Example for all
Fathers
H. H.
John Paul II
Angelus Message
March 17, 2002
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
1. The day after tomorrow, 19 March, we will celebrate the
solemnity of St Joseph, spouse of the Virgin Mary and
patron of the universal Church. The extreme discretion with
which Joseph carried out the role entrusted to him by God
highlights his faith even more, which consisted in
always listening to the Lord, seeking to understand his will
and to obey it with his whole heart and strength.
This is why the Gospel describes him as a "just" man
(Mt 1,19). In fact, the just man is the person who
prays, lives by faith, and seeks to do good in every
concrete circumstance of life.
Faith nourished by prayer: this is the most precious
treasure that St Joseph transmits to us. Generations of
fathers have followed in his footsteps who, with the
example of a simple and laborious life, imprinted on their
children's souls the inestimable value of faith, without
which every other good runs the risk of being in vain. So
even now, I am happy to assure all fathers of a special
prayer, on the day dedicated to them: I ask God
that they be men of a robust interior life, in order to
fulfil their mission in the family and society in an
exemplary way.
2. On the afternoon of Thursday, 21 March, the first
day of spring, I will have the joy of meeting with the young
people of Rome, who will gather in St Peter's Square to
prepare for Palm Sunday and World Youth Day. I invite the
young people of all the parishes of the diocese to this
appointment. Together we will reflect on the mandate that
Jesus entrusts to every baptized person: "You are the salt
of the earth ... you are the light of the world" (Mt
5,13-14).
3. While we think of these upcoming ecclesial events, we
look forward to Holy Week and the solemn rites of the
Paschal Triduum.
May the Virgin Mary be with us in these days of Lent and
make us experience her consoling protection. May every
believer find in her a gentle and strong guide to meet
Christ with renewed fervour in the mystery of his death and
resurrection.
