![]() The mark which shines on her forehead is the verification of her Christian maturity. But what is the message that this saint passes on to us? It is a message that flows from her life: humility and obedience were the path that Rita took to be ever more perfectly conformed to the Crucified One. In her example of total abandonment to God, in her transparent simplicity and in her unflinching fidelity to the Gospel, we too can find sound direction for being authentic Christian witnesses at the dawn of the third millennium.Ģ. Deeply rooted in the love of Christ, Rita found in her faith unshakeable strength to be a woman of peace in every situation. ![]() Here we see the frail body of a woman who was small in stature but great in holiness, who lived in humility and is now known throughout the world for her heroic Christian life as a wife, mother, widow and nun. ![]() The mortal remains of St Rita, which we venerate here today, are a significant sign of what the Lord accomplishes in history when he finds humble hearts open to his love. Together with her you intend to renew your deepest sentiments of fidelity and communion to the Pope, as she did in her lifetime. And you have come to venerate her, dear pilgrims, from every part of the world. Today it is as if the shrine of Cascia had been moved to St Peter's Square. It is St Rita of Cascia, whose mortal remains, brought to Rome by the Italian Police, accompany the crowds of those who devotedly call upon her with affectionate familiarity and confidently bring to her the problems and anxieties that weigh upon their hearts. Your presence reminds me of the visit I made 20 years ago to the town of Cascia to visit the people struck by the earthquake of 1979.Īmong us today is an illustrious pilgrim who joins us from heaven in our prayer. I greet the Fathers General, the religious and nuns of the Order of St Augustine, as well as the authorities of every order and rank. I greet Cardinal Opilio Rossi, the Armenian Patriarch and all the Bishops present. I greet dear Archbishop Riccardo Fontana of Spoleto-Norcia and thank him for the words and good wishes he addressed to me on your behalf. I greet Cardinal Sodano, Secretary of State. You have come in large numbers to make your pilgrimage to Rome and to pass through the Holy Door of the Great Jubilee. I am pleased to offer you a cordial welcome and to express to you my joy at the special event which has brought us together here. TO THE PILGRIMS DEVOTED TO ST RITA OF CASCIAġ.
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