FIFTH CENTENARY OF BIRTH OF ST. ANTHONY MARY ZACARIA

VATICAN CITY, JUL 6, 2002 (VIS) - Made public today was a message from John Paul II to Fr. Giovanni Maria Villa, superior general of the Regular Clergy of St. Paul, on the occasion of the fifth centenary of the birth of their founder, St. Anthony Mary Zacaria.

In the message dated July 5, the saint's feast, the Pope expresses his desire that the celebrations "be a beautiful occasion to emphasize the gift of sanctity resplendent in the Church in all times and that the Church found in St. Anthony Maria Zacaria a singular witness in the 16th century."

"I am sure," he affirms, "that reflection on his ardent love for Jesus ... and his tireless fervor for souls will constitute for his spiritual sons an invitation to dedicate themselves with renewed ardor to the human and Christian education of young generations that represent the future of the Church and society.

The Holy Father underlines that "it is necessary to take special care with the Christian formation of new generations by announcing the Word of God, punctual and devout celebration of the sacraments, especially Reconciliation, spiritual direction and spiritual exercises."

"The words and the example of the founder continue to encourage his sons towards a renewed fidelity to missionary activity which is fed by fervent prayer and is based on solid theological and cultural preparation. Only in this way," he concludes, "is it possible to make an incisive announcement and credible testimony of the Gospel everywhere."

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