Pope Francis: “It is hard to find someone equal to Saint Gregory of Narek” (video)
13:14 “All the same, we might ask ourselves: how can we become merciful, with all the faults and failings that we see within ourselves and all about us? I would like to appeal to one concrete example, a great herald of divine mercy, one to whom I wished to draw greater attention by making him a Doctor of the Universal Church: Saint Gregory of Narek, word and voice of Armenia. It is hard to find his equal in the ability to plumb the depths of misery lodged in the human heart. Yet he always balanced human weakness with God’s mercy, lifting up a heartfelt and tearful prayer of trust in the Lord who is “giver of gifts, root of goodness… voice of consolation, news of comfort, joyful impulse… unparalleled compassion, inexhaustible mercy… the kiss of salvation” (Book of Lamentations, 3, 1). He was certain that “the light of God’s mercy is never clouded by the shadow of indignation” (ibid., 16, 1). Gregory of Narek is a master of life, for he teaches us that the most important thing is to recognize that we are in need of mercy. Despite our own failings and the injuries done to us, we must not become self-centred but open our hearts in sincerity and trust to the Lord, to “the God who is ever near, loving and good” [ibid., 17, 2), “filled with love for mankind … a fire consuming the chaff of sin (ibid., 16, 2).
In the words of Saint Gregory, I would like now to invoke God’s mercy and his gift of unfailing love: Holy Spirit, “powerful protector, intercessor and peace-maker, we lift up our prayers to you… Grant us the grace to support one another in charity and good works… Spirit of sweetness, compassion, loving kindness and mercy… You who are mercy itself… Have mercy on us, Lord our God, in accordance with your great mercy” (Hymn of Pentecost),” said His Holiness Pope Francis during Holy Mass at Vardanants Square of Gyumri.
Then universal prayer began, which was followed by sacrament ceremony. After the blessing of Pope Francis, Armenia and Vatican clerics distributed the sacrament. The Holy Mass ended.
12:09 At present there are tens of thousands of people at Vardanants Square of Gyumri. All they have come to be present at the Holy Mass of His Holiness Pope Francis. 25.000 invitations were distributed in advance in order to be present at this exceptional event.
At the beginning of the event His Holiness Pope Francis and His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, blessing the people with the cross, came on the stage.
His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians noted in his speech, “Giving thanks to the Lord for this blessed day of unity of prayer in Gyumri, together with our beloved brother Pope Francis, we bring to you, dear faithful, our plea and wish so that through the firm steps of faith, brotherly love, and hope, you may witness in this world to the following commandment of Christ, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”
Pope Francis began the prayer and the Catholics joined it, spiritual music sounded. Then Pope Francis began his speech, “The prophet Isaiah reminds that God dwells in the hearts of those who love him. God dwells wherever there is love, shown especially by courageous and compassionate care for the weak and the poor. We need people of good will. We need societies of greater justice, where each individual can lead a dignified life and, above all, be fairly remunerated for his or her work.”
