ST. PETER'S SQUARE HOSTS THE "MYSTERIES" OF MOLISE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 27, 1999 (VIS) - At midday today, prior to praying the angelus from the window of his private study which overlooks St. Peter's Square, the Pope addressed the organizers of a sacred procession of the so-called "mysteries", carried out by pilgrims from the Molise region of Italy in honor of the Holy Father.

John Paul II enumerated the thirteen figures which were carried around St. Peter's Square by groups of young people and children. They represented St. Michael the Archangel, the Immaculate Conception, Abraham, the Holy Family, St. Mary Magdelene, St. Crispin, St, Januarius, St. Anthony Abbot, St. Nicholas of Bari, St. Leonard of Noblac, St. Isidore, St. Roque and the Assumption of the Virgin.

The Holy Father said: "The 'mysteries' are not simply folklore, rather they have a value that is, above all, religious ... they invite us to meditate upon the history of salvation."

The Holy Father noted with joy that the "'mystery' of the Immaculate Conception, which passes in procession immediately after the 'mystery' referring to the primordial victory of the faithful angels over the rebel angels, recalls that at the start of man's history, God's grace existed. ... The last 'mystery' to pass is the Assumption into heaven of the body and soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary, this represents the glory into which the Virgin has entered and to which are called all those who accept Christ's redemption."

"I sincerely hope that these meaningful forms of popular religiosity, born within communities that are rich in faith, continue today to be valid instruments of evangelization. May they serve to encourage contemplation and prayer and motivate, especially in the young, the same spiritual enthusiasm as in previous generations."

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