Regina Caeli, Abidjan (11 October 1980)

On Easter Sunday, 11 May 1980, the Holy Father led the recitation of the Regina Caeli over the air waves, while inviting the Churches of “old Christendom” to view their young sister-Churches with esteem and confidence.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, who hear me directly or on the radio waves,
It is time to honor the Virgin Mary by reciting the “Regina Caeli!”. I would like this Marian praise to be for you as for me a very fervent thank you to She whom the Church has venerated since its foundation as the most holy Mother of Christ the Redeemer, to She whom the Church - Mystical Body of Jesus - also considers his mother.

For ten days, I was amazed and often overwhelmed witness to the vitality of the young Churches of Africa! Christ's promise: “I will be with you until the end of the ages” kept coming back to my mind during my pastoral visits!

I invite the whole Church, and particularly the Churches of old Christendom, to look at their young sister-Churches with esteem and confidence, in a fruitful dialogue. The hunger for the Word of God, the spontaneity of prayer, of the religious sense, the joy and pride of belonging to the Church, the hospitable welcome, the sense of responsibility of bishops and priests, the generosity of religious , the apostolic ardor of the catechists, the solidarity of the Christian communities, the fraternal, courageous and disinterested mutual aid that priests, nuns and lay people from other Churches continue to provide, and many other encouraging signs, invite us to thanks to God and can stimulate our zeal, our faith, our charity. These Churches were connected to the universal Church by missionary pioneers animated by a great faith; they now give their own fruits, which have the savior of Africa and the authenticity of Christianity; and they give others the benefit of their testimony. They also need fraternal help to meet their immense human and spiritual needs. May these exchanges continue in the spirit of communion which characterizes the Church.

In Easter joy, let us contemplate the Virgin Mary beside her glorified Son, and let us pray for each other.

May she watch over these Churches that we entrust to her! May she always obtain for them the light and the strength of the Holy Spirit!

© Copyright 1980 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana

Copyright © Dicastero per la Comunicazione - Libreria Editrice Vaticana