ŠAŠTIN, Slovakia — The world needs Christians who are “signs
of contradiction,” who demonstrate the beauty of the Gospel rather than
hostility toward others, Pope Francis said.
Celebrating Mass on the final day of his apostolic trip to
Slovakia Sept. 15, the pope said the country needed such prophets who are
“models of fraternal life, where society is experiencing tension and
hostility,” especially toward those who often feel unwelcome.
Slovakia needs Christians who are “bringers of the sweet
fragrance of hospitality and solidarity, where personal and collective
selfishness too often prevails, protectors and guardians of life where the
culture of death reigns,” he said.
The Marian basilica in Šaštin, which draws thousands of pilgrims
each year, features a 16th-century statue of Our Lady of Sorrows venerated by
Slovak Catholics. The pope’s visit to the shrine coincided with the feast of
Our Lady of Sorrows.
Following in the footsteps of St. John Paul II, who visited the
shrine in 1995, Pope Francis visited the basilica privately to pray before the
statue of Mary with Slovakia’s bishops, the Vatican said.
Reciting a prayer on behalf of himself and the bishops present,
the pope sought Mary’s intercession for them “in the joys and struggles of
our ministry.”
“Queen of the Apostles, refuge of sinners, you know our
human limitations, our spiritual failings, our sorrow in the face of loneliness
and abandonment: with your gentle touch, heal our wounds,” he prayed.
Thousands of Slovaks lined the streets leading to the basilica,
pressing against the barricades and waving as Pope Francis drove by in his
popemobile. Authorities originally intended to close streets an hour before
Pope Francis’ arrival. However, they delayed the closing for another hour due
to the high volume of pilgrims in attendance.
Arriving at the site of the outdoor Mass near the basilica where
an estimated 60,000 faithful — most of them donning masks — welcomed him, the
pope waved back and often stopped to greet children presented to him, gently
patting them on their head or caressing their faces.
In his homily, the pope reflected on Mary as a “model of
faith” for Catholics in Slovakia.
Despite being chosen to be the mother of God, Mary did “not
consider it a privilege,” nor did she lose her humility.
Instead, the pope said, she accepted “the gift she had
received as a mission to be carried out” and set out on a journey to take
God’s love to those in need.
Slovak Catholics, through their veneration to Our Lady of the
Seven Sorrows, have also lived their faith as a journey that “is inspired
by simple and sincere devotion, a constant pilgrimage to seek the Lord.”
“In making this journey, you overcome the temptation to a
passive faith, content with this or that ritual or ancient tradition,” he
said. “Instead, you leave yourselves behind and set out, carrying in your
backpacks the joys and sorrows of this life, and thus make your life a pilgrimage
of love toward God and your brothers and sisters. Thank you for this
witness!”
Mary’s faith, he continued, is also prophetic in that it shows
“God’s presence in human history” even in moments of trial and
suffering.
Faith “cannot be reduced to a sweetener to make life more
palatable,” and the light brought forth by Christ dispels the darkness
that reveals “my contradictions, my idols, my temptations.”
Lastly, Mary’s faith is also compassionate, and she understands
the suffering endured by humanity. She is a mother who “dries our tears,
comforts us and points to Christ’s definitive victory.”
Pope Francis encouraged Slovak Catholics to also open their
hearts to “a faith that becomes compassion” that “identifies
with those who are hurting, suffering and forced to bear heavy crosses.”
It is “a faith that does not remain abstract, but becomes
incarnate in fellowship with those in need. A faith that imitates God’s way of
doing things, quietly relieves the suffering of our world and waters the soil
of history with salvation,” he said.
Before concluding the Mass, the pope thanked faithful for
welcoming him to Slovakia and allowing him “to come among you and to
conclude my pilgrimage in the devoted embrace of your people.”
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