by Gian Guido Vecchi
The solemn celebration of Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica: “We have forgotten the lesson of the tragedies of the last century, the victims of millions who fell in the world wars”
VATICAN CITY After speaking, Francis prays in silence for a long time with his eyes closed and his right hand covering his face. «God changed history by knocking on Mary’s heart. And today, renewed by God’s forgiveness, we too knock on that heart. Together with the bishops and faithful of the world, I solemnly wish to bring to the Immaculate Heart of Mary everything that we are experiencing: to renew to her the consecration of the Church and of all humanity, and to consecrate to her in particular the people of Ukraine and the people of Russia, by the way to adore with filial affection as a mother ». It is the day of the Annunciation that the Pope has chosen for the act of “Consecration and Entrustment” to Our Lady in St. Peter’s Basilica, a planetary prayer for peace that unites all the dioceses of the world, to which Benedict XVI also dedicated his life. follows ceremony from the Vatican monastery Mater Ecclesiae. “It’s not a magic formula, it’s a spiritual act,” explains Francesco. “It is the gesture of full confidence of the children who, in the tribulation of this cruel and senseless war that threatens the world, take refuge in their mother as children, when frightened, go to their mother to weep, to seek Protection throw fear and pain into her heart, surrender to her ».
Both Ukraine and Russia: Francis’ spiritual diplomacy addressed to the peoples. “In this hour, humanity is exhausted and in despair with you under the cross… The Ukrainian people and the Russian people, who adore you with love, take refuge in you while your heart beats for them and for everyone. Peoples decimated by war, hunger, injustice and misery ». In the sermon there is a significant sentence: «Someone said that a Christian without love is like a needle that does not sew: it pricks, it hurts, but if it does not sew, if it does not weave, if it does not connect, it is useless. I dare say: he is not a Christian ». From the beginning of his pontificate, Bergoglio denounced the “world war waged in pieces and the danger that the pieces would eventually weld together. At the consecration we pray: «Accept, O Mother, this request of ours. Quench hate, soothe vengeance, teach us forgiveness. Liberate us from war, protect the world from the nuclear threat ». The world has “lost the way to peace, it says: “We have forgotten the lessons of the tragedies of the last century, the victims of millions of people who died in world wars. We have disregarded the commitments made as a community of nations and are betraying the people’s dreams of peace and the hopes of the youth. We have become sick with greed, we have locked ourselves into nationalist interests, we have allowed ourselves to be paralyzed by indifference and selfishness».
Francis confessed and then confessed to six believers. “If we want the world to change, our hearts must change first.” Inside the basilica is the crucifix of San Marcello al Corso, who crossed the streets of Rome in 1522 to end the “Great Plague” and popular devotion considers a miracle: the same crucifix that the Pope wanted to have with him two years ago March 27, 2020, the historic evening he prayed alone in an empty St. Peter’s Square for an end to the pandemic. There is also the statue of Our Lady of Fatima, to which the act of consecration is linked: at the same time, in the Protoghese Shrine, the same celebration is presided over by Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, already sent to Ukraine by Francis. In his homily, the Pope sighs: “These days, news and images of death continue to penetrate our homes, while bombs are destroying the homes of many of our unarmed Ukrainian brothers and sisters. The brutal war that has struck many and made everyone suffer causes fear and dismay in everyone. We feel a sense of helplessness and inadequacy inside ». Like Mary before the angel, in the Gospel of the Annunciation we must be told: ‘Do not be afraid’. Men, on the other hand, don’t make it: “Human reassurance is not enough, it needs the presence of God, the certainty of divine forgiveness, the only one who eliminates evil, defuses resentment, restores peace to the heart. Let’s go back to God, to his forgiveness ». Francis traces the gospel account. «Maria doesn’t object. Not being afraid is enough for her, God’s assurance is enough for her, she clings to Him as we want to do tonight. The angel’s third phrase to Mary is: “The Holy Spirit will descend upon you. The Pope explains : “This is how God intervenes in history: by giving his own spirit. Because in things our strength is not enough. We alone are not able to resolve the contradictions of history, let alone those of our hearts. We need the spirit of love that will dissolve hate, quench resentment, quench greed, awaken us from indifference. This spirit that gives us harmony because it is harmony. We need God’s love because our love is uncertain and insufficient. Without love what will we offer to the world? ». Mary answers the angel: “It shall be done to me according to your word”. Francis concludes: “Our Lady is not a passive or resigned acceptance, but a keen desire to cling to God who has “plans for peace and not for misfortune”. It is the closest involvement in his world peace plan. We consecrate ourselves to Mary to enter into this plan, to place ourselves totally at the disposal of God’s plans Way of Peace”.
March 25, 2022 (Change March 25, 2022 | 20:27)
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