The Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar comments on the importance of the Holy Father’s Apostolic Journey in bringing a sense of “belonging to the universal flock of the Catholic Church” to the local community.
By Federico Piana & Edoardo Giribaldi
“The Church in Mongolia is waiting with great trepidation for the coming of the Holy Father.” Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar, thus remarked on the collective enthusiasm accompanying the imminent Apostolic Journey in the Asian country that will take place from August 31 (date of departure from Rome) to September 4.
Speaking with Vatican News, Cardinal Marengo presented the activities going on among the local community in preparation for the upcoming visit.
Spiritual preparation
“One aspect worthy to be mentioned,” according to the Apostolic Prefect, “is that we are encouraging our Catholic community to intensify the Marian prayer, especially through the prayer of the Holy Rosary.”
The “spiritual preparation” goes hand-in-hand with practical experiences, such as a special pilgrimage to a wooden Blessed Virgin Mary statue found “in a dumping area in the northern part of Mongolia.”
This preparation path began on March 25, the day the Church celebrates the Annunciation of the Lord, and ended on August 15, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“In a great embrace between two great solemnities,” Cardinal Marengo explained, “we would like to welcome the gift, the grace of the visit of the Holy Father, and to get everyone involved too.”
Gratitude and belonging
Speaking about the meaning that Pope Francis’ visit has for Mongolia, the Apostolic Prefect described it as “a great honor and, at the same time, a very special grace.”
“To have the successor of St. Peter with us brings immense gratitude and a sense of belonging to the universal flock of the Catholic Church.”
The presence of the Holy Father is a sign of hope and a concrete demonstration that he “cares for this tiny flock of Catholics in Mongolia.”
Bilateral relations
Cardinal Marengo also examined the Apostolic Journey from a diplomatic point of view. The local government is preparing “with great expectations,” recalling “the ancient roots of the bilateral relations” between Mongolia and the Holy See.
Relations that will be further deepened and “will know a new phase of intensification.”
“We go back to the 13th century,” the Apostolic Prefect recalled, “when Pope Innocent IV sent his special envoy, John of Plano Carpini, Franciscan friar, to visit the Mongolian emperors and to establish a link, a connection with them.”
“Mongolia will surely benefit from the point of view of its international interest.”
Open to gifts and graces
However, Pope Francis’ journey will most definitely impact the hearts of the local Catholic community. “We are open to the many gifts and graces that the visit itself will bring about, and we are praying for those graces,” Cardinal Marengo concluded.
