To the community from the Graduate School of Bossey (February 18, 1983)

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ADDRESS OF POPE JOHN PAUL II
TO A GROUP OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS
FROM THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BOSSEY

Friday, 18 February 1983

Dear brothers and sisters from the Graduate School of Bossey,

Your are almost at the end of your course. I am grateful that you have made this visit to Rome part of it, so that you might have these contacts with the Catholic Church before you complete your work and return home with a renewed will to work and pray for the full organic unity of all Christians. Your visit in itself is an opportunity for us to share spiritual gifts and to find encouragement in what we already have in common (Cfr. Rom. 1, 12). It is likewise a tribute to the ecumenical movement, which in turn gives abundant evidence of the working of the Holy Spirit in many hearts.

The last decade of ecumenical activity has demanded perseverance. But we must thank God, who gives unity to his people, that it is blessed with results. In so many places Christians are praying and working and suffering together, striving to bring into being the kind of world God wants. We see too that the quiet and patient work of the many dialogues is beginning to produce rich fruits in charity and truth. Surely we must rejoice in all of this and tell it joyfully to others, to encourage the ecumenical vision in all Christians. Above all we must be convinced of the value of prayer and penance and holiness of life as being our greatest personal contribution to the restoration of Christian unity - that great action whereby, in the Holy Spirit, Christ Jesus gathers “together in unity the scattered children of God” (Io. 11, 52).

May God bless you and your families and the countries from which you come.