Here
is a translation of the greeting Benedict
XVI gave today to the cloistered nuns who
gathered at the shrine of the Madonna della
Quercia (the Madonna of the Oak) in Viterbo,
and the text of a prayer he offered during
his pastoral visit to that city. I ask you
now to join with me in
invoking the maternal protection of Mary for
this diocesan community and the inhabitants
of this land rich with religious and
cultural traditions.
Holy Virgin, Madonna della Quercia,
Patroness of the Diocese of Viterbo,
gathered in this sanctuary
consecrated to you,
we address a suppliant
and confident prayer to you: watch
over the successor of Peter and the Church
entrusted to his care; watch over this
diocesan community and her pastors, over
Italy, over Europe and the other continents.
Queen of peace,
obtain the gift of
concord and peace for the nations and for
the whole of humanity. Obedient
Virgin, Mother of Christ, Who, with your
docile "yes" to the Angel's announcement,
became the Mother of the Almighty,
help everyone of your children to ratify the
designs that the Heavenly Father has for
everyone, to cooperate in the universal plan
of redemption, that Christ
accomplished dying on the cross.
Virgin of Nazareth, Queen of the Family,
Make our Christian families forges of
evangelical life, enriched by the gift of
many vocations to the priesthood and the
consecrated life. Keep firm the unity of our
families, which are today threatened from
every side, and make them hearths of
serenity and concord, where patient dialogue
dissipates the difficulties and oppositions.
above all watch over those who are divided
and in crisis, Mother
of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Clement Virgin, Mother of Humanity,
Turn your gaze upon the men and women of our
time, upon peoples and those who govern
them, upon nations and continents; console
those who weep, who suffer, who struggle
because of human injustice, sustain those
who waver under the weight of toil and look
to the future without hope;
encourage those who
labor to build a better world
where justice triumphs and
brotherhood reigns, where egoism,
hatred and violence cease. May every form
and manifestation of violence be defeated by
the peaceful power of Christ!
Virgin of Listening, Star of Hope, Mother of
Mercy,
source through whom Jesus came into the
world, our life and our joy,
we thank you and we
renew to you the offer of our life,
certain that you will
never abandon us, especially in the
dark and difficult moments of existence. Be
with us always: now and at the hour of our
death. Amen!
