SPREAD DEVOTION TO ST. JOSEPH WITH APOSTOLIC WITNESS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 17, 2000 (VIS) - This morning, John Paul II received participants in the general chapter of the Oblates of St. Joseph. He reminded them that their charism requires them to "reproduce the ideal of service in their life and apostolate, just as it was lived by the guardian of the Redeemer."

"This then is the simple and hardworking lifestyle that you follow, spreading devotion to St. Joseph through preaching, publications and especially through apostolic witness."

The Pope affirmed that a typical characteristic of the Oblates' ministry "is the religious and human education of youth, highlighting the catechism and actively working in youth centers and schools, in parishes and oratories, in movements and associations."

"Know how to speak to the hearts of youth, courageously presenting them with the Gospel. Make them love the Church. Be assured that the more accepted your word becomes, the more eloquent will be the witness of your example."

The Holy Father emphasized the importance of lay people's collaboration "in order to respond to the requirements of evangelization today". This is not just motivated by the lack of religious, rather, "the age in which we live may be defined, in some ways, as the age of the laity. Consequently, know how to open yourselves to their contribution."

He concluded: "Consistent prayer, attention to the signs of the times and vital permanent formation will help to render your work, not simply a social service but a witness of God's merciful love."

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RECTORS: MEN OF HUMAN RELATIONS, COMMUNION AND PRAYER

VATICAN CITY, FEB 17, 2000 (VIS) - The participants in the annual conference of rectors of English-speaking seminaries in Europe were welcomed by the Holy Father this morning who, in his talk to them, stressed that they must be men of solid human relations, communion and prayer.

"Your particular duties as rectors," the Pope pointed out, "are characterized by your relationship with the bishops who send men to you for preparation in priestly service, with the staff who assist in the formation of the seminarians, with the students entrusted to your care and supervision, with the presbyterate and the diocesan communities where these men will eventually serve as priests. Thus it is clear that you must be men of solid human relations on all levels - ecclesiastical, academic and spiritual - and that you must be men of communion."

"In all of this it is most important that you should be men of prayer, true disciples of Jesus Christ," John Paul II added. "First and foremost among your duties and responsibilities, in fact the foundation upon which all of them stand, is your own faithful witness to an active life of prayer." By instilling this same spirit in the seminarians, he observed, you will give the Church "priests who have learned to put themselves constantly in the Lord's presence - speaking to Him, listening to Him, being taught by Him, being loved by Him - so that they in turn can do the same for others."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 17, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, president of the Republic of Chile, accompanied by his wife and an entourage.
- Cardinal Jozef Tomko, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. - Bishop Jan Hirka of Presov of Byzantine rite Catholics, Slovakia.
- Nicola Cabibbo and Msgr. Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, respectively president and chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

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ARTISTS' JUBILEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW

VATICAN CITY, FEB 17, 2000 (VIS) - Tomorrow, February 18, the feast of Blessed Fra Angelico, the Artists' Jubilee will be held in Rome. Following the Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter's Basilica, presided by Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, president of the Committee for the Great Jubilee 2000, the Pope will receive the participants in audience.

During the afternoon, in the Paul VI Hall, there will be an international symposium on the theme "The Church and Art in the Pilgrimage Towards God." This event will be directed by Francesco Marchisano, president of the Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Patrimony of the Church, and will involve contributions from sculptors, painters, film directors, composers and architects from different European countries. The various talks will be interspersed by musical recitals. At 9 p.m., there will be a performance of music and dance in the basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, where Fra Angelico is buried, and a concert in the church of St. Ignatius.

On Saturday, February 19, those participating in the Jubilee will be able to visit the catacombs of St. Agnes, Domitilla, Priscilla and St. Sebastian, free of charge.

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