COMBAT EVIL WITH PRAYER, SACRAMENTS AND PENITENCE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 17, 2002 (VIS) - At midday today, after returning from the Roman parish of St. Henry, the Pope appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican's apostolic palace in order to pray the angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.

John Paul II affirmed that "today, the first Sunday of Lent, the liturgy presents us once more with the poignant Gospel account of the temptation of Jesus. ... The Redeemer's mission begins with His victory over the triple snare of the prince of evil."

"'Begone Satan!' For us, the Messiah's decisive attitude constitutes an example and an invitation to follow Him with courageous determination. Even today, the devil, 'ruler of this world,' continues his underhand activities. Men and women are tempted, apart from by their own concupiscence and the bad example of others, by the devil, even more so when they are least aware of such temptation. How many times do they lightly surrender to the deceptive promises of the flesh and of the evil one, only to then experience bitter disillusion! We must remain vigilant so as to react promptly to all attacks of temptation."

The Holy Father indicated that "the Church, expert teacher of humanity and sanctity, shows us the instruments - ancient and, at the same time, ever new - for the daily struggle against the lure of evil. They are prayer, the sacraments, penitence, attention to the Word of God, vigilance and fasting."

In closing, the Pope especially confided to the Virgin Mary the spiritual exercises he will begin this evening in the Vatican together with the Roman Curia. He requested the faithful to accompany them in prayer "that they may be fruitful days, not only for those taking part, but for the entire Church."

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