The Pope's First Wednesday Audience of the Year

As we get back into the post Holiday swing of things, I need to post the Holy Father's Wednesday talk as is my custom. I am having trouble accessing my Photobucket account today so no pics. However the Ratzinger Forum has some nice ones here. Also thanks again for the quick translation. Today the Holy Father talks about Mary and Family.

Dear brothers and sisters!

We have started a new year and I wish that it may be peaceful and prosperous for all. I entrust this to the celestial protection of Our Lady whom we implore today, according to the liturgy, by her most important title, Mother of God. With her Yes to the Angel on the day of the annunciation, the Virgin conceived in her womb, through the Holy Spirit, the eternal Word, and brought him forth on Christmas night.

In Bethlehem, in the fullness of time, Jesus was born of Mary. The Son of God became man for our salvation, and the Virgin became the true Mother of God. This immense gift received by Mary was not reserved for her alone, but for all of us. In her fecund virginity, God had given "to men the benefits of eternal salvation, because through her, we received the author of life" (cfr Collect Prayer).

Therefore, Mary, after having given mortal flesh to the Only Son of God, became the mother of all believers and of the entire mankind. And it is in the name of Mary, Mother of God and of men, that for the past 40 years, on the first day of the year, the Church has celebrated the World Day for Peace. The theme that I chose for this year is "The human family: A community of peace". The same love that constructs a family - vital cell of society - and keeps it united, favors the establishment among the peoples of the world of those relationships of solidarity and collaboration necessary within the one human family.

The Second Vatican Council pointed this out in saying that "all peoples constitute one single community; they have single origin - and also have a common end, God" (Nostra aetate, 1).

There is a close relationship between family, society and peace. "Whoever, even if unconsciously, holds the institution of the family hostage," I wrote in the Message for today's World Day for Peace, "makes peace fragile in the entire community, national and international, because he weakens that which is, in fact, the principal agent for peace" (No. 5). Also, "we do not live next to each other by chance: we are all going along the same path as men, and therefore as brothers and sisters" (No. 6). Thus, it is truly important that each of us assumes his own responsibility before God and recognize in him the original spring of our own existence and that of others. This awareness gives rise to a commitment to make mankind a true community of peace, guided by 'a common law which allows the freedom to be oneself - and which protects the weak from the abuse of those who are stronger" (No. 11).

May Mary, Mother of the Prince of Peace, sustain the Church in its tireless work in the service of peace, and help the community of peoples, which celebrates in 2008 the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to proceed along the path of authentic solidarity and stable peace.

After the Angelus, he added a special message in Italian:

From the heart I thank all those who have sent me their greetings and wishes for the new Year. I am particularly grateful to the President of the Republic, who extended his wishes last night in his television message to the nation. I gladly reciprocate his greeting, and express every good wish for his important mission and for the concord and prosperity of the beloved Italian people. On the occasion of the World Day for Peace, the church communities in every continent have promoted numerous initiatives. To all the organizers and participants, I extend my appreciation and encouragement that they may always and everywhere be witnesses for peace and reconciliation. In particular, I greet those who have inspired the demonstrations called "Peace on all the earth" organized by the Community of Sant'Egidio in Rome and in many other cities around the world.

In English, he said:

I greet all the English-speaking visitors gathered for this Angelus prayer on New Year’s Day. On this, the Octave of Christmas, the Church honours Mary, the ever-virgin Mother of God, whose complete openness to God’s saving plan bore fruit in the birth of the Prince of Peace. May the peace proclaimed by the angels at Bethlehem take ever deeper root in men’s hearts, and inspire the whole human family to live in harmony, justice and fraternal solidarity. To you and your families I offer cordial good wishes for a happy New Year! At the end, he said in Italian: I greet the Italian-speaking pilgrims, especially those who belong to the Movement for Family Love, which kept vigil in St. Peter's Square last night to pray for all families and the great Family of the Church. And I also greet the Orionist youth, who have come from all over Italy and other European countries to pledge friendship and commitment togetheron New Year's Day. I also greet the Centro Sportivo Italiano and gladly bless the Torch of Peace, that a marathon relay will eventually bring to the Holy Land. My thoughts go to all present here, wishing you abundance and peace in the New Year