From http://en.radiovaticana.va/articolo.asp?c=707709
(Vatican
Radio) To the joy of Vatican City State workers, Friday morning Pope
Francis was joined by Pope emeritus Benedict XVI in the gardens for a
ceremony during which the Holy Father blessed a statue of St Michael
Archangel, at the same time consecrating the Vatican to the Archangel’s
protection.
Following a brief ceremony, Pope Francis addressed
those present noting how St. Michael defends the People of God from its
enemy par excellence, the devil. He said even if the devil attempts to
disfigure the face of the Archangel and thus the face of humanity, St
Michael wins, because God acts in him and is stronger:
"In the
Vatican Gardens there are several works of art. But this, which has now
been added, takes on particular importance, in its location as well as
the meaning it expresses. In fact it is not just celebratory work but an
invitation to reflection and prayer, that fits well into the Year of
Faith. Michael - which means "Who is like God" - is the champion of the
primacy of God, of His transcendence and power. Michael struggles to
restore divine justice and defends the People of God from his enemies,
above all by the enemy par excellence, the devil. And St. Michael
wins because in him, there is He God who acts. This sculpture reminds
us then that evil is overcome, the accuser is unmasked, his head
crushed, because salvation was accomplished once and for all in the
blood of Christ. Though the devil always tries to disfigure the face of
the Archangel and that of humanity, God is stronger, it is His victory
and His salvation that is offered to all men. We are not alone on the
journey or in the trials of life, we are accompanied and supported by
the Angels of God, who offer, so to speak, their wings to help us
overcome so many dangers, in order to fly high compared to those
realities that can weigh down our lives or drag us down. In consecrating
Vatican City State to St. Michael the Archangel, I ask him to defend us
from the evil one and banish him. "
"We also consecrate Vatican
City State in St. Joseph, guardian of Jesus, the guardian of the Holy
Family. May his presence make us stronger and more courageous in making
space for God in our lives to always defeat evil with good. We ask Him
to protect, take care of us, so that a life of grace grows stronger in
each of us every day. "
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