Pope Benedict XVI

"Beauty... is not mere decoration, but rather an essential element of the liturgical action, since it is an attribute of God Himself and His revelation."
(Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum Caritatis, 35)

11 February 2010

Feast of the Apparition of Our Lady at Lourdes

O Mary Conceived without Sin,
Pray for us who recourse to Thee!
Today the glorious Queen of heaven * appeared on earth; today her word brought to her people a pledge of peace and salvation; today the choirs of Angels and the faithful exult, celebrating with joy the Immaculate Conception.
(Magnificat Antiphon of II Vespers


Saint Bernadette Soubirous,
Pray for us!

Excerpt from the Encyclical of Blessed Pius XII 
'Warning against materialism on the centenary of the apparitions at Lourdes'
In a society which is barely conscious of the ills which assail it, which conceals its miseries and injustices beneath a prosperous, glittering, and trouble-free exterior, the Immaculate Virgin, whom sin has never touched, manifests herself to an innocent child. With a mother's compassion she looks upon this world redeemed by her Son's blood, where sin accomplishes so much ruin daily, and three times makes her urgent appeal: "Penance, penance, penance!" She even appeals for outward expressions: "Go kiss the earth in penance for sinners." And to this gesture must be added a prayer: "Pray to God for sinners."...
... the world, which today affords so many justifiable reasons for pride and hope, is also undergoing a terrible temptation to materialism ... 
This materialism is not confined to that condemned philosophy which dictates the policies and economy of a large segment of mankind. It rages also in a love of money which creates ever greater havoc as modern enterprises expand, and which, unfortunately, determines many of the decisions which weigh heavy on the life of the people. It finds expression in the cult of the body, in excessive desire for comforts, and in flight from all the austerities of life. It encourages scorn for human life, even for life which is destroyed before seeing the light of day. ...
Le Pelerinage de Lourdes
Blessed Pius XII

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