THE FOUNDATION OF MARY'S HOLINESS WAS HER HUMILITY

VATICAN CITY, NOV 1, 2000 (VIS) - Today, Solemnity of All Saints, the Pope presided at a Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter's Square on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the dogmatic definition of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven.

John Paul II recalled that it was Pope Pius XII who, in this very same square, "defined the dogma of the Assumption of Mary, body and soul, into heaven. We praise the Lord for having glorified His Mother, for associating her to His victory over sin and over death."

"The entire liturgy today," he continued, "speaks to us of holiness. However, to know what the path to holiness is, we must, together with the Apostles, climb the Mount of the Beatitudes." In exclaiming "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven!" the Lord "proclaimed 'blessed' and, we could say, 'canonized' above all the poor in spirit, that is, those whose hearts are emptied of prejudices and conditionings, and who are therefore totally open to the divine will. Total and trusting adherence to God presupposes such a casting off and a coherent distancing of oneself."

"Blessed are the peacemakers!" added the Holy Father. "Peace, a synthesis of messianic gifts, is a demanding duty. In a world which presents tremendous antagonisms and barriers, we must promote fraternal coexistence, inspired by love and sharing, and overcome enmity and contrasts. Blessed are those who dedicate themselves to this noble enterprise!"

The Pope underscored how Mary, with the canticle of the Magnificat, "showed us what formed the basis of her holiness: profound humility," expressed in a special way in her "'fiat', thy will be done: Behold the handmaiden of the Lord; be it done unto me according to Thy word."

"In you," he concluded, addressing Mary, "we see the goal of holiness to which God calls all members of the Church."

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