The Archbishop of Barquisimeto (Venezuela), Mons. Polito Rodríguez Méndez, presided today the inaugural Mass of the multitudinous procession of the Divina Pastorawhich brings together millions of people on the city streets every year. In his homily, the prelate called “not to remain paralyzed in fear, sadness or discouragement.”
“Once again we meet to commemorate this ecclesial and spiritual devotion, which has been incarnated in the people of Barquisimetano and has even extended to all Venezuelan families,” said the archbishop from the temple of Santa Rosa, adjacent to the city of Barquisimeto, from where the massive procession departed this January 14.
Receive the main news from ACI Prensa by WhatsApp and Telegram
It is increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channels today:
“This sacred image reminds us of Mary’s maternal presence among us,” he added.
Bishop Rodríguez expressed his intention to place the deepest intentions, concerns and fears of the Venezuelan people at the feet of the Lord and his Blessed Mother, under the invocation of Divine Shepherdess of Souls. Furthermore, he advocated for Venezuela to achieve fraternal coexistence, overcoming the deep divisions that afflict it.
The archbishop highlighted Mary’s attitude in the evangelical episode of the Wedding at Cana, when after finishing the wine she did not hesitate to approach Jesus, to put the needs of the moment in his hands.
“The lack of wine represents the lack of flavor and meaning in life. The bitterness, discouragement and loneliness, which often stalk us. However, like Mary, we cannot remain paralyzed in fear, sadness or discouragement. Mary, in fact, acts in a wise and supportive way. Intercede before his Son, recognizing in Him our possibilities, our options and new alternatives in the midst of the pressing situation,” he noted.
It should be noted that this year’s celebrations in honor of the Divina Pastora, whose procession is attended each year by more than 2 million people, are part of a complicated political and social panorama in Venezuela, due to the questioned presidential swearing-in of Nicolás Maduro to a third term and the civil protests that this has generated.
Last week, dozens of activists and citizens were detained by state security agencies. The Venezuelan bishops have not stopped demanding that the Chavista regime cease political persecution and recognize the legitimate results of the presidential elections of July 28, 2024.
Bishop Rodríguez added that the example of the Blessed Virgin teaches us that, in Jesus, all tears, sadness and desolation can quickly become joy and joy. In that sense, he highlighted the importance of turning to Jesus, as Mary teaches us, and not “to strange gods” when “wine is missing in our lives.”
The archbishop, in front of the crowd gathered in the plaza of the Santa Rosa Church, recalled that Christians are not called to divide or exclude, but to provide spaces for meeting, “where each one can actively participate, placing them at the service of those who need the gifts and talents received from God.”
“While it is true that Jesus listens to all of us, he listens with special attention to his Mother, who is also Our Mother,” said Bishop Rodríguez, which is why he asked to confidently approach the intercession of Mary, because “there is no other way.” direct to Jesus than the one who passes through the mediation of his Mother.”
“Although uncertainty about the future often brings up conflicting feelings in us, such as confidence and fear, serenity and discouragement, certainty and doubt, we are in a privileged time to rekindle hope,” said the archbishop about the recently inaugurated Jubilee Year 2025.
Finally, he specified that the hope proposed by this year of celebration of the universal Church should make us understand “that history does not stop and that we can continue writing glorious chapters of it.”
“It is necessary that we visualize the future, that we promptly read the trend lines present in our society, to instruct what type of service the Church has to offer today,” he noted.
Bishop Rodríguez concluded by asking “those who govern” to address the educational emergency that Venezuela is going through, to prevent millions of young people from leaving the country in search of better horizons.
The image of the Divine Shepherdess left the town of Santa Rosa to the Barquisimeto Cathedral, accompanied by millions of devotees from all over Venezuela and the local clergy.
Andres Henriquez
I have been a writer for ACI Prensa and a correspondent for EWTN since 2023. Since then, I have covered events in the Catholic Church in Venezuela and Latin America. I have more than 5 years of experience in bilingual media. Additionally, in Venezuela I have worked with non-governmental organizations in favor of freedom and respect for human rights in the country. I have been a member of the Regnum Christi Federation since 2014.