5 October 2007
CONCLUDING ADDRESS
of Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, President of the Pontifical Commission and of the Governatorato of Vatican City State
Blessing Rite - St. John of the Cross Centre
Nyungwe, Chiradzulu
Diocese of Blantyre, Malawi – October 5, 2007
1. It is a great joy for me to be with all of you today to concelebrate with your Archbishop, the Most Reverend Tarcisius Gervazio Ziyaye, and with the dear Carmelite Fathers. Indeed, I am very grateful to be here.
First, I must thank our beloved Mother Mary, Queen of Carmel, Lady of Malawi and of all Africa. She is the one who has brought me together with all of you in this beautiful moment of faith.
Second, I must thank you all, beginning with your respected Bishop, for his kind words concerning me and the insightful reflections he has offered. In a special way I thank the dear Carmelite Fathers and the other concelebrants, as well as all those who have assisted in the preparations for this splendid celebration. Your devout participation and beautiful singing have touched me deeply. I am grateful from the depths of my heart.
I am thankful as well to have had the opportunity to visit – for the first time in my life - a country of Sub-Saharan Africa. Indeed, among the many nations in Africa, Malawi is distinguished as a peaceful, joyful and gentle place with great human warmth.
Last but not least, I am pleased that I am able to convey to you the blessing of our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI. He has asked me to assure you of his pastoral concern and paternal affection. He holds you close to his heart.
2. My sister Rosella, a Carmelite Tertiary, has gladly accepted the suggestion of Father Damaso Zuazua and has donated to the construction of this chapel, asking Vatican artists to execute this beautiful mosaic depicting Mary, Flower of Carmel. She hopes that you will like it and that it will assist you in your faith and devotion.
In this work Mary is portrayed as an African woman and Jesus, held in his mother’s arms, is an African child. Everyone knows that Mary and Jesus were children of Israel. It is typical, however, of Jesus and his beloved Mother to desire to be united with us: Jesus and Mary belong to all peoples, speaking the language of every man and woman, because they speak the language of love, pardon, solidarity and justice. There is a passage from the Song of Solomon in which the bride sings: “I am very dark, but comely, O daughters of Jerusalem” (1:4). The Catholic tradition applies this to the Church and to Mary. It is right therefore that Africa holds and sees Mary as one of her own. In Italy and throughout Europe there are also many images of the “Black Madonna” which are much venerated.
This picture depicts Mary, Queen of Carmel. The word “Carmel” means “garden of God”. Because of her virtues – her humility, her faith, her purity, her virginity - Mary is the most beautiful flower in the garden of God. However, her beauty stands out above all because Mary is the Mother of Jesus, whom she holds in her embrace. And you see that Jesus opens and extends his arms to each of you; he wants to gather all of us in his single embrace. You also see Mary who offers a scapular, namely a sure sign of her maternal protection during sad and painful times, in life and in death: always.
May each of you, when you are praying in front of the image, feel that Jesus and Mary are close to you and love you; may you find comfort, trust and a renewed desire to live in peace and joy with the brothers and sisters of Jesus and Mary.
3. Looking at this image may all of you feel inspired to ask the Lord, through the intercession of Mary, Queen of Carmel, for many blessings. “Ask and it will be given you; …knock and it will be opened to you” (Mt 7: 7) – as Christ himself has taught us. He has told us that we must ask with trust, because our Father who is in heaven loves us and knows our needs.
You must pray for yourselves, for those dear to you and for all of your spiritual and material needs.
Pray for Malawi, your beloved homeland. Malawi is a country blessed by God with innumerable gifts. May the Lord always grant your nation internal harmony, with justice, honesty, mutual understanding and particular attention for the poorest among you.
During difficult times the wise and courageous Bishops of Malawi have pointed the country in the right direction. Listen to them; support them. Pray for them and also for your priests, women religious, for all the men and women who have left their own countries giving their lives to serve you, helping you to feel Christ’s love and to love him more and more. Pray for catechists and for all lay people who assist the Church: without them the Church would be lifeless.
Pray for the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, father and teacher of the entire Catholic Church. Pray for the unity of Christians, because the Lord has said that the world will believe in him if his disciples are united. Pray for peace in the world, so that no mother should have to weep for the loss of her child.
You must extend your heart, knowing very well that the heart of God is wide open and always will be. In your heart and in your prayers leave a place as well for my sister Rosella, asking that the Lord will reward her for her generosity towards the construction of this church. I also ask that you leave me a small place in your hearts, as you have a great place in mine.
Mary, Queen of Carmel, bless us and all those who are dear to us.
Thank you!