Cardinal Juan José Omella, Archbishop of Barcelona, presided this Thursday over the pontifical Mass for the solemnity of Our Lady of Mercy, patroness of Barcelona, at the Basilica of Mercy. In his homily, he reflected on the different forms of “captivity” present in society, the virtues of the Virgin, and Christian freedom, concluding by asking that Barcelona and the rest of Catalonia be places characterized by fraternity, solidarity, and respect for “human and transcendent values.”
At the beginning of his address, Omella also recalled the recent visit of Pope Leo XIV to Barcelona and the city’s historical connection with Our Lady of Mercy.
New forms of “captivity”
The archbishop began with the origin of the Order of Mercy, founded in Barcelona by Saint Peter Nolasco with the mission of rescuing captive Christians. From that historical reference, he affirmed that different forms of captivity still exist.
“Our Lady of Mercy continues to be a gift for Barcelona, because she reminds us that no one was born to live in chains and that God always opens paths of freedom,” he stated.
Omella mentioned among these situations “unwanted loneliness,” “fear of the future,” “material and spiritual poverty,” “loss of hope,” “addictions,” “selfishness,” “resentment,” and “inner emptiness.” He also referred to those who live conditioned by “obsession with success” and by what others might say.
The cardinal then focused his reflection on Jesus Christ. “Christ captivates, but he captivates us because he makes us free,” he affirmed. According to Omella, Christ “reveals to us our true identity as children of God” and “breaks the chains that prevent us from loving and living in fullness.”
Faith, silence, and commitment
The archbishop devoted another part of the homily to three characteristics of the Virgin: faith, silence, and commitment.
Regarding the first, he recalled Mary’s trust in God and her free response to His will. Concerning silence, he stated that “it is not an absent silence, but an attentive one” and added that “it brings us serenity and peace in a world full of noises that overwhelm us.”
Addressing Christian commitment, Omella pointed out the difficulties that, in his view, currently exist in embracing it.
“The truth is that we find it hard to understand the commitment of faith. We live in a comfortable society; sometimes we only accept what we like, what gives us pleasure, and reject everything that requires effort,” he affirmed.
The cardinal also recalled that, in Marian spirituality, the Virgin leads to Christ, and he cited Mary’s words at the wedding at Cana: “Do whatever He tells you.”
A Barcelona open “to those who come from afar”
In the final part of the homily, Omella referred directly to Barcelona and the influence he attributes to devotion to Our Lady of Mercy in the city’s history.
“Mary has helped Barcelona to look beyond itself, to open itself to the poor, to those in need, and to those who come from afar,” he stated.
The archbishop added that “the true greatness of a city is not measured only by its buildings, its prestige, or its international projection, but by the capacity of its inhabitants to recognize themselves as brothers and sisters.”
Omella then posed several questions to those present about their own “captivities”: “What am I captive to? What chains prevent me from living? What fears, dependencies, or selfish attitudes weigh on my heart?” In response, he posed another question: “Do I allow myself to be captivated by Christ?”
“A beautiful and livable land”
The cardinal concluded by extending his request to Barcelona, Terrassa, Sant Feliu, and all of Catalonia.
“May the dioceses of Barcelona, Terrassa, Sant Feliu, and all of Catalonia continue to be a beautiful and livable land, not only because of their historical monuments and material amenities, but also because of their human, fraternal, and solidary sensitivity, respectful of human and transcendent values,” he affirmed.
“May everyone be able to say: we feel at home, because here there is love, much love,” concluded Omella.