Maltese Association

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Pope Francis celebrates Holy Mass for thousands of people at the Granaries, Floriana

April 3 2022 

The Council of the Maltese Association, together with Fra’ John Critien and Fra’ Francis Vassallo, were invited by the HG Charles Jude Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta, to participate in the Mass celebrated by His Holiness Pope Francis, at the Granaries in Floriana at 10.15 AM. The Maltese Lieutenancy of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre was also invited.

The event started with a procession from the church of St Publius in Floriana to the Granaries.

On his arrival Pope Francis was cheerfully welcomed by the large crowd present, waving flags and shouting “Viva il-Papa.”

In the homily, Pope Francis referred to the day’s Gospel, of St John, regarding the woman caught in adultery, to urge people to have mercy and to warn those who presented themselves as God’s defenders not to judge others.

“They disregard their own faults, yet they are very concerned about those of others,” Pope Francis said. “Those who believe they are upholding the faith by pointing their finger at others may have a certain ‘religiosity’, but they have not embraced the spirit of the Gospel, for they disregard mercy, which is the heart of God.”

“They cited the Scriptures to condemn her; Jesus, the very Word of God, completely rehabilitates the woman, restoring her hope. From this story, we learn that any judgment that is not inspired and moved by charity only serves to make things worse for those who receive it. God, on the other hand, always leaves room for second chance; he can always find paths that lead to liberation and salvation.

His homily had a message of hope and forgiveness to people who are treated badly, saying of the adulteress, “we can even speculate whether, after being forgiven by Jesus, she was able in turn to forgive others. Perhaps she even came to see her accusers no longer as harsh and wicked men, but as the means that led to her encounter with Jesus.”

At the end of mass, the Pope thanked the Maltese people for such a human, Christian welcome and ended his address by praying for peace, specifically referring to the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in war-torn Ukraine.

Message of Archbishop Charles Jude Scicluna

“May your visit among us and your blessing upon us instil in the heart of each and every one of us that warmth of charity and that unusual kindness that are among the best fruits of the Holy Spirit.

May the sweet glance of Our Lady of Damascus pierce our hearts and protect your universal mission. Allow us to greet you with the profound words of St George Preca, glory of our priests and our catechists:

Salve Papa noster (Peace be with you Holy Father)
Salve Petra Fidei (Peace be with you Rock of Faith)
Salve Coeli Janitor (Peace be with you Heaven’s Doorkeeper)
Et Dominus sit tecum (And may the Lord be with you!)

Thank you, Your Holiness”.

 

 

The Archbishop then presented the Pope with a painting by John Martin Borg called ‘Misericordia et Misera’ depicting the woman mentioned in the gospel. The painting shows the pharisees and scribes preparing to stone her, as Jesus Christ extends his arms towards the adulterous woman and offers her His own red cloak to cover her body – a simple, symbolic act that restores the woman’s lost dignity. With this gesture, Jesus invites her to partake in His divine nature.

 

 

MALTESE ASSOCIATION OF THE ORDER OF MALTA

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