Pope Francis leads prayer vigil ‘to dry the tears’

May 06, 2016

Reflecting on the tears of Jesus and the tears “shed every second in our world,” Pope Francis led a prayer vigil in St. Peter’s Basilica on the evening of May 5 “to dry the tears.”

During the vigil, the faithful venerated tears that flowed from a Marian image in Sicily in 1953.

“The bitterest tears are those caused by human evil: the tears of those who have seen a loved one violently torn from them; the tears of grandparents, mothers and fathers, children; eyes that keep staring at the sunset and find it hard to see the dawn of a new day,” the Pope said. “We need the mercy, the consolation that comes from the Lord.”

“The tears of Jesus serve as an antidote to my indifference before the suffering of my brothers and sisters,” the Pope continued. “Jesus’ tears cannot go without a response on the part of those who believe in him. As he consoles, so we too are called to console.”

The Pope added:

In the moment of confusion, dismay and tears, Christ’s heart turned in prayer to the Father. Prayer is the true medicine for our suffering. In prayer, we too can feel God’s presence. The tenderness of his gaze comforts us; the power of his word supports us and gives us hope … At the foot of every cross, the Mother of Jesus is always there. With her mantle, she wipes away our tears. With her outstretched hand, she helps us to rise up and she accompanies us along the path of hope.

 

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Further information:

• Prayer Vigil to "Dry the Tears" - 2016.05.05 (YouTube Vatican)
• Veglia di Preghiera “per asciugare le lacrime” (Holy See Press Office)
• Pope Francis presides over Prayer Vigil “To Dry the Tears” (Vatican Radio)
• The Weeping Madonna of Syracuse