Letter of the Holy Father to Cardinal Sarah, the Special Envoy to the liturgical celebrations on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the apparitions of Saint Anne in Auray, 19.07.2025
The claim that Cardinal Sarah was chosen by Pope Francis for any role whatsoever is a bit difficult to swallow. But there it is in red below.
As is known (cf. L’Osservatore Romano, 24 May 2025), the Holy Father has appointed His Eminence Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, as his Special Envoy to preside over the liturgical celebrations to be held on the days 25 and 26 July at the Shrine of Sainte-Anne-d’Auray, diocese of Vannes, France, on the occasion of the 400th anniverary of the apparations of Saint Anne to the Breton peasant Yvon Nicolazic.
It is now necessary to make public the Pontifical Letter and Pontifical Mission, composed of the following ecclesiastics:
1. Reverend Don Ivan Brient, parish priest of Theix and former vicar general of Vannes;
2. Reverend Canon Gabriel Jegouzo, Dean of the Cathedral Chapter of Vannes.
Letter of the Holy Father
Venerabili Fratri Nostro
ROBERTO S.R.E. Cardinali SARAH
Ineffabilia Regni caelorum mysteria maxime parvulis revelare dignatur Altissimus (cfr Mt 11,25-26). Quam ob rem gratia Dei s. Anna, mater suavissimae Beatae Mariae Virginis, agricolae Ivoni Nicolazic miraculose apparuit, ut renovanti flamma spiritali Aremoricae populi fides exardesceret. Parvum quidem sacellum est exstructum, quod, ob frequentem devotorum concursum, insigne sanctuarium, s. Annae d’Auray dicatum, est factum atque temporis decursu desideratissimus innumerorum peregrinorum locus. Demum aprico die mensis Septembris anno MCMXCVI ad familiarum fidem, spem et caritatem alendas ac vivificandas eo feliciter pervenit et Decessor Noster s. Ioannes Paulus II.
Fausta igitur occasione capta quadringentesimi anniversarii proximo mense Iulio s. Annae apparitionum in oppido s. Annae d’Auray, Venerabilis Frater Raimundus Centène, Episcopus Venetensis, humanissime papam Franciscum, nunc bo. me., rogavit ut aliquem eximium Purpuratum designaret, qui celebrationibus in commemorationem s. Annae Summi Pontificis nomine praeesset atque verba spiritalis cohortationis pronuntiaret. Piae huic postulationi adnuere volentes et designationem a Decessore Nostro felicis recordationis papa Francisco expressam confirmantes, ad te, Venerabilis Frater Noster, decurrimus, qui, pietate doctrinaque praeditus, sedulus ac diligens emines in vinea Domini operarius.
Te igitur hisce Litteris MISSUM EXTRAORDINARIUM NOSTRUM nominamus ad celebrationes de quibus supra diximus, quae videlicet diebus XXV-XXVI advenientis mensis Iulii, memoria data s. Annae, in oppido s. Annae d’Auray congruenti ritu agentur.
Cohortabere omnes huius eventus participes ut renovatis viribus novoque studio vivam servent spem ad promissa Dei obtinenda, quippe qui huius Iubilaei copiosa adepti sint spiritalia beneficia et caelestis bonitatis gratias, quae procul dubio in cotidiano sustinendo opere multum afferunt adiumenti.
Sacrorum Antistitem dioecesis Venetensis, cunctos fideles ibi congregatos, venerabiles Praesules, sacerdotes, religiosos viros mulieresque, publicas auctoritates et christifideles laicos, Nostro salutabis nomine Nostramque iis ostendes benevolentiam.
Nosmet Ipsi te, Venerabilis Frater Noster, in tua missione implenda precibus comitabimur, s. Anna eiusdemque incomparabili Filia, Beata Maria Virgine, intercedentibus, tibique Apostolicam Benedictionem libentes iam nunc impertimur, signum Nostrae erga te benevolentiae et caelestium donorum pignus, quam omnibus sane celebrationibus participibus rite transmittas volumus.
Ex Aedibus Vaticanis, die XXV mensis Iunii, Anno Sancto MMXXV, Pontificatus Nostri primo.
To Our Venerable Brother
Translation (Source)
ROBERT Cardinal SARAH
Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
The Most High deigns to reveal the ineffable mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven especially to little children (cf. Mt 11:25-26). For this reason, by the grace of God, St. Anne, mother of the most sweet Blessed Virgin Mary, miraculously appeared to the farmer Ivo Nicolazic, so that the faith of the Aremorica people might be rekindled with a spiritual flame. A small chapel was built, which, due to the frequent gathering of devotees, became a notable sanctuary dedicated to St. Anne d’Auray and, over time, became a much-desired place for countless pilgrims. Finally, on a sunny day in September 1996, Our Predecessor St. John Paul II also arrived there happily to nourish and enliven the faith, hope and charity of his family.
Therefore, taking the opportune opportunity of the four hundredth anniversary of the birth of St. Anne's apparitions in the town of St. Anne d’Auray, Venerable Brother Raimundus Centène, Bishop of Venice, most humanely requested Pope Francis, now well-deserving, to designate some outstanding Cardinal, who would preside over the celebrations in commemoration of St. Anne in the name of the Supreme Pontiff and would pronounce words of spiritual encouragement. Wishing to accede to this pious request and confirming the designation expressed by Our Predecessor Pope Francis of happy memory, We have recourse to you, Our Venerable Brother, who, endowed with piety and learning, is a diligent and diligent eminent worker in the vineyard of the Lord.
Therefore, in this Letter we appoint you as OUR EXTRAORDINARY MISSION REPRESENTATIVE for the celebrations of which we have spoken above, which will be celebrated in accordance with the appropriate rite on the 25th and 26th of the coming month of July, the memorial of St. Anne, in the town of St. Anne d’Auray.
We encourage all participants in this event to keep alive their hope for obtaining God's promises with renewed strength and new zeal, since they have received abundant spiritual benefits and the graces of heavenly goodness from this Jubilee, which undoubtedly bring much help in their daily work of endurance.
You will greet the Holy Bishop of the Diocese of Venice, all the faithful gathered there, the venerable Prelates, priests, religious men and women, public authorities and lay faithful, in Our name and show them Our goodwill.
We ourselves, Our Venerable Brother, will accompany you in the fulfillment of your mission with our prayers, through the intercession of St. Anne and her incomparable Daughter, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and we now willingly impart to you our Apostolic Blessing, a sign of Our goodwill towards you and a pledge of heavenly gifts, which We wish to be duly transmitted to all participants in the celebrations.
From the Vatican, on the 25th day of June, in the Holy Year 2025, the first of Our Pontificate.
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