杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

杏MAP导航 Francis celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on Sunday at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major on the occasion of the translation of the Icon of Mary 鈥�Salus Populi Romani鈥� 鈥� Salvation of the Roman People. The Icon was returned to its home in the Borghese Chapel in the Basilica after it was restored by the Vatican Museums.

The image of Mary Salus Populi Romani is an object of particular devotion for people of Rome, and for 杏MAP导航 Francis as well, who routinely comes to the Basilica to venerate the Icon, especially before and after his Apostolic journeys throughout the world.

Mary our Mother

In his homily during the Mass, the 杏MAP导航 focused especially on the idea of Mary as Mother. 鈥淭he presence of the Mother makes this temple a family home for us children,鈥� he said. And so we are able to recognize the Church as 鈥渙ur home, the home where we find rest, consolation, protection, refuge.鈥�
 

杏MAP导航 Francis recalled that our ancestors have taught us, in the difficult moments of life, to always turn to Mary, to gather together 鈥渦nder the mantle of the Holy Mother of God.鈥� Mary, he said, 鈥済uards our faith, protects relationships, saves us in stormy weather, and preserves us from evil.鈥� When Mary our Mother is in the home, 鈥渢he devil does not enter.鈥�

Mary answers promptly

When we pray to Mary, the 杏MAP导航 continued, a traditional prayer says, 鈥渄espise not our petitions.鈥� Mary never despises our petitions, but always answers them promptly 鈥� just as, she promptly went to Elizabeth in her time of need, as we hear in the Gospels.

We also pray that Mary might free us from danger. 鈥淭he Lord Himself knows that we need shelter and protection in the midst鈥� of the many dangers we face in life, the 杏MAP导航 said. It is precisely for this reason, he continued, that from the Cross Jesus entrusted St John, the beloved disciple; and all His future disciples to His blessed Mother.

Taking Mary into our homes

Like St John, the 杏MAP导航 said, we too must 鈥渢ake Mary into our own homes,鈥� inviting her 鈥渋nto our homes, our hearts, our lives.鈥� Christians cannot be 鈥渘eutral or detached鈥� from Mary, our Mother, he said, or we will lose our identity as children.

And so, the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渓et us make the Mother the guest of our daily life, the constant presence in our home, our safe haven.鈥�