Lamezia TermeApril 19, 2024 – With the mass presided over by the Bishop, Monsignor Serafino Parisi, the Saturdays of the Madonna di Dipodi will begin on May 4th at 7.30 am in preparation for the Feast of August 15th.
A theme, the one chosen this year by the rector Don Antonio Astorino, which traces the Pope’s indications for the year of prayer: “From now on – writes the Pontiff – I am happy to think that we will be able to dedicate the year preceding the event jubilee, 2024, to a great ‘symphony’ of prayer. First of all to recover the desire to be in the presence of the Lord, listen to him and adore him.”
In fact, “the preaching themes – as Don Antonio Astorino explains in this regard – will involve the priests of our Diocese who will follow the preparatory aid for the Jubilee 2025 ‘Teach us to Pray’ with which the Pope also wanted to indicate a concrete perspective to every faithful to live this preparation by making the Our Father, the prayer that Jesus taught us, the life program of each of his disciples”. And in this context, Don Antonio, referring to the requests contained in the Aid, points out that the Sanctuaries themselves, “as places of hope, invite us to entrust our prayer intentions to the intercession of the saints, certain that, also thanks to their help, they will be able to be welcomed and answered by the Lord. Our sanctuaries are true and precious ‘chests’ of prayer, places full of signs – such as votive offerings, candles and devotional practices – which show us how in the past and in the present our supplications are granted according to the will of the Father who never refuses to listen to the requests of their children”.
The sanctuaries, then, as underlined in the Handbook, “are often the large ‘confessionals’ of the dioceses, in which, at any hour, there are priests ready to listen to the penitents. Through reconciliation, the Lord awaits us with open arms, like the merciful Father in the parable who, with trepidation, desires the return of his son to his home.”
“This is why the Pope – concludes Don Antonio – urges us not to be afraid to ask God for what we need”.
A moment of strong spirituality, therefore, which follows another moment experienced by the Sanctuary: that of the “The strong call to Forgiveness – underlines Don Antonio in this regard – has seen many pilgrims come to the sanctuary, profiting from plenary indulgence for themselves or for their deceased. The experience of Forgiveness calls people to become builders of peace in their own hearts, because it is from the heart that we must start to transform our relationships in the world. builders of peace in interpersonal relationships, peace must be invoked as a gift from God, particularly in this time when we are witnessing so many conflicts in the world”.
Tags: Lamezia Saturdays Madonna Dipodi
