Friday, December 08, 2006

Pope, on Solemnity of Immaculate Conception: Mary shows Church its vocation and mission

AP via Yahoo! News


AP - Fri Dec 8, 1:40 PM ET

Pope Benedict XVI, wearing an ermine-trimmed cape, waves from his car as he leaves Piazza di Spagna Square (Spanish Steps) on the occasion of the Immaculate Conception holiday, in Rome, Friday, Dec. 8, 2006. Making a traditional visit to the Spanish Steps on a holiday dedicated to Mary, the pope prayed that Mary would inspire a respect for human dignity in the world and a repudiation of violence and exploitation. The holiday also marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Rome. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The Immaculate Mary shows the Church its vocation, to receive Christ and offer Him to the world, Pope says

Vatican City, Dec. 08, 2006 (CNA) - Pope Benedict XVI greeted thousands of pilgrims and faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square today for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary and prayed the Angelus with them. Prior to leading the Angelus, the Holy Father pointed out that in her receiving of Christ in faith and offering Him to the world the Immaculate Virgin showed to us the vocation and mission of the Church.

On this day, “we celebrate one of the most beautiful and popular feasts of the Blessed Virgin,” the Pope noted. “Not only did Mary never commit a sin, but she was even preserved from the common inheritance of the human race, which is original sin. And this due to the mission for which God had always destined her: to be the Mother of the Redeemer.”

The biblical foundations of this truth of the faith, the Holy Father noted, “are found in the words of the Angel Gabriel directed at the maiden of Nazareth, ‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.’” The Pontiff noted that the name “full of grace,” “is the most beautiful name of Mary, the name which was given by God Himself, to show what she is from the beginning and forever, the beloved, the elect, the one chosen to receive the most precious gift, Jesus, ‘the love of God incarnate.’”
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2 Comments:

At 5:05 PM, Blogger Saint Peter's helpers said...

I hope you had a wonderful and blessed Feast day!

 
At 9:43 PM, Blogger Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. said...

And you too!

 

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