economic or political but moral and spiritual. It is at this deeper level that
Mary invites us to enter into harmony with God's action."
Secondly, Mary Immaculate teaches us that "the salvation of the world is
not the work of man - of science, technology or ideology - but of Grace. ...
Grace means love in its purity and beauty. It is God Himself as revealed in
the salvific narrative
of the Bible and fulfilled by Jesus Christ. Mary is called the 'favoured one'
and this identity recalls to us God's primacy in our life and in the history
of
Subject: VISnews121210
From: Vatican Information Service - Eng - txt
the world. She reminds us that the power of God's love is stronger than evil,
and that it fills
the void that selfishness creates in the history of people, families, nations
and the world. Such emptiness can become a form of hell, where human life is
dragged to its lowest depths and towards emptiness, losing meaning and light.
The false remedies
the world offers to fill the void ... in fact widen the abyss. Only love can
save us from falling, but not merely any love. It must have the purity of
Grace, which God transforms and renews to fill
intoxicated lungs with fresh, clean air and new vital energy. Mary tells us
that, however far a man may fall, he never falls beyond the reach of God, who
has descended even into hell. However far astray our heart may be led, God is
always 'greater than
our heart'. The soft breath of Grace can disperse the darkest clouds, and make
life beautiful and rich in meaning even in the most inhumane situations."
Finally, Mary Immaculate speaks to us of joy, "the true joy that emanates
from a heart freed from sin. Sin carries a negative sadness that induces us to
close up. Grace brings true joy, which does not depend on possessing things,
but is rooted in the
innermost, deepest part of the self, and which nothing and no one can take
away. Even though some believe that Christianity is an obstacle to joy because
they see it as an ensemble of prohibitions and rules, it is essentially a
'Gospel', a 'good
tiding'. In fact, Christianity is the proclamation of the victory of Grace
over sin, of life over death. Even if it entails sacrifice and a discipline of
the mind, heart and behaviour, it is because in man we find the poisonous root
of selfishness that
causes harm to the self and to others. We must therefore learn to say 'no' to
the voice of selfishness and 'yes' to that of real love. Mary's joy is
complete because in her heart sin
casts no shadow. This joy coincides with the presence of Jesus in her
life".
"In this time of Advent", the Pope concluded, "Mary Immaculate teaches us
to listen to the voice of God that speaks to us in silence; to welcome His
Grace that frees us from sin and selfishness, so that we may experience true
joy".
___________________________________________________________
MARY IMMACULATE: THE CERTAINTY THAT GOD DOES NOT FAIL
Vatican City, 8 December 2012 (VIS) - In the Angelus of the Solemnity of
the Immaculate Conception, Benedict XVI emphasised that Mary is Immaculate "by
a gratuitous gift of the Grace of God, which she accepted, however, with
perfect willingness and
cooperation. In this respect she is 'blessed' because she 'believed', because
of her firm faith in God".
The Holy Father continued, "Mary represents that 'remnant of Israel', the
holy root announced by the prophets. The promises of the Old Covenant are
welcomed in her. In Mary the Word of God is listened to, and finds acceptance,
a response; the Word
finds the 'yes' that allows it to take on flesh and to dwell among us. In Mary
humanity and history are truly open to God and accept his Grace, in readiness
to serve his will. Mary is the genuine expression of Grace. She is the new
Israel that the
Scriptures of the Old Testament describe with the symbol of the bride. ... The
Fathers of the Church developed this image and so the doctrine of the
Immaculate was born, first with reference to the Church as virgin-mother, and
then to Mary".
"The light that emanates from the figure of Mary helps us also to
understand the true meaning of original sin. Indeed, in Mary the relationship
with God, that may be destroyed by sin, is completely alive and active. There
is no opposition within her
between God and her being; rather, there is full communion, full
understanding. There is a reciprocal 'yes', from God to her and from her to
God. ... She is full of His Grace and His love.
"In conclusion, the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary expresses
the certainty of faith that the promises of God are realised: that His
covenant does not fail, but has produced a holy root, from which has grown the
Fruit most blessed of
all the universe, Jesus the Saviour. Mary Immaculate demonstrates that Grace
is able to bring about a response, that God’s fidelity can generate a
true and good faith".
Following the recitation of the Angelus the Holy Father assured his
closeness to the people of the Philippines, recently struck by a violent
hurricane. "I pray for the victims, for their families and for the many
displaced persons. May faith and
charity provide the strength to face this difficult trial".
Finally, the Holy Father greeted the members of the Movement of Christian
Workers, and in particular the prayer group of the Dermopathic Institute of
the Immaculate (IDI-IRCCS) in Rome, which currently faces significant
challenges. "I hope that a
solution can be found to the difficulties experienced by many Catholic
institutions in the health sector", he concluded.
___________________________________________________________
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 10 December 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father:
- Appointed Msgr. Pio Vito Pinto, dean of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota,
as president of the Court of Appeal of Vatican City State.
- Appointed Bishop Sebastiano Sanguinetti of Tempio-Ampurias, Italy, as
apostolic administrator "ad nutum Sanctae Sedis" of the diocese of Ozieri,
Italy. He accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese
presented by Bishop
Sergio Pintor, upon having reached the age limit.
___________________________________________________________
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