Salt + Light Media Menu
Salt + Light Media Home
Magnifying Glass
coverPhoto
Premium content

Asset title

Asset description

Behind Vatican Walls: Papal Poem 'Martin Fierro'

Alicia Ambrosio

Friday, June 12, 2015

Papal_Poems
The Vatican received a who’s-who of international leaders, each one bringing their own agenda and a unique assortment of gifts. In the span of three days, leaders from Argentina, Russia, and Canada came to visit, with a delegation of bishops from Latvia and Estonia squeezing in for an Ad Limina visit.
Russian leader Vladamir Putin brought the pope a picture of the Church of Jesus Savior, which was recently rebuilt in Moscow. Argentina’s president, the highly styled Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, showered the pope with gifts. She brought a basket of Argentine foods (almost certainly Yerba mate, Dulce de Leche, and Alfajores), a picture of Blessed Oscar Romero painted by an Argentine artist, and several books: one about MercuSur, the South American common market organization, one about Argentina architecture, and a copy of the epic Argentine poem “Martin Fierro” which has been quoted by the pope on various occasions.
Given that when the pope mentions a book it becomes a best-seller, what is this “Martin Fierro”?
Written in 1872 by Jose Hernandez, the 13 canto poem traces the path of a content but poor gaucho Martin Fierro. He is taken from his quiet life on the Pampas by the government and forced to help protect the country’s border from natives because he failed to vote in the last election for the local judge. Fierro is a poor gaucho, but life in the government fort is even worse than anything he’s known before: he and his fellow gauchos live in squalor and are treated brutally. Eventually Fierro’s rebellious streak kicks in and he deserts his post. Returning home he discovered his wife, children and home are gone. With nothing left, he wanders the Pampas alone.
Eventually, while in a humble drinking establishment, Fierro gets into a knife fight and kills a man. Sought after by the police, he flees and becomes a fugitive. Along the way he meets Cruz, a police officer who more attracted by Fierro’s ideals than keeping law and order. To avoid being captured Fierro and Cruz make their home among the natives.
A second poem, “The Return of Martin Fierro” sees the two men emerge from their exile. Fierro finds his two sons who are now grown and gives them his long-overdue fatherly guidance. The lessons he teaches and the advice he gives are core Christian values: hold firm to your faith in God, help the poor and aged, work hard, respect women.
The poems are considered an expression of the Argentine national identity: God-fearing people who keep their head down, work hard, treat others well, yet are mistreated by those with power and money. At the same time the poems were considered a warning against the European ideas being introduced to the country.
***
The renowned Italian composer and director Ennio Morricone has composed a Mass for Pope Francis and the 200th anniversary of the restoration of the Jesuit order.
A concert presenting the new Mass setting was held at Rome Il Gesu church this week. The concert was recorded by Italian state broadcaster RAI and will be available on the Rai5 website.
Watch this week's Vatican Connections below.

AliciaEvery week brings new, exciting, and sometimes juicy headlines from behind Vatican walls and every week Alicia delves deeper into one of those headlines. For a full run down of what’s been happening behind Vatican walls, watch Vatican Connections. Already watch the program? Come back every Friday for an in-depth look at an issue, headline or person.


Related Articles:

Category: 聖誕期, Highlight, Pope Francis, 將臨期, 教宗方濟各

Tag: 講道, homily, Mass, Pope Francis, Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, 彌撒, 教宗方濟各

國際明愛全力援助緬甸大地震災民

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

鹽與光

國際明愛為援助緬甸大地震災民發出呼籲,該機構的人道主義總監表示正與全球同盟一起動員資源,提供緊急人道救援,並協助重建被這場悲劇摧毀的生活。請大家慷慨捐助!

教宗方濟各情況持續保持穩定【2025年4月1日】

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

鹽與光

羅馬時間,2025年4月1日(星期二),聖座新聞室發表了有關教宗方濟各健康狀況的最新消息:教宗方濟各繼續在梵蒂岡寓所聖瑪爾大之家安度雙側肺炎的恢復期。此外,他繼續在辦公桌前工作。

敞開心扉說「亮」話:只有常常回到內心的聖殿才能認出基督

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

鹽與光

王新亮神父:「主內的兄弟姐妹們,今天的福音很豐富,是一段很好的聖經默想章節。我們今天只看一點,就是這個被治癒的人在人群裡邊不知道誰治好了他,但是在聖殿裡才認出了耶穌。」

教宗2025年4月祈禱意向:為新技術的運用祈禱

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

鹽與光

教宗:「願新技術的運用不取代人際關係,而是尊重人的尊嚴,有助於我們面對這個時代的危機。」

教宗致函慈悲傳教士:皈依和寬恕是天主的輕柔撫慰

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

鹽與光

在禧年慈悲傳教士慶典的機會上,教宗在一份訊息中指出,成為福音見證者意味著要隨時準備好接納和不斷陪伴那些渴望「以和平的聖神的力量」更新自己生活的人。

SUPPORT LABEL

Receive our newsletters
Stay Connected
Receive our newsletters
Stay Connected
Copyright © 2025 Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation
Registered Charity # 88523 6000 RR0001
FR | CH