To "the Virgin, who with her faith and maternal work cooperated in a unique way to our redemption", went the thought of Benedict XVI, at the start of the catechesis held this morning in Aula Paolo VI, during the general audience. "Today said the Pope , at the end of our journey through the witnesses of the rising Christianity that is mentioned in the New Testament’s writings, we will focus our attention on the many female figures who played an effective, precious role in the spreading of the Gospel. Their testimony cannot be neglected, consistently with what Jesus Himself said to the woman who anointed His head just before His Passion". "Even if Jesus chose twelve men for His disciples", explained Benedict XVI, "the disciples also included many women". As well as Mary, then, many were "the women who one way or other gravitated around the figure of Jesus in responsible roles". In addition, the women, "unlike the Twelve Apostles, did not desert Jesus at the time of His Passion". As he mentioned, among others, Mary of Magdala, Martha and her sister Mary, the Magdalene, the Pope specified that, "even within the primitive Church, the female presence is far from marginal". (to be continued)
