Our Lady of Aparecida teaches us to keep hope

In Aparecida we learn to conserve hope, to let ourselves be surprised by God and to live in joy. Hope is the virtue that must permeate the hearts of those who believe, especially when around us the situations of desperation seem to want to discourage us. Do not let yourselves be defeated by dejection! Trust in God, trust in the intercession of Our Mother Aparecida.

In the shrine of Aparecida and in every heart devoted to Mary we can touch the hope that is made concrete in the experience of spirituality, generosity, solidarity, perseverance, fraternity, joy, all values which, in turn, find their deepest roots in the Christian faith.

In 1717, at the very moment in which there emerged from the water by the hand of those fishermen, the Virgin Mary Aparecida inspired them to trust in God, who always surprises us. Fish in abundance, grace diffused in a concrete way in the life of those who were fearful before constituted powers. God surprised them, because He Who created us in infinite Love, always surprises us. God always surprises us!...

May the simple smile of Mary, which we can make out in her image, inspire the smile of each one of you when faced with the difficulties of life. The Christian can never be pessimistic!... Together, near or far, we form the Church, People of God. Every time we collaborate, even if in a simple and discreet way, in the announcement of the Gospel, we become, like Mary, authentic disciples and missionaries.

With great nostalgia for Brazil, I offer you my Apostolic Blessing, asking that Our Lady Aparecida intercede for all of us.

Pope Francis’ video message sent to the people of Brazil on October 12, 2017 for the celebration of the 300th anniversary of Our Lady of Aparecida, the country’s patroness.

Vatican.va