Scottish Catholic Observer

HOLY FATHER VISITS SHRINE OF LA MADONNA DEI BISOGNOSI

Pope Benedict XVI used the Feast of the Transfiguration to follow Christ’s example by travelling into the mountains.

The Holy Father travelled to the shrine of La Madonna dei Bisognosi (Our Lady of the Needy), located in the mountains on the border of the Italian regions of Lazio and the Abruzzo, which celebrated its 1400th anniversary this summer.

Pope Benedict also visited the Church of St Leucio, damaged by the April 2009 earthquake.

L’Osservatore Romano, in its coverage of the pilgrimage, said: “Since the year 610— when the wooden statue of the Virgin that gives its name to the shrine was allegedly transported from Seville to the mountain of Carsoli—up to today, this Marian place also houses a very ancient wooden crucifix and frescoes of great artistic value. Popes have honoured this shrine, a destination for Faithful and devotees, granting it numerous indulgences.

“St Francis in 1216 and Alexander IV in 1250 were two of the visitors that arrived to honour the Madonna dei Bisognosi.”

POPE INTERVENES ON BEHALF OF FRENCH IMMIGRANTS

Pope Benedict XVI has called for the French people to welcome THOSE of all origins just days after France repatriated more than 200 Roma and Gypsies in a controversial crackdown.

Speaking to French pilgrims after his weekly Angelus prayer at his Papal summer residence outside Rome, the Holy Father invited parents to educate children in tolerance, saying: “Dear parents, may you be able to educate your children to universal fraternity.”

Amid international criticism, France flew Roma and Gypsies to Romania on ‘a voluntary basis’ on Thursday and Friday in exchange for grants of €300 per person, however any foreign-born Roma caught up in the crackdown on illegal Gypsy camps who refused to take a flight will be issued orders to leave France within a month, without the handout.

CALL FOR OUR LADY’S HELP IN PROMOTING PEACE

The Holy Father made a special plea to Mary for Her intercession for peace in the world on Sunday, the Feast of the Queenship of Mary.

Reaffirming Her role as Queen of the World and Her participation in Her Son’s mystery, he asked for the Blessed Virgin’s help to

persuade men to build a ‘civilisation of love.’

Speaking of the significance of the Marian feast the Pope explained that on this day the Church contemplates the Mother of Christ crowned by Her Son, a crown which represents Her role in ‘universal sovereignty.’