POPE CONSECRATES WORLD'S FAMILIES TO THE MOTHER OF GOD

VATICAN CITY, MAR 25, 2000 (VIS) - At 8:15 this morning, the Solemnity of the Annunciation, John Paul II travelled by helicopter from Jerusalem to Nazareth. Prior to celebrating Mass in the Basilica of the Annunciation, which is entrusted to the care of the Custody of the Holy Land, he paused for a moment of prayer in the grotto.

The grotto-house of the Holy Family was incorporated in the crypt below the major altar of the Franciscan church built in 1730. The church was subsequently made a parish, enlarged in 1877, then demolished in 1959 to make way for a new church. The present basilica was visited by Paul VI in 1964 and dedicated in 1969. The upper portion of the main facade houses the statue of Christ the Redeemer, below which are depicted the scene of the Annunciation and the four Evangelists. The southern facade is dedicated to Mary as an adolescent. Inside the building there are two churches, placed one above the other, with a central opening through which the grotto-house of the Holy Family may be seen. The lower church houses the grotto and the 17th century Franciscan altar with the inscription 'Verbum caro hic factum est' (here the Word was made flesh). The upper church is dedicated to the exaltation of the Virgin, Mother of God made man. The dome is 55 meters high. The floor that unites the two churches is made of multi-colored marble and depicts, in eight inlaid illustrations, the Church's Magisterium regarding Mary: Mother of God; Assumption into heaven; Virginity; Immaculate Conception; universal mediation; perfect sanctity; regal dignity and spiritual maternity.

In his homily, the Pope recalled the words of the prophet Isaiah: "'The virgin is with child and will soon give birth to a child whom she will call Emmanuel.' Emmanuel - God with us. In these words, the unique event that was to take place in Nazareth in the fullness of time is foretold, and it is this event that we are celebrating here with intense joy and happiness."

"Like Abraham, Mary is asked to say yes to something that has never happened before. ... Mary asks not whether the promise is possible, but only how it will be fulfilled. It comes as no surprise, therefore, when finally she utters her 'fiat': "I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let what you have said be done to me.' With these words, Mary shows herself the true daughter of Abraham, and she becomes the Mother of Christ and Mother of all believers."

The Holy Father confirmed that he had come to Nazareth to plead with the Mother of God. "I pray, first, for a great renewal of faith in all the children of the Church. ... I ask the Holy Family to inspire all Christians to defend the family against so many present-day threats to its nature, its stability and its mission. To the Holy Family I entrust the efforts of Christians and of all people of good will to defend life and to promote respect for the dignity of every human being. To Mary, the 'Theotokos,' the great Mother of God, I consecrate the families of the Holy Land, the families of the world."
Following the Eucharistic celebration, John Paul II travelled by helicopter to the apostolic delegation in Jerusalem where he had lunch.

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