ANGELUS: BAPTISM, CHRIST'S FIRST PUBLIC MANIFESTATION

VATICAN CITY, JAN 13, 2002 (VIS) - At midday today, following Mass and the Baptism of a group of children in the Sistine Chapel, John Paul II appeared at the window of his study in order to pray the angelus with pilgrims gathered below in St. Peter's Square.

"This year too," the Pope began, "I have had the joy of baptizing a number of children on today's feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The Gospels place that event as the beginning of Jesus' public life. It is, indeed, the first manifestation of Jesus as the Son of God."

"The Lord thus showed Himself as 'the Christ,' consecrated by God in the Holy Spirit and sent by Him to announce the joyful message of salvation to the poor. The aim of His mission is to baptize men and women in the Holy Spirit, in other words, to communicate to them the 'fire' of divine life. This will be fully accomplished with His death and resurrection, a mystery in which those who receive the Sacrament of Baptism come to participate."

The Holy Father also recalled that during this period a preparatory meeting is taking place in Toronto, Canada, for the 17th World Youth Day. "For this reason," he said after having greeted the organizers of that event, "my thoughts are particularly directed to you, dear young people, who are already ideally 'on the way' to Toronto. ... I hope to see you once again in great numbers. Abandon all fear and uncertainty: remember that you must be 'morning sentinels,' ever ready to announce the advent of the new day that is the risen Christ."

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