Legion of Mary Blog

VATICAN CITY, SEP 15, 2007 (VIS) - Today, Benedict XVI received the Letters of Credence of Noel Fahey, the new ambassador of Ireland to the Holy See.

Speaking English, the Pope began his address to the diplomat by recalling how “for over 1600 years Christianity has shaped the cultural, moral and spiritual identity of the Irish people, … and it remains as a ‘leaven’ in the life of your nation. Indeed, the Christian faith has lost nothing of its significance for contemporary society since it touches ‘man’s deepest sphere’.” The Holy Father then turned to consider Ireland’s recent economic growth, pointing out how “this prosperity has undoubtedly brought material comfort to many, but in its wake secularism has also begun to encroach and leave its mark.”

Benedict XVI had words of praise for a recent initiative to promote a “structured dialogue” between Church and government in Ireland. “Some might question,” he said, “whether the Church is entitled to make a contribution to the governance of a nation. In a pluralist democratic society should not faith and religion be restricted to the private sphere?”

“The Church, in articulating revealed truth,” he stated, “serves all members of society by shedding light on the foundation of morality and ethics, and by purifying reason, ensuring that it remains open to the consideration of ultimate truths and draws upon wisdom. Far from threatening the tolerance of differences or cultural plurality, or usurping the role of the State, such a contribution illuminates the very truth which makes consensus possible and keeps public debate rational, honest and accountable.

“When truth is disregarded,” he added, “relativism takes its place: instead of being governed by principles, political choices are determined more and more by public opinion, values are overshadowed by procedures and targets, and indeed the very categories of good and evil, and right and wrong, give way to the pragmatic calculation of advantage and disadvantage.”
(more…)

A LIFE DEDICATED TO GOD IS NEVER SPENT IN VAIN

VATICAN CITY, SEP 1, 2007 (VIS) - Shortly after 4 p.m. today, the Pope departed by helicopter from the pontifical residence at Castelgandolfo bound for the Italian shrine of Loreto where he presided at a national meeting of young people concluding the first year of the “Agora” of Italian youth. The event is being promoted by the Italian Episcopal Conference.

At 5.15 p.m., the Pope’s helicopter arrived at the John Paul II Center at Montorso near Loreto. From there the Holy Father travelled by popemobile to the esplanade of Montorso where he joined 300,000 young people for a prayer vigil during which he replied to a number of questions that were put to him.

One question addressed “the disquiet shared by many young people from all parts of the world and all religions” concerning their place in history and their fear of being left on the margins. The Pope replied by indicating how “according to the divine plan, the world has no margins. … For God we are all at the center, … equally loved and called to undertake great deeds, … each using his or her own talents.”

“Dear young people,” said the Pope, “in Jesus’ name I repeat to you tonight: Go! Live! Love! In God’s eyes each of you is important, You are important to your family and friends, … to your country, to the entire world, to the Church and to Jesus Christ.” The Holy Father also exhorted the young people not to feel marginalized “because no life is unimportant. … You must realize that you are important protagonists, because you are at the center of God’s love.”

Benedict XVI then delivered a talk to the participants, whom he described as “the hope of the Church in Italy,” and he invited them “to open their hearts and offer everything to Jesus” with the “interior strength and trusting abandonment” that was Mary’s.
(more…)

On Sunday, 26 August 2007, before leading the recitation of the Angelus with the faithful, the Holy Father delivered the following Reflection, translated from its original Italian by L’Osservatore Romano .

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today’s liturgy presents to us enlightening yet at the same time disconcerting words of Christ. On his last journey to Jerusalem someone asked him: “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” and Jesus answered: “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able” (Lk 13: 23-24).

What does this “narrow door” mean? Why do many not succeed in entering through it? Is it a way reserved for only a few of the chosen?

Indeed, at close examination this way of reasoning by those who were conversing with Jesus is always timely: the temptation to interpret religious practice as a source of privileges or security is always lying in wait.

Actually, Christ’s message goes in exactly the opposite direction: everyone may enter life, but the door is “narrow” for all. We are not privileged. The passage to eternal life is open to all, but it is “narrow” because it is demanding: it requires commitment, self-denial and the mortification of one’s selfishness.

Once again, as on recent Sundays, the Gospel invites us to think about the future which awaits us and for which we must prepare during our earthly pilgrimage.

Salvation, which Jesus brought with his death and Resurrection, is universal. He is the One Redeemer and invites everyone to the banquet of immortal life; but on one and the same condition: that of striving to follow and imitate him, taking up one’s cross as he did, and devoting one’s life to serving the brethren. This condition for entering heavenly life is consequently one and universal.

In the Gospel, Jesus recalls further that it is not on the basis of presumed privileges that we will be judged but according to our actions. The “workers of iniquity” will find themselves shut out, whereas all who have done good and sought justice at the cost of sacrifices will be welcomed.

Thus, it will not suffice to declare that we are “friends” of Christ, boasting of false merits: “We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets” (Lk 13: 26).
True friendship with Jesus is expressed in the way of life: it is expressed with goodness of heart, with humility, meekness and mercy, love for justice and truth, a sincere and honest commitment to peace and reconciliation.

We might say that this is the “identity card” that qualifies us as his real “friends”; this is the “passport” that will give us access to eternal life.

Dear brothers and sisters, if we too want to pass through the narrow door, we must work to be little, that is, humble of heart like Jesus, like Mary his Mother and our Mother. She was the first, following her Son, to take the way of the Cross and she was taken up to Heaven in glory, an event we commemorated a few days ago. The Christian people invoke her as Ianua Caeli, Gate of Heaven. Let us ask her to guide us in our daily decisions on the road that leads to the “gate of Heaven”.