POPE

Pope encourages "compassionate closeness" for shrine pilgrims

Pope Francis meets with shrine rectors and those assisting them on 9 November at the Vatican for their Second International Meeting. He recommends that these "special places" be first and foremost places of prayer, with care for the sacraments and the welcoming of pilgrims. He encourages them to offer consolation to shrine visitors carrying burdens and problems through a "compassionate closeness."

By Salvatore Cernuzio

People visit shrines to pray, to gain confidence in the future, and, above all, to be consoled from the burdens, sorrows, and worries that often weigh on the mind and spirit. These holy places abound in consolation and mercy. And Pope Francis, addressing the group of shrine rectors and workers in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican on 11 November, encouraged them to be discerning in the choice of priests for hearing confessions, so that no one may "find obstacles to experiencing full reconciliation."

“The Sacrament of Reconciliation is to forgive, always. To forgive... Always forgive as the Father forgives.”

Offering clear and concrete recommendations, the Pope prayed for "the intercession of the Mother of God so that, in these tormented times, so many of our brothers and sisters who suffer may find peace and hope."

The shrine rectors and workers are gathered at the Vatican for their Second International Meeting, an initiative promoted by Archbishop Rino Fisichella and organized by the Dicastery for Evangelisation.

Pope Francis addressing the shrine rectors and workers

Discernment in the selection of priests to hear confessions

These "special places" that attract thousands or even millions of people each year are in fact "truly privileged places of prayer," the Pope observed. The Pope underscored the importance of prayer and taking great care in the celebration of the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

In this regard, the Pope called for "good discernment" in the selection of confessors.

“Let it not happen that those who come to confession, attracted by the Father's mercy, find obstacles to experiencing true and full reconciliation. It must not happen, especially in shrines, that they find barriers ... because here God's mercy asks to be shown in an overabundant way.”

Pope Francis greeting audience participants

Recognizing the importance of adoration

It is also important, the Pope emphasized, that special attention be given to adoration in the shrines, given that "the environment and atmosphere of our churches do not always invite us to gather and adore." Adding to his text, the Pope observed that "we have lost somewhat the sense of adoration and we need to get it back," calling for "fostering the experience of contemplative silence in pilgrims and - although not easy - of adoring silence." This "means helping them to fix their gaze on the essence of faith."

“Adoration is not a turning away from life; rather it is the space to give meaning to everything, to receive the gift of God's love, and to be able to witness to it in fraternal charity.”

The mystery of consolation

Another gift is that of "the mystery of consolation": "People also go to the shrines to be consoled," the Pope noted. "So many people go to them because they carry in spirit and in body a burden, some suffering, a worry!"

“The illness of a loved one, the loss of a family member, so many situations in life are often causes of loneliness and sadness, which are placed on the altar and await a response. Consolation is not an abstract idea and is not made up first and foremost of words, but of a compassionate and tender closeness that understands pain and suffering. Compassionate and tender closeness. This is God's style: close, compassionate, and tender.”

To console is, therefore, "to make God's mercy tangible" and this is why "the service of consolation" cannot be absent in shrines, explained the Pope.

A gift for the Pope

A warm welcome for pilgrims

"May consolation and mercy abound in our shrines!" exclaimed the Pope. And every pilgrim needs hope because "one goes to a shrine to look to the future with greater confidence."

The very act of going on a pilgrimage demonstrates this, the Pope explained, as those who set out are looking for "a sure destination " with hopes in their prayers because "they know that only a simple and humble faith can obtain the grace they need." So it is important that, returning home, the pilgrim "feels fulfilled and full of serenity" he recommended.

“In our shrines, much attention is paid to welcome, and rightly so. Please do not forget this: welcome pilgrims well. At the same time, just as much pastoral care must be given to the moment when the pilgrims leave the shrine to return to their ordinary lives: may they receive words and signs of hope, so that the pilgrimage made reaches its full meaning.”

2024 dedicated to prayer in view of Jubilee

Concluding his address, Pope Francis recalled that next year, in preparation for the Jubilee of 2025, will be entirely dedicated to prayer. He announced that handouts will soon be published that "can help to rediscover the centrality of prayer."