Mercy, The Essence Of Christianity

May 17, 2008.  The Virgin Mary appeared to a local peasant in the year 1536, and she is still venerated today with the name of Virgin of Mercy. This is the essence of Christianity because it is the essence of God Himself. God is One in that He is entirely and solely Love, but precisely because He is Love, He is openness, acceptance, and dialogue. And in His relations with us, sinful mankind, He is mercy, compassion, grace, and forgiveness. God created everything for existence, and He always and exclusively wills life. 

During the history of the Church, the Virgin Mary has always invited her children to return to God, to entrust themselves to Him in prayer, to knock with trusting insistence at the door of His merciful Heart. The darkest pages of our history, through the intercession of Mary and by the Power of the Holy Spirit, can give us the courage to face the challenges of this world presented by materialism, relativism and laicism.

Through works of charity, by going out and seeking people as Jesus did, by making your presence felt in all areas of work and life especially among the needy and the excluded, Mary can lead us to the font of faith, hope and of love.

The world has need of your work, your witness and your prayers.

 

 

Source: Vatican Information Service:
http://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/vis/vis_en.html