PAPAL AUDIENCE FOR MEMBERS OF MARIST FAMILY

VATICAN CITY, SEP 17, 2001 (VIS) - This morning at his summer residence of Castelgandolfo, the Pope received the participants of the general chapters of the four institutes of the Marist Family, exhorting them to "humbly follow the Lord, in a modest way, as Mary did."

"Keep the missionary tradition of your family alive!" he said. "With Mary it will lead you to be particularly attentive to the distress of our contemporaries, of those who, in our modern society, are deprived of dignity, recognition, and love."

John Paul II assured the religious that the Church especially needs them "in a milieux fundamental for the Marist Family: the education of children and youth. ... The world of education is difficult and demanding, requiring that educators continually adapt themselves to the youth and their new expectations. Do not let yourselves be discouraged by the difficulties of the moment. ... Form, likewise, the laity who work with you in order that they live the charism which animates you."

The Holy Father concluded with the hope that the general chapters help them to "find new signs of communion among the four institutes, to strengthen a collaboration which bears fruit for the faithful accomplishment of your mission!"

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