■ Zenit 254 ■ On celebrating the Mass of the Assumption, at the Shrine of Lourdes this past August 15, the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin praised the “power of mercy.”
In his homily reported by “Vatican News,” the Cardinal recalled the present context, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and numerous conflicts, and he invited to turn to “Mary with immense confidence, with the firm certitude that She will listen to us. Mary, in fact, resplendent with glory, shows herself to us as a sign of consolation and sure hope.”
“Jesus reigns over history and over the human family while awaiting the day where there will no longer be death as God will be all in all. To reign means to exercise a power. What, then, is Jesus’ power? It’s the power of mercy, the power of forgiveness, the power of friendship, the power of being love and of loving,” he added.
For Cardinal Parolin, “the discernment of believers enables that power to become action, event, experience.” And, to bear Mary’s traits, means “not to be afraid.”
Arriving at the Shrine of Lourdes for a private visit, on the occasion of the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Congregation of Augustinians of the Assumption, the Cardinal brought “the greeting, spiritual closeness and blessing of Pope Francis” to all the people present at this Mass.