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Pontiff Puts World in Mary's Hands [Catholic Caucus]
ZNA ^ | October 19, 2008

Posted on 10/20/2008 4:23:55 PM PDT by NYer

POMPEII, Italy, OCT. 19, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI placed the world in Mary's hands during his one-day visit to the shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Pompeii, near Naples.

The Pope's leading of the Supplication of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary, a prayer written by Blessed Bartolo Longo (1841-1926) was one of the high points of this 12th pastoral trip in Italy.

"We implore you to have pity today on the nations that have gone astray, on all Europe, on the whole world, that they might repent and return to your heart," the text of the prayer reads.

With the words of Bartolo, the Pontiff turned to Mary, saying: "If you will not help us because we are ungrateful and unworthy children of your protection, we will not know to whom to turn."

In a gesture of filial love, the Pope then offered the Madonna a golden rose.

The Holy Father traveled by helicopter this morning to Pompeii, and was welcomed by 50,000 faithful. This is the third time a Pope has visited the shrine.

Pompeii was destroyed by the lava and ashes from the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D.

The new Pompeii arose 1,796 years later, when, in 1872, Bartolo Longo, a lawyer and lay Dominican, built a church dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary.

The shrine contains an image of Mary to which hundreds of miracles and healings are attributed.

God's face

In the homily delivered during Holy Mass today, the Pope evoked the figure of Bartolo Longo, who, like St. Paul, had persecuted the Church, "becoming militantly anticlerical and engaging in spiritualist and superstitious practices."

Longo was a Satanist priest who later repented when he encountered the "true face of God," the Holy Father said.

"Wherever God comes in this desert, flowers bloom," said Benedict XVI. "Even Blessed Bartolo Longo, with his personal conversion, bears witness to this spiritual power that transforms man from within and makes him capable of doing great things according to God's designs.

"This city, which he re-founded is thus a historical demonstration of how God transforms the world: filling man's heart with charity."

"Here in Pompeii," the Pope continued, "it is understood that love for God and love for neighbor are inseparable.

"Here at Mary's feet, families rediscover or reinforce the joy of love that keeps them united."

The secret of Pompeii, the Holy Father revealed, is the rosary: "This prayer leads us through Mary to Jesus."

"The rosary is a contemplative prayer that is accessible to all: great and small, lay people and clerics, cultured and uncultured," he said. "The rosary is a spiritual weapon in the struggle against evil, against all violence, for peace in hearts, in families, in society and in the world."


TOPICS: Catholic; Ministry/Outreach; Prayer
KEYWORDS: pompeii; pope

1 posted on 10/20/2008 4:23:56 PM PDT by NYer
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To: Salvation; narses; SMEDLEYBUTLER; redhead; Notwithstanding; nickcarraway; Romulus; ...

Our Lady of Pompeii, pray for us!

2 posted on 10/20/2008 4:25:39 PM PDT by NYer ("Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ." - St. Jerome)
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To: NYer

Our Lady of Pompeii pray for America.

God bless America.
Gad save America.


3 posted on 10/20/2008 4:45:33 PM PDT by citizencon
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Comment #4 Removed by Moderator

To: citizencon

May Our Lady intercede for us during this critical time and may the man of her choosing win the presidential election.


5 posted on 10/20/2008 5:32:21 PM PDT by Siobhan7
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To: NYer

Beautiful!! Thank you for posting!!


6 posted on 10/20/2008 5:53:05 PM PDT by PatriotGirl827 (Pray for the United States of America!)
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To: gost2
As literally thousands of posts from knowledgeable Catholics have affirmed here on FR, Catholicism has no female deity. We worship no "female goddesses," and, since you make the distinction using "female" to describe "goddess," I will take the opportunity here to make it perfectly clear that we definitely don't worship any "male goddesses," either!

Have a blessed day, and respect caucus designations in the future. Many thanks!

7 posted on 10/20/2008 5:54:32 PM PDT by magisterium
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To: gost2; Religion Moderator
This is a Catholic Caucus. Are you a Catholic?

From the Religion Moderator -- Guidelines for Caucus threads

8 posted on 10/20/2008 5:57:51 PM PDT by Salvation ( †With God all things are possible.†)
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To: NYer

John 2: 1-11


9 posted on 10/20/2008 8:24:54 PM PDT by Oratam
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To: gost2

This thread is in the Religion Forum and is tagged “Catholic Caucus.” If you are not Catholic, do not post here.


10 posted on 10/20/2008 8:47:15 PM PDT by Religion Moderator
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To: NYer

Mater Dei, ora pro nobis!


11 posted on 10/21/2008 12:43:16 AM PDT by baa39 (Our Lady of Victory, pray for us!)
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