On May 6 Pope Francis sent a Video-Message to the Argentine people on the eve of the Feast of Our Lady of Lujan, Patroness of Argentina, which is celebrated on May 8.
“Month of May, Mary’s month, on May 8 I will look at Lujan,” begins the Holy Father in his message, expressing afterward his wish to “be close to you all on the eve, Friday the 7th, when all the Bishops will gather to pray the Rosary for the health of the Argentine people.”
“I accompany you from here and also on Saturday the 8th, in which you will have the connection with the Rosary from the Shrine corresponding to that day, at 1:00 pm and at 7:00 pm the Mass of the change of the mantle.” In that Mass, the Pope says that he knows that Argentines “will be called to prepare together the 2030 novenary to celebrate the 400 years of the miracle.” This “is a very long journey, which passes swiftly, but which must be done. A journey of the memory of what the Virgin did there, who wished to stay there. It is a journey of the memory, of many years and years of pilgrimages, of seeking, of miracles, of daughters and sons who walked to see the Mother.”
“In that meeting, may the memory be your guide, because a strong memory guarantees a secure future. Remember all that the Virgin has done in our homeland. Let Her accompany you and accompany Her on her journey. My God bless you all and the Virgin look after you. And, please, don’t forget to pray for me. Thank you,” concludes the Pontiff.
The Rosary from the Shrine of Lujan
In fact, in the prayer marathon called by Pope Francis, on May 8, Day of the Virgin of Lujan, Argentina will be represented by the Basilica and the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lujan, on the day of Her patronal celebrations, under the motto “With Saint Joseph, We Embrace Mary.”
According to the Argentine Catholic News Agency AICA, on this special day, in addition to the Rosary, which will be prayed for the whole world, at 1:00 pm (Argentine time) there will be other virtual celebrations taking place. The community is preparing with a novena that began this Thursday.
In statements to AICA, the Basilica’s Rector, Father Lucas Garcia, said: “This convocation which was called from Rome was already held last year. More than 30 Shrines worldwide joined to pray the Rosary in the Vatican’s Lourdes Grotto.”
The Message of the Holy Father:
In the month of May, the month of Mary, 8 May, I look towards Lujan.
I wish to be close to you on Friday 7, in the vigils, when all you bishops will gather to pray the Rosary for the health of the Argentine people. I will accompany you from here. And also on Saturday 8, when there will be the Rosary from the Shrine, to be held that day at 13.00, and at 19.00 with the Mass for the change of the cloak. In that Mass, I know you will be convened to prepare together the novenary of 2030 to celebrate 400 years since the miracle. It is a very long journey, but one that goes by quickly, one that must be done. A journey to commemorate what the Virgin did there, she wanted to stay there. A journey of memory, of years and years of pilgrimage, of searching, of miracles, of daughters and sons who journey to see the mother.
May memory be your guide in this encounter, because strong memory guarantees a sure future. Remember all that the Virgin has accomplished in your homeland. Let yourselves be accompanied by Her, and accompany her in her journey. May God bless you all and may the Virgin keep you. And please, do not forget to pray for me. Thank you.
© Libreria Editrice Vatican
