Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Pompeii (Agenzia Fides) – At the end of the Holy Mass celebrated in the Square at the Shrine of Pompeii, on October 19, the Holy Father led the recitation of the Angelus with the faithful present. In his introduction to the prayer, Benedict XVI entrusted various particular intentions “of the Church and humanity” to the Blessed Mother: the Synod of Bishops, World Mission Sunday, and the family.
“We especially pray for the ordinary assembly of the Synod of Bishops that is taking place in Rome and that has 'The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church' as its theme, that it might bear the fruit of authentic renewal in every Christian community,” the Pope said. Another special intention was World Mission Sunday which, in this Year of Saint Paul, proposes meditation on the famous expression taken from the Apostle to the Gentiles: “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!” (1 Cor 9:16). “In this month of October, the month of missions and of the Rosary, how many faithful and how many communities offer the holy rosary for missionaries and for evangelization! For this reason I am very glad to find myself today here in Pompeii, in the most important shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary. This gives me the opportunity to emphasize with greater insistence that prayer is the first missionary duty of each one of us. It is first of all through prayer that the way for the Gospel is prepared; it is through prayer that hearts are opened to the mystery of God and that souls are disposed to receive his Word of salvation.”
Benedict XVI then recalled the beatification of Louis Martin and Zelie Guerin, the parents of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, whom Pius XI declared patroness of the missions, which took place in Lisieux the same day. “St. Therese’s parents accompanied and shared the journey of their daughter, who was called by the Lord to unconditionally consecrate herself to him within the walls of Carmel...With the beatification of the Martins in mind, I would like to recall another intention that is close to my heart: the family, whose role is fundamental in nurturing in their children a universal spirit, open and responsive to the world and its problems, and in forming vocations to missionary life.” The Pope then invoked the protection of Madonna of Pompeii “for all the families of the world, already looking forward to the 4th World Family Meeting that is being planned for Mexico City in January 2009.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 20/10/2008)
