Santiago, Chile, Sep 3, 2010 / 18:11 pm
Rosaries blessed personally by Pope Benedict XVI were received by family members on behalf of each of the miners buried far under Chile's northern desert. Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz, who delivered the gifts, noted how the adversity has brought Chileans closer together.
The Cardinal Archbishop of Santiago celebrated the Eucharist with family members of the 33 trapped miners on Thursday. Sunday will mark one month since the San Jose mine shaft collapsed, leaving them trapped half-a-mile underground.
At Mass, the cardinal underscored the Pope's spiritual support for the miners and their families, which was made known during the Angelus last Sunday. In that message, the Holy Father assured them of his prayers for them to remain calm and for rescue efforts to reach a "happy conclusion."
Cardinal Errazuriz explained to family members that Pope Benedict also wished to give each of them the gift of a rosary to show his affection and concern.