Pope Francis says "..on the frontiers the Mother of the Lord has a specific presence: she is the Mother of all, regardless of ethnicity or nationality." FULL TEXT

 

MESSAGE OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS

     TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE 25TH
INTERNATIONAL MARIAN MARIAN CONGRESS

[8-11 September 2021] 

Dear brothers and sisters ,

I sincerely share in your joy of celebrating, even if in a different way than usual, this 25th International Marian Mariological Congress on the theme Mary between theologies and cultures today. Models, communications, perspectives. May our rejoicing not forget the silent cry of so many brothers and sisters who live in conditions of great difficulty, aggravated by the pandemic. The true joy that comes from the Lord always gives space to the voices of the forgotten, so that together with them we can build a better future. Mary, in the beauty of the evangelical following and in the service to the common good of humanity and the planet, always educates to listen to these voices and she herself becomes the voice of the voiceless to "give birth to a new world, where we are all brothers, where let there be room for every discarded part of our societies "(Encyclical Letter Brothers All , 278).

In its more than sixty years of activity, the Pontifical Academia Mariana Internationalis,  coordinating and bringing together the scholars of Mariology from all over the world, especially through the celebration of the International Marian Mariological Congresses, has offered insights, insights, ideas and insights into a change of an era that "quickly transforms the way of life, of relating, of communicating and elaborating thought, of relating between human generations and of understanding and living the faith" (Pope Francis, Address to the Roman Curia , 21 December 2019). These Congresses "are a clear testimony of how Mariology is a necessary presence of dialogue between cultures, capable of nourishing fraternity and peace" ( Message to the Pontifical Academies, December 4, 2019).

We know, in fact, that "theology and culture of Christian inspiration lived up to their mission when they knew how to live riskily and faithfully on the frontier" (Apostolic Constitution Veritatis Gaudium , 5). And on the frontiers the Mother of the Lord has a specific presence: she is the Mother of all, regardless of ethnicity or nationality. Thus the figure of Mary becomes a point of reference for a culture capable of overcoming the barriers that can create division. Therefore, on the path of this culture of fraternity, the Spirit calls us to welcome anew the sign of consolation and sure hope which has the name, face and heart of Mary, woman, disciple, mother and friend. It is along this path that the Spirit continues to tell us «that the times we live in are itimes of Mary »( Address to the Pontifical Theological Faculty“ Marianum ” , 24 October 2020). The Pontifical Academia Mariana Internationalis , persevering in its commitment to renewal, seeks to read the signs of these times, for the benefit of the Church and of every woman and man of good will.

The mystery that the person of Mary contains is the very mystery of the Word of God incarnate. This was the starting point for Pope Benedict's encouragement: «I urge [...] scholars to deepen further the relationship between Mariology and theology of the Word. […] Mary in the Word of God is truly at home, she goes out and returns there naturally. She speaks and thinks with the Word of God; the Word of God becomes his word, and his word is born from the Word of God. Thus it is revealed, moreover, that his thoughts are in harmony with the thoughts of God, that his will is a will together with God. penetrated by the Word of God, she can become the mother of the incarnate Word "(Apostolic Exhortation Verbum Domini , 27-28).

Let us not forget that it is this very Word that nourishes popular piety, which draws naturally from Our Lady, expressing and transmitting «the theological life present in the piety of Christian peoples, especially in the poor […]; a theological life animated by the action of the Holy Spirit [...], the result of the Gospel acculturated "(ibid., n . Evangelii gaudium , 125-126).

I thank the Pontifical Academia Mariana Internationalis  for having prepared and organized this Congress, which constitutes an important moment in the coordination service of Marian theology entrusted to the Academy. Recalling that St. Francis of Assisi surrounded the Virgin Mary "with immense love because he had made God our brother" (Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, Legend major , IX, 3), I cordially send the Apostolic Blessing to each of you.

Rome, San Giovanni in Laterano, 22 August 2021, Memory of the Blessed Virgin Mary Queen
 

FRANCIS

FULL TEXT Source: Vatican.va Unofficial Translation - Screenshot from source