VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 12, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI says his recent apostolic trip to Austria was an opportunity to look at Christ through Mary's eyes.
The Pope dedicated the reflection at today's general audience in St. Peter's Square to an overview of his seventh international apostolic journey, which ended Sunday.
The Holy Father expressed his joy at visiting a country "especially familiar to me, because it borders my native land and because of the numerous contacts that I have always had with it." And he said of the trip that "above all it was a pilgrimage […] to meet Mary who shows Jesus to us."
Benedict XVI said the trip was important in the context of international relations.
He explained: "Aware of Austria’s history and its close ties with the Holy See, as well as Vienna's important role in international politics, the program of my pastoral visit included meetings with the president of the republic and the diplomatic corps. These are valuable opportunities, in which the Successor of Peter has the chance to exhort the leaders of nations to favor the cause of peace and authentic economic and social development.
"Focusing on Europe, I renewed my encouragement to go forward with the current process of unification on the basis of values inspired by its shared Christian heritage. […] How can we forget that Europe bears a tradition of thought that holds together faith, reason and sentiment? […] Given the current situation of the European continent it was therefore favorable to make time for the meeting with the political and diplomatic leaders in Vienna."
Contemplation
The Pope spoke of his stop at the Shrine of Mariazell, which celebrates its 850th anniversary this year.
He said: "I carried out the actual pilgrimage on Saturday, Sept. 8, feast of the Nativity of Mary, from whom Mariazell takes its name. […] It was a great joy for me to return as the Successor of Peter to that holy place, so dear to the people of Central and Eastern Europe.
"It was only when we reached the shrine that we fully understood the full sense of that theme: to look to Christ. Before us was the statue of Our Lady that with one hand pointed to the Baby Jesus, and above her, above the basilica’s altar, the Crucified One.
"There our pilgrimage reached its goal: We contemplated the face of God in that Child in the arms of his Mother and in that Man with the outstretched arms. To look at Jesus with the eyes of Mary means to meet God who is Love, who was made man and died on a cross for us."
Other events
Benedict XVI recalled the other celebrations that filled his days in Austria. He mentioned the mandate he gave to parish pastoral councils, as well as the fraternity shared with the Benedictine community.
The Pope also explained how he showed his support of the movement "Alliance in Defense of a Free Sunday," by dedicating the Sunday homily to the theme of the importance of the Lord's Day.
He said: "We too, we Christians of the 21st century, cannot live without Sunday: A day that gives meaning to work and rest, fulfills the meaning of creation and redemption, expresses the value of freedom and the service of our neighbor … all of this is Sunday -- much more than just a precept!
"If the populations of ancient Christian civilizations had abandoned this meaning and let Sunday be reduced to a weekend or an opportunity for mundane and commercial interests, it would have meant that they had decided to renounce their very culture."
Much to share
Finally, the Holy Father recalled his meeting with volunteers. He said that during this event he "wanted to encourage yet again the culture of charity work."
"Volunteer work should not be seen as 'stopgap' assistance with regard to state and public institutions, but rather as a complimentary and always necessary presence to keep attentive to the most marginalized in society and to promote a personalized style in the assistance programs," the Pontiff affirmed. "Furthermore, there is no one who cannot be a volunteer.
"Surely even the most needy and disadvantaged person has much to share with others by offering his own contribution to building a civilization of love."
The Pope concluded by renewing his "thanksgiving to the Lord for this visit-pilgrimage to Austria."
"It was," he said, "a joyful and radiant presence of a Church that, like Mary, is called to always 'look to Christ' in order to show and offer him to everyone; a Church that is teacher and witness of a generous 'yes' to life in each of its dimensions; a Church that carries out its 2,000-year tradition at the service of a future of peace and true social progress for the entire human family."
ZE07091210 - 2007-09-12