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Read what Paul VI says is the one mystery to understand the whole of Christianity

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Sergio Del Grande / Leemage via AFP

Pius XII bends over to embrace Giovanni Battista Montini, after he has named him Archbishop of Milan.

Kathleen N. Hattrup - published on 12/25/17

On Christmas of 1971, he left us this insight.

St. Paul VI, on Christmas of 1971, said:

“God could have come wrapped in glory, splendor, light and power, to instill fear, to make us rub our eyes in amazement. But instead he came as the smallest, the frailest and weakest of beings. Why? So that no one would be ashamed to approach him, so that no one would be afraid, so that all would be close to him and draw near him, so that there would be no distance between us and him.

God made the effort to plunge, to dive deep within us, so that each of us, each of you, could speak intimately with him, trust him, draw near him and realize that he thinks of you and loves you … He loves you! Think about what this means! If you understand this, if you remember what I am saying, you will have understood the whole of Christianity.”

Pope Saint Paul VI’s feast day is May 29. The date thus recognizes the anniversary of priestly ordination of this pontiff (1897-1978), who was elected as pope in 1963.

Paul VI is most known for bringing the Second Vatican Council to its completion and for his landmark encyclical on artificial contraception, Humane Vitae, published in 1968.

It seems the saintly pontiff has a special affection for life, as the miracles that led the way to his canonization both involved unborn babies.

Tags:
ChristmasPaul VI
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