catholic travels
by Fr. Matthew Long
WHERE MARY SAID “YES” Catholic News Service
VAtICAN news & notes • Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Lebanon Sept. 14, saying that he came “as a pilgrim of peace, as a friend of God and as a friend of men.” • Germans are known for being punctual, so perhaps it should be no surprise that Pope Benedict XVI was the first person signed up for World Youth Day 2013. Registration officially opened Aug. 28 and will be held in Rio de Janeiro July 23-28, 2013. Registration should be done online on the official WYD Rio 2013 website, www.rio2013.com. • Pope Benedict XVI named Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, the former nuncio to Australia, to be the new nuncio to Israel and Cyprus, and apostolic delegate in Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories. The Holy Land appointments of the 70-yearold career Vatican diplomat were announced Aug. 18; the Vatican announced Aug. 30 that he would serve simultaneously as nuncio to Cyprus, as his predecessor had done. • In an effort to comply more fully with international standards against financial criminal activity, the Vatican has hired an outside expert in combating money laundering and financing terrorism. Rene Brulhart, a 40-yearold Swiss international lawyer, started working as a consultant to the Vatican in September on “all matters related to anti-money laundering and financing of terrorism,” Vatican Radio reported Sept. 11.
A pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth
I
was privileged to lead a pilgrimage to the Holy Land this past spring. As the date of departure approached I was filled with excitement that soon I would be journeying in the land where our Savior carried out His ministry and ultimately redeemed and saved us. It was a beautiful place but as the days passed I was disappointed because I didn’t feel anything. I saw the sights of Caesarea Philippi. I went to Cana and Tiberius, but not once did I feel that burning within my heart. Then we made the journey to Nazareth. The bus ride from the Mount of Beatitudes to Nazareth was one of great expectation for me. I recalled the words of Pope Paul VI from his homily at Nazareth that “all of us need to return to Nazareth, to contemplate ever anew the silence and love of the Holy Family.” It was with these words in my mind that I approached the city where our Blessed Lord grew into a man. When we reached this ancient city we went at once to the Basilica of the Annunciation. There was nothing on its exterior that could prepare me for what I would encounter upon entering this holy place. From the moment my foot crossed the threshold of this Church I was overwhelmed by the sense of the sacred that permeates her very stones. I knew at once that it was in this place that one of the most important moments in human history occurred. I was overcome by emotion and my heart burned within me because of the love that existed there. As I approached the grotto where our Blessed Mother said “yes” to the request of an Angel my eyes filled with tears. I had a desire to never leave this place. Inside the Basilica of the Annunciation. (CNS photo/Gil Cohen Magen, Reuters)
Fr. Matthew Long in front of the Basilica of the Annunciation
I prayed the Hail Mary as I gazed at the little room where the words of this prayer were first spoken. As I mounted the stairs to ascend to the upper Church the Salve Regina flowed from my lips. I was overwhelmed by my senses, both natural and supernatural; because it was here that the first fiat of our salvation and redemption was spoken. It was here that a young Jewish girl would answer the call of God and in so doing would forever banish the “no” Eve spoke in the Garden. I could feel it in every fiber of my being that I was standing on Holy Ground. As we prepared to depart I prayed the Angelus and when I genuflected as I prayed “And the Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us.” I could not keep praying. Emotion had overwhelmed me and I finally had that moment I sought. With sadness I departed from this Holy place knowing that I was filled with grace because of the “yes” Mary spoke in this place so many years ago. “O Mary conceived without sin. Pray for us who have recourse to thee.” Fr. Matthew Long is the Vocations Director for the Diocese of Shreveport. October 2012 7