SOME OF THE GOOD MOMENTS IN THE FACULTY OF MISSIOLOGY IN URBANIANA UNIVERSITY

APPERITIVO MISSIONARIO (2011)

NOMINA DEL SOTTO-SEGRETARIO DEL PONTIFICIO CONSIGLIO PER IL DIALOGO INTERRELIGIOSO

 12 Giugno 2012

Il Santo Padre Benedetto XVI ha nominato Sotto-Segretario del Pontificio Consiglio per il Dialogo Interreligioso il Rev.do Indunil Janakaratne KODITHUWAKKU KANKANAMALAGE, del clero della diocesi di Badulla (Sri Lanka), Docente presso la Facoltà di Missiologia della Pontificia Università Urbaniana.

THE EVANGELIZATION IN AFRICA: After the 1994 Synod

Some elements on the scope of evangelizzation Africa:

1. The evangelization to those who have not recieved the Gospel (spreading of the Gospel to the african culture - incarnation of faith to the african culture)

2. The pastoral care for the members of the Church
3. The testimony of the christian life which is the necessary implication for our faith
4, To quarantee the following values:
*hope
*joy
*peace
*love
*unity and harmony 

Evangelization is intended for the growth of christianity in Africa so as to be bold enough to respond  adequately to its problems.There is a call for african churches to take responsibilty for inculturation of christianity in the whole continent. In this case, the contemporary african theologians are so much concerned about the question of inculturation in the continent. Their concern is from the phenomenon whereby some other nations in the continent go against the human rights, that is, not taking into consideration the value of human dignity.

In Ascolto Dell’Africa: I suoi Contesti, le sue attese, le sue potenzialità aula Magna dell’Università 14 - 16 Maggio 2012

Pontificia Università Urbaniana

Convegno Internazionale

In Ascolto Dell’Africa:  I suoi Contesti, le sue attese, le sue potenzialità aula Magna dell’Università 14 - 16 Maggio 2012

PROGRaMMa

14 Maggio

ore 8.30

Saluto di S. Em. Card. Fernando Filoni

Prefetto Congregazione per l’Evangelizzazione dei Popoli

Gran Cancelliere Pontificia Università Urbaniana

Relazione introduttiva del Prof. albERTO TREVISIOl

Rettore Magnifico Pontificia Università Urbaniana

i sessione

oltre il colonialismo: quale Africa

Presiede: S. Em. Card. VElaSIO dE PaOlIS

Presidente emerito Prefettura Affari Economici della S. Sede

“l’umanesimo africano: polmone spirituale per il futuro dell’umanità”

S. Em. Card. JOhn nJUE

Arcivescovo di Nairobi (Kenya)

“le responsabilità dell’uomo africano oggi e l’impegno per il suo domani”

Prof. GOdfREY IGwEbUIkE Onah

Vice Rettore Pontificia Università Urbaniana

intervallo

“Il ruolo delle Chiese cristiane nel cammino dell’africa”

Prof. GOdEfROId kä Mana kanGUdIE

Segretario Generale Ecumenical Association of African Theologians (R. D. Congo)

Dibattito

ii sessione

il cammino delle chiese africane:

la formazione accademica nel contesto africano

ore 15.00

Presiede: S. Em. Card. JOSé SaRaIVaMaRTInS

Prefetto emerito Congregazione delle Cause dei Santi

Rettore emerito Pontificia Università Urbaniana

“la prospettiva filosofica”

Prof. STEPhEn OkEllO

Docente di Filosofia, Consolata Institute of Philosophy

Nairobi (Kenya)

“la prospettiva teologica”

Prof. EbERhaRd MwaGEnI

Docente di Teologia, Salvatorian Institute of Theology

Morogoro (Tanzania)

intervallo

“la prospettiva missiologica”

Prof. baUdOIn MUbESala

Docente di Missiologia, Institut Africain des Sciences de la Mission,

Kinshasa (R. D. Congo)

Dibattito

Modera: Prof. GIUSEPPE IUlIanO

Direttore Ufficio Istituti Affiliati, Pontificia Università Urbaniana

15 Maggio

iii sessione

il cammino delle chiese africane: i contesti

ore 8.30

Presiede: S. Ecc. Mons. SaVIO hOn TaI faI

Segretario Congregazione per l’Evangelizzazione dei Popoli

Vice Gran Cancelliere Pontificia Università Urbaniana

“le radici africane del cristianesimo: il mondo copto-etiope”

Prof. TEdROS abRaha

Facoltà di Teologia, Pontificia Università Urbaniana

“le Chiese dell’africa araba: dialogo interreligioso e convivenza con l’Islam”

S. Ecc. Mons. GhalEb badER

Arcivescovo di Algeri

intervallo

“la maturità ecclesiale dell’africa bantu”

S. Ecc. Mons. anTOInE nTalOU

Arcivescovo di Garoua (Camerun)

Dibattito

iV sessione

il cammino delle chiese africane: le espressioni delle culture

ore 15.00

Presiede: S. Em. Card. fRanCIS aRInzE

Prefetto emerito Congregazione per il Culto divino e la Disciplina dei Sacramenti

“Profetismo biblico e leaderismo nelle Chiese indipendenti e nei movimenti africani”

S. Ecc. Mons. baRThElEMY adOUkOnOU

Segretario Pontificio Consiglio della Cultura

“Esperienza di fede e inculturazione della morale”

Prof. CaTaldO zUCCaRO

Rettore emerito Pontificia Università Urbaniana

intervallo

Dibattito

16 Maggio

V sessione

il futuro del mondo africano nel futuro del mondo

ore 8.30

Presiede: S. Em. Card. JOzEf TOMkO

Prefetto emerito Congregazione per l’Evangelizzazione dei Popoli

“Africae Munus: impianto e significato dell’Esortazione”

Prof. GIanfRanCESCO COlzanI

Facoltà di Missiologia, Pontificia Università Urbaniana

“Il vangelo della riconciliazione e la riscoperta del bene comune come patto sociale”

S. Em. Card. ThéOdORE-adRIEn SaRR

Arcivescovo di Dakar, (Senegal)

intervallo

“Una Chiesa nel mondo: il significato sociale della vita cristiana ed ecclesiale”

Prof. daVId kaUlEM

Coordinatore regionale Forum Africano per l’insegnamento sociale cattolico (Zimbabwe)

“I principi e i fondamenti africani per la comunione e la condivisione dei beni”

Prof. JEan YawOVI aTTIla

Facoltà di Diritto Canonico, Pontificia Università Urbaniana

Vi sessione

Dall’Africa una visione per il mondo?

ore 15.00

Presiede: Prof. albERTO TREVISIOl

Rettore Magnifico Pontificia Università Urbaniana

“la collaborazione fra Europa e africa nella prospettiva ecclesiale e sociale”

S. Ecc. Mons. aMbROGIO SPREafICO

Presidente Commissione CEI per l’Evangelizzazione dei popoli e la Cooperazione fra le Chiese

Rettore emerito Pontificia Università Urbaniana

“Quale futuro per la Chiesa e per l’umanità viene dall’africa?”

S. Em. Card. fERnandO fIlOnI

Prefetto Congregazione per l’Evangelizzazione dei Popoli

Gran Cancelliere Pontificia Università Urbaniana

Sede del Convegno:

Pontificia Università Urbaniana

Via Urbano VIII, 16 - 00165 Roma

Segreteria organizzativa:

tel. 0669889611 - fax 0669881871

e-mail segreteria@urbaniana.edu

www.urbaniana.edu

Il Convegno è stato realizzato anche con il contributo di:

Pontificie Opere Missionarie

Conferenza Episcopale Italiana

Istituto Missionari della Consolata

Missionari di Scheut

Pontificio Istituto per le Missioni Estere

Missionari Saveriani

Hier noch das schoene Osterlied von Friedrich Spee, von dem ja auch “Zu Bethlekem geboren” stammt!

Die ganze Welt, Herr Jesu Christ
Friedrich Spee, 1623  
1. Die ganze Welt, Herr Jesu Christ,
Halleluja, Halleluja,
in deiner Urständ fröhlich ist.
Halleluja, Halleluja.
2. Das himmlisch Heer im Himmel singt,
Halleluja, Halleluja,
die Christenheit auf Erden klingt.
Halleluja, Halleluja.
3. Jetzt grünet, was nur grünen kann,
Halleluja, Halleluja,
die Bäum zu blühen fangen an.
Halleluja, Halleluja.
4. Es singen jetzt die Vögel all,
Halleluja, Halleluja,
jetzt singt und klingt die Nachtigall.
Halleluja, Halleluja.
5. Der Sonnenschein jetzt kommt herein,
Halleluja, Halleluja,
und gibt der Welt ein' neuen Schein.
Halleluja, Halleluja.
6. Die ganze Welt, Herr Jesu Christ,
Halleluja, Halleluja,
in deiner Urständ fröhlich ist.
Halleluja, Halleluja. 
 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Let us meditate on this words of John Fuellenbach on faith and thereafter take position:

 He holds that "faith means to accept the worldview which Jesus had. It means to look at the world through his eyes. He alone had the right view. He demostrated through his life how God looks at human beings, at the world, at plants, at animals and at creation as a whole. Jesus revealed God as a father who goes after each one of us with loving concern and care (Lk 15), who cares for the birds in the skies and even the grass in the field (Mt 6:24-35), who embraces the little ones and identifies himself with them". By Fr. John Fuellenbach.

 We are therefore invited to look at the world in a different way, to have a correct view of reality, as Jesus who is the way, the truth and the life did.

Wishing you a good journey to the Holy Easter, God bless and keep you in the shadow of His wings where we always stay save

Be Spiritually up-lifted:

What perception of God do you have?

Reading one book by Fuellenbach SVD, I found these words that I would like to share with you today:

 "You may have a beautiful image of God in theory but the question is what God image determines your behavior? Karl Rahner once said, 'the way we know, love treasure the things presented to us is the way we know and love God'. And it is equally true to say that the actual knowledge and personal experience of 'who God is for me in my daily life' ultimately determines how I see, love and treasure the things presented to me. In short, one could say, 'tell me how you experience God and who is for you and I will tell you how you relate to and evaluate your environment".

Isn't this beautiful? Please take it as your provision for today. Wishing you a fabulous Sunday! God bless...!

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI FOR LENT 2012 “Let us be concerned for each other, to stir a response in love and good works” (Heb 10:24)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Lenten season offers us once again an opportunity to reflect upon the very heart of Christian life: charity. This is a favourable time to renew our journey of faith, both as individuals and as a community, with the help of the word of God and the sacraments. This journey is one marked by prayer and sharing, silence and fasting, in anticipation of the joy of Easter.

This year I would like to propose a few thoughts in the light of a brief biblical passage drawn from the Letter to the Hebrews:“ Let us be concerned for each other, to stir a response in love and good works”. These words are part of a passage in which the sacred author exhorts us to trust in Jesus Christ as the High Priest who has won us forgiveness and opened up a pathway to God. Embracing Christ bears fruit in a life structured by the three theological virtues: it means approaching the Lord “sincere in heart and filled with faith” (v. 22), keeping firm “in the hope we profess” (v. 23) and ever mindful of living a life of “love and good works” (v. 24) together with our brothers and sisters. The author states that to sustain this life shaped by the Gospel it is important to participate in the liturgy and community prayer, mindful of the eschatological goal of full communion in God (v. 25). Here I would like to reflect on verse 24, which offers a succinct, valuable and ever timely teaching on the three aspects of Christian life: concern for others, reciprocity and personal holiness.

1. “Let us be concerned for each other”: responsibility towards our brothers and sisters.

This first aspect is an invitation to be “concerned”: the Greek verb used here is katanoein, which means to scrutinize, to be attentive, to observe carefully and take stock of something. We come across this word in the Gospel when Jesus invites the disciples to “think of” the ravens that, without striving, are at the centre of the solicitous and caring Divine Providence (cf. Lk 12:24), and to “observe” the plank in our own eye before looking at the splinter in that of our brother (cf. Lk 6:41). In another verse of the Letter to the Hebrews, we find the encouragement to “turn your minds to Jesus” (3:1), the Apostle and High Priest of our faith. So the verb which introduces our exhortation tells us to look at others, first of all at Jesus, to be concerned for one another, and not to remain isolated and indifferent to the fate of our brothers and sisters. All too often, however, our attitude is just the opposite: an indifference and disinterest born of selfishness and masked as a respect for “privacy”. Today too, the Lord’s voice summons all of us to be concerned for one another. Even today God asks us to be “guardians” of our brothers and sisters (Gen 4:9), to establish relationships based on mutual consideration and attentiveness to the well-being, the integral well-being of others. The great commandment of love for one another demands that we acknowledge our responsibility towards those who, like ourselves, are creatures and children of God. Being brothers and sisters in humanity and, in many cases, also in the faith, should help us to recognize in others a true alter ego, infinitely loved by the Lord. If we cultivate this way of seeing others as our brothers and sisters, solidarity, justice, mercy and compassion will naturally well up in our hearts. The Servant of God Pope Paul VI stated that the world today is suffering above all from a lack of brotherhood: “Human society is sorely ill. The cause is not so much the depletion of natural resources, nor their monopolistic control by a privileged few; it is rather the weakening of brotherly ties between individuals and nations” (Populorum Progressio, 66).

Concern for others entails desiring what is good for them from every point of view: physical, moral and spiritual. Contemporary culture seems to have lost the sense of good and evil, yet there is a real need to reaffirm that good does exist and will prevail, because God is “generous and acts generously” (Ps 119:68). The good is whatever gives, protects and promotes life, brotherhood and communion. Responsibility towards others thus means desiring and working for the good of others, in the hope that they too will become receptive to goodness and its demands. Concern for others means being aware of their needs. Sacred Scripture warns us of the danger that our hearts can become hardened by a sort of “spiritual anesthesia” which numbs us to the suffering of others. The Evangelist Luke relates two of Jesus’ parables by way of example. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, the priest and the Levite “pass by”, indifferent to the presence of the man stripped and beaten by the robbers (cf. Lk 10:30-32). In that of Dives and Lazarus, the rich man is heedless of the poverty of Lazarus, who is starving to death at his very door (cf. Lk 16:19). Both parables show examples of the opposite of “being concerned”, of looking upon others with love and compassion. What hinders this humane and loving gaze towards our brothers and sisters? Often it is the possession of material riches and a sense of sufficiency, but it can also be the tendency to put our own interests and problems above all else. We should never be incapable of “showing mercy” towards those who suffer. Our hearts should never be so wrapped up in our affairs and problems that they fail to hear the cry of the poor. Humbleness of heart and the personal experience of suffering can awaken within us a sense of compassion and empathy. “The upright understands the cause of the weak, the wicked has not the wit to understand it” (Prov 29:7). We can then understand the beatitude of “those who mourn” (Mt 5:5), those who in effect are capable of looking beyond themselves and feeling compassion for the suffering of others. Reaching out to others and opening our hearts to their needs can become an opportunity for salvation and blessedness.

“Being concerned for each other” also entails being concerned for their spiritual well-being. Here I would like to mention an aspect of the Christian life, which I believe has been quite forgotten: fraternal correction in view of eternal salvation. Today, in general, we are very sensitive to the idea of charity and caring about the physical and material well-being of others, but almost completely silent about our spiritual responsibility towards our brothers and sisters. This was not the case in the early Church or in those communities that are truly mature in faith, those which are concerned not only for the physical health of their brothers and sisters, but also for their spiritual health and ultimate destiny. The Scriptures tell us: “Rebuke the wise and he will love you for it. Be open with the wise, he grows wiser still, teach the upright, he will gain yet more” (Prov 9:8ff). Christ himself commands us to admonish a brother who is committing a sin (cf. Mt 18:15). The verb used to express fraternal correction - elenchein – is the same used to indicate the prophetic mission of Christians to speak out against a generation indulging in evil (cf. Eph 5:11). The Church’s tradition has included “admonishing sinners” among the spiritual works of mercy. It is important to recover this dimension of Christian charity. We must not remain silent before evil. I am thinking of all those Christians who, out of human regard or purely personal convenience, adapt to the prevailing mentality, rather than warning their brothers and sisters against ways of thinking and acting that are contrary to the truth and that do not follow the path of goodness. Christian admonishment, for its part, is never motivated by a spirit of accusation or recrimination. It is always moved by love and mercy, and springs from genuine concern for the good of the other. As the Apostle Paul says: “If one of you is caught doing something wrong, those of you who are spiritual should set that person right in a spirit of gentleness; and watch yourselves that you are not put to the test in the same way” (Gal 6:1). In a world pervaded by individualism, it is essential to rediscover the importance of fraternal correction, so that together we may journey towards holiness. Scripture tells us that even “the upright falls seven times” (Prov 24:16); all of us are weak and imperfect (cf. 1 Jn 1:8). It is a great service, then, to help others and allow them to help us, so that we can be open to the whole truth about ourselves, improve our lives and walk more uprightly in the Lord’s ways. There will always be a need for a gaze which loves and admonishes, which knows and understands, which discerns and forgives (cf. Lk 22:61), as God has done and continues to do with each of us.

2. “Being concerned for each other”: the gift of reciprocity.

This “custody” of others is in contrast to a mentality that, by reducing life exclusively to its earthly dimension, fails to see it in an eschatological perspective and accepts any moral choice in the name of personal freedom. A society like ours can become blind to physical sufferings and to the spiritual and moral demands of life. This must not be the case in the Christian community! The Apostle Paul encourages us to seek “the ways which lead to peace and the ways in which we can support one another” (Rom 14:19) for our neighbour’s good, “so that we support one another” (15:2), seeking not personal gain but rather “the advantage of everybody else, so that they may be saved” (1 Cor 10:33). This mutual correction and encouragement in a spirit of humility and charity must be part of the life of the Christian community.

The Lord’s disciples, united with him through the Eucharist, live in a fellowship that binds them one to another as members of a single body. This means that the other is part of me, and that his or her life, his or her salvation, concern my own life and salvation. Here we touch upon a profound aspect of communion: our existence is related to that of others, for better or for worse. Both our sins and our acts of love have a social dimension. This reciprocity is seen in the Church, the mystical body of Christ: the community constantly does penance and asks for the forgiveness of the sins of its members, but also unfailingly rejoices in the examples of virtue and charity present in her midst. As Saint Paul says: “Each part should be equally concerned for all the others” (1 Cor 12:25), for we all form one body. Acts of charity towards our brothers and sisters – as expressed by almsgiving, a practice which, together with prayer and fasting, is typical of Lent – is rooted in this common belonging. Christians can also express their membership in the one body which is the Church through concrete concern for the poorest of the poor. Concern for one another likewise means acknowledging the good that the Lord is doing in others and giving thanks for the wonders of grace that Almighty God in his goodness continuously accomplishes in his children. When Christians perceive the Holy Spirit at work in others, they cannot but rejoice and give glory to the heavenly Father (cf. Mt 5:16).

3. “To stir a response in love and good works”: walking together in holiness.

These words of the Letter to the Hebrews (10:24) urge us to reflect on the universal call to holiness, the continuing journey of the spiritual life as we aspire to the greater spiritual gifts and to an ever more sublime and fruitful charity (cf. 1 Cor 12:31-13:13). Being concerned for one another should spur us to an increasingly effective love which, “like the light of dawn, its brightness growing to the fullness of day” (Prov 4:18), makes us live each day as an anticipation of the eternal day awaiting us in God. The time granted us in this life is precious for discerning and performing good works in the love of God. In this way the Church herself continuously grows towards the full maturity of Christ (cf. Eph 4:13). Our exhortation to encourage one another to attain the fullness of love and good works is situated in this dynamic prospect of growth.

Sadly, there is always the temptation to become lukewarm, to quench the Spirit, to refuse to invest the talents we have received, for our own good and for the good of others (cf. Mt 25:25ff.). All of us have received spiritual or material riches meant to be used for the fulfilment of God’s plan, for the good of the Church and for our personal salvation (cf. Lk 12:21b; 1 Tim 6:18). The spiritual masters remind us that in the life of faith those who do not advance inevitably regress. Dear brothers and sisters, let us accept the invitation, today as timely as ever, to aim for the “high standard of ordinary Christian living” (Novo Millennio Ineunte, 31). The wisdom of the Church in recognizing and proclaiming certain outstanding Christians as Blessed and as Saints is also meant to inspire others to imitate their virtues. Saint Paul exhorts us to “anticipate one another in showing honour” (Rom 12:10).

In a world which demands of Christians a renewed witness of love and fidelity to the Lord, may all of us feel the urgent need to anticipate one another in charity, service and good works (cf. Heb 6:10). This appeal is particularly pressing in this holy season of preparation for Easter. As I offer my prayerful good wishes for a blessed and fruitful Lenten period, I entrust all of you to the intercession of Mary Ever Virgin and cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing.

From the Vatican, 3 November 2011

BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

© Copyright 2011 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana

An affirmation of our identity: Mt. 5,13-14

“A precious treasure is to be found in the soul of Africa where I perceive a ‘spiritual lung for a humanity that appears to be in a crisis of faith and hope”,………………

With these words of Pope Benedict the XVI in mind, I would like to make a very  special invitation to all my african brothers and sisters in Christ (and indeed to all in different continents) to read the new Post - Synodal Apostolic Exhortation: Africae Munus (Africa’s commitment). The Pope exhorts us all at the very beginning of the document (no.1) to commit ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ. The Pope highlights the fact that, it is “through this mission, that Africa is led to explore its Christian vocation more deeply”. He further says that; “it is called in the name of Jesus, to live reconciliation between individuals and communities and to promote peace and justice in truth for all”.

This is only a highlight to the document. Go and deepen your knowledge on the document in order to make it part of you and put all the principles into practice. Surely, for the betterment of the situation in African continent and the whole world. The document is very rich theologically, ecclesiologically, pastorally and spiritually.

“Alzati Africa e mettiti in cammino”

TESTIMONIANZA DEL GAVER

Le esperienze belle non si dimenticano mai, e fanno parte molto importante nella storia di colui che le fa. Dico questo perché, durante le vacanze natalizie del 2011 sono andato a Gaver per una settimana con una comunità dei giovani dell’Rinnovamento nello Spirito per fare un’esperienza di preghiera e spiritualità e partecipare a una formazione cristiana che ha avuto luogo. Devo dire che, questo è stato un momento molto importante nella mia storia e che ha lasciato impronte indelebile ne mio cuore. Ho vissuto con questo gruppo un’amicizia che a mio parere riflette quell’amicizia che potremmo dire che trova la sua origine da Dio, quella che viene dalla potenza dello Spirito Santo. L’identità della comunità di comunione si è manifestata  nella relazione fraterna quotidiana che abbiamo vissuto per tutta quella settimana.
Grazie all’apertura, l’accoglienza, attenzione e davvero l’amicizia che personalmente direi che come una persona che non ha tanta esperienza del movimento, mi hanno aiutato ad entrare nella loro realtà. Credo che questi siano i frutti dello Spirito Santo che abbiamo invocato per tutta la settimana. Sì, lo Spirito Santo ha rafforzato e suscitato questa comunità di comunione. Questo è veramente un’esperienza vissuta dello Spirito alla luce della Parola di Dio che veniva letta spontaneamente e accompagnata dai canti di lode e ringraziamento.
Ogni giorno per me, è stata un arricchimento spirituale che si realizzava nell’incontri di formazione e nella preghiera spontanea che direi che è stata una cosa bellissima, di questo momento forte che ho sperimentato. In un modo molto speciale, è stato fortissimo un momento di adorazione al Santissimo Sacramento nella notte in cui abbiamo dovuto lasciare il 2011 e accogliere con tanta gioia il 2012. L’ambiente di preghiera mi ha spinto di dire infinitamente: grazie Signore Gesù,  grazie Signore Gesù,  grazie Signore Gesù,   per il dono della vita. Cioè, pensavo di ringraziare il Signore per l’anno 2011 ma un forte sentimento della presenza di Dio nella mia vita mi ha portato così lontano.
Un rendimento speciale di grazie va a Dio che ci ha riunito nello Spirito Santo, e anche a tutti i membri dell’equipe per la loro guida spirituale e formativa e la loro dolcezza nel parlare. Ringrazio soprattutto padre Lino che ci ha animato per tutta la settimana. Esso si è inserito e impegnato totalmente nel nostro mondo giovanile: nei nostri giochi, insegnamenti e naturalmente nell’esperienza di preghiera e della liturgia.

PROLUNGATA MEMORIA DELLA MATERNITÀ DIVINA, VERGINALE E SALVIFICA DI MARIA NEL TEMPO DI NATALE

In questo periodo dell’anno liturgico, propriamente nella celebrazione solenne del Natale del Signore, la Chiesa fa un’adorazione al Cristo Salvatore del mondo. Allo stesso modo, essa venera la Madre gloriosa del Signore. Nell’epifania essa celebra «la vocazione universale alla salvezza». Anche qui si contempla la Beata Vergine Maria «come vera sede della sapienza e vera madre del Re la quale presenta all’adorazione dei magi il Redentore di tutte le genti (Mt. 2,11)». Per di più, nella festa della santa famiglia di Gesù, Maria e Giuseppe, si fa una «profonda reverenza alla santa vita che conducono nella casa di Nazareth , Gesù figlio di Dio e figlio dell’uomo, Maria sua Madre e Giuseppe, uomo giusto (Mt. 1,19)»[1].

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[1] PAOLO VI Esortazione Apostolica, Marialis Cultus (2 febbraio 1974) in AAS 66 (1974) 113-168.