Pope in Pompeii: Trust always in Jesus, our friend who never rejects us
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
“Allow yourselves to be inspired and propelled by the joy that comes from Jesus' words and His example, and proclaim it to everyone.”
Pope Leo offered this invitation as he visited the “Temple of Charity” at the Shrine of Pompeii on 8 May, the first anniversary of his election as Pope.
The encounter with those engaged in the Shrine's charitable operations marked the first event of the Holy Father's pastoral visits on Friday, first to Pompeii and then to Naples.
The Pope thanked the organization's volunteers for their generosity and trust, and said: “It is beautiful for me to begin this Pastoral Visit in the footsteps of Saint Bartolo Longo, whom I had the joy of canonizing on October 19 of last year.”
He called it “a place of grace, where Our Lady of the Rosary and Saint Bartolo gather men and women of every age, background, and condition in order to lead them to the one Source of that universal love which alone can give the world serenity and harmony: to lead them to God.”
Power of Christ’s Resurrection experienced every day
The Pope recalled that the Saint used to call the Valley of Pompeii “a place of love that warms the heart" and a “triumph of faith and charity,” and said that reality is still very much alive and visible today.
“Here, in the charitable works of the Shrine, the power of Christ’s Resurrection is experienced every day, regenerating hearts through love to the good life of the Gospel.”
The Pope observed that the “Temple of Charity” and the “Temple of Faith” sustain one another.
Prayer, he noted, nourishes the welcome, affection, service, and generous commitment of so many people, and love accomplishes miracles that go far beyond every effort and expectation.
Seeing the face of Christ in everyone
Pope Leo reminded the Shrine's charity operators that when Saint Bartolo first arrived in the Valley of Pompeii, he found a land afflicted by great poverty.
Even in that place, inhabited by only a few poor farmers and plagued by malaria and brigands, the Pope said the future Saint was able to see in everyone “the face of Christ.”
Pope Leo remembered that through Bartolo's tenderness, he revealed the beating heart of God to adults and children alike, especially to orphans and the children of prisoners.
Prayer as the foundation for everything
The Pope recalled that he went on to make this place a center of Christian life and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary known throughout the world.
“At the foundation of everything,” Pope Leo said, “is prayer, and in particular the Holy Rosary,” which he said is the hidden force “that makes everything else possible.”
Keep this ancient and beautiful devotion alive
“I therefore urge all of you to keep this ancient and beautiful devotion alive and to spread it,” Pope Leo said, stressing that "by contemplating the Mysteries of Jesus’ life with the simple and maternal eyes of Mary, what He has accomplished penetrates hearts and transforms lives."
Accordingly, Pope Leo entrusted them with a “program of life”: “to be men and women of prayer, so as to reflect, like clear and humble mirrors, the light that comes from God.”
Through their words and actions, the Pope said, they “will nourish the flame of love that Saint Bartolo lit,” and become, “in service, dialogue, and the life of faith, credible models and wise guides for this wonderful young generation.”
Place your trust in Jesus
The Holy Father then offered words of encouragement to children, adolescents, and young people.
“Have confidence in those who lovingly care for your growth,” but throughout your lives, he appealed, “place your trust in Jesus, the Son of God, crucified and risen, who saves and sets us free.”
“Jesus,” he told them, “is the Friend who never abandons or rejects us, the Brother who understands us and always walks beside us.”
Cling to Him and His grace
“Let us cling to Him as we entrust all humanity, through the hands of Mary, to His care," the Pope said, "certain that, with the help of His grace, nothing will be able to stop us from doing good, and that the hope for a future of peace—here and everywhere—will find its fulfillment.”
Assuring the charity workers of his prayers and offering his blessing, Pope Leo implored: “Queen of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii, pray for us! Saint Bartolo, pray for us!”
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