VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 2004 (VIS) - Made public today was a message from the Holy Father to Bishop Egidio Caporello of Mantova, on the occasion of the special Jubilee for the 12th centenary of the Italian diocese, founded in 804, which began on November 30, 2003 and will conclude on November 21, 2004, Solemnity of Christ the King.
The Pope writes in the Message dated June 10, Solemnity of Corpus Christi, that "the Church of Mantova has put Christ, hidden behind the veil of the species of the Eucharistic, at the center of the Jubilee celebrations."
"Daily participation in the Eucharist," he continues, " the nourishment of eternal life, is capable of transforming the life of believers. ... The Eucharist gives us the courage and joy to be saints. The Jubilee is, therefore, an appropriate occasion to take a closer look at the universal vocation to sanctity. The world needs people who are saints more than anything else."
After highlighting the social changes and economic difficulties that Italy is experiencing, John Paul II says that "a certain consumer and secularized mentality undermines the unity and stability of families, and, seducing a growing number of Christians, it leads them to distance themselves from the values of the faith in the social, civil and political spheres. It is necessary to react to these destructive forces, and, therefore, we must rediscover the Christian roots of our culture. All the faithful are called to this duty and will contribute effectively to this urgent need if they put Christ at the center of every personal, community and family project. Beginning with Him, we can build up a world that is more just and fraternal."
MESS/JUBILEEE DIOCESE MANTOVA/CAPORELLO VIS 20040619 (290)
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