Pope at Angelus : A "horizon
of peace" for migrants and refugees
During his midday Angelus prayer on New Year's Day, Pope
Francis urged that refugees, migrants and everyone be ensured a future of
peace, saying it is everyone's right.
By Robin Gomes
Pope Francis on New Year’s Day raised his voice on behalf
of migrants and refugees to appeal to the international
community not to extinguish their hopes and stifle their
expectations for peace. “I wish once again to be the voice of
these brothers and sisters who call for a horizon of peace for their future,”
Pope Francis said in his midday Angelus address on New Year’s Day, a day on
which the Church observes the World Day of Peace.
The theme of this year World Day of Peace is, “Migrants and
Refugees: Men and Women in search of Peace.” The Holy Father released his
message for this day on 24 November.
“It is important that all, civil institutions, educational,
welfare and ecclesial bodies are committed to ensuring for refugees, migrants
and everyone a future of peace,” the Pope said in Italian, addressing a vast
holiday crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square below the window of the papal
studio.
Mary's faith
On New Year’s Day, the Catholic Church celebrates the
liturgical Solemnity of the Mother of God. Before the Angelus
prayer, Pope Francis reflected on the day’s Gospel of the shepherds visiting
the Child Jesus after the announcement by the angels, which, the Pope
said, Mary meditated deeply in her heart. The Pope said Mary’s
faith “widens” her motherhood and makes her the first disciple
of her Son, Jesus. This, the Pope said, is an invitation for
each one of us to pray contemplating and tasting the gift of Jesus
himself.
The Holy Father explained how Mary’s faith “provokes” the first miraculous “sign” of Cana, arousing the faith of the disciples. “With the same faith, at the foot of the Cross Mary receives the Apostle John as a son; and finally, after the Resurrection, she becomes a prayerful mother of the Church on which the Holy Spirit descends with power on the day of Pentecost.”
The Holy Father explained how Mary’s faith “provokes” the first miraculous “sign” of Cana, arousing the faith of the disciples. “With the same faith, at the foot of the Cross Mary receives the Apostle John as a son; and finally, after the Resurrection, she becomes a prayerful mother of the Church on which the Holy Spirit descends with power on the day of Pentecost.”
Mary intercedes for us
Pope Francis pointed out that as a mother, Mary has a very
special role of placing herself between her Son and people in their situations
of privation, poverty and suffering. In her motherly
instinct, she intercedes and presents to her Son the needs of the people,
especially the weakest and most disadvantaged. The
Pope said, “it is precisely to these people that the theme of the World Day of
Peace is dedicated: "Migrants and refugees: men and women seeking peace".
Peace, a right
Pope Francis said peace is “the right of all,” and migrants
and refugees “are willing to risk their lives on a journey that in most cases
is long and dangerous, to face hardships and suffering.” He urged that
during the new year, all work with “generosity to create a more supportive
and welcoming world.”
While entrusting all to the Mother of God, Pope Francis
invited then to pray for the cause of migrants and refugees. He recalled
that old Russian monks and mystics used to say that during times of spiritual
troubles, it was necessary to gather under the mantle of the Holy Mother of
God. With the many troubles of today, especially those of migrants and
refugees, the Pope prayed: “We seek refuge under your protection, Holy
Mother of God. Do not despise our supplications amidst our trials but
deliver us from every evil, Oh glorious and blessed Virgin.”
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