Holy Father extols Br. Galvao as example
for evangelization
Sao Paulo, May 13, 2007
/ 02:33 pm (CNA).- The Holy Father, Benedict XVI, presided over Mass
today before canonizing Br. Antonio de Sant'Ana Galvao, the first
native-born Brazilian saint. During the Mass, he addressed the
faithful with a brief homily.
Benedict began his homily by inviting all present to "rejoice in the
Lord . . . Let all of us praise him, peoples of Brazil and America."
The Pope momentarily turned his attention to those who were
following his journey on television, saying, "Be sure of this: the
Pope loves you, and he loves you because Jesus Christ loves you."
Turning his attention to Br. Galvao, the Holy Father asked all
present to "give thanks to God for the lasting benefits obtained
through the powerful evangelizing influence that the Holy Spirit
impressed upon so many souls through Br. Galvao." Benedict said that
Br. Galvao is an excellent of example of how people should behave
before the Eucharist: they should be, like Br. Galvao, "in a
constant attitude of adoration." This is because God "reveals
Himself through His word, in the sacraments and especially in the
Eucharist." The Eucharist "contains all the spiritual wealth of the
Church . . . it is the source of Life for mankind."
Br. Galvao is also an example to all because of "his willingness to
be of service to the people whenever he was asked." Because he truly
loved those who came to him, "the conversion of sinners was
therefore the great passion of our saint." By being united to our
neighbor and our God, "we will thus become bearers of that peace
which the world cannot give."
"Mary, Mother of God and our Mother," Benedict continued, "stands
particularly close to us at this moment." Br. Galvao "prophetically
affirmed the truth of the Immaculate Conception." Mary is the
"definitive seal of our encounter with God our Savior."
Benedict then drew attention to a sentence found in Br. Galvao's
consecration, "Take away my life before I offend your blessed Son,
my Lord!" These words are "the words of an impassioned soul, words
that should be part of the normal life of every Christian." In fact,
"the world needs transparent lives, clear souls, pure minds that
refuse to be perceived as mere objects of pleasure." Such clarity is
"necessary to oppose those elements of the media that ridicule the
sanctity of marriage and virginity before marriage."
According to the Holy Father, "Our Lady has been given to us as the
best defense against the evils that afflict modern life." Moreover,
"Marian devotion is the sure guarantee of her maternal protection
and safeguard in the hour of temptation."
In closing, the Pope recalled his words from World Youth Day 2005,
"Only from the saints, only from God does true revolution come, the
definitive way to change the world!" He finished his homily by
asking the faithful to "give thanks to God the Father, to God the
Son, to God the Holy Spirit from Whom, through the intercession of
the Virgin Mary, we receive all the blessings of heaven."
--
Back
Coverage - History -
News - Words -
Pope -
Multimedia -
EWTN |