The Pope invites pilgrims to Lourdes and Loreto
He will proclaim blessed three members of Catholic Action in Loreto on September 5.
Castelgandolfo (AsiaNews) John Paul's forthcoming pilgrimages to Lourdes and Loreto will give him the opportunity to ask the Virgin Mary to lead Christians "on the arduous but liberating path towards Christian holiness."
The Pope invited members of the Italian Catholic Action Association and all Italian Christians to "take part in great numbers" in the pilgrimage to Loreto this coming September 5 when he will beatify three Catholic Action members: Pedro Tarrés y Claret from Barcelona and young Alberto Marvelli and Pina Suriano.
Here are the Pope's remarks before the Marian prayer:
"Today, Sunday, the liturgy offers us once more Jesus' teachings about the true meaning of riches. Being rich does not come from material goods, but is spiritual in nature, and stems from acknowledging the primacy of God in our lives and letting the Gospels guide us in each and every one of our daily tasks.
"Speaking to those who were following him Jesus explains that a fool is someone "who stores up things for himself, but is not rich toward God (Luke, 12:21)
"Dear brothers and sisters! Mary is a unique and eloquent example of this spiritual "wealth" for she calls herself a "servant" of God and gives herself up to His will. May the Holy Virgin guide us on the arduous but liberating journey towards Christian holiness, spring of inner peace and joy!
"I shall ask that all believers be so blessed in the pilgrimages I shall be making in Lourdes next August 14 and 15. I shall do the same in Loreto, on September 5, when I shall be joining the national pilgrimage of the Italian Catholic Action Association to which the Centro Sportivo Italiano has agreed to participate.
"I would like to thank the Italian Bishops' Conference, the Archbishop of Loreto and the national leadership of Catholic Action, here represented by its President and its General Ecclesiastic Assistant, for inviting me to the Loreto pilgrimage.
"On that occasion, I shall have the joy of adding three Catholic Action members to the List of Blesseds: physician, later priest, Pedro Tarrés y Claret from Barcelona, and two young Italians, Alberto Marvelli and Pina Suriano.
"I urge Catholic Action members to come in great numbers.
"Dear pilgrims, I shall be waiting for you, for your children, teenagers, young people, families! Together, we shall ask the Virgin of Loreto to intercede so that we may be blessed anew and allowed to renew our commitment to the Association and the entire Christian community."
After the Angelus, the Pope greeted the Swiss Guards on Switzerland's National Holiday. He also honoured the memory of the Warsaw uprising on its 60th anniversary. Speaking in his native Polish, he said: "To all those who today enjoy the freedom for which they fought I express my admiration and deepest esteem. From the bottom of my heart, may God bless Warsaw!"
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