Santiago de Compostela, Spain, Jul 31, 2013 / 12:31 pm
Celebrating Mass for the 79 victims of the July 24 train crash near Santiago de Compostela, Spanish Archbishop Julia Barrio invited the mourning families to seek hope and comfort in Christ.
When we unite our suffering to that of Christ, it becomes redemptive, the archbishop told those gathered at a July 29 Mass at the Santiago Cathedral, including the Prince and Princess of Asturias, Spanish President Mariano Rajoy, and the regional governor Alberto Nunez Feijoo.
In his homily, Archbishop Barrio noted that "from the very first moments Pope Francis has been united with us in spirit with his fraternal affection and heartfelt solidarity. We are deeply thankful to him."
"It is not easy to understand and accept" this tragedy, he added, but the mystery of death and suffering are "signs of light."