On the second Sunday of July, when the world remembers the commitment of maritime pastoral care, Francis asked that prayers be said for those who “care” for workers in the sector. He recalled the people oppressed by war: “May the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel give them comfort.” The Vatican press office issued a statement on the attack on Trump: “A wound to democracy, let us pray that the reasons of the violent do not prevail.”
Vatican City () – “On Sea Sunday we pray for those who work in the maritime sector and for those who care for them.” After reciting the Angelus, Pope Francis recalled in his reflection that today, the second Sunday of July, is the day commemorated by all Catholic communities around the world, and he paid special attention to the work of seafarers as well as the volunteers of the Stella Maris association. The feast was born in England in 1975 on the initiative of the Apostolate of the Sea of the Catholic Church, and this year in Italy it is celebrated in the city of Ravenna, a few kilometres from the Adriatic Sea. In the message of Cardinal Michael Czerny SJ, released for the occasion, he says: “It is wonderful when volunteers and chaplains […] “those who participate in maritime pastoral care defend the dignity and rights of seafarers.”
The Pope continued by recalling the populations oppressed “by the horror of war”. He asked that “we please not forget the martyred Ukraine, Palestine, Israel and Myanmar”. “May the Mother of God, whom we will celebrate the day after tomorrow as the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel, give us comfort and obtain the peace that we ask of her”. He then recalled one of the most significant biblical sites in the Holy Land, seriously affected by the violence that began last October. Before this appeal, the Holy Father addressed several special greetings to the pilgrims who were in St. Peter’s Square. Many flags of countries such as Brazil, Poland, Ukraine and Argentina had gathered in a sunny and crowded square. He also addressed numerous particular greetings. “I greet the sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, who are celebrating the general chapter”, he said. But also “the advice of the young people of the Mediterranean, who refer to the message of the venerable Giorgio La Pira”. Also to the Polish faithful gathered at the sanctuary of the Black Madonna in Czestochowa.”
The Pope did not directly address last night’s attack on Donald Trump, during which the former US president, a candidate for re-election, was injured and one of the participants in the rally died. The Vatican’s reaction was entrusted to the Holy See Press Office, which in a note reports that “this episode of violence hurts people and democracy, causing suffering and death.” And together with the American bishops, the Holy See concludes the brief note by praying to the Lord “for the United States, for the victims and for peace in the country, so that the reasons of the violent never prevail.”
In his commentary on the Gospel of the day (Mk 6:7-13), before the Marian prayer, Pope Francis referred to Jesus’ invitation to the disciples to go “two by two”, taking for the journey “nothing but a staff”, to focus on the concept of sobriety. “The Gospel is not proclaimed alone, no, it is proclaimed together, as a community, and that is why it is important to know how to take care of sobriety,” he said. That is why it is essential to share resources, “to be free. The superfluous makes you a slave,” he continued. A lifestyle that helps “to live with dignity and actively contribute to the mission.”
But it is not just a question of sobriety in material things. “Being sober in thoughts and feelings, abandoning prejudices and rigidities,” he added. If in a community one can share what is available, so that each one gives up something, “this is already a missionary proclamation, before and even more than words, because it embodies the beauty of Jesus’ message in the concreteness of life.” In this way, environments are created “rich in love, in which it is easier to open oneself to faith and to the newness of the Gospel, and from which one can start again better, more serenely.” If one acts in a way contrary to these actions, “if individualism and envy prevail,” the quality of life and relationships suffer. “Dear brothers and sisters, communion and sobriety are important values for our Christian life – communion, harmony among us and sobriety – and for our apostolate,” added the Pontiff.
Add Comment