SERENITY, HARMONY AND LOVE IN ALL FAMILIES

VATICAN CITY, DEC 29 2002 (VIS) - Before celebrating the Angelus with the faithful congregated in Saint Peter's Square, the Pope spoke about today's feast dedicated to the Holy Family of Nazareth, "admirable model of human and supernatural virtues for all Christian families."

The Holy Father exclaimed, "How I would like to see the serenity, harmony and love of the home of Nazareth in today's families! With insisting prayer I ask the Lord that all Christian parents be aware of their irrefutable duty towards their children as well as towards society. We expect them to give true and efficacious evangelical witness.

John Paul II pointed out that "A united family, following the path of these principles, will be able to easily overcome the difficulties it will encounter. Within the faithful parental love, a gift to be nourished and safeguarded continuously, the children may find the best conditions to mature, helped by Jesus, who 'increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man'."

He continued: "We entrust today the families of the entire world to the Holy Family of Nazareth, especially those undergoing great suffering or difficulties. In a special way I would like to place under the particular protection of the Holy Virgin, Saint Joseph and the Child Jesus, the IV World Family Meeting, which will take place in Manila, Philippines, from January 22 to the 26. The theme chosen - 'The Christian Family: Good News for the Third Millennium' - expresses the mission of each Christian family and the trust the Church places in them. May this important appointment bring forth the hoped-for spiritual fruits for the Church and for all of humanity!"

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