Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vienna (Agenzia Fides) - To mark the 850th anniversary of the Austrian Marian Shrine of Mariazell, Pope Benedict XVI will make a pastoral visit to the country 7 to 9 September. “Contemplating Christ” is the motto chosen by the Austrian Bishops for the Papal Visit. Various initiatives are underway in preparation for the event.
One initiative is a nine month Great Novena of prayer launched on 8 December 2006. The faithful are invited to pray to Mary the Mother of God with the ejaculation “Show us Jesus. Lead us to Him”. Recently the Catholic Bishops of Austria met in Mariazell for their annual Summer meeting. In a Pastoral Letter issued at the end of the meeting and in view of the Papal Visit, the Bishops write “this great spiritual gift, given to the Church in Austrian will draw the whole world's attention” and they say they hope the motto “Contemplating Christ” will prompt “a new flourishing of our local Church and renewal of Church life”. In the Letter the Bishops recall that there will be an international pilgrimage to Mariazell 12 - 15 August for young people from Austria and other countries of central Europe, and they say "everyone is invited". “We will be with the young people, we will celebrate with them and share their dialoguing” the Bishops of members of the Austrian Bishops' Conference affirm.
Also in preparation for the imminent Papal Visit the Pontifical Mission Societies Austria (Missio), in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Vienna and other Catholic bodies, have asked people to unite in prayer to the Holy Spirit “for Pope Benedict XVI, for the people of Austrian that they may live a new experience of God's love for all men and women, for the Holy Father's visit that it may bear lasting fruits. And we pray also for all the people who are organising the visit”.
Tuesday 4 September Fides will issue a Dossier on the Shrine of Mariazell prepared by Fr. Burkhard Feuerstein, FSO. (M.S.) (Agenzia Fides 19/7/2007 - 24 righe, 307 parole)
