Pope encourages Azerbaijan Catholics at Sunday Angelus
(Vatican Radio) After
celebrating Mass in Baku’s Church of the Immaculate Conception, the city’s
Salesian centre, Pope Francis encouraged Azerbaijan’s small Catholic community
in their witness of the faith, before leading the faithful in the Angelus
prayer.
In off-the-cuff remarks
delivered after his prepared Angelus
address, the Pope stressed that he is not “wasting time” travelling long
distances to visit such a small community of Catholics in Azerbaijan and
explained why it is so important for him to travel to these nations “on the
peripheries.”
Please see below an
English translation of the Pope’s off-the-cuff remarks:
Someone may think that the
Pope wastes so much time: travelling so many kilometres to visit a small
community of 700 people, in a country of 2 million. Yet it is a community
which is not uniform, because among you there are several languages spoken:
Azeri, Italian, Spanish… many languages. It is a community on the
peripheries. But the Pope, in this, imitates the Holy Spirit: he also
descended from heaven to a small community in that closed periphery of the
Cenacle. And to that community, which was fearful, felt poor and
perhaps persecuted or rejected, the Holy Spirit imparts fortitude, power, and
bold eloquence to go forth and proclaim the name of Jesus! And the doors
of that community in Jerusalem, which were closed for fear or shame, were
thrust wide open releasing the power of the Spirit. The Pope wastes time
as the Holy Spirit did in those days!
Only two things are necessary: Mary was among that community. Don’t
forget our Mother! And in that community resided charity, a fraternal
love, which the Holy Spirit poured into their hearts. Have courage!
Go ahead! Without fear, go ahead!
Below, see the official
English language translation of Pope Francis’ prepared remarks for the Angelus:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In this Eucharistic
celebration I have given thanks to God with you, and also for you: here
the faith, after the years of persecution, has accomplished wonders. I
wish to recall the many courageous Christians who trusted in the Lord and were
faithful in the face of adversity. As did Saint John Paul II, I offer you
the words of the Apostle Peter: “Honour to you who believe” (1 Pt2:7; Homily,
Baku, 23 May 2002).
Our thoughts turn now to the
Virgin Mary, who is venerated in this country not only by Christians. To
her we address the words of the Angel Gabriel who brought her the good news of
salvation, prepared for humanity by God.
In the light that radiates
from the maternal gaze of Mary, I offer a warm greeting to you, dear faithful
of Azerbaijan, as I encourage each of you to witness joyfully to faith, hope
and love, united among yourselves and with your Pastors. I greet and
thank in a particular way the Salesian family, who take such good care of you
and who promote various good works, and the Missionary Sisters of Charity:
continue with enthusiasm your work in the service of all!
Let us entrust these
intentions to the intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God and let us invoke
her protection upon your families, the sick and the elderly, and upon all those
who suffer in body or spirit.
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