The World, The Eucharist and the Co-Redeemer

Pope Benedict XVI's message for the Sixteenth World Day of the Sick focused on the theme of ‘The Eucharist, Lourdes and Pastoral Care for the Sick’, and the the close connection that exists between the Mystery of the Eucharist, the role of Mary in the project of salvation.

The Pope referenced the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of the Immaculate Mary at Lourdes, as he commented on Mary's obedience in the immaculate conception. The Pope then makes the statement "...she did not hesitate to share the passion of her Son, renewing on Calvary at the foot of the Cross..." The Pope makes several points including:

One cannot contemplate Mary without being attracted by Christ and one cannot look at Christ without immediately perceiving the presence of Mary. There is an indissoluble link between the Mother and the Son, generated in her womb by work of the Holy Spirit, and this link we perceive, in a mysterious way, in the Sacrament of the Eucharist...The link of the Holy Virgin with the Son, the sacrificed Lamb who takes away the sins of the world, is extended to the Church, the mystic Body of Christ.

Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragán, the Vatican's president of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry conducted the Mass for the World Day of the Sick. During his homily, Cardinal Barragán echoed the Pope's message, and added this clarifying statement:

"This complete 'yes' of love is the Immaculate Conception of our dear Mother, Mary," who participated "on Calvary as the co-redeemer of the Savior.

During the same week, five cardinals have asked for support for their petition filed before Pope Benedict XVI to declare a fifth dogma that would proclaim “Mary as Mother of Humanity.” The text, released last week, includes the petition that asks the Pope to proclaim Mary as "the Spiritual Mother of All Humanity, the co-redemptrix with Jesus the redeemer, mediatrix of all graces with Jesus the one mediator, and advocate with Jesus Christ on behalf of the human race."

Watch Dr Mark Miravalle discuss Pope Benedict XVI's "strongest statement yet on the direct participation of Our Lady in the Redemption of the world at Calvary."

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