end to the violence and the honor the
commitments that have been made, in a way that will provide a solid
basis for peace and development. We entrust our petitions to Mary,
Queen of Africa.
[Translation by Joseph G. Trabbic]
[In English, the Pope said:]
I am happy to greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors
present for this Regina Caeli. In today's Gospel Our Lord speaks to
us of the mystery of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. May we always
remain faithful to this divine communion by living the commandments
that he has given us. God's blessings of joy and peace be with you
all!
© Copyright 2008 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Look
at the One they Pierced!
This page is the work of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and
Mary
