Pope: Te Deum of the Church of Rome, the centre of dialogue in truth and charity
During the vespers liturgy at St Peter's Basilica, Benedict XVI recalled the last act of thanksgiving of John Paul II and the mission of the Church for human dignity, for life and for the family.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) A Church grateful for the legacy of John Paul II; passionate about dialogue "in truth and charity" with other Christian creeds and world religions; a witness to the world of Christian hope even in "persecution"; committed to defending the family, "the truth of man and life": this is how Benedict XVI appraised the life of the Catholic Church particularly the Church of Rome at the close of 2005, prior to singing the Te Deum of thanksgiving to God for all the events of the year that is practically over.
Celebrating the Vespers of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and launching the liturgy of the new civil year, Benedict XVI gave a quick overview of events of 2005. Above all, he recalled John Paul II who, 12 months earlier, had "for the last time" given thanks "to the Lord for the many benefits given to the Church and to humanity."
Today, it was up to Benedict XVI, the new bishop of Rome, to gather "from all the corners of the earth a hymn of praise and thanksgiving to be lifted up to God at the end of 2005 and on the eve of 2006".
The pope said "giving thanks" is essential to the mission of the Church. In itself, it is an "action of grace" throughout the centuries, the faithful testimony of a love which does not die, of a love which embraces men of every race and culture, disseminating the principles of true life in a fertile manner". Citing the Second Vatican Council which has reached its 40th anniversary Benedict continued: "Sustained by the Holy Spirit, the Church has gone forward on pilgrimage amid the persecutions of the world and the consolations of God" (St Augustine, De Civitate Dei, XVIII, 51,2) The Church lives of Christ and with Christ. He offers her his marital love guiding her along the centuries; and she, with the abundance of her gifts, accompanies mankind's journey, until all those who welcome Christ will have life and have it abundantly."
The year 2005, which was marked by the death of Pope Wojtyla and the election of Benedict XVI, made Rome a universal point of reference. The Pope said: "In the past 12 months, our Church of Rome has been visited by many other Churches and ecclesial Communities in order to deepen dialogue of truth in charity, which unites all who are baptized to experience together a more ardent desire for full communion. But many believers of other religions also wanted to express their cordial and brotherly esteem for this Church and her Bishop, aware that the core of united action for all mankind lies in serene and respectful encounters. And what to say about the many people of goodwill who turned their attention to this See, to weave profitable dialogue about great values concerning the truths of man and life, which are to be defended and promoted? The Church wishes to be always welcoming in truth and in charity".
Benedict XVI did not forget the local commitments of the Church of Rome and its diocesan pastoral programme this year about the "Family and Christian community: formation of people and transmission of faith". "The family has always been at the centre of the attention of my venerated Predecessors, especially John Paul II, who dedicated several initiatives to it. He was convinced, and he said so on many occasions, that the crisis of the family is of serious detriment to our very civilization". Concern for the family is also felt by Benedict XVI, who only yesterday appealed to the political authorities to enact laws in favour of the family.
Before singing the Te Deum, Benedict XVI saw fit to "to recall in a special way all those who are in difficulties: the poorest and neglected people, all those who have lost hope in a well-grounded sense of their existence, or who are unwillingly the victims of egotistical interests, without ever having been asked for their agreement or opinion. Making their sufferings ours, we entrust them all to God, who knows how to turn all things for the good".
Finally, the Pope recalled the title of the New Year's Eve celebration: Mary, Mother of God (Theotokos), a title very dear to the Orthodox community. "A mother is she who gives life but also she who helps and teaches how to live," said the Pope. "Mary is Mother, Mother of Jesus to who she gave her blood, her body. And it is she who presents the eternal Word of the Father, come to live among us. Let us ask Mary to intercede for us. Her maternal protection accompanies us today and always, so that Christ may welcome us one day in his glory, in the communion of Saints".
At the end of the celebration, the pope visited the gigantic crib set up in St Peter's Square, at the foot of the central obelisk.
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31/12/2022 22:38
