MARY, OUR MOTHER

Pope Visits Veronica's Veil

VATICAN CITY, September 1 “This is the reason for my visit,” Benedict told the crowd after his time of prayer, “so that together we can try to better know the face of our Lord, so that from it we can find strength in love and peace that can show us the path," the AP reports.

"Those who meet Jesus," the Pope told the pilgrims, "those who let themselves be attracted by Him and are ready to follow Him even unto the sacrifice of their lives, personally experience, as He did on the cross, how only the 'grain of wheat' that falls to earth and dies brings 'much fruit'."

"This is the way of Christ, the way of total love that triumphs over death," said Pope Benedict, adding: "This is the experience enjoyed by those true friends of God, the saints, who have recognized and loved in their brethren, especially in the poorest and most needy, the face of God long contemplated with love and prayer. They are encouraging examples for us to follow."

"In order to enter into communion with Christ and contemplate His face," the Pope went on, our lives must be "illuminated by the truth of love which overcomes indifference, doubt, lies, and egoism."

The Holy Father also addressed the several priests who were present for his visit, telling them that if the saintliness of Christ's face remains impressed within them "the faithful entrusted to your care will be affected and transformed." He asked the seminarians present not to allow themselves to be attracted "by anything other than Jesus and the desire to serve His Church."

Finally, the Pope exhorted male and female religious to ensure that all their activities become "a reflection of divine goodness and mercy.”

“Searching for the face of Christ must be the desire of all Christians," the Pope said. Benedict concluded his trip with a brief visit to the Capuchin community where he was presented an iconic rendering of the veil. Afterwards he and departed for Castelgandolfo. May the Virgin Mary, the Pope prayed aloud, "in whose face more than in any other creature the features of the incarnate Word are visible, watch over families and parishes, over cities and nations of the whole world.”

This "relic" and many other's are some of the wonders of the Roman Catholic Church! Everything goes back 2000 years, when Our Lord founded His Church and His followers started collecting everything in remembrance of His Life, Death, and Resurrection. I've venerated a piece of the True Cross, and had it touched to my own Crucifix that I wear. Through this act, I feel a closeness to Our Lord's Sacred Passion, reminding me how much He suffered for my sins. And I offer my own sufferings, in union with His, in reparation for my sins and the sins of the whole world. Just as a picture of our loved one's keep us in memory of them, these "relics" keep our memories on Christ, longing to see Him face to face, not in this life, but in the life to come. As St. Paul says in 1Co 13:12: " We see now through a glass in a dark manner: but then face to face. Now I know in part: but then I shall know even as I am known."
May it be so! God love us all!
Deacon John