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JOHN PAUL II ANGELUS JUBILEE OF CRAFTSMEN Sunday, 19 March 2000
1. Before concluding this solemn Holy Mass, let us prepare to
recite the Angelus prayer in spiritual union with St Joseph, the husband of
Mary and guardian of the Redeemer. Although this year his liturgical feast
has been postponed until tomorrow, it is in homage to the Patron of Workers
that you, dear craftsmen, have celebrated your Jubilee today. I greet you
all affectionately and ask you to bring my blessing to your homes and
workplaces. The feast of St Joseph also invites us to have a special
thought for fathers, who find in him a superb evangelical model. I would
like to promise a special prayer for every father of a family, from older
ones who have known the joy of becoming grandfathers, to young men who are
perhaps anxiously awaiting the birth of their first child. May all fathers
be just men like Joseph, ready to make any sacrifice for the good of their
families. And may the love of their wives and children reward them for all
their efforts! 2. Dear brothers and sisters, I would now like to ask you to
pray for several special intentions. Next Friday, 24 March, we will remember
the missionaries who have shed their blood for the Gospel with a special
day of prayer and fasting. The year 1999 was also marked by the
sacrifice of over 30 brothers and sisters: priests, religious, seminarians
and lay people actively involved in evangelization. From their witness a
prayer for forgiveness and reconciliation rises to God; may their example be
an encouragement and support to everyone on the journey of conversion of the
Holy Year. Let us remember them in our prayer, as well as everyone who
continues to work courageously on the front lines of evangelization. I also ask you to pray for my jubilee pilgrimage to the
Holy Land, which will begin tomorrow. I invoke the protection of Blessed
Mary and St Joseph in particular on this highly significant apostolic
journey. With deep emotion I will go to the places where the Word became
flesh, and lived, died and rose for our salvation. May this visit, inspired
only by religious motives, bring the good fruits we desire for the entire
Church! To the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors the Holy
Father said:
I extend a warm welcome to the English-speaking craftsmen and
workers taking part in this Jubilee celebration. Upon you and your families
I invoke the joy and peace of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Before concluding, the Holy Father said extemporaneously:
We have often remembered St Joseph on this day, but perhaps he
has never been remembered before at such a large festive gathering. Thank
you all!
© Copyright 2000 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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