VATICAN CITY, JUL 10, 2002 (VIS) - Today's general audience took place today in the courtyard of the apostolic palace at Castelgandolfo for the first time since the beginning of John Paul II's pontificate. The theme of the catechesis was the canticle of the third chapter of the Book of Daniel "May all creatures praise the Lord."
The Holy Father explained that the canticle is one of thanksgiving to the Lord for all the wonders of the universe. It is a hymn sung by three young men who are going to suffer martyrdom and who "do not hesitate to sing and give praise." Their faith provokes "divine intervention" which protects them from death.
"In the canticle of the three young men," he continued, "a sort of cosmic procession passes before our eyes which comes from heaven, inhabited by the angels." Later, "the focus shifts to the earth." The plants, seas, rivers and animals come together to praise God. "The last actor of creation that enters the scene is man," he said.
The Pope affirms that in the canticle "the three words of divine glorification resound, as in a litany: 'Bless, praise, exalt' the Lord. This is the authentic soul of prayer and of the canticle: to give praise to the Lord continually with the joy of forming part of a choir that includes all creatures."
"As human beings," he concluded, "we must add our joyful and confident voice, accompanied by a coherent and faithful life, to this concert of praise."
At the end of the audience, the Holy Father greeted in a special way those who live in Castelgandolfo, "who welcome me with great cordiality once again this year. I am thinking about World Youth Day which will take place in Toronto at the end of the month. I ask you to pray that this important ecclesiastical event produce the desired spiritual fruits."
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