THANKSGIVING FOR GOOD AND FORGIVENESS FOR SHORTCOMINGS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 31, 2001 (VIS) - In the Vatican Basilica at 6 p.m. today, the Holy Father presided at the first vespers of the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God and the "Te Deum" of thanksgiving for the end of the year.

In his homily, the Pope, using the words of the ancient hymn "Te Deum laudamus, Te Dominum confitemur," made a call to raise to God "the expression of our profound appreciation for the good that, over the last 12 months, He has granted us."

"'Te Deum laudamus!' From our grateful hearts arises this hymn of praise and thanksgiving. Thanks for the advantages received, for the apostolic goals attained, for the good accomplished. I would like to give special thanks for the 300 parishes of our city that I have been able to visit thus far. I ask God for the strength to continue, for as long as He wills, in faithful service to the Church of Rome and to the whole world."

"At the end of the year, nonetheless," he concluded, "we must also be aware of our frailties and of the moments in which we have not been completely faithful to the love of God. For our shortcomings and omissions we ask forgiveness of the Lord."

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