蜜桃交友

By Lisa Zengarini

Pope Francis has encouraged the faithful of the Archdiocese of Rosario, in Argentina, to be 鈥渋nstruments of peace鈥� with Mary, 鈥渂ringing Christ, who is our peace, to hearts, to families, to all of society鈥�.

The Pope's words came in video message sent on Thursday (local time) to the Archdiocese on the occasion of the celebration of its Marian Year, marking the 250th anniversary since the arrival there of the image of the Mary of the Rosary from Cadiz, in Spain, which has given the name to the city.

The Virgin of the Rosary 

The devotion to the Virgin of the Rosary goes back to the 13th century and was revived by Pope St. Pius V after the milestone victory of the Holy League over the Ottomans in the Battle of Lepanto, on 7 October 1571. Since then the date has become her feast day.

In his message the Pope notes that the year-long celebration running from 7 October 2022 is a 鈥済rateful remembrance, to strengthen our Christian roots, to live the present in an impassioned way and to look to the future with hope鈥�.

Being missionaries for peace with Mary

Drawing from the Years鈥� motto 鈥淲ith Mary of the Rosary, let us be missionaries for peace鈥�, Pope Francis calls attention to the importance of 鈥渓iving in peace with oneself, in the family, in the neighbourhood, and in society鈥�.

However, he notes, the local backdrop is that of urban violence and insecurity, often linked to drug trafficking, which in Rosario alone has killed 240 people in 2022, many of whom, he says, were innocent people, including children and elderly people.

Placing families under the protection of the Virgin 

In the face of this situation, Pope Francis urges the archdiocese to place families under the protection of Mary, 鈥渆specially those who suffer poverty, destitution, lack of employment, those who suffer from addiction鈥�.

He also invites the local ecclesial community to work 鈥渇or a vocational culture鈥�, placing vocations to marriage, consecrated life, and to the priesthood under the care of the Mother of God. 

Finally, the Pope encourages the Archdiocese to take the opportunity of this special year to 鈥渞eevaluate the gift鈥� of Rosario鈥檚 Marian Shrine.

The Church reaches out to everyone

In conclusion, Pope Francis invokes the Virgin of the Rosary to accompany the Archdiocese during this Marian Year, a year in which, he says, 鈥渢he Church reaches out to everyone鈥�, with 鈥渁n open heart鈥� and 鈥渁 missionary face鈥�.