Angelus

On Thursday, 15 August 1985, in Kinshasa (Zaire), the Holy Father said the Angelus for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, when he expressed his “profound joy at this historic celebration of the beatification of Anuarite Nengapeta.” 

Dear brothers and sisters,

You know that in Rome, every Sunday, it is customary for the Pope to recite the Angelus with the faithful present and with many others following him on the radio. On this Marian feast day, I am happy to recite with you this prayer, which recalls in a few words the mystery of Mary, the handmaid of the Lord who was given the gift of becoming the Mother of God, and the entire mystery of the Incarnation, of God who came to dwell among us.

We honor the Virgin Mary especially on this day when we contemplate her in glory. She responded to the angel's message with pure faith. From the first moment of her mission, she showed herself totally available to the Lord's service. She now participates, in her humanity, in the glorious state of the new covenant sealed in the death and resurrection of her Son Jesus Christ. She, who had given herself entirely, is truly filled with God's presence; she lives forever in the light of the Kingdom.

Mary, who gave your Son to the world, / Mary, who followed the way of the cross, / Mary, who was among the disciples praying in the Upper Room, / Mary, who knew the beginnings of the Church at Pentecost with the power of the Spirit, / Mary, who are the Mother of all men and women saved by Christ, / Mary, you who drew Blessed Anuarite and so many saints into your footsteps, / we greet you today and pray to you with trust: / in your tenderness, intercede for humanity in its weakness! / In your glory, strengthen in our hearts the hope of salvation! / Watch over all your sons and daughters of Africa, / O Our Lady of Africa!

I would like to express once again my profound joy at this historic celebration of the beatification of Anuarite Nengapeta; here, in her country, on the land of Zaire where she lived and dedicated her life to God. I share in the joy of the Church of Zaire, of all the Zairian people, and of His Excellency the President of the Republic.

I know how much this beatification was dear to him, as it was to many of his compatriots. We cherish Anuarite's example. It is on such deeds of courage, fidelity to commitments, and sanctity that a nation's honor, its maturity, its solidarity, its unity, and its progress are built.

For this great Zairian nation I continue to pray and offer my warmest wishes.

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