Portuguese bishops:
Papal visit is a pilgrimage
LISBON, Portugal, OCT. 7, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI will visit Portugal in 2010 as a "pilgrim of Fatima," the prelates of that country are affirming.
The Portuguese bishops' conference stated this in a pastoral note MADE Monday, in which they spoke about the Pope's upcoming May 12-13 visit to the Marian shrine.
The bishops said that they perceive "jubilation and joy in our people" over the Papal visit, which "is the realization of a long awaited desire that very much honors and distinguishes us."
The conference expressed heartfelt gratitude toward the Holy Father for planning this trip. The bishops stated that they wish to correspond to this honor with "the love for the Pope that is a profound dimension of Portuguese Catholicism."
The note explained, "Visible communion with the Successor of Peter, physically present among us, will be, once again, the occasion of a spontaneous expression of that love for his person, his teaching and his universal service and fidelity to the Church."
The prelates stated that the Holy Father will go to the country "essentially as a pilgrim of Fatima," where he will encounter a "lively expression of all the Churches of Portugal."
The Pontiff's visit to Fatima coincides with the 10th anniversary of the beatification of the little shepherds Francisco and Jacinta, and with the commemoration of the centenary of the latter's birth.
The bishops acknowledged that the trip is also "projected in the wider horizon of [Benedict XVI's] pilgrimages to the principal Marian shrines spread around the world as great centers of evangelization."
"When the Pope makes himself a pilgrim in his capacity of universal pastor of the Church, the whole Church goes on pilgrimage with him; that is why this pilgrimage of his has great pastoral, doctrinal and spiritual meaning," notes the communique.
The prelates expressed the hope that the Holy Father's visit will encourage "constant and generous commitment in the work of evangelization, helping to move from a traditional religiosity to an adult and reasoned faith."
They described this faith as capable of giving "courageous witness in private and public, that is able to address the challenges of secularism and of doctrinal and ethical relativism, typical of our time, of which Benedict XVI often reminds us."
The conference explained that the program of the Papal visit is yet to be defined, and will be discussed by the prelates in their forthcoming assembly in November.
The bishops invited the faithful "to truly receive the Holy Father, as Successor of Peter who comes to confirm brothers in the faith, with affection and personal participation, being united in prayer for his intentions for the Church and for the great aspirations of humanity."
An earlier report posted on the Fatima website said this:
Bishops thank Pope for
accepting invitation to Fatima
FATIMA, Oct. 6 - The schedule of the Holy Father’s visit to Portugal has not been set yet. It will be set by the next Assembly of the Bishops, gathered in the House of Our Lady of Sorrows, at the Shrine of Fatima, on Nov. 9-12.
[May 12-13 was mentioned in earlier press releases from the Shrine.]
The pilgrimage of the Holy Father to Portugal was one of the main items on the calendar of the meeting of the Permanent Council of the Bishops Conference of Portugal (CEP), which took place at Fatima today.
The Pastoral Brief coming out of this meeting emphasizes, first of all, the “joy and gratitude” with which the Church in Portugal welcomed the announcement of the visit of the Pope to the Country on May 2010.
The document presented to the journalists emphasizes also the important role of the Shrine of Fatima, “where the Message of Our Lady is made live and timely”, as “an important element for evangelization and edification of the Church in our Country”.
The Bishops urge the faithful – through Mary, “Star of Hope”, because She points constantly the goal, the happy harbor, the eternal and definitive communion with God and with all men – to know how “to welcome and accompany the pilgrim Pope” in Portugal, “with joy, enthusiasm and filial devotion”.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 08/10/2009 19:18]