ANGELUS RFLECTIONS ON ST. JOSEPH, HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 19, 2000 (VIS) - Pope John Paul, before reciting the angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square for the Jubilee of the Artisans, reflected on St. Joseph, patron of workers, and asked for prayers for the jubilee pilgrimage to the Holy Land which he undertakes tomorrow.

As Italy celebrates Father's Day on the March 19 feast of St. Joseph, the Pope observed that "the feast of St. Joseph invites us to have a special thought for fathers of families who, in him, find an exalted evangelical model. I wish today to assure all fathers of my special prayers, from the oldest who have known the joy of becoming grandfathers to the young ones, who are perhaps waiting for their firstborn with trepidation. May all fathers, as Joseph, be just men, ready for any sacrifice for the good of their families. And may the love of their wives and children reward them for every effort."
The Holy Father then asked for prayers for two special intentions. Friday, March 24, he said, "we will remember with a special day of prayer and fasting the missionaries who have shed their blood for the Gospel. Even 1999 was marked by the sacrifice of more than 30 of our brothers and sisters."

He then asked for prayers for his jubilee pilgrimage to the Holy Land which starts tomorrow. "With deep emotion I will go to the places where the Word was made flesh, lived, died and rose for our salvation. May this visit, inspired solely by religious motives, bring the hoped-for fruits of good for the entire Church!"

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