JOURNEY TO INDIA

ADDRESS OF PAUL VI
TO THE CHILDREN IN THE ORPHANAGE
OUR LADY'S HOME

Friday, 4 December 1964

My dear Children,

Thank You for your warm welcome. I have come all the way from Rome to see you, and to tell you how truly I love you as our Holy Father.

In this orphanage, you are cared for, protected, fred and sheltered. Thank God for these graces, and ask Him to reward all those who help you: your teachers, their assistants, and all the good people who, by their offerings and prayers, give you this home and this chance to prepare yourselves for an industrious and happy life.

Be sure to work hard, and not to waste time: study and obey your superiors, because this is what God wishes you to do. Always remember that the Holy Father loves you and prays for you; that He does everything He can to help you; and in your prayers, ask God to help and strengthen Him in carrying out His difficult tasks.

I call down God’s very best graces upon you all, and with a heart filled with fatherly love, I bless you, your families, your teachers and guardians, all those whom you love and who love you.