FRANCISCANS CELEBRATE GENERAL CHAPTER, MEET WITH POPE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 17, 2001 (VIS) - Pope John Paul today received the Friars Minor Conventuals, meeting in Rome for their General Chapter, during which they elected the 118th successor to their founder, St. Francis. In his address to them, the Pope underlined how a General Chapter is "an important occasion for reflection and planning which encourages its members to look to the future."

Citing his Apostolic Letter "Novo Millennio Ineunte," the Holy Father affirmed: "Starting afresh from Christ, this must be your first commitment. Only by leaning firmly on Christ will it be possible for you to enact the various programs" set out during the general chapter. ... This love for Christ must be expressed, in the first place, with fidelity to personal and community prayer, especially that of the liturgy, which has marked your order from the start."

The Pope underscored their fraternal life, calling it "your specific conventual Franciscan charism." He quoted the first biographer of St. Francis, Brother Tommaso of Celano, who described "Francis' first companions as filled with a love that was not only joyful but also animated by a true fraternal affection."

"In your Chapter," remarked John Paul II, "what has emerged often is the call to a simple and intense spirituality: in a word, Franciscan. ... Protect and promote spiritual life, making yourselves available to lead the faithful who turn to you down this path. In our days we see increasingly evident signs of a deep thirst for values, paths and goals of the spirit."

The Holy Father concluded his talk by remarking on the "many occasions that Providence offers" the Franciscans to live their charisms, especially in their work at the shrines entrusted to them and in their work as confessors. He thanked them in particular for their pastoral work as confessors in St. Peter's Basilica during the Jubilee Year 2000.

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POPE JOHN PAUL'S CALENDAR FROM FEBRUARY TO APRIL 2001

VATICAN CITY, FEB 16, 2001 (VIS) - The Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff has made public the following calendar of liturgical celebrations over which the Holy Father will preside from February to April:

FEBRUARY

- Sunday, 25: 8th Sunday of Ordinary Time. Pastoral visit to the Roman parish of the Nativity of Mary. Mass at 9:30 a.m.

- Wednesday, 28: Ash Wednesday. Mass, blessing and administering of the ashes at St. Sabina's Basilica, at 5:00 p.m.

MARCH

- Sunday, 4: First Sunday of Lent. Pastoral Visit to the Roman parish of St. Andrew the Apostle. Mass at 9:30 a.m. At 6 p.m. in the "Redemptoris Mater" Chapel of the Apostolic Palace, beginning of retreat for the Roman Curia.

- Saturday, 10: At 9 a.m. in the "Redemptoris Mater" Chapel, conclusion of retreat.

- Sunday, 11: Second Sunday of Lent. Beatification of Servants of God Jose Aparicio Sanz and 232 Companions martyred in Spain (1936-1939), in St. Peter's Square at 10 a.m.

- Tuesday, 13: Consistory for various Canonization Causes, in the Apostolic Palace at 11 a.m.

- Monday, 19: Solemnity of St. Joseph. Episcopal Ordinations, in St. Peter's Basilica at 9:30 a.m.

- Sunday, 25: Fourth Sunday of Lent. Pastoral visit to the Roman parish of St. Dominic of Guzman. Mass at 9:30 a.m.

APRIL

- Sunday, 1: Fifth Sunday of Lent. Pastoral visit to the Roman parish of Our Lady of Suffrage and St. Augustine of Canterbury. Mass at 9:30 a.m.

- Sunday, 8: Palm Sunday. XVI World Youth Day. Blessing of palms, procession and Mass in St. Peter's Square at 10 a.m.

- Thursday, 12: Holy Thursday. Chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at 9:30 a.m. Beginning of the Easter Triduum and Mass of the Lord's Supper at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, at 5:30 p.m.

- Friday, 13: Good Friday. Celebration of the Lord's Passion in St. Peter's Basilica at 5 p.m. Way of the Cross at the Colosseum at 9:15 p.m.

- Saturday, 14: Holy Saturday. Easter Vigil in St. Peter's Basilica at 8 p.m.

- Sunday, 15: Easter Sunday. Mass of the Day in St. Peter's Square at 10:30 a.m. "Urbi et Orbi" blessing.

- Sunday, 29: Third Sunday of Easter. Beatification of Servants of God Manuel Gonzalez Garcia, Maria Anna Blondin, Caterina Volpicelli, Caterina Cittadini, and Carlos Emanuel Cecilio Rodriguez Santiago, in St. Peter's Square at 10 a.m.

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HOLY FATHER WELCOMES DELEGATION FROM CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

VATICAN CITY, FEB 17, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father this morning welcomed a delegation from the Church of Scotland and, in a brief address, highlighted "that spirit of fraternity and dialogue which for many years now has marked the relationship between us as we seek to walk the path of unity willed by Christ."

Thanking them for their interest in his Encyclical "Ut Unum Sint," the Pope said: "That Letter includes a solemn re-affirmation of the Catholic Church's commitment to the ecumenical movement. Moved by a true desire for reconciliation, we must all continue on the journey towards visible unity. We still have far to go but with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit we shall continue to make progress."

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APOSTOLIC LETTER: 1700TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIA'S BAPTISM

VATICAN CITY, FEB 17, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was the Apostolic Letter, dated February 2, written by the Pope for the occasion of the anniversary of the Baptism of the Armenian People.

John Paul II recalled that the conversion of the Armenian people to Christianity occurred seventeen centuries ago. "It was an event which profoundly marked your identity; not only your personal identity, but that of the community as well. For this reason one can speak of the 'Baptism' of your nation, even if in reality the spreading of Christianity had already begun some time earlier in your land."

After a brief narration of the events which, according to tradition, were at the origin of the massive conversion of the Armenian people, the Pope writes: "The preaching of the Good News and the conversion of Armenia are above all founded on the blood of witnesses to the faith. ... The component of martyrdom constitutes an constant element in the history of your people. ... The entire culture and very spirituality of the Armenians are pervaded by the boldness of the supreme sign of the gift of life in martyrdom. ... One such emblem is the sacrifice of Vardan Mamikonian and his companions" who, facing attempts to impose mazdaism (zoroastrianism), "gave their life to remain faithful to Christ and defend the faith of the nation."

The Pope emphasized that since then similar events have been repeated, "up through the massacres suffered by the Armenians in the years spanning the 19th and 20th centuries and culminating in the tragic events of 1915, when the Armenian people suffered unspeakable violence, the painful consequences of which are still visible in the diaspora into which many of its sons have been constrained. It is a memory which cannot be lost."

Furthermore, the Holy Father recalled, these bloody events have compelled the Armenian people "to continual migrations throughout the world." But, he writes, "the Christian faith, even in the most tragic moments of Armenian history, has been the propulsive spring which has marked the beginning of the rebirth of this tried people."

Another element "of great value in your troubled history" is comprised of the "relation between evangelization and culture." From the term "'Illuminator,' as St. Gregory the Apostle of Armenia is named" is derived 'Illumination', a term which indicates that "through Baptism, the disciple ... is inundated by the splendor of Christ 'light of the world'." Such a term also indicates "the spreading of culture through teaching, entrusted in particular to the monk-teachers, who continue the evangelical preaching of St. Gregory."

The Pope then points to the "powerful force of faith, which prompts us not to give in to the temptations of power and of the world, and which enables us to resist atrocious sufferings as well as the most seductive flattery." When man distances himself from God, "he loses his own dignity, debasing himself, and thus becoming a prisoner of his own avidity." An important truth in all of this emerges, he says: "An absolute sacredness of power does not exist, and this doesn't mean to say that it is always justified in everything one does. One must, rather, recognize the personal responsibility of one's choices: if they are wrong, they remain such, even if a king makes them."

The Holy Father says he wants to express to the Lord "the gratitude of the entire Church for having inspired in the Armenian people a faith which is so firm and courageous and for having always supported them in their witness to it. ... I want to express my thanks to the Armenian people above all for their long history of fidelity to Christ, a fidelity which has known persecution and martyrdom."

"The Armenian people's patrimony of faith and culture has enriched mankind with treasures of art and talent, which are now spread throughout the world. ... Ambassadors of peace and industriousness, Armenians have travelled the world and, ... have offered a precious contribution to transforming it and making it closer to the Father's project of love."

John Paul II expressed "a special thought to all those who worked so that Armenia could rise from the sufferings of so many years of a totalitarian regime."

"I also fervently hope that the faithful will courageously continue their commitment and their already notable efforts so that the Armenia of tomorrow will bloom again in the human and Christian values of justice, solidarity, equality, respect, honesty and hospitality which are at the basis of human coexistence."

He underscores how "the already cordial relations between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Catholic Church have had, in recent decades, a decisive thrust through meetings between the Pope and the highest authorities of that Church." In particular he cites the encounter with His Holiness Karekin II to whom he gave the relics of Gregory the Illuminator for the new cathedral in Yerevan.

Remarking on tomorrow's liturgy in the Armenian rite in St. Peter's Basilica, "with Armenians and for Armenians ... to praise God for the gift of faith they have received," the Pope writes: "It is my great hope that that sacred thanksgiving will embrace all Armenians, wherever they are."

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JOHN PAUL II'S MESSAGE TO THE DIOCESE OF ROME

VATICAN CITY, FEB 17, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was the text of John Paul II's Message to the faithful of the Diocese of Rome, in which the Holy Father recalls "some of the emotions created" by the Holy Year celebrations. The Pope expresses his gratitude to the Church of Rome, writing: "Thank you, therefore, Church of Rome, for being open to the grace of the Jubilee and for having responded to this grace with all the enthusiasm of your heart!"

After having recalled particular Jubilee celebrations, such as the Jubilee of the Family, the Jubilee of Youth and the celebration of the International Eucharistic Congress, the Pope writes that, after such experiences, "a new and fruitful season of evangelization of our city and the entire world awaits us."

John Paul II in particular asks the faithful of the Church of Rome to dedicate "a great deal of time to prayer and listening to the word of God" and to "utilize the Eucharist to the utmost, above all that of Sunday." He continues: "May the rediscovery of the sacrament of Reconciliation, which we have experienced during the Holy Year, be supported by appropriate catechesis and by the generous availability of priests in the confessional."

Referring to missionary formation, the Holy Father emphasizes how it is above all the parishes which undertake "the entire formative itinerary, beginning with the childhood years and following, without a break in continuity, through to youth, maturity and old age. It is a matter of forming authentic Christians and this cannot occur without a profound personal involvement, on the part of those providing formation as well as of those being formed."

The Pope asks all believers, "in particular the community of contemplative life, to intensify prayer for vocations. It is the primary commitment and the most necessary."

"I do not need to emphasize," the Pontiff continues, "how important, the pastoral ministry to the family is for a extensive missionary commitment in this historic moment in the which the family itself, in Rome as elsewhere, is undergoing a profound and widespread crisis."

At the end of the Message the Holy Father specifies that "the months which separate us from the conference in June," are an opportunity to "discover together the most efficacious ways to make permanent the commitment to the new evangelization. We well know, however, that as all else the enthusiasm, energy, and dedication of the evangelizers comes from that source which is the love of God," which "embraces, in Christ, all of our brethren in humanity, called like us to faith and salvation. It embraces, in particular, each of those who live in this great city, poor and rich, young and old, Italians and foreigners."

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