Giuseppe Federici Study Center – For a new onset
Press release no. 34/19 of the 18 April 2019, Holy Thursday
Urbi et Orbi Message of Pius XII, Easter 1957
Once again an immense multitude "of every language and people and nation" (Apoc. 5, 9) fills this majestic square, which, beloved sons and daughters, it seems that everyone embraces you and unites you. And with you, present in spirit, they are the millions of other faithful, who devoutly listen to Our voice.
A new light shines in your eyes, a hymn of joy and glory resonates in your hearts : thousands and thousands of voices sing it, the harmonies of the organs accompany it, they spread it in the air, on the mountains and in the valleys, the ringing of bells. It's Easter. It is the day that the Lord made for our exultation, for our joy : "These days, which the Lord did: let us rejoice and be glad in it" (in Off. Because. Resurrect.).
The Lord knows how we would like to penetrate every home, pass through all the hospital wards, stop blessing next to every cradle, bend over with tenderness over every suffering; we would like to be able to free everyone from all fears, to give peace to all, to fill everyone with joy. Unfortunately it is not possible to do what we would like; and then We will restrict ourselves from addressing Our word to you, to confide to you - as we have done on other occasions - some thoughts born in our hearts during our meditation.
The echoes of the « Praeconium paschale » have just died away, and We still have in our soul a particular reason among the many that follow each other, they intertwine and merge in bold harmony. After the invitation to rejoice, addressed to the angelic crowd of heaven, to the earth, to mother Church and to all peoples, the attention of the liturgical song focuses on the night that preceded the resurrection of the Lord. Real night, night of passion, of anguish, of darkness; and yet a blissful night: "a truly blessed night"; because she alone deserved to know the time and hour in which Christ rose from the dead, but above all, because it was written about it: the night will light up like the day: "and the night will be lighted like the day".
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