VATICAN CITY, DEC 31, 2005 (VIS) - This evening in the Vatican Basilica, the Pope presided at the first vespers for the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God and the singing of the Te Deum of thanksgiving for the end of the year.
"We thank you, Lord Jesus our Redeemer. ... In this Year of the Eucharist, we want to thank you more fervently for the gift of your Body and your Blood in the Sacrament of the altar. We praise and thank you, Holy Spirit Paraclete, because you make us aware of our condition of sonship, and you teach us to turn to God, calling Him Father, Abba".
The Holy Father went on: "Let us praise God together for the expressions of goodness and mercy with which, over these months, he has accompanied our City. May He bring to fruition all apostolic plans and all initiatives for good".
"Holy Mother of the Redeemer", the Pope concluded, "accompany us in this passage to a new year. Obtain the gift of peace for Rome and for the whole world. Mother of God, pray for us!"
Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls announced that "the Pope will celebrate Mass in his private chapel for all the victims of the tidal wave in southeast Asia. The Pope will also remember the families of the victims and all those who are suffering over these days as a consequence of that disaster, as well as those who strive to alleviate the enormous suffering of the people stricken".
HML/VESPERS:TE DEUM/... VIS 20050103 (270)
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