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Pope Benedict XVI- Angelus |
Angelus
Message
On Migrant Families
"Weakened and at Times Disfigured by Life's Trials"
H.H. Benedict XVI
January 14, 2007
www.zenit.org
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
This Sunday we observe the annual World Day of Migrants and
Refugees. Therefore, I address to all men of good will and, in
particular, to Christian communities, a special message dedicated to
migrant families.
We can contemplate the Holy Family of Nazareth, image of all
families, as it reflects the image of God, guarded in the heart of
every human family, even when it is weakened and at times disfigured
by life's trials.
The Evangelist Mark recounts that, shortly after Jesus' birth, St.
Joseph was obliged to travel to Egypt, taking with him the child and
its Mother, to flee from King Herod's persecution (cf. Matthew
2:13-15).
In the drama of the family of Nazareth we can perceive the painful
condition of so many migrants, especially refugees, the exiled, the
displaced and the persecuted. We recognize, in particular, the
difficulties of the migrant family as such: the difficult conditions
of life, the humiliations, inconveniences and fragility.
In fact, the phenomenon of human mobility is very widespread and
diversified. According to recent United Nations estimates, migrants
impelled by financial reasons number almost 200 million; refugees
number 9 million and international students some 2 million.
To this great number of brothers and sisters must be added the
internally displaced and irregular migrants, keeping in mind that
each one of them has, in one way or another, a family. Therefore, it
is important to care for migrants and their families through the
help of specific legislative, juridical and administrative
protections, as well as through a network of services, listening
centers and structures of social and pastoral assistance.
I hope that soon a balanced management will be established of the
migratory flows and of human mobility in general, so that it will
bring benefits to the whole human family, beginning with concrete
measures that favor regular migration and family regrouping, paying
special attention to women and minors.
Also in the huge field of international migrations, the human person
must always be placed at the center. The just integration of
families in social, economic and political systems is only achieved
on one hand, by respecting the dignity of all immigrants and, on the
other hand, by immigrants recognizing the values of the host
society.
Dear friends, the reality of migrations must never be seen just as a
problem, but also and above all as a great resource for humanity's
progress. And the migrant family is especially a resource, if it is
respected as such, and does not suffer irreparable lacerations, but
is able to remain united or to regroup, and to fulfill its mission
as the cradle of life and first sphere of a person's education.
Together we ask this of the Lord, through the intercession of the
Virgin Mary, and of St. Francesca Xavier Cabrini, patroness of
migrants.
[Translation by ZENIT]
[After praying the Angelus, the Holy Father greeted pilgrims in six
languages. In English, he said:]
To all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors I offer a warm
welcome. In today's Gospel, Mary says to the servants at the wedding
feast in Cana: "Do whatever he tells you." May you respond
generously to her exhortation, so that your hearts may be filled
with the peace and joy of Christ her Son. Upon all of you, I invoke
the abundant blessings of Almighty God.
© Copyright 2007 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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