VATICAN CITY, MAR 19, 2000 (VIS) - Today, the second Sunday of Lent, John Paul II celebrated Mass in St. Peter's Square on the occasion of the Jubilee of Artisans. The Eucharistic celebration was preceded by songs and readings evoking the figure of St. Joseph. The liturgical celebration of the saint's feast has been put off until tomorrow, March 20.
In his homily, the Holy Father told the 40,000 artisans and their families, who have come to Rome from various countries, that St. Joseph, their patron saint, is an "example of industriousness and honesty in daily work. ... Next to St. Joseph, you find the Son of God Himself who, under (St. Joseph's) guidance, learns the trade of carpentry and practices it to the age of 30, proposing Himself as the 'Gospel of work'."
The Pope explained that "through faith in Christ, died and risen again, the fatigue and burden of daily work gain a new light of hope. ... Dear artisans, fortified by this knowledge, you can restore strength and concrete form to those values that have always characterized your activities: the striving for quality, the spirit of initiative, the promotion of artistic qualities, liberty and cooperation, the equitable relationship between technology and the environment, the bond with the family and good neighborly relations."
"Dear artisans," he concluded, "you have come here today to celebrate your Jubilee. May the light of the Gospel illuminate ever more your daily experience of work. The Jubilee offers you the chance to meet Jesus, Joseph and Mary, entering their home and the humble Nazareth workshop. ... Nazareth teaches us to overcome the apparent tension between active and contemplative life."
During the offertory, representatives of artisans and restorers presented the Pope with various gifts, such as the corner stone of a building, ceramics, a lamp and a book of liturgical songs and prayers, symbols of the works that the various artisan organizations will carry out.
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