Visit to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption (7 March 1983)

On Monday, 7 March 1983, the Holy Father visited the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Guatemala City, when he spoke the following words. 

Mr Cardinal,
beloved brothers and sisters:

Peace be with you always!

May these evangelical words, so full of hope, be an expression of my cordial greeting to all of you gathered here, and also of my gratitude for the affectionate welcome you gave me.

I give thanks to God who brought me today to this Holy Cathedral Church, known and admired for the beauty and harmony of its forms; but for me even more dear because of the ecclesiastical significance that this sacred precinct represents for you, the faithful of Guatemala.

This primal Temple has in fact been, for centuries, a reliable testimony of the desire to be reborn in faith and constant fidelity, sometimes not without trials and sacrifice, to the Church of Christ. From this place of communion, you, Guatemalans, must feel the urgency of building, in the light of the Gospel, a common home; that is, a people of brothers, founded on the demands of faith and love.

The Lord who has his home here, dwells among you and loves all of you, workers of his land and faithful children within his house. At his side and in his presence, that is, encouraged and strengthened by his grace, you will consolidate day by day the environment of communion, knowing well that this engages and purifies the harshness of your hearts, to be sensitive to others and to reject all source of controversies or selfishness and divisions through sincere dialogue and a tireless desire for collaboration.

May the Holy Virgin of the Assumption, to whom this Temple is dedicated, strengthen these purposes, watch over you unceasingly and be a valuable intercessor with her Son on your behalf and the beloved people of Guatemala. With these wishes I impart, in a special way to the sick and the elderly, my affectionate Blessing.

Copyright © Dicastero per la Comunicazione - Libreria Editrice Vaticana