Pope Benedict XVI spoke of transformation through the love of God as
he visited one of the major Catholic pilgrimage sites of Europe. He
noted that the Catholic Church is the place where that love can be
spread.
The Pontiff was greeted warmly by the Spanish faithful who lined most
of the more than six mile route from the airport to the Santiago de
Compostela city center.
Reaching the city's monumental cathedral, the
destination of thousands of pilgrimages every year, he completed the
"rite of the pilgrim" himself.
Wearing a traditional black cloak adorned with scallop shell symbol
of St. James on one side and the red cross of the Spanish Order of
Santiago on the other, he entered through the Holy Door, embraced the
statue of St. James and prayed at the apostle's tomb below the altar.
The opening of the door is reserved only for years in which the July
25 feast of St. James, patron and protector of Spain, is celebrated on a
Sunday.
A Holy Year is declared in such cases and the number of
pilgrims to the ever popular site spike. Many travel hundreds of miles
on foot to reach St. James’ tomb.
In a brief greeting to those gathered within the cathedral and the
thousands participating via television screens outside, Pope Benedict
XVI spoke of the “way of the pilgrim” not just as a visit for admiration
of nature, art or history but a way to "step out of ourselves in order
to encounter God."
As a pilgrim himself, the Pope said that he was visiting the city
during the jubilee year to confirm Catholics in their faith, give them
hope and entrust their "aspirations, struggles and labors in service of
the Gospel" to the intercession of St. James.
He said that while he embraced the apostle's statue after entering he
prayed for "all the children of the Church." Through faith and the
mystery of love present in the Trinity, he observed, all people are
"embraced by God,” and “transformed by his love.
"The Church," he continued, "is this embrace of God, in which men and
women learn also to embrace their brothers and sisters and to discover
in them the divine image and likeness which constitutes the deepest
truth of their existence, and which is the origin of genuine freedom."
He exhorted of Spain's faithful to "live their lives enlightened by
the truth of Christ, confessing the faith with joy, consistency and
simplicity, at home, at work and in their commitment as citizens
"May the joy of knowing that you are God’s beloved children bring you
to an ever deeper love for the Church and to cooperate with her in her
work of leading all men and women to Christ," he said.
After inviting prayers for new vocations and expressing appreciation
for the charitable work of Spanish institutions, he closed with a prayer
in the local language asking God to grant all Spaniards "the boldness
which Saint James showed in bearing witness to the Risen Christ.
"In this way," he concluded, "may you remain faithful in the ways of
holiness and spend yourselves for the glory of God and the good of our
brothers and sisters in greatest need."
The Pope's words were met with shouts of "Viva!", a typical Spanish
and Italian exclamation to say "Long live the Pope!"
Before leaving the
cathedral to have lunch at the archbishop's residence, he filled the
cathedral's 110-pound incense-burning thurible with incense.
Eight
technicians raised it up and sent it swinging through the cathedral
hall, a traditional act to close the morning's historic events.
To read the full text of the Pope’s message, click here: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/spain10/resource.php?res_id=1446
SIC: CNA/INT'L
SIC: CNA/INT'L