Cardinal Vérgez Alzaga presides over Eucharistic Concelebration for employees of the Directorate for Infrastructures and Services

I will remember you in my prayers and in the sacrifice of Mass

On Friday morning, 21 February, Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, presided at Holy Mass for the employees of the Directorate for Infrastructures and Services. He made two promises: “I will carry you in my heart” and “I will remember you in my prayers and in the daily sacrifice of Mass”.

The celebration, in the industrial area of the Vatican, took place one week before the end of the Cardinal’s mandate. The journey he undertook will be continued by Sr. Raffaella Petrini.

Augustinian Father Bruno Silvestrini, Chaplain of the Directorate and Custodian of the Apostolic Sacristy, concelebrated with the Cardinal. Among those present were, Sr. Raffaella Petrini, Secretary General, Mr. Salvatore Farina, Director of the Directorate for Infrastructures and Services, and Mr. Massimo Toschi and Mr. Silvio Screpanti, Deputy Directors of the Directorate.

The following is Cardinal Vérgez Alzaga’s homily for the occasion.

Dear Sr. Raffaella,

Dear Mr. Salvatore Farina,

Dear Mr. Massimo Toschi and Mr. Silvio Screpanti,

Dear employees and friend,

We have just heard Mark’s words about the cross in the Gospel. Surprisingly, he does not speak of Jesus’ Cross, but of the cross of the disciples, and thus, also of ours.

It is a very demanding message that should be placed alongside another truth: the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter morning. On that day, the Kingdom of God’s power defeated evil and sin, turning the cross into an instrument of salvation.

Is it necessary to mention that the first sign the priest makes over us, on the day of our Baptism, is indeed the sign of the cross?  It is a gesture that symbolizes the commitment of the faithful, to carry the cross all their lives, in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.

This is Jesus’ demanding message to us all in today’s Gospel. “And he called to him the multitude with his disciples”, writes Saint Mark. His words are thus addressed to everyone, and today, to us too.

It is undeniable that we have to choose between two ways of living our lives: either follow our own human inclinations or take up the cross and follow Jesus.

If we follow the Gospel, we understand that carrying his cross means not being ashamed of Jesus and of his words. To carry the cross to follow Jesus also means to be actively committed to the difficult path of charity.

Indeed, Jesus states: “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”. This statement indicates that following Christ entails a series of sacrifices, both as individuals and as a community. Disciples have to be able to forget themselves and dedicate themselves to Christ and his Gospel. We are therefore called to ask ourselves some questions: “Am I prepared to sacrifice myself for the Lord? Am I willing to silence my will and my desires to allow God’s will to be accomplished in my life”? If we have not yet reached the stage of answering yes, the Lord is waiting for us to make an effort.

After all, Christians cannot expect to live a tranquil life. One day or another, in one way or another, the cross will be placed on our shoulders. Indeed, it is the peak of Christian vocation, a necessary step to attain glory. In his Letter to the Romans (8:18), the Apostle Paul says, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us”. Life’s difficulties are thus nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed to us. This dimension of sacrifice gives meaning to our lives as followers of Jesus.

Indeed, life is not meant to be guarded, but to be given. To love is to forget ourselves and to give ourselves to others. Christians, who are committed to following Christ, who have freely decided to dedicate their lives to him, should be ready to leave everything behind for Christ. He teaches us the true meaning of life: those who are only concerned about themselves, those who wish to live their lives only for themselves, will lose life. Only those who give themselves, will receive life.

We are in the Holy Year of the Jubilee, an ideal time to reflect and to make the decision to follow Jesus. It is a year filled with God’s mercy. It is a year filled with the hope that leads us to a real conversion of heart.

Dear brothers, we have journeyed together throughout these years. We have shared struggles and joys. We have been united in our service to the Successor of Peter. The time has now come to say goodbye and to leave the task of continuing the journey we have undertaken, to Sr. Raffaella Petrini. However, please remember that you are not alone. I will remember you in my prayers and in the daily sacrifice of Mass.

Before saying goodbye, I would like to say that I will carry you in my hearts. I pray that your work will be imbued with serenity and entrust you to the maternal protection of Mary. I now ask you to pray to the Lord, especially for Pope Francis.