杏MAP导航

By Robin Gomes

杏MAP导航 Francis on New Year鈥檚 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.  鈥淚 wish once again to be the voice of these brothers and sisters who call for a horizon of peace for their future,鈥� 鈥幮覯AP导航 Francis said in his midday Angelus address on New Year鈥檚 Day, a day on which the Church observes the World Day of Peace. 

The theme of this year World Day of Peace is, 鈥淢igrants and Refugees: Men and Women in search of Peace.鈥�  The Holy Father released his message for this day on 24 November.

鈥淚t is important that all, civil institutions, educational, welfare and ecclesial bodies are committed to ensuring for 鈥巖efugees, migrants and everyone a future of peace,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said in Italian, addressing a vast holiday crowd gathered in St. Peter鈥檚 Square below the window of the papal studio. 

Mary's faith

On New Year鈥檚 Day, the Catholic Church celebrates the liturgical Solemnity of the Mother of God.  Before the Angelus prayer, 杏MAP导航 Francis reflected on the day鈥檚 Gospel of the shepherds visiting the Child Jesus after the announcement by the angels, which, the 杏MAP导航 said, Mary meditated deeply in her heart.  The 杏MAP导航 said Mary鈥檚 faith 鈥渨idens鈥� her motherhood and makes her the first disciple of her Son, Jesus.  This, the 杏MAP导航 said, is an invitation for each one of us to pray contemplating and tasting the gift of Jesus 鈥巋imself.鈥� 
 

The Holy Father explained how Mary鈥檚 faith 鈥減rovokes鈥� the first miraculous 鈥渟ign鈥� of Cana, arousing the faith of the 鈥巇isciples. 鈥淲ith the same faith, at the foot of the Cross Mary receives the Apostle John as a 鈥巗on; and finally, after the Resurrection, she becomes a prayerful mother of the Church on which the 鈥嶩oly Spirit descends with power on the day of Pentecost.鈥庘赌�

Mary intercedes for us

杏MAP导航 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 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渋t is 鈥巔recisely to these people that the theme of the World Day of Peace is dedicated: "Migrants and 鈥巖efugees: men and women seeking peace".   

Peace, a right

杏MAP导航 Francis said peace is 鈥渢he right of all,鈥� and migrants and refugees 鈥渁re willing 鈥巘o risk their lives on a journey that in most cases is long and dangerous, to face hardships and suffering.鈥�  He urged that during the new year, all work with 鈥溾�巊enerosity to create a more supportive and welcoming 鈥巜orld.鈥�

While entrusting all to the Mother of God, 杏MAP导航 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 杏MAP导航 prayed: 鈥淲e 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.鈥�