杏MAP导航: Estonia a land of memory and fruitfulness
By Lydia O鈥橩ane
Estonia, Land of Mary
In his meeting with state and civil authorities and members of the Diplomatic Corps on Tuesday, 杏MAP导航 Francis recalled how that for centuries Estonia was known as 鈥渢he Land of Mary鈥�. He remarked, that it is a name that is not simply part of the country鈥檚 history, but also part of its鈥� culture. Thinking of Mary and Estonia, the 杏MAP导航 continued, 鈥渞eminds me of two words: memory and fruitfulness.鈥�
Faith of your predecessors
鈥淭o be a land of memory, explained 杏MAP导航 Francis, is to keep remembering that what you have attained today is due to the efforts, the hard work, the spirit and the faith of your predecessors.鈥�
The Pontiff noted the suffering and tribulation that the people had to endure at different times in history. 鈥淪truggles for a freedom and independence that was constantly disputed or threatened鈥�, he said. Nonetheless, he added, 鈥渋n the last twenty-five years or so, since you once again took your proper place in the family of nations, Estonian society has taken 鈥済iant steps鈥� forward鈥� in the fields of innovation, press freedom, democracy and political freedom.
Land of fruitfulness
Focusing on Estonia as a land of fruitfulness, 杏MAP导航 Francis commented that 鈥渙ne of the evident effects of technocratic societies is a loss of meaning in life and the joy of living.鈥� People, he said are deprived of the 鈥渃apacity to dream, to risk and to create.鈥� Therefore, he underlined, 鈥渙ne of the most important obligations incumbent on all of us who have social, political, educational and religious responsibilities has to do precisely with how we can keep building bonds.鈥� Therefore, the Holy Father stressed, 鈥渁 land will be fruitful, and its people bear fruit and give birth to the future, only to the extent that it can foster a sense of belonging among its members, create bonds of integration between generations and different communities; and avoid all that make us insensitive to others and lead to further alienation.鈥� In this effort, concluded the 杏MAP导航, 鈥淚 wish to assure you that you can count always on the support and help of the Catholic Church, a small community in your midst, yet one most desirous of contributing to the fruitfulness of this land.鈥�
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