Lima, Peru, Oct 31, 2011 / 16:02 pm
During a Mass on Oct. 28 on the feast of the Lord of the Miracles—the most popular religious devotion in Peru—Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani of Lima encouraged Catholics to be strong in their defense of life and the family.
“Lord of the Miracles, thank you for giving us this great gift of faith to Peru, to the world, to Lima. Today you look upon us, you bless us, you hear us and you forgive us. Today you walk our streets, and we all will seek after your gaze, which fills us with peace and joy,” the cardinal said during his homily. Following the Mass, a massive procession took place in downtown Lima.
“The Lord loves us so much that he has left us teachings from the law of God that tell us that marriage is a wonderful sacrament between one man and one woman that is lifelong, and we must fight to build up marriage,” the cardinal said.
“The Lord also says that the family is the privileged place to teach the faith, to educate children, to help one another. Consequently, it is normal that those charged with enacting laws would protect the family, protect marriage and defend life. Year after year we repeat it: we will never be unfaithful to God’s law,” Cardinal Cipriani added.
“Lord of Miracles, enlighten those who have the duty to watch over those laws and customs so that our people will continue to look upon you with trust, because we protect life from the moment of conception. We forever say no to abortion! We are not afraid to repeat it a thousand times. Your Catholic people say yes to life!”
Cardinal Cipriani highlighted the importance of the processions in honor of the Lord of Miracles, which are a reflection of our own journey of faith in the Christian life. “The Lord does not love you because of what you are worth; he loves you because of who you are: you are a child of God … And he tells you: be humble, accept yourself,” Cardinal Cipriani insisted.
Turing toward the image of the Lord of Miracles, the cardinal said, “Lord, Lima is yours, Peru is yours, each one of us is yours.”
“During this holy Eucharist may he embrace us all in his heart and make Peru a more united, brotherly, just and honest country, in which the Catholic people truly continue to practice their faith. Long live the Lord of Miracles! Long live Peru!” the cardinal exclaimed.