VOA标准英语2008年-Pope Blesses Sick During Lourdes, France Mass

Pope Benedict XVI celebrated¹ an open-air Mass on Monday for the sick at the shrine² of Lourdes in southwest France. He urged the sick, whom he blessed during the service, to remember that dignity never abandons the sick person. Sabina Castelfranco has this report for VOA from Paris.
　
Pope Benedict XVI celebrates a special mass for the sick in front of the Basilica of the Rosary, in Lourdes, southwestern France, 15 Sep 2008

Rows of pilgrims in wheelchairs were at the front of a large crowd that turned out for Pope Benedict's outdoor mass at the shrine of Lourdes. Some waved flags to greet the pontiff on his final day in France.

During the mass, the pope blessed the sick. Millions travel to Lourdes every year hoping for a miracle cure from the spring water there, which is believed to have healing powers. The Catholic Church has recognized dozens of healings linked to the shrine at Lourdes.

For each individual, Benedict said during his homily, suffering is always something alien. It can never be tamed. Unfortunately we know, the pope added, that the endurance of suffering can upset life's most stable equilibrium³. He said it can shake the firmest foundations of confidence and sometimes even leads people to despair of the meaning and value of life.

And he called on those who suffer to turn to Mary to fight against sickness.

The pontiff urged all those who suffer and those who struggle and are tempted⁴ to turn their backs on life to turn towards Mary. Within the smile of the Virgin⁵, he said, lies mysteriously hidden the strength to fight against sickness, in support of life.

The pope told those gathered that dignity never abandons the sick person.

The pope came to Lourdes to mark the 150th anniversary of Saint Bernadette's visions of the Virgin Mary. He has spent four days in France including a visit to Paris.

 

1 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

2 shrine   

n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣

参考例句：

• The shrine was an object of pilgrimage.这处圣地是人们朝圣的目的地。
• They bowed down before the shrine.他们在神龛前鞠躬示敬。

3 equilibrium   

n.平衡，均衡，相称，均势，平静

参考例句：

• Change in the world around us disturbs our inner equilibrium.我们周围世界的变化扰乱了我们内心的平静。
• This is best expressed in the form of an equilibrium constant.这最好用平衡常数的形式来表示。

4 tempted   

v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词）

参考例句：

• I was sorely tempted to complain, but I didn't. 我极想发牢骚，但还是没开口。
• I was tempted by the dessert menu. 甜食菜单馋得我垂涎欲滴。

5 virgin   

n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的

参考例句：

• Have you ever been to a virgin forest?你去过原始森林吗？
• There are vast expanses of virgin land in the remote regions.在边远地区有大片大片未开垦的土地。