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Pope Benedict XVI- Angelus |
Angelus Message
On the Pauline Year
"Invites All Christians to Be Missionaries of the Gospel"
H.H. Benedict XVI
June 29, 2008
www.zenit.org
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This year the feast of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul occurs on a
Sunday, thus, the whole Church, and not only the Church of Rome,
celebrates it in a solemn way.
This coincidence is also propitious insofar as it further highlights
an extraordinary event: the Pauline Year, which I officially opened
last night at the tomb of the Apostle of the Gentiles, and which
will last until June 29, 2009.
Historians in fact situate the birth of Saul -- who later became
Paul -- about 7 to 10 years after Christ’s. Thus, after the passage
of about 2,000 years, I wanted to call this special jubilee, which
will naturally have Rome as its center, especially the Basilica of
St. Paul Outside the Walls and the place of martyrdom at Tre Fontane.
But it will involve the whole Church, beginning with Tarsus, Paul’s
city of birth, and the other Pauline places in present day Turkey
and the Holy Land, which are pilgrimage destinations, as well as the
island of Malta, where the apostle came after a shipwreck and sowed
the fruitful seed of the Gospel.
In reality, the horizon of the Pauline Year cannot but be universal
because St. Paul was, par excellence, the apostle of those who, in
regard to the Jews, were “distant,” and who, “thanks to the blood of
Christ,” were drawn “near” (Ephesians 2:13). For this reason, today
too, in a world that has become “small,” but where many have not yet
met the Lord Jesus, the jubilee of St. Paul invites all Christians
to be missionaries of the Gospel.
This missionary dimension must always be accompanied by that of
unity, represented by St. Peter, the “rock” on which Jesus Christ
built his Church. As is underscored by the liturgy, the charisms of
the two great apostles are complementary in building up the one
people of God and Christians cannot offer a valid witness to Christ
if they are not united.
The theme of unity is highlighted today by the traditional rite of
the pallium, which I bestowed upon the metropolitan archbishops who
were named this past year. There are 40, and 2 others will receive
the pallium in their Sees. Again I greet them too.
Today’s solemnity is further a special cause of joy for the Bishop
of Rome inasmuch as he welcomes the Ecumenical Patriarch of
Constantinople in the dear person of His Holiness Bartholomew I, to
whom I renew my fraternal greeting, extending it to the entire
delegation of the Orthodox Church that he leads.
The Pauline Year, evangelization, communion in the Church and full
unity among Christians: Let us now pray for these great intentions,
entrusting them to the celestial intercession of Mary Most Holy,
Mother of the Church and Queen of the Apostles.
[Translation by Joseph G. Trabbic]
[The Holy Father then greeted the pilgrims in various languages. In
English, he said:]
I am happy to welcome all the English-speaking pilgrims and
visitors. In a special way I greet the Metropolitan Archbishops who
have received the pallium, accompanied by their relatives and
friends on this Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. May the
courageous example of these Holy Patrons inspire the Archbishops as
they preach the saving word of God. I am also pleased to extend warm
greetings to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, His
Holiness Bartholomew I, and to the members of his delegation.
Through the intercession of the Apostles Peter and Paul, may all
Christians bear clear witness to the truth and the love that sets us
free. God bless you all!
© Copyright 2008 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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