VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 2004 (VIS) - Pope John Paul today received a group of pilgrims from the Italian diocese of Aversa, accompanied by Archbishop Mario Milano and by Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, who was born in Carinaro in this diocese.
The Pope recalled his meeting with faithful from Aversa in Rome in the Jubilee Year 2000 when he reminded them of "the importance of material and spiritual solidarity. I issue the same invitation today: 'Be witnesses of solidarity'. A solidarity that is born from the most immediate aspects of daily life, from work to welfare, to give life to a more just and fair society."
He underscored that "next to the social spheres, the sense of solidarity and reciprocal aid must also mark those of spiritual communion and the evangelizing mission of every Christian community. Is holiness not the highest witness of solidarity that your diocese is called to offer the men and women of our times? Yes! Dear brothers and sisters, proclaim with coherence Christ and His Gospel with generous fidelity and trusting abandon to the divine will. Nourish your existence with fervent prayer, docile listing to the Word of God and frequent recourse to the sacraments, especially Confession and the Eucharist."
In concluding, the Holy Father urged the faithful to "pursue the path you have undertaken, aided by the grace of today's pilgrimage. May God make fruitful your intentions of ecclesial communion and a commitment to the new evangelization."
AC/PILGRIMAGE AVERSA/MILANO:SEPE VIS 20040621 (260)
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