Allocution, Sunday, August 15, Solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

We thank all the people who make this radio broadcast possible, today, Sunday, August 15, Solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The gospel according to Saint Luke, chapter 1, verses 39 to 56, is read in all the Catholic churches of the world.

(GOSPEL)

The path of our life is to follow Christ and the Virgin Mary. Christ, being the Son of God from eternity, took human nature in the womb of the Virgin Mary and spent nine months there. He was born in the cave of Bethlehem, he was carried, breastfed, pampered, protected… by his mother, the Virgin. He was cared for, guided, taught by Saint Joseph. He grew in stature, wisdom and grace from God. He worked with wood, he selflessly served those who approached him. He prayed with his family and neighbors every morning, every afternoon, every night… At the age of thirty he began to preach the Word of God and announce the Kingdom of love, peace and harmony. He consoled the afflicted, healed the sick, personified sinners and brought out of evil many who were sunk in sin, which causes deep damage to individuals, families and society.

For claiming to be the Son of God and king of love, he was scourged, crowned with thorns, insulted, mistreated, nailed to a Cross and on the third day he resurrected, and lives forever and ever with God the Father, and there he awaits us.

(SINGING)

The path of the Virgin is to follow her Son. He lived nine months in the apparently sterile womb of Saint Anne, fertilized by Saint Joachim. She grew up surrounded by family love and was happy to see parents by her side. The messenger of God the Father, the archangel Saint Gabriel, told her that she was going to be the mother of the Son of God made man and she responded: “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your Word.” After traveling around 140 kilometers, he visited his cousin Elizabeth, who despite her years and apparently sterility was pregnant with who would later be known as John the Baptist.

He saw his son Jesus born in a cave. He received kings and shepherds who came to worship the child God; presented him in the temple; He fled to Egypt with him and Saint Joseph to defend the little boy from King Herod, who wanted to kill him. The Virgin lived in the home of Nazareth in the full happiness that love brings, next to Joseph and her son Jesus. Together they went to the houses of prayer and the temple. Together they praised and thanked God every morning, every afternoon and every night. Together they gave food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, welcomed pilgrims, clothed the naked, cared for and visited the sick, helped the families of prisoners, accompanied people who mourned the death of their deceased. They taught those who did not know, gave good advice to those who needed it, corrected those who were in error, forgave injuries, consoled the sad, patiently suffered the defects of their neighbors and prayed to God for the living and the dead.

One day the Virgin saw Jesus leaving her town Nazareth. He began to preach the Word of God and proclaim that the kingdom of love, peace and harmony was within the human heart itself. The Virgin heard people say that her son was crazy when he invited forgiveness, reconciliation, friendship and the life of brothers. The Virgin accompanied her Son on the path of the cross and was at the foot of the cross watching the suffering of her Son. There her son made her the Mother of all men when he said to her: “Woman, here is your son,” referring to the friend Juan who was next to her. In that disciple of Christ all the men of this world were represented. The Virgin saw her Son die, hugged him, helped wrap him in a sheet, and accompanied him to the tomb. All day Saturday he felt loneliness, but with hope. He believed in the resurrection announced by Jesus himself; He saw him resurrected and jumped for joy. He accompanied the nascent Church in prayer; and one day, the believer, the faithful disciple, the one who had no sins, the Mother, the one who served everyone, the one who in her body from her conception until her ascension to heaven has always been full of God in thoughts, words and actions, has gone after her Son to the house of Heaven, where she is now in body and soul.

(SINGING)

Our path is the same as that of Christ and the Virgin. Nine months in the womb thanks to the love of mom and dad. Created in the image and likeness of God who is love. We were born through love, we grew up in family love. Taught by the love of our elders and so many new people, it will be easy for us to form a new family in which spouses love each other today more than yesterday, the blessed fruits of that love are received, treated, guided with immense affection, parents and grandparents receive exceptional expressions of gratitude, neighbors and friends treat each other as what they are, children of God and brothers all. May there be no room for hate or revenge in any heart. Everything is peace and difficulties are resolved between brothers. That is what we have been created for. That is what we live, work and strive for: to be happy through love. And at the end of life, how wonderful to leave a family full of love, a Church full of faith, hope and charity and a people full of peace.

And when we present ourselves before God the Father full of works of mercy, we will be with him forever in the fullness of love with the Virgin, the saints and our deceased. And when the end of time comes, and Christ comes with glory to bless all the good work done in this world, the Holy Spirit will resurrect these mortal remains and we will be forever in the House of Heaven, in glorious body and soul, as today the Virgin is.

(SINGING)

Santa María helps those who have Covid. Accompany those who help these sick people. Comfort those who cry. Strengthens the elderly. Pray for the people, unite families, protect pregnant women. Present to God the Father the works of mercy of our deceased.

Santa María de la Asunción, Guanabacoa feel your company and prayer.

Holy Mary Virgin of the Assumption, listen to the voice of those who pray to you; Show your fatherly love with your assiduous intercession for your people.

Oh, blessed!, oh, clement!, oh, pious!, oh sweet Virgin Mary! Amen.

(SINGING)

In today’s Gospel there has been a meeting of two pregnant women and their blessed fruits. After this wonderful encounter, the Virgin sang and praised the greatness of her Father God. Every pregnant woman also sings and praises God.

(SINGING)

We join Christ who is in heaven sacramentally, and we put our hearts in his.

(SINGING)

We place our entire family, the entire people of Guanabacoa, in the hands of God the Father, and we pray for them the best, which is what Christ has asked of God the Father.

(Our Father Prayer)

Sweet Mother, don’t go away. Don’t take your eyes off me, come with me everywhere and never leave me alone. And since you protect me so much, as a true Mother, may the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit bless me.

(SINGING)