Pope's Mass France Lourdes 1959

HOMILY OF THE HOLY FATHER JOHN XXIII* Liberian Basilica Sunday, February 15, 1959 Venerable brothers, beloved children, Now a year ago, we inaugurated the centennial celebration of the Apparitions of Lourdes in St. Mark's Basilica in Venice. The same rite was then performed in all the main churches of the world: so much the devotion to Mary Immaculate, repeatedly appearing in the Grotto of Massabielle, in the Pyrenees, had penetrated the hearts of believers in Jesus scattered throughout all points of the earth. This also happened, with an intonation of jubilation and exultant and moved hope, in Rome, where this title of Lourdes, which had become familiar for some time, includes churches, chapels and altars. A year later, Good Providence has ordered that, as the centenary concludes, this poor person of ours be transferred from the shores of the Venetian Lagoon to this Esquiline hill of the most sacred city in the world, to summarize through the notes of a believing and pious people, who have become, by way of pastoral paternity, more particularly Our favorite sheepfold, Our people, to summarize —let us say— from here, in Santa Maria Maggiore, the secular canticle elevated to Our Lady of Lourdes, with fervor from all the churches of the Catholic world, all equally taken and penetrated with Mariana piety.