People on the Move

FOR THE 3^rd ASIAN CONGRESS ON

PILGRIMAGES AND SHRINES 

From the Vatican, 10 October 2007

 

THE MOST REVEREND ALBERTO BOTTARI DE CASTELLO APOSTOLIC NUNCIO IN JAPAN 

THE HOLY FATHER WAS PLEASED TO BE INFORMED OF THE ASIAN CONGRESS ON PILGRIMAGES AND SHRINES TAKING PLACE IN NAGASAKI FROM 15 - 17 OCTOBER 2007. HE SENDS GREETINGS TO THE MOST REVEREND JOSEPH TAKAMI, ARCHBISHOP OF NAGASAKI, THE MOST REVEREND AGOSTINO MARCHETTO, SECRETARY OF THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR THE PASTORAL CARE OF MIGRANTS AND ITINERANT PEOPLE, THE DISTINGUISHED ECCLESIASTICAL AND CIVIC GUESTS AND ALL THOSE TAKING PART, ASSURING THEM OF HIS SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS AND PRAYERS. PILGRIMAGE HAS BEEN A PRACTICE OF FAITH SINCE THE DAWN OF CHRISTIANITY. MANIFESTING THE VERY NATURE OF THE CHURCH, PILGRIMS BEAR WITNESS TO JESUS CHRIST WHO IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE, AND IN THIS WAY MANIFEST TO SOCIETY THE HOPE WHICH DOES NOT DISAPPOINT (CF. ROM5:5). SANCTUARIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE GREAT SAINTS OR WITH EVENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE IN THE HISTORY OF SALVATION ARE WELCOME HAVENS OF PEACE AND HARMONY THAT ENABLE ALL TO DRAW DEEPLY FROM THE SPIRITUAL WELLS OF SERENITY, TRUTH AND LOVE. WITH SENTIMENTS OF ENCOURAGEMENT THE HOLY FATHER COMMENDS ALL PARTICIPANTS TO THE INTERCESSION OF ASIA'S MARTYRS, AND CORDIALLY IMPARTS HIS APOSTOLIC BLESSING.

 

CARDINAL TARCISO BERTONE

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

With gratitude for your valued assistance, I remain

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Archbishop Fernando Filoni Substitute