"Walking with the pilgrims of our time": this is the prospect, suggested by Benedict XVI, about his pilgrimage to the Marian sanctuary of Mariazell, in Austria, which began today. In arriving at the international airport of Wien/Schwechat, the Pontiff greeted the highest Austrian authorities and recalled that Austria "is essentially permeated by the message of Jesus Christ and the work the Church has carried out in His name", and "all this and much more give me a deep feeling that amongst you, dear Austrians, I am a bit ‘at home’". The Pope spoke of Mariazell, which is important also for Hungarians and Slavic peoples, as the "symbol of an openness that does not only goes beyond the geographical and national boundaries, but, in the person of Mary, recalls the essential dimension of man: the ability to open up to God’s Word and His truth". "Over the last few years said Benedict XVI we can see with joy that more people are becoming interested in pilgrimages. In walking during a pilgrimage, young people too find a new way for meditative reflection; they get to meet each other and together they find themselves in front of the Creation, as well as in front of the history of the faith, that, quite often, they unexpectedly experience as a strength for the present". (segue)
