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More than 100,000 people came to St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on October 13 to see Pope Francis consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The original statue of Our Lady of Fatima, which had been brought to the square the evening before, took centre stage as the Holy Father made an act of devotion in front of her.
“Mother, embrace with benevolence this act of entrustment that we make today with confidence, before this your image which is so dear to us,” he prayed.
“We are confident that each of us is precious in your sight and that nothing is alien to you of all that dwells in our hearts.
“We are touched by the gaze of your sweet eyes and welcome the comforting caress of your smile. Safeguard our lives in your arms: bless and strengthen every desire for goodness, revitalise and nourish our faith, sustain and brighten the hope that stirs the soul and charity; guide all of us on the path of holiness.”
The act of consecration took place at the end of the Mass celebrated for Marian Day, a Year of Faith commemoration on the anniversary of the final apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima (October 13, 1917).
In his homily, Pope Francis referred to the “yes” of Mary which threw her simple life in Nazareth into turmoil.
“Think of all the times when we were excited about something or other, some initiative, some task, but afterwards, at the first sign of difficulty, we threw in the towel,” he said.
“Sadly, this also happens in the case of fundamental decisions, such as marriage. It is the difficulty of remaining steadfast, faithful to decisions we have made and to commitments we have made.
“Often it is easy enough to say ‘yes’, but then we fail to repeat this ‘yes’ each and every day.”
He urged his listeners to consider: “Am I a Christian by fits and starts, or am I a Christian full-time?”
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Image: Vatican Radio (Facebook)
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