JOURNEY TO INDIA

ADDRESS OF PAUL VI
TO THE SICK

Friday, 4 December 1964

My dear sons and daughters,

The holy Father has come to visit you. Why have I come? I come because Our Lord Jesus Christ sends men to you. Because you are favourite children, of whom He has asked the greatest sacrifices, to whom He has entrusted the heaviest Crosses. But also because you are those whom He consoles, with His love, His graces, His choicest blessings. I have to assure you of my sympathy for you in your sufferings, and my compassion for your sorrow. Above all, I exhort and encourage you to give full value to your pains. Accept them with patience, piety, and resignation for God’s holy will. By your patience you will win your souls, and you will fill up in your flesh what is lacking of the sufferings of Christ for His body, which is the Church. Pray for this patience and resignation through the intercession of Our Mother, Mary, whom We have recently proclaimed Mother of the Church, She will not despise your petition, but in Her mercy will hear and answer you. To call down the comforting and consoling graces of God, to obtain the powerful assistance of the Mother of Jesus, and to show you once again my special love and paternal interest, I gladly impart to you and to all your loved ones, My special Apostolic Blessing.