VISIT TO THE OLD SHRINE AT NOTRE-DAME-DU-CAP
TROIS-RIVIERES, QUEBEC
SEPTEMBER 10, 1984
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
For as long as there has been evangelization here, there has been devotion to Mary. How indeed can one announce and
realize the Son's work without
turning to the Mother, without admiring her openness and her faith, without imploring her intercession? This very
ancient shrine of Notre-Dame-du-Cap is evidence of the fact. I too am happy to
have come here as a pilgrim.
Pilgrims come here from the whole of Quebec, from other provinces,
from every part of Canada. Times of
pilgrimage are high points in the Christian
life, opportunities for community and personal prayer and that in a spirit of freedom and simplicity not always found
at home. They are occasions for a return to the sources, in search of the Word
of God. We come here to lay our concerns and our requests at Mary's
feet, with a confidence pleasing to God.
Often we rediscover at the same time our own vocation, as Christians, as
priests, as religious. The contemplation of Mary Immaculate leads one to desire purification, the sacrament of
penance, a renewed heart animated by
the Holy Spirit. And I am sure that many, having prayed here with Mary,
as on the feast of Pentecost, return home with
an increased apostolic zeal".
It is therefore most important that these
pilgrimages be well greeted and
properly accompanied, that a spirit of prayer and the best possible ecclesial
sensitivity be fostered in them. In this respect I congratulate and encourage
the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate who have been in charge of this shrine over the last 82 years.
This morning I referred to the
splendid work of evangelization that your brothers, my dear Oblate friends,
have carried out and are continuing to carry out throughout the Canadian North
and in many other areas, especially in the service of the Amerindians. In a certain sense, however, this
ministry at Cap-de-la-Madeleine
is also missionary work. It should make possible a renewal of the people of God. It is in line with the Marian spirituality you have helped to strengthen and to spread throughout Canada.
Standing here I would like also to pay tribute to the religious, both men and women, who join the pilgrims, serve
them and pray with them. I appreciate particularly today
the presence of contemplative nuns who, like
Mary, Martha's sister, stand before
the Lord in adoration, uniting themselves to his praise of the Father, to his
redemptive sacrifice, in order to bear witness to their fervent love of Christ
who has loved us so much and who is found here in the Blessed Sacrament. My
dear sisters, with Mary, mother of
Jesus, you contemplate her Son: "Ave verum corpus, natum de Maria Virgine!" This silent, unselfish form
of prayer is an important witness for
all the pilgrims who came to this shrine. It has a mysterious fruitfulness
for the deepening of their spiritual life.
Brothers and sisters, may the most holy Virgin obtain for you
peace and joy in your service of the Lord!
Through her, may God bless the ministry
of the Bishop of Rome in this place! And may he accept the prayer that
will now rise up from the community gathered near this basilica to celebrate
the Eucharist.