Pope examines relationship of Mary to priests
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Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Aug 12, 2009 / 10:48 am (CNA).- During Wednesday’s general audience in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Benedict XVI spoke of there being a “nexus” between the Blessed Virgin Mary and the priesthood. Like St. John, he said, all priests “are called to accept her into their home.”

Pope Benedict pointed out that this nexus is rooted in the mystery of the Incarnation. “God does not act against our freedom,” he explained. “He needed the yes of his creatures.”

“St. Bernard of Clairvaux, in one of his homilies, explained in dramatic manner this decisive moment of universal history, when heaven, earth and God Himself await this creature’s response,” he added.

“Mary is truly and profoundly involved in the mystery of the Incarnation, of our salvation. … Sacrifice, the priesthood and the Incarnation go together and Mary is at the heart of this mystery,” the Pontiff said.

Pope Benedict also reflected on the tie between priests and Mary.

From the cross, Jesus sees his mother and the beloved apostle, an important individual, but more importantly a prefigurement of loved people and especially all priests.

“The Second Vatican Council invites priests to see Mary as the perfect model of their existence,” the Pope added.

“The Curé d'Ars, who we think of this year especially, loved to repeat that after Jesus Christ gave us everything he could give, he wanted to make us heirs of what was most precious to him, his holy mother,” the Pope continued. “This applies to all Christians, but especially for priests.”

"Every priest can and should truly feel himself to be the son of this most holy and most humble mother," he said.

The Holy Father concluded by expressing his closeness to the people of Taiwan, China, Philippines and Japan, who were recently hit by a typhoon. “I call on everyone to pray for them and for those who lost their lives. I hope that the relief of solidarity and the help of material aid will not be lacking.”

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: Roy S. Tenn
Miami, Florida 08/14/2009 10:49 AM EST
I will send this to Fr. Peter Damian Peter Fehlner, F.I. who is the new rector of the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe at La Crosse in Wisconsin, a devotee of Saint Maximillion Kolbe.

He has long been promoting the Fifth Dogma of the Virgin Mary as Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate.
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Published by: Roy S. Tenn
Miami, Florida 08/13/2009 05:00 PM EST
This is a very important message from Pope Benedict, XVI for all priests, especially at a time when so many of them fell into disgrace as a result of the billions of dollars dioceses paid out for sexual abuse cases, which would certainly not be so devastating if those priests had pledged their loyalty and fidelity to the Immaculate Virgin Mary who would have helped to protect them from these henious crimes against innocent little souls who were defenseless against the onslaught of these pedofile priests who were later found guilty of sexual child abuse.
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