Holy Mass for employees of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene
On Saturday afternoon, 21 December, Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, celebrated Holy Mass for employees of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene, in the Church of Maria, Madre della Famiglia (Mary, Mother of the Family). Just a few days from the Solemnity of Christmas, the Cardinal offered the faithful on their Advent journey a reflection on the mystery of the Visitation, when Elizabeth’s joy at the presence of Jesus was transformed into Mary’s announcement of salvation.
The Eucharistic celebration was attended by Sr. Raffaella Petrini, Secretary General of the Governorate, Mr. Puglisi-Alibrandi, Deputy Secretary General, Professor Andrea Arcangeli and Dr. Luigi Carboni, respectively, Director and Deputy Director of the Directorate, doctors, nurses and healthcare workers.
The following is the homily of the Cardinal President.
Dear Prof. Andrea Arcangeli,
Dear Dr. Luigi Carbone,
Dear everyone gathered here,
The Gospel of this fourth Sunday in Advent describes Mary’s haste. Jesus’ Mother sets on a journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth. It is the mystery of the Visitation, which cannot be separated from the Annunciation that precedes it, nor by the Magnificat that follows it. The Gospel account of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, was preceded by the announcement of Archangel Gabriel. It represents God’s visit to his creature.
In this sense, the visit and the announcement are entirely connected. In fact, Mary’s visit to her cousin is an announcement: she enters her home, greets her, and under the action of the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth exalts over the wonders achieved by the Lord, and the son she carries in her womb, John the Baptist, leaps. The first Magnificat, is thus the one of Elizabeth, who praises and thanks the Lord.
Upon taking a closer look, we see that faith and charity are what fuel Mary’s haste. After having listened to the Archangel’s words, she believes what the Lord has communicated, not only with regards to the Incarnation, but also with respect to Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Immediately after she hears the Archangel’s words, a desire arises in her to help her relative. Faith immediately stirs charity. We also have to pay attention to another fundamental aspect: when Mary goes to visit her cousin, she is not alone. Jesus is with her. Thus the Visitation takes on a trinitarian dimension. The Son of the Father pours out his grace through Mary and the Spirit makes her exalt.
The Visitation is also the icon of the Church. The Mother of God welcomes the words the Lord transmits through the Archangel, with faith. She does not keep it for herself but goes in haste to bring the Child into the world, in praise and in service. This is the Church, a Church that is outward bound. Lastly, the Visitation is also the icon of the true encounter. This is Christmas: an encounter with God, the poor and our brothers and sisters. With the Visitation, there is a dual encounter, between two women and two babies. Elizabeth recognizes that Mary bears a Presence in her, that makes her joyful and invites her to praise God.
Dear brothers and sisters, Christmas is now imminent. In order to successfully organize what our society considers the biggest feast day of the year, people use the only means they know: they increase street lighting, offer lavish meals, uncork the best bottles of sparkling wine, make presents and buy new clothes.
Then there is the time to recover from the excesses and put decorations back into closets. The pause ends and ordinary life resumes. We are convinced we have experienced what is referred to as “the magic of Christmas”, a slogan repeated thousands of times in advertisements. But in all this, Jesus has disappeared. A birth is celebrated, but the one being celebrated is forgotten. Christmas is transformed into a social and collective event, addressed at consumerism, and its true nature is forgotten.
Instead, during Advent, Christians listen to the prophets, from Isaiah to John the Baptist, who invite them to journey along the path of the Lord, to change behaviour, to make acts of justice, to eliminate pride, to ask for the forgiveness of sins.
Today, in the fourth and last stage of Advent, to our great surprise, another way of celebrating an authentic Christmas appears. It comes from a simple and smiling young woman: Mary. With her, we journey towards the encounter with Christ who comes to visit us. We rediscover the true meaning of Christmas: God’s Gift to mankind that no worldly wealth can acquire.
Dear brothers and sisters, during Christmas Eve, Pope Francis will open the Holy Door, starting the Jubilee. It is a year of grace and mercy, during which I invite you to take advantage of the indulgences offered by the Church.
The Jubilee will bring millions of pilgrims to Rome. Your Directorate will be on the frontlines of facing this significant flux of people. You will be called to provide a service that demands much energy and dedication. I thank you for your professionalism, ahead of time, and I am counting on you to meet the needs that will arise.
May the Virgin Mary bless you and protect you.
Happy Christmas to you and to your families.