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Pope Recalls Consecration to the
Immaculate Heart of Mary
Wednesday, March 24, 2004 12:00:00 AM
GMT
VATICAN CITY, MAR 24,
2004 (VIS) – During today’s general audience, celebrated in St. Peter’s Square,
the Pope reminded the pilgrims that tomorrow is the feast of the Annunciation
“which allows us to contemplate the Incarnation of the Eternal Word made man in
Mary’s womb.”
Our Lady’s “fiat” or “yes” in the moment of the
Annunciation, said the Pope, “echoes that of the Word Incarnate” to which we
must add “our ‘yes’ with respect to God’s mysterious plans. Only through full
adhesion to the divine will do true joy and peace flourish, which we all hope
for ardently for our times.”
John Paul II recalled three moments
in his pontificate when he entrusted the Church, the world and mankind to Mary:
December 8, 1978 when he entrusted the Church and world to her; June 4, 1979,
renewing this vow at the shrine of the Black Madonna in Poland and again in
1984. “I remember
especially March 25, 1984, the Holy Year. Twenty years have gone by since that
day when in spiritual union with all the bishops of the world I entrusted all of
mankind to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in response to Our Lady’s plea in
Fatima.”
After emphasizing
that “in those moments humanity was living difficult times of great apprehension
and uncertainty,” he added. “Twenty years later, the world is still marred by
hatred, violence, terrorism and war. Among the many victims that make the news
every day, there are so many innocent people who are killed while they carry out
their work. Today, which is dedicated to commemoration and prayer for the
‘martyr missionaries’, we must also commemorate the priests, consecrated persons
and lay faithful who died in mission territory in 2003. So much blood continues
to be shed in many regions around the world. It is still urgent that men open
their hearts to a courageous effort of reciprocal understanding. The wait for
justice and peace becomes longer and longer in every part of the world.
How can we respond to
this thirst for hope and love if not with Christ through Mary?”
The Pope concluded by repeating his
petition to Our Lady in 1984: “Mother
of Christ, may the infinite saving power of the Redemption, power of divine
love, reveal itself once again in the history of the world! May it stop evil!
May it transform our consciences! May the light of hope in your Immaculate heart
be revealed to us all!”
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