By Exaudi.org
MARY is the “Star of the New Evangelisation,” Pope Francis said in his video message to those celebrating the inauguration of the Spire of the Virgin Mary of the Basilica of the Holy Family in Barcelona, which took place on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
The basilica’s entrance spire is crowned with a 7-metre 12-poinetd crystal star.
The Basilica of the Holy Family has been under construction since 1882.
Pope Francis extended his greeting “to the poorest of that great city, to the sick, to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, to the elderly, to young people that, given different situations, see their future compromised and to people living moments of trial”.
“Dear friends, the star of Mary’s spire shines for all of you today,” he said.
He asked people to raise their eyes to the star that crowns the spire and contemplate “our Mother” because each time “we look at Mary we believe again in the revolutionary effect of tenderness and affection”.
He also recalled in this way the celebration of the Solemnity of Mary Immaculate, saying “she certainly is a masterpiece”.
His Holiness also encouraged people to follow the Virgin Mary’s example with “daily gestures of love and service,” adding that the immaculate beauty of our Mother “is inimitable”.
In this regard, he hopes that this star, which shines from today, “may illumine you so that, in reciting the beads of the Rosary, you may say ‘yes’ once and for all to the Lord’s grace and say a rotund ‘no’ to sin”.