REGINA CÆLI POPE FRANCIS
Saint Peter's Square – Easter Monday,
17 April 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good Morning!
On this festive Monday known as “Monday of the Angel”,
the Liturgy resounds the announcement of the Resurrection proclaimed yesterday:
“Christ is Risen, Hallelujah!”. In today’s Gospel passage, we can hear the echo
of the words the Angel addressed to the women who had hastened to the
sepulchre: “Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen” (Mt
28:7). We feel as if this invitation is also directed to us; to “hasten” and to
“go” announce to the men and women of our times this message of joy and hope,
of certain hope, because from the dawn of the third day, Jesus who was
crucified, is raised. Death no longer has the last word. Life does! This is our
certainty. The sepulchre does not have the last word; it is not death, it is
life! This is why we repeat “Christ is Risen”, many times. Because in Him, the
sepulchre was overcome. Life was born.
In light of this event which constitutes the true and
real news of history and the cosmos, we are called to be new men and women in
accordance with the Spirit, confirming the value of life. There is
life! This is already the beginning of rebirth! We will be men and women of
resurrection, men and women of life, if in the midst of the events that afflict
the world — there are many of them today —, in the midst of worldliness which
distances us from God, we will know how to offer gestures of solidarity and
gestures of welcome, strengthening the universal desire for peace and the hope
for an environment free from degradation. These are common and human signs,
which if supported and kept alive by faith in the Risen Lord, acquire a power
that is well beyond our abilities. And this is so because Christ is alive and
working in history through his Holy Spirit: He redeems our shortcomings and
reaches each human heart and gives back hope to whomever is oppressed and
suffering.
May the Virgin Mary, silent witness of the death and
Resurrection of her Son Jesus, help us to be clear signs of the Risen Christ
amid the affairs of the world, so that those who suffer tribulation and
difficulties do not fall victim to pessimism, defeat, and resignation, but find
in us many brothers and sisters who offer them support and solace. May our
Mother help us to believe firmly in the Resurrection of Jesus: Jesus is Risen;
He is alive here among us and this is a worthy mystery of salvation with the
ability to transform hearts and life. May She intercede especially for the
persecuted and oppressed Christian communities which, in many parts of the
world today, are called to a more difficult and courageous testimony.
And now in the light and joy of Easter, let us turn to
Her with the prayer which will replace the Angelus for the next 50 days leading
to Pentecost.
Regina
Caeli...
After the Regina Caeli:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In the Easter atmosphere which marks this day, I warmly
greet all of you, families, parish groups, associations and single pilgrims
from Italy and from various parts of the world.
I wish that each of you may live in serenity these days
of the Octave of Easter, which extends the joy of Christ’s Resurrection. Seize
every good opportunity to be witnesses of the peace of the Risen Lord.
Happy and Holy Easter to all of you! Please do not forget
to pray for me. Have a good lunch. Arrivederci!
©
Copyright - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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