Pray the rosary with confidence and bring the love of Christ to people of Cuba, the Pope's secretary of state urged the youth of the island nation.Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone said this Saturday during the recitation of the rosary with youth gathered at the shrine of Our Lady of Charity of Cobre in Santiago de Cuba.
The Vatican representative is in Cuba until Tuesday to mark the 10th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's visit to the island nation in 1988.
Speaking with the youth at the Marian shrine, the cardinal reflected on the rosary: "With the recitation of the rosary we learn from Mary how to contemplate the beauty of her Son's face and we experience the depth of his love. It is a recalling, a remembering, a salutary contemplation, a meditation and a supplication. It is a retracing of Jesus' life."
"The rosary, the best tradition of the art of prayer, is deeply rooted in life itself, in which it illuminates the mystery of the heart of man," said Cardinal Bertone. "In the recitation of the rosary there is a profound contemplative attitude of the mysteries of the life of the Lord, a slow meditation, while one says the prayers to Mary according to the best tradition of the art of prayer.
"It is particularly beneficial in a world sometimes dominated by hustle and bustle and by the proliferation of voices that distract us."
The cardinal then thanked the youth for their presence, "which speaks to us of a young country with a promising future. Show contemporary society that, as Pope John Paul II said, 'you can be modern and deeply faithful to Christ.'"
Heirs
He continued: "You are the heirs to the memory of the Christian communities who, through trials and difficulties, knew how to hand on their authentic faith in the course of history. Now it is up to you to be the present and the future of the Church of Cuba.
"You are the voice of those who do not have a voice. Today you are faced with new challenges, new and numerous problems, and new hopes too, above all in what regards the dignity and fundamental rights of the person."
"Cuban families, your families," urged Cardinal Bertone, "must be a powerful example in trials, and of joy and confidence in the future. Never forget the mission that the Lord has entrusted to you."
The cardinal added: "Take the rosary into your hands with confidence, rediscovering the face of Christ, and bringing his love and his Gospel into your daily life, in the university, in your workplace, in your circle and to your friends.
"Make the values of dialogue and reciprocal respect, of solidarity, of freedom and peace present with your witness. Promote hope and be ready to leave everything to follow Christ."
Cardinal Bertone, who arrived the day after Fidel Castro announced Tuesday he would step down as president, is set to meet Monday with Cuban officials in Havana, the day after Parliament announced Raul Castro as the new president of the nation.
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