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Venerable Brothers,
Dear brothers and sisters,
I am happy to meet you and I offer you my cordial welcome. I greet with affection Cardinal Peter Turkson, and I thank him for his words. I greet Cardinal Law and I greet all of you, who have come from many parts of the world on the occasion of the closure of the diocesan phase of the cause of the Servant of God Cardinal François-Xavier Nguyên Van Thuân.
Dear friends, your joy is also my joy! Thanks be to God!
And I also thank all of those who undertook this service that is for the glory of God and his Kingdom: the postulator of the cause, Dr. Waldery Hilgeman and his collaborators, the diocesan tribunal and the competent office of the vicariate, the Historical Commission, the Pontifical Council of Justice and Peace itself, where the memory of Cardinal Van Thuân, witness to hope, is always alive and is more than a memory; it is a spiritual presence that continues to bear his blessing.
In fact, there are many people who can testify to being edified by meeting the Servant of God François-Xavier Nguyên Van Thuân at different points during his life. Experience demonstrates that his fame for holiness spread precisely through the testimony of many people who met him and carry his meek smile and the greatness of his soul in their heart.
Many knew him too through his simple and profound writings, which display his priestly soul, profoundly united with him who called him to be a minister of his mercy and his love.
Many people have written recounting graces and signs attributed to the intercession of the Servant of God Cardinal Van Thuân. We thank the Lord for this venerable brother, son of the East, who concluded his earthly journey in the service of the Successor of Peter.
We entrust the prosecution of this cause along with all the others that are underway to the intercession of the Virgin Mary. May Our Lady help us to live more and more in our lives the beauty and the joy of communion with Christ.
From my heart I bestow my benediction to you and your loved ones. Thank you.
[Translation by Joseph Trabbic]
