From the Website of Vatican
Pope Francis: Gospel is passed on through one’s mother tongue
Pope
Francis thanked mothers and grandmothers who hand on the faith to their
children and grandchildren, saying the faith is passed on in one’s
mother tongue.
Pope
Francis looked to the example of Our Lady of Guadalupe to emphasize the
importance of transmitting the faith in one’s native language, as he
continued his series of catecheses on “the passion for evangelization.”
Although
the faith had already arrived in the Americas when Our Lady appeared to
Juan Diego, the Pope noted, the first evangelization of the new
continent had not been without problems. “Instead of the path of
inculturation, too often the hasty approach of transplanting
pre-constituted models had been taken, lacking respect for the
indigenous peoples, the Pope said.
Faith transmitted through our mother tongue
When
Mary appeared to Juan Diego, though, she came “dressed in the clothing
of the native peoples, speaking their language, welcoming and loving the
local culture.
“She
is a Mother, and under her mantle, every child finds a place,” he
continued. “In Mary, God became flesh; and through Mary, He continues to
incarnate Himself in the lives of peoples.”
The
Holy Father highlighted Mary’s proclamation of God in the native
language of the people. “Yes, the Gospel is transmitted through the
mother tongue.”
The
Pope thanked mothers and grandmothers, especially, for handing on the
Gospel to their children and grandchildren, explaining that faith is
passed on with life. “This,” he said, “is why mothers are the first
evangelizers.” And he invited those present to offer a round of applause
for mothers.
Inculturating the Gospel and evangelizing cultures
Turning
to St. Juan Diego, Pope Francis noted that he was already married when
he embraced Christianity. Despite difficulties, including resistance
from Church leaders, Juan Diego persisted in the mission Our Lady gave
him.
“Even
today,” the Pope said, “in so many places inculturating the Gospel and
evangelising cultures requires constancy and patience, not being afraid
of conflict, not losing heart.” We must not be discouraged, he
continued, knowing that Mary is there to console us and help us to grow,
“like a mother who, while following her child’s steps, launches him
into the world’s challenges.”
Our
Lady confirmed her message to Juan Diego with a miracle, the
“extraordinary and living image” that appeared on the tilma, or cloak,
of the saint. This is “the surprise of God,” the Pope said. “When there
is willingness and obedience, He can accomplish something unexpected, at
times and in ways that we cannot foresee.”
Even
today, at Marian shrines, pilgrimage destinations, and places of
proclamation, we see the welcome and evangelization that marked the life
of Saint Juan Diego. “Faith is welcomed in these places in a simple and
genuine, popular way,” the Pope said, concluding, “We need to go to
these oases of consolation and mercy, where faith is expressed in a
maternal language; where we lay down the labours of life in Our Lady's
arms and return to life with peace in our hearts.”
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