SW News: The Holy Father’s Apostolic Visit to Slovakia came to a close on Wednesday, September 15, the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, who is the patroness of the central European nation. The highlight of the day was the Mass offered by Pope Francis in the morning at Sastin where the historic National Basilica of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows is located.
Thousands of believers from all parts of Slovakia as well as high ranking dignitaries and prelates assembled on a field in the morning where a special outdoor altar was set up for the Holy Mass. Members of several religious congregations were also present. The Mass was celebrated in Latin with chants and hymns in Slovakian. Concelebrating with the Pope was Archbishop of Bratislava Stanislav Zvolensky and other prelates and priests of both the Latin as well as Byzantine rites.
Adorning the altar were a statue of the Sorrowful Virgin, a unique painting of St Joseph and a large crucifix. In his homily, Pope Francis said that Mary is the path leading everyone to the Heart of Christ who gave his life out of love for mankind. The pontiff said Mary was a model of the faith of the Slovak nation.
“It is a faith that sets out, always animated by simple and sincere piety, always on pilgrimage in search of the Lord. As you go, you too overcome the temptation of a static faith, satisfied with some ritual or old tradition, but you come out of your limitations, carry your joys and sorrows in your backpacks, and make a pilgrimage of love for God and for your brothers and sisters of life,” said the pope.
At the end of the Mass, Archbishop of Bratislava Stanislav Zvolenský thanked the Holy Father for his visit, saying Peter himself has walked on Slovakian soil, rekindling the faith of the people. He implored the Holy Father to continue praying for the Slovak nation. The prelate presented a painting of the Pieta to the pope who in return gave him a costly chalice. The Holy Father said, “The time has now come to take my leave of your country. In this Eucharist I gave thanks to God for having given me to come among you; and to conclude my pilgrimage in the devoted embrace of your people, celebrating together the great religious and national feast of the Patroness, the Virgin of Sorrows.” He also expressed gratitude to the bishops, the president of the Republic and to civil authorities. He also sent his best wishes to the members of the Ecumenical Council of Churches.
The pope also bestowed upon the shrine a rare honor by presenting a golden rose to the replica of the miraculous statue of Our Lady. The richly ornamented golden rose is gifted by the pope to famous sanctuaries, royalty, governments and military figures, as a sign of reverence and affection.
Before Holy Mass, Pope Francis visited the nearby Basilica with Slovakian prelates and shared a private moment of prayer. Together they recited a prayer of entrustment and the Our Father.
After winding up his Sastin visit, the pope went to Bratislava airport where he was given a ceremonial sent-off in the afternoon. He then left for Rome at 1.45 pm local time.