MAN IS CALLED TO CONVERSION AND PENANCE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 8, 2000 (VIS) - Today, Ash Wednesday, the general audience held in St. Peter's Square took the form of a penitential liturgy. Following readings from the Bible and the catechesis in Italian, the Pope imposed ashes on some members of the faithful and, finally, extended greetings in various languages.

John Paul II stated that "Mankind, every person, is called to conversion and to penance and is drawn to friendship with God that they may be gifted with the supernatural life that fills the deepest desire of their hearts.

"In receiving ashes on our heads, we are today reminded that we are dust and to dust we will return." During this rite, he said, "an invitation resounds for believers not to let themselves be tied by material reality which, however significant it may be, is destined to perish. Rather, they must allow themselves to be transformed by the grace of conversion and penance in order to reach the challenging and peaceful heights of supernatural life."

The Holy Father highlighted that "the Jubilee door is open to all! May all enter who are oppressed by guilt, who recognize their unworthiness; may all enter who feel as dust dispersed by the wind; may the weak enter and the distrustful, to draw renewed strength from the Heart of Christ.

"Today," he continued, "the imposition of ashes is accompanied by the traditional practice of abstinence and fasting. These are not mere external observances, ritual fulfillments of duty, but eloquent signs of a necessary change of life. ... Through fasting and penance, the believer is asked to renounce legitimate material goods and satisfactions in order to acquire greater interior liberty."

John Paul II asked of God "that, in this Jubilee Lenten season, all Christians may deeply feel the obligation to seek reconciliation with God, with themselves and with their fellow man. This is the path that must be followed to achieve the longed for full communion between all Christ's disciples."

In his greetings to pilgrims, the Pope addressed a large group from the Italian federation "Women: Arts, Professions, Business" who have come to Rome to celebrate Women's Day: "To all the world's women, on this their day, I happily reiterate my cordial best wishes. May women, thanks to growing social recognition of their specific contribution to the common good, find ever greater expression of the richness of their 'genius,' thus bringing about their true promotion."

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