By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Journalist Pope Benedict XVI told the faithful in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday that Mary, the “rose” who bloomed in the fullness of time, was the spiritual heart of the early Christian community. Just before praying the Regina Coeli on Sunday, the Pope focused his comments on the Virgin Mary, to whom the Church dedicates the month of May. “Mary is the most beautiful flower to bloom from creation, the 'rose' that appeared in the fullness of time when God, by sending His Son, gave the world a new spring,” he said. “At the same time, she was the humble and discreet protagonist of the first steps of the Christian community. Mary was its spiritual heart, because her presence among the disciples was a living reminder of the Lord Jesus and a pledge of the gift of His Spirit." He continued:  "When Jesus promised His friends that the Holy Spirit would help them to remember and understand His every word, how can we not think of Mary who, in her heart, that temple of the Spirit, faithfully meditated on and interpreted everything her Son did and said? In this way, before and above all after Easter, the mother of Jesus also became the mother and model of the Church." The Holy Father spoke briefly about his upcoming trip to Portugal this week when he will visit the great Marian shrine at Fatima on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the beatification of the shepherd children Jacinta and Francisco. "For the first time as Peter's Successor I will visit that Marian shrine so loved by the Venerable John Paul II," he said. "I invite everyone to accompany me on this pilgrimage, participating actively through prayer. With one heart and one soul, let us invoke the Virgin Mary's intercession for the Church, especially for priests and for peace in the world." © All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®  http://www.womenofgrace.com