Pilgrims challenged to be light in a wounded world

Pilgrims challenged to be light in a wounded world

On a night illuminated by thousands of candles, Bishop Rui Valério asked pilgrims to become light in the world.

About 250,000 pilgrims participated in the celebrations this May 12th at the Shrine of Fatima. In his homily, Bishop Rui Valério urged pilgrims to become light in a world wounded by war, violence, division, and loneliness, which stands in need of inner light.

"It is not enough to light a candle. It is not enough to receive light. It is necessary to become light," challenged the Patriarch of Lisbon, presenting the daily practice of forgiveness, reconciliation, concrete charity, and patient listening to those who suffer as a path toward holiness and inner conversion.

Bishop Rui Valério recalled the context in which Our Lady appeared 109 years ago in Cova da Iria to highlight how relevant the message of Fatima remains in today's world.

"In Fatima, Our Lady does not appear with a bang, nor with imposition. She appears as a gentle light. As a maternal presence. As a sign of hope. She comes to meet a wounded world – like ours – and brings a simple and demanding message: prayer, penance, conversion, and trust in God," the Patriarch of Lisbon recalled.

The president of the Pilgrimage then presented the lit candles in the Candlelight Procession as "a living image of the Church," which walks together in diversity.

"We walk guided by faith. We walk with Mary. This procession is a testimony to the world: the Church is a people on a journey, which does not give up, which does not resign itself, and which continues to believe that light overcomes darkness," stated Bishop Rui Valério.

In conclusion, the Patriarch of Lisbon challenged the pilgrims to reflect on how they can be light for the world and asked for Our Lady's intercession in this challenge of inner conversion.

"What light do I need to rekindle within myself? What shadow do I need to surrender? What wound needs to be illuminated by grace? Let us hand over our nights to Mary: our fears, doubts, sins, and hidden wounds," Bishop Rui Valério questioned.