ADVENT PASTORAL LETTER 2008.

Every Shrine to the Mother of Christ has its particular significance and charm”, said the Bishop of Lourdes and Tarbes, Mgr Jacques Perrier. Some Shrines are important places of devotion, others commemorate apparitions of Our Lady. The Shrine of Our Lady of Europe, continued the Bishop of Lourdes, has its own attraction not only because in its title all European Shrines are embraced but because it stands at a crossroad: people travel from the Atlantic into the Mediterranean Sea or from Europe to Africa. People come to pray at the Shrine as they travel one way or the other. People at the crossroad of their lives would do well to stop and pray to Our Lady of Europe for guidance and support.

 

Blessed John Paul II and, Pope Benedict XVI, grasped and underlined the relevance and importance of this characteristic of our Shrine. They both stressed that at this moment in time, when important decisions are being taken to construct and mould the future union of the countries of Europe, it is proper that there should be a place like the Shrine where we may pray for those taking decisions. Europe is at present at the crossroad of its journey to a sound, peaceful and harmonious union. Furthermore, the decision-making leaders are to resist the temptation of secularising long established religious culture and be reminded that Europe has been the cradle of Christianity. Its Christian heritage is not to be ignored, forgotten or obliterated.

 

This Shrine was a place of pilgrimage and had a place in that culture. Recorded history reminds us that great people like the Genoese Prince Giovanni Andrea Doria, General Fabricio Colonna from Italy, and from the mainland Spain, the Count of Santa Gadea, General of the Spanish Fleet, Martin de Padilla, the Duke of Fernandina and Marquis of Villafranca, Don Pedro de Toledo, stopped and prayed at the Shrine before engaging in some battle or dangerous endeavour. As a token of their devotion to Our Lady or in gratitude for favours received they donated precious gifts like solid silver lamps with oil to be burnt continuously in front of the statue.

 

This Diocese of Gibraltar has inherited this devotion and treasure and we cherish it. We cannot ignore its importance and significance to ourselves and to the European countries. Although the geographical extent of Europe was then very nebulous it was the intention of King Ferdinand IV to protect all countries of historical and cultural roots in Europe by seeking the support of the Mother of Christ, naming her “Our Lady of Europe”. He, undoubtedly, was inspired and/or had this foresight, far reaching vision of considering all as one. He, furthermore, manifested to possess a deep faith and belief in the powerful advocacy of Our Blessed Lady.

 

The King would not have placed the whole continent of Europe under the protection of the Mother of Christ if he had not believed that Mary was sufficiently influential to obtain from her Son what she petitioned Him. The New Testament reminds us, that Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding feast at Cana took place because Mary requested Him to assist the newly wedded couple. Similarly, when we ask Mary to intercede for us we believe, like King Ferdinand and all those mariners who stopped at the Shrine believed, that Our Lady will not put a deaf ear to our requests. To strengthen this confidence that she is our advocate, we have only to recall Jesus’ last bequest from the cross at Calvary: “Mother there is your son, son there is your mother”: Jesus gave us his mother. Jesus wishes us to have this assurance that she will support each of us as if she looked after Him. Just as Mary followed her son’s passion step by step at Calvary so also, as our mother too, she will follow each step of our sufferings in this vale of tears. We trust and are confident that her motherly instinct will not fail us just as she did not fail her son.

 

St Bernard, our Patron Saint, who was a great theologian and deeply devoted to Our Blessed Lady, wrote the beautiful prayer “The Memorare” which says: “Never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection was left unaided”.  Inspired by this confidence in the advocacy of Our Lady. At this crucial moment of the structuring of Europe, we do not hesitate to plead for support to Our Lady of Europe. We ask her to intercede and pray that those who hold the reins of power in Europe will not only bear in mind its Judaic-Christian roots and heritage but also uphold the moral, spiritual values which alone can produce the peace and just harmonious order for which we all aspire.

 

Six months separate us from the 700th anniversary celebration on the 5th May next year. We are half-way through the Jubilee year in preparation for it. Parish groups, societies, associations and school-children have been visiting the Shrine to pray. Families and individuals are warmly encouraged not to miss the great opportunity of visiting the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe during these remaining months and gain the Jubilee privileges granted by the Holy Father. The words of Elizabeth should echo in our hearts at this

time: "...why should I be honoured with a visit from the Mother of my Lord?"  (Lk. 1:41)

 

May Our Lady of Europe continue to protect you and intercede for you and your family in the future as she has been doing so effectively in the past. Our Lady of Europe, pray for us.

 

+Charles

Bishop of Gibraltar