Composes Marian Prayer
for Italy's Youth
VATICAN CITY, FEB. 16, 2007 (Zenit.org).-
The Church is alive and full of youth,
Benedict XVI said when presenting a prayer
he composed for the young people of
Italy.
The Holy Father recited his composition
Wednesday when meeting in
St. Peter's Basilica with bishops of
the Marche region in
Italy, on the occasion of their
five-yearly visit.
The prelates were accompanied by pilgrims of
the dioceses in the region, many of them
young people. When the youths applauded the
Pope, he responded: "We see that the Church
is alive and young!"
The Holy Father then invited young people to
a meeting Sept. 1-2, in
Loreto, where Italy's national Marian
shrine is located.
"We will see you in Las Marcas, in
Loreto," Benedict XVI said as he bid
them farewell.
Here is a translation of the prayer the Holy
Father composed.
* * *
Mary, Mother of the "Yes," you have listened
to Jesus,
And know the tone of his voice and the
beating of his heart.
Morning Star, speak to us of him,
And tell us about your way following him on
the path of faith.
Mary, who lived with Jesus in Nazareth,
Etch your sentiments in our lives,
Your docility, your listening silence,
And make the Word flourish in genuinely free
choices.
Mary, speak to us of Jesus, so that the
freshness of our faith,
Shines in our eyes and warms the heart of
those who are with us,
As you did on visiting Elizabeth,
Who in old age rejoiced with you for the
gift of life.
Mary, Virgin of the "Magnificat,"
Help us to take joy to the world and, as at
Cana,
Lead every youth, committed to the service
of brothers,
To do only what Jesus says.
Mary, look upon the agora [gathering] of
youth,
So that it will be fertile terrain of the
Italian Church.
Pray that Jesus, dead and risen, is reborn
in us,
And transforms us into a night full of
light, full of him.
Mary, Virgin of
Loreto, Gate of Heaven,
Help us to raise our eyes.
We want to see Jesus, to speak with him,
And to proclaim his love to all.
[Translation of Italian original by ZENIT]
