HAPPY FEAST DAY OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE!

DECEMBER 12

BENEDICT XVI

ANGELUS

St Peter’s Square
Third Sunday of Advent, 14 December 2008

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This Sunday, the Third Sunday in the Season of Advent, is called “Gaudete Sunday”: “rejoice”, because the Entrance Antiphon of Holy Mass takes up St Paul’s words in the Letter to the Philippians where it says: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice”. And immediately after he explains the reason, because “The Lord is at hand” (Phil 4: 4-5). This is the reason for joy. But what does “the Lord is at hand” mean? In what sense must we understand this “closeness” of God? The Apostle Paul, writing to the Christians of Philippi, is evidently thinking of Christ’s return and invites them to rejoice because it is certain. Yet, St Paul in his Letter to the Thessalonians, warns that no one can know the moment of the Lord’s coming (cf. 1 Thes 5: 1-2) and puts people on guard against any kind of alarmism, as if Christ’s return were imminent (cf. 2 Thes 2: 1-2). Thus the Church, illumined by the Holy Spirit, already at that time understood increasingly better that God’s “closeness” is not a question of space and time but rather of love: love brings people together! This coming Christmas will remind us of this fundamental truth of our faith and in front of the manger we shall be able to savour Christian joy contemplating in the newborn Jesus the Face of God who made himself close to us out of love.

In this light, it gives me real pleasure to renew the beautiful tradition of the Blessing of the Christ Child figurines, the miniature statues of the Baby Jesus to be placed in the manger. I address you in particular, dear boys and girls of Rome, who have come this morning with your Baby Jesus figurines that I now bless. I invite you to join me, following attentively this prayer:

God, our Father
you so loved humankind
that you sent us your only Son Jesus,
born of the Virgin Mary,
to save us and lead us back to you.

We pray that with your Blessing
these images of Jesus,
who is about to come among us,
may be a sign of your presence and
love in our homes.

Good Father,
give your Blessing to us too,
to our parents, to our families and
to our friends.

Open our hearts,
so that we may be able to
receive Jesus in joy,
always do what he asks
and see him in all those
who are in need of our love.

We ask you this in the name of Jesus,
your beloved Son
who comes to give the world peace.

He lives and reigns forever and ever.
Amen.

And now let us recite together the prayer of the Angelus Domini, invoking Mary’s intercession so that Jesus, whose birth brings God’s Blessing to mankind, may be lovingly welcomed in all homes, in Rome and throughout the world.

God Is Near as Friend and Faithful Husband”

Blessing of Christmas Tree

This blessing may be made by any family, led by one of the parents or one of the children.

Verse.  Our help is in the name of the Lord.

Response.  Who hath made heaven and earth.

All say the antiphon:

Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for He is come.

PSALM 95

Sing unto the Lord a new song; * Sing unto the Lord, all the earth.

Sing unto the Lord, bless His name, * Proclaim His salvation from day to day.

Declare His glory among the Gentiles, * His marvelous works among all the peoples.

For great is the Lord, and highly to be praised; * He is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the peoples are idols, * But the Lord made the heavens.

Honor and majesty are before Him: * Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

Give to the Lord, ye kindreds of the peoples, * Give to the Lord glory and strength.  * Give to the Lord the glory due unto His name.

Offer sacrifice, and come into His courts. * O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

Tremble before Him, all the earth. * Say among the heathen: ‘The Lord Reigneth.’

The world also is established that it cannot be moved; * He will judge the peoples with equity.

Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice; * Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof; * Let the field exult, and all that is therein.

Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy; *

Before the Lord, for He is come; * For He is come to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with righteousness, * And the peoples in His truth.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be; * world without end.  Amen

The antiphon is repeated:

Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for He is come.

A member of the family reads the following Lesson from the Prophet Ezechiel (xvii, 22-24):

Thus saith the Lord God:  I Myself will take the top of the high cedar, and will set it:  I will crop off a tender twig from the top of the branches thereof,

and I will plant it on a mountain high and eminent.  On the high mountains of Israel will I plant it, and it shall shoot forth into branches, and shall bear fruit,

and it shall become a great cedar; and all birds shall dwell under it, and every fowl shall make its nest under the shadow of the branches thereof. 

And all the trees of the country shall know that I the Lord have brought down the high tree, and exalted the low tree; and have dried up the green tree,

and have caused the dry tree to flourish.  I the Lord have spoken and have done it.

1. Thanks be to God.
2. And there shall come forth a shoot.
3. Out of the root of Jesse.
4. In Him was life.
5. And the life was the light of men.
6. O Lord hear my prayer.
7. And let my cry come unto Thee.
8. The Lord be with you.
9. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray:

Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God, who hast caused Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to be planted like a tree of life in Thy Church by being born of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, bless, we beseech Thee, this tree that all who see it may be filled with a holy desire to be ingrafted as living branches into the same Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.  R.  Amen.

The Mystical Rose ‘Rosa Mystica’

Acknowledgments: A Very special Thank you to the Felician Sisters in general who printed this story in their “AVE MARIA” magazine and who so graciously translated this story from Polish into English in order to comply with the request of the Blessed Virgin Mary that this message be sent throughout the world.

During the period of November 24, 1946 to December 8, 1947, the Blessed Mother appeared to Sister Pierrina in a little church in Montichiari, Italy, eleven times. On the first appearance the Blessed Mother told Sister Pierrina that She wanted to be known as the ‘Mystical Rose’ and that an hour of grace should be kept at noon, December 8th in all the Catholic Churches of the world. The Blessed Mother wanted this to be known through all of Italy and the entire world. It was November 16, 1947 when Sister Pierrina was finishing her thanksgiving after Holy Communion when she saw a great light. She then saw a vision of the Blessed Mother as the ‘Mystical Rose’. Sister was so deeply moved by the stunning beauty of Our Lady that she began talking to Her. All of a sudden a gentle force made her kneel down in front of Our Lady. The Blessed Mother spoke these words. “My Son is greatly offended by the sins of impurity. He is already planning to send the deluge upon the people, for their destruction, but I have asked him to show mercy and not send the destruction. So that is why I have appeared to ask for penance and atonement for the sins of impurity.” Then the Blessed Mother asked for an Act of Humility by Sister Pierrina. She asked her to make the sign of the cross with her tongue on each of the stones in the Sanctuary. “This shall be a reminder to the people that I have appeared here and do not have the people step on those stones.” The Blessed Mother then stepped on each of the stones so that Her gown touched all four stones. On the 22nd of November, Sister Pierrina felt the overwhelming urge to go to Church at 4:00. The Mother Superior, four Sisters and a group of friends accompanied her. They were all saying the Rosary when the Blessed Mother appeared as before. She instructed Sister Pierrina to make the sign of the cross on the stones and fence them off so that no one would step on them. Again Our Lady asked for penance. She said, “Penance is nothing more than accepting all our crosses daily willingly. No matter how small, accept them with love. “At this time, she told sister Pierrina to come again on December 8th at noon. “This will be My Hour of Grace.” The Sister asked how she was to prepare for this Hour of Grace? To which the Blessed Mother said, “With Prayers and Penance. Pray the 51st Psalm with outstretched arms three times. During the Hour of Grace, many spiritual graces would be granted. The most hard-hearted sinners will be touched by the grace of God.” The Blessed Virgin promised that whatever a person asked Her for during this Hour of Grace (even in impossible cases) would be granted to them, if it was in accordance with the will of the Eternal Father.

It was December 7th when Sister Pierrina felt the urge to go to Church. This time she was accompanied by the Priest and the Mother Superior. The Blessed Mother appeared with a young boy and girl dressed in beautiful white clothing. Sister Pierrina was sure these little ones were angels because they were so beautiful. The Blessed Mother said, “Tomorrow I will show you My Immaculate Heart which is so little known among the people.” She asked people to pray for Russia.” There are so many people being held prisoners, which their families know nothing of because they have been gone for so many years. Pray for the conversion of Russia, the suffering of the soldiers and their sacrifices and martyrdom will bring peace to Italy. The little children are Francisco and Jacinta. I am giving them to you as your companions. You will have much to suffer for My sake. I want simplicity and goodness from you as of these little children.” The Blessed Mother then blessed Sister Pierrina, the Priest and all those who were gathered there.

On the morning of December 8th people began arriving at the little Church at 8:00 in the morning from neighboring towns. By noon, some 10,000 people had gathered to see the Blessed Mother, many of whom had to stand outside because the Church did not have enough room for the large crowd. Sister Pierrina was accompanied to Church by her Mother and Brothers, the Mother Superior and the Chief of Police from  Montichiari. Sister was reciting the Rosary with the crowd in the middle of the Church. Suddenly a brilliant white light appeared from the ceiling. Stairs were coming from the light down to the floor of the Church  about fifteen feet in length. The staircase was beautifully decorated with red, white and yellow roses. The Blessed Virgin appeared so radiant, dressed in white, with Her Hands folded. She was standing on a splendid carpet at the top of the stairs made of the red, white and yellow roses. In the most gentle and loving voice, Our Lady smiled and began to speak. “I am the Immaculate 8th of Then slowly she began to ascend the staircase gracefully scattering roses as She went along until She reached midway of the staircase. Here again the Blessed Mother spoke,

“I am very happy to see this great demonstration of Faith.” Sister Pierrina asked for many of the sinners to be forgiven. The Blessed Mother replied. “My Divine Son will show his Greatest Mercy as much as the people will pray for them. I want this to be known and told to Pope Pius XII. Tell him I want him to install the ‘Hour of Grace’ throughout the whole world and even for those who are not able to go to Church during this time, can obtain this grace in their homes at noon time.” She also asked that a Statue be made and placed on the spot where She stood.   This should be called the ‘Rosa Mystica’ and carried in procession through the town at which time many graces will be given and cures will take place. Then the Statue is to be returned to the Church.

Our Lady prayed for the sick, some will be cured others not. Many men, women and children were cured at that very instant. A twenty-six year old woman who could not say a word for nine months, suddenly began shouting, “I see Her. I see the Blessed Virgin.” An eighteen year old girl with ulcers was instantly cured. A five year old boy who had been paralyzed was told by the Blessed Mother, “Come to Me, you will be walking now.” He was placed on the Blessed Stones and was able to walk. There were three others who were very sick and were immediately cured. But of course, the greatest miracles taking place were those of the spiritual blessings being shed upon the people gathered in the Church. The Blessed Mother said, “This is the last time I will appear here. Pray, weep and do penance on these Stones and you will receive the care of My Motherly Heart.” She then left the little Church, but because of the Unending Love of Our Heavenly Mother, She has given us the ‘Hour of Grace’ to be spread throughthe entire world. She had given all the opportunity to demonstrate our love and trust to Her and to help make reparation for the grievous sins offending Her Beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.