VATICAN CITY, 3 MAY 2009 (VIS) - Following this morning's Mass in the Vatican Basilica, during which he conferred ordination on nineteen deacons, the Holy Father appeared at the window of his private study to pray the Regina Coeli with faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.
Today, the fourth Sunday of Easter, also known as "Good Shepherd" Sunday, is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, the theme of which this year is "Trust in God's Initiative and the Human Response". The Pope dwelt on this fact, remarking that "trust in the Lord, Who continually calls everyone to sanctity and some in particular to a special consecration, is expressed in prayer. Both individually and in the community, we must pray for vocations, that the greatness and beauty of the love of God may attract many to follow Christ along the path of the priesthood and consecrated life.
"It is also necessary", he added, "to pray for many holy husbands and wives, capable of showing their children, especially through example, the horizons towards they must strive. ... The saints, whom the Church presents for the veneration of all the faithful, are evidence of the mature fruit of this bond between the divine call and the human response".
Benedict XVI then invited everyone to pray for his forthcoming trip to the Holy Land, due to take place from 8 to 15 May. "With this visit", he said, "I aim to confirm and encourage the Christians of the Holy Land, who every day find themselves facing no small number of difficulties. As Successor to the Apostle Peter, I will make them aware of the closeness and support of the entire body of the Church. In the same way, I will be a pilgrim of peace in the name of the One God, Who is Father to everyone. I will bear witness to the commitment of the Catholic Church in support of all those who struggle to practice dialogue and reconciliation in order to achieve a stable and lasting peace, in justice and mutual respect. Finally, my trip cannot fail to have an important ecumenical and inter-religious significance. From this point of view, Jerusalem is a symbol par excellence: there Christ died to bring together all the scattered Children of God".
Following the Marian prayer, the Pope again called for prayers for all the "afflicted peoples" of the Middle East. "In a special way I ask that you remember the Palestinian people who have endured great hardship and suffering. May the Lord bless them and all those who live in the Holy Land with the gifts of unity and peace".
Finally, Benedict XVI gave assurances of his prayers and his closeness to "victims of the influenza affecting Mexico and other countries. Dear Mexican brothers and sisters", he said, "remain firm in the Lord. He will help you to overcome this difficulty. I invite you to pray in the family in these moments of trial".
ANG/VOCATIONS HOLY LAND INFLUENZA/... VIS 20090504 (510)
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