Numerous pilgrims entered into the year 2024, by celebrating the Holy Mass in Medjugorje. With the concelebration of 102 priests, the Holy Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Aldo Cavalli, the Apostolic Visitor with a special role for the parish of Medjugorje, who at the beginning of his homily reminded that every year, on the first day of January, we celebrate the World Day of Peace.
”Peace! Peace! Peace! May peace reign between God and people! This profound message sets two clear starting points for peace: God and man, God and human being. Harmony between God and human beings is an essential act for world peace”, Archbishop Cavalli said, adding that “we begin this new year blessed by God”.
“This blessing of God will never end. God is faithful. On our part, throughout this year, we should value this blessing with our efforts, with our will, with our generosity, with our lives,” said Msgr. Cavalli, and looking back at the Holy Mass readings, he spoke about St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, in which he says: “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son: he was born of a woman … and we receive adoption” (Gal 4, 4-5).
“This statement is very important. We live in time. St. Paul sees time in its entirety, both in its transience (time passes) and in its greatness (it was before us and continues after us). When the fullness of time comes, God sends His Son, Jesus, in whom, thanks to the Holy Spirit, we receive adoption”, said Archbishop Aldo Cavalli, explaining that “In this whole development of God’s initiative in time, Mary has her own, very important, share.
“God chooses her, by grace, to be the Mother of His Son according to the natural law, the incarnation. Mary accepts that choice in herself and gradually understands and realizes God’s way, keeping and considering everything that happened. God’s plan in each of us is always one step, gradual, and in development.
May God bless each of us in this year, which we begin this night, and may His blessing always protect us”, Archbishop Cavalli concluded.
The Holy Mass was preceded by a prayer vigil, and a live nativity scene was also staged.
