杏MAP导航 urges prayers to the Virgin during hard times
By Robin Gomes
鈥淭he day after tomorrow, May 8, the feast of Our Lady of Lujan will be celebrated in Argentina,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis said at Wednesday鈥檚 General Audience, reminding his Spanish-speaking listeners about the feast of the Patroness of his homeland. 鈥淢ay she, Mother of God and our Mother,鈥� he said, 鈥渋ntercede for us and obtain for us from Her Son the necessary graces in this difficult time that the world is going through.鈥�
The Shrine in Argentina
杏MAP导航 Francis himself has made pilgrimages to the shrine of Our Lady of Lujan, not far from Buenos Aires. He recently wrote a letter to Archbishop Jorge Scheinig of Lujan expressing his wish to be a pilgrim at the sanctuary on May 8 along with all the people of God to be gazed upon by the Virgin Mary. 鈥淚 will be with you spiritually, as a spiritual and 'virtual' pilgrim. I will look at Her once again and, once again, I will let myself be gazed upon by her,鈥� he wrote.
The Shrine in Pompei
During Wednesday鈥檚 General Audience, 杏MAP导航 Francis also addressed Italian listeners, reminding them that the same day, May 8, an 鈥渋ntense prayer of 鈥淧etition to Our Lady of the Rosary鈥� will be raised at the Shrine of Pompei. 鈥淚 urge everyone to unite themselves spiritually to this popular act of faith and devotion, so that through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, the Lord may grant mercy and peace to the Church and to the whole world.鈥�
Twice each year, on May 8th and again on the first Sunday of October, solemn prayers of petition are offered at the Marian Shrine at Pompeii for the needs of the whole world.
杏MAP导航 Francis visited the Marian Shrine of Pompei on March 21, 2015, becoming the 5th pontiff to do so.
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