Vatican Chancellor: The Virgin of Guadalupe asks the Church in Mexico to be a sign of forgiveness and prayer

The secretary of the Vatican for relations with the states, Mons. Paul Richard Gallagher, presided this Sunday a Mass in the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City and assured that the message of the Virgin of Guadalupe retains all its actuality and encourages the church in Mexico to be “a radical sign” of forgiveness, rooted in the prayer.

The archbishop of English origin, which has been in Mexico for some days, stressed that “in these times of fragmentation, where the barriers stand faster than the bridges, we must let the message of Guadalupe shine again. The same virgin who appeared in the Tepeyac continues to walk with us.”

“His message is not a memory, it is a mission. He calls the Church in Mexico not only to defend faith, but to live it prophetically. The Church must be a radical sign of unity, justice, peace and forgiveness, rooted in prayer,” he said.

The prelate of English origin also recalled the history of the Virgin’s appearances in the Cerro del Tepeyac, and how its figure is essential for the Catholic Church in Mexican lands, also when the religious persecution of the 1920s was given during the so -called Cristero War.

The Archbishop stressed that the Basilica of Guadalupe “is not only a place of memory, but also a missionary station”, given the many current challenges such as “migration, violence, crime, religious indifference, poverty”, among others; And he stressed that, often, “what we need most is a heart that really listens to God and what we need most is the ability to pray with sincerity.”

When talking about the Gospel today in which Jesus teaches his disciples to pray the Our Father, Mons. Gallagher stopped “in a single element of that prayer: ‘Forgive our offenses, just as we forgive those who offend us.”

“Prayer, and the faith that nourishes, should lead us to forgiveness. They are easy to say, but difficult to live. However, forgiveness is the first step to heal so many ills that afflict our world,” he said.

“When we think of violence that causes death and destruction to so many people in so many different places, we know that the desire for revenge can easily awaken in our hearts, even the will for violence, eager to return damage with damage. And yet the Lord calls us something radically different: forgiveness,” said the Vatican Secretary.

To forgive, Archbishop continued, “we must also recognize that we need forgiveness. We trust in the grace and mercy of God. Our Lady helps us in this showing us that we are truly children, and in fact, brothers. Isn’t I here that I am your mother?”

“Our Lady of Guadalupe is not only the mother of Mexico. She is the mother of the Americas. Mother of all. It unites what the world tries to divide.”

His tilma, finally said, “not only carries his image, but also his solidarity with those who suffer and marginalized. We are called not only to admire Our Lady, but to imitate his radical availability to God’s plan.”