First Sunday of Lent

2/14/2005 - 6:00 AM PST

Advertisment

A Time of Interior Struggle Leading to Peace

VATICAN CITY, FEB. 14, 2005 (Zenit) - Here is a translation of the address read on behalf of John Paul II by Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, substitute of the Vatican Secretariat of State before praying the midday Angelus with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square.

* * *

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

1. We gather in this place to praise the Lord. First of all, I would like to thank you and all those following this moment on radio and television, for your closeness, affection and, above all, for your prayers during the days of my hospitalization in the Gemelli Polyclinic.

I always feel the need of your help before the Lord to fulfill the mission Jesus has entrusted to me.

2. Last Wednesday, with the rite of ashes, we began Lent, liturgical time which every year reminds us of a fundamental truth: we do not enter eternal life without carrying our cross in union with Christ. We do not attain to happiness and peace without facing the interior struggle with courage. It is a struggle that is overcome with the weapons of penance: prayer, fasting, and works of mercy. All this must be lived in a hidden way, without hypocrisy, in a spirit of sincere love for God and for our brethren.

3. This afternoon, as every year, I will begin Spiritual Exercises, together with my collaborators of the Curia. In silence and recollection, I will pray to the Lord for all the needs of the Church and the world. I ask you also, dear brothers and sisters, to support me with your prayer.

May Mary Most Holy, who in the midst of her daily concerns had her mind and heart directed permanently to the mystery of her Son, guide us to make a fruitful Lenten journey.

[After praying the Angelus, Archbishop Sandri added on behalf of the Pope:]

While I continue to pray for peace in the Middle East, I make a profound appeal for the liberation of Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena and all those kidnapped in Iraq.

[Then, on behalf of the Holy Father, Archbishop Sandri read messages in French, English, Spanish, Italian and Polish. In English, he said:]

I greet all the English-speaking pilgrims, including the members of the Schola Cantorum of the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, London. May God bless you and your families!

Contact

The Vatican
http://www.catholic.org , VA
Pope John Paul II - Bishop of Rome, 661 869-1000

Email

info@yourcatholicvoice.org

Keywords

Lent, Pope, Peace, Lord, Jesus, God, Vatican

Rate This Article

Was this helpful to you? Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful at All

Would you be interested in more articles like this? Yes, I am Interested No, I am not Interested

Rate Article

0 Comments

Comments submitted must be civil, remain on-topic and not violate any laws including copyright. We reserve the right to delete any comments which are abusive, inappropriate or not constructive to the discussion.

Though we invite robust discussion, we reserve the right to not publish any comment which denigrates the human person, undermines marriage and the family, or advocates for positions which openly oppose the teaching of the Catholic Church.

This is a supervised forum and the Editors of Catholic Online retain the right to direct it.

We also reserve the right to block any commenter for repeated violations. Your email address is required to post, but it will not be published on the site.

We ask that you NOT post your comment more than once. Catholic Online is growing and our ability to review all comments sometimes results in a delay in their publication.

Name *

Email *

Comment *

Send me important information from Catholic Online and it's partners. See Sample

Post Comment