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Nuncio: Mary’s faithfulness a model to God’s truth

The Blessed Virgin Mary plays an important role in Christian life. She bears testimony to God’s truthfulness and the many things He can accomplish in those who remain faithful.

“She is not only the mother that is at the foot of His cross, [whom] Christ entrusts to us [and who is] capable of comforting and mitigating our helplessness in the face of the setbacks of our life. She is not only the one who invites us to trust in God and in His plans, she is the first to remind us that God is truthful because the work of plenitude that He accomplished in her, He will also accomplish in us,” said Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Santiago De Wit Guzmán.

He was presiding at Holy Mass to celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Port of Spain on Monday, December 9. As the actual date of the Solemnity fell on the Second Sunday of Advent (December 8), the observance as a day of obligation was moved to Monday.

Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon and priests of the Archdiocese concelebrated. Deacons, seminarians, and Marian groups were also present.

In his homily, Archbishop De Wit Guzmán outlined the pattern Mary gave for the Christian life. He stated that it was important to stress that God’s providence did not prevent Mary from exercising freedom from fully accepting what God wanted to do in her.

Referencing the gospel, Luke 1:26–38, he said the Virgin is presented as faithful, “she learned from her family how to be faithful in the small things, how to believe and trust in the Lord in her daily life, and how to pray. Fidelity that prepares her to embrace the will of God.”

For the Catholic today, the Virgin Mary’s testimony prompts the question: Are we capable of recognising in ourselves all the good that God has put in our lives? Are we capable of being amazed by the work of God in us? Can we recognise the good God does in others and with others?”

Archbishop De Wit Guzmán continued, “If we truly believe that God has looked at us, called us by name and entrusted us with the task of making the gospel known, the exercise of our freedom is decisive to recognise the work of God in our life, to accept with joy and enthusiasm the task of announcing the gospel. We should never lose the ability to be amazed by what God has stood in our life and by what He wants and expects from us.”

This insight will keep thanksgiving to God alive and prevent “using our mediocrity as an excuse to renounce holiness.”

The Virgin Mary is a reminder today that holiness is not impossible: it is the sure path to happiness. She shows the need to be faithful in the commitment to life.

“…through our faithfulness, the gifts of God may grow in us, the work of grace may shine in our lives, fidelity to the small and important things that nourish our vocation and through which we learn the faithfulness of God and the power of His love in us,” the Nuncio said.

After the Mass, a prayer of dedication to Our Lady was recited at the Marian grotto, located near the entrance. —LPG