At 12 noon today, the Holy Father Francis appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace to pray the Regina Coeli with the faithful and with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square.
These are the words with which the Pope introduced the Marian prayer:
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
I will touch briefly today on the page of the Acts of the Apostles we read in the liturgy of this Third Sunday of Easter. This text refers to the first preaching of the Apostles in Jerusalem which filled the city with the news that Jesus had truly risen, according to the Scriptures, and was the Messiah announced by the Prophets. The chief priests and the rulers of the city tried to restrain the fledgling community of believers by imprisoning the Apostles, ordering them not to teach in his name. But Peter and the Eleven said, We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus ... exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior ... And we and the Holy Spirit are witnesses of these facts ( Acts 5.29 to 32). So they whipped the Apostles and commanded them not to speak again in the name of Jesus And according to the scriptures, they went rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus (v. 41) .
I wonder: where did the first disciples find the strength to make this their testimony? Not only that: what was their joy and courage to proclaim, in spite of the obstacles and violence? Do not forget that the Apostles were simple, they were scribes, teachers of the law, not belonging to the priestly class. How could they, with their limits and opposed by the authorities, fill Jerusalem with their teaching (cf. Acts 5:28)? It 's clear that only the presence of the Risen Lord with them, and the action of the Holy Spirit can explain this. The Lord was with them, and the Spirit who urged them to preach explains this extraordinary event. Their faith was based on a very strong and personal encounter with Christ crucified and risen. They were no longer afraid of anything or anyone, and even saw persecution as a matter of honor, which allowed them to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and to be like Him, witnessing with their lives.
The witness of the first Christian community tells us something very important, which applies to the Church of all times, even for us: when a person truly knows Jesus Christ and believes in Him, experiences His presence in life and the strength of his resurrection, that person can not fail to communicate this experience. And if this person meets misunderstandings or adversity, he or she behaves like Jesus in His Passion: responding with love and with the power of truth.
Praying with the Regina Caeli , ask for the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary that the Church in the world may announce the Resurrection of the Lord with honesty and courage and give effective witness to this truth through signs of brotherly love. Brotherly love is the best testimony that we can give that Jesus is with us, that Jesus is risen. We pray especially for Christians who suffer persecution at this time. There are many Christians who suffer persecution, many, many, in many countries. We pray for them, with love, from our heart. May they feel the living and comforting presence of the Risen Lord.
After the recitation of the Regina Coeli, the Holy Father greeted the pilgrims in the following words:
Yesterday, in Venice, Don Luca Passi, a nineteenth century priest from Bergamo was beatified. He was the founder of the Secular workers of Saint Dorothy and the Institute of the Sisters of Saint Dorothy. We give thanks to God for the witness of this Blessed man!
Today in Italy we celebrate the Day of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, with the theme The new generations beyond the crisis. This University was born from the mind and heart of Father Agostino Gemelli and with great support, it trains thousands and thousands of young people to be competent and responsible citizens, builders of the common good. I invite you to always support this University, so that it may continue to provide an excellent education to the younger generation, preparing them to meet the challenges of the present time.
I greet all the pilgrims present, from many countries! Families, church groups, movements, youth. In particular I greet the pilgrims from the diocese of Siena-Colle di Val d'Elsa-Montalcino, with Archbishop Buoncristiani. I think especially of and pray for the boys and girls who are preparing for Confirmation.
I wish you all a good Sunday and a good lunch!
These are the words with which the Pope introduced the Marian prayer:
Greeting of His Holiness, Pope Francis
before the recitation of the Regina Coeli
I will touch briefly today on the page of the Acts of the Apostles we read in the liturgy of this Third Sunday of Easter. This text refers to the first preaching of the Apostles in Jerusalem which filled the city with the news that Jesus had truly risen, according to the Scriptures, and was the Messiah announced by the Prophets. The chief priests and the rulers of the city tried to restrain the fledgling community of believers by imprisoning the Apostles, ordering them not to teach in his name. But Peter and the Eleven said, We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus ... exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior ... And we and the Holy Spirit are witnesses of these facts ( Acts 5.29 to 32). So they whipped the Apostles and commanded them not to speak again in the name of Jesus And according to the scriptures, they went rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus (v. 41) .
I wonder: where did the first disciples find the strength to make this their testimony? Not only that: what was their joy and courage to proclaim, in spite of the obstacles and violence? Do not forget that the Apostles were simple, they were scribes, teachers of the law, not belonging to the priestly class. How could they, with their limits and opposed by the authorities, fill Jerusalem with their teaching (cf. Acts 5:28)? It 's clear that only the presence of the Risen Lord with them, and the action of the Holy Spirit can explain this. The Lord was with them, and the Spirit who urged them to preach explains this extraordinary event. Their faith was based on a very strong and personal encounter with Christ crucified and risen. They were no longer afraid of anything or anyone, and even saw persecution as a matter of honor, which allowed them to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and to be like Him, witnessing with their lives.
The witness of the first Christian community tells us something very important, which applies to the Church of all times, even for us: when a person truly knows Jesus Christ and believes in Him, experiences His presence in life and the strength of his resurrection, that person can not fail to communicate this experience. And if this person meets misunderstandings or adversity, he or she behaves like Jesus in His Passion: responding with love and with the power of truth.
Praying with the Regina Caeli , ask for the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary that the Church in the world may announce the Resurrection of the Lord with honesty and courage and give effective witness to this truth through signs of brotherly love. Brotherly love is the best testimony that we can give that Jesus is with us, that Jesus is risen. We pray especially for Christians who suffer persecution at this time. There are many Christians who suffer persecution, many, many, in many countries. We pray for them, with love, from our heart. May they feel the living and comforting presence of the Risen Lord.
Regina coeli, laetare, Alleluia!
Quia quem meruisti Portare, Alleluia!
Resurrexit, sicut dixit, Alleluia!
Ora pro nobis Deum, Alleluia!
Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, Alleluia!
Quia surrexit Dominus vere, Alleluia!
Deus, qui per resurrectionem Filii Tui,
Domini nostri Iesu Christi,
mundum laetificare dignatus es:
praesta quaesumus ut per eius Genitricem Virginem Mariam,
perpetuae capiamus gaudia vitae.
Per eumdem Christum Cominum nostrum. Amen.
After the recitation of the Regina Coeli, the Holy Father greeted the pilgrims in the following words:
Yesterday, in Venice, Don Luca Passi, a nineteenth century priest from Bergamo was beatified. He was the founder of the Secular workers of Saint Dorothy and the Institute of the Sisters of Saint Dorothy. We give thanks to God for the witness of this Blessed man!
Today in Italy we celebrate the Day of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, with the theme The new generations beyond the crisis. This University was born from the mind and heart of Father Agostino Gemelli and with great support, it trains thousands and thousands of young people to be competent and responsible citizens, builders of the common good. I invite you to always support this University, so that it may continue to provide an excellent education to the younger generation, preparing them to meet the challenges of the present time.
I greet all the pilgrims present, from many countries! Families, church groups, movements, youth. In particular I greet the pilgrims from the diocese of Siena-Colle di Val d'Elsa-Montalcino, with Archbishop Buoncristiani. I think especially of and pray for the boys and girls who are preparing for Confirmation.
I wish you all a good Sunday and a good lunch!
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