St. Joseph, Superb Evangelical Model for fathers
H.H.
John Paul II
Angelus Message
March 19, 2000
1.
Before concluding this solemn Holy Mass, let us prepare to
recite the Angelus prayer in spiritual union with St Joseph, the
husband of Mary and guardian of the Redeemer. Although this year
his liturgical feast has been postponed until tomorrow, it is in
homage to the Patron of Workers that you, dear craftsmen, have
celebrated your Jubilee today. I greet you all affectionately
and ask you to bring my blessing to your homes and workplaces.
The feast of
St Joseph also invites us to have a special thought for
fathers, who find in him a superb evangelical model. I would
like to promise a special prayer for every father of a family,
from older ones who have known the joy of becoming grandfathers,
to young men who are perhaps anxiously awaiting the birth of
their first child. May all fathers be just men like Joseph,
ready to make any sacrifice for the good of their families. And
may the love of their wives and children reward them for all
their efforts!
2. Dear
brothers and sisters, I would now like to ask you to pray for
several special intentions. Next Friday, 24 March, we will
remember the missionaries who have shed their blood for the
Gospel with a special day of prayer and fasting. The year
1999 was also marked by the sacrifice of over 30 brothers and
sisters: priests, religious, seminarians and lay people actively
involved in evangelization. From their witness a prayer for
forgiveness and reconciliation rises to God; may their example
be an encouragement and support to everyone on the journey of
conversion of the Holy Year. Let us remember them in our prayer,
as well as everyone who continues to work courageously on the
front lines of evangelization.
I also ask
you to pray for my jubilee pilgrimage to the Holy Land,
which will begin tomorrow. I invoke the protection of Blessed
Mary and St Joseph in particular on this highly significant
apostolic journey. With deep emotion I will go to the places
where the Word became flesh, and lived, died and rose for our
salvation. May this visit, inspired only by religious motives,
bring the good fruits we desire for the entire Church!
To the
English-speaking pilgrims and visitors the Holy Father said:
I extend a
warm welcome to the English-speaking craftsmen and workers
taking part in this Jubilee celebration. Upon you and your
families I invoke the joy and peace of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Before
concluding, the Holy Father said extemporaneously:
We have often
remembered St Joseph on this day, but perhaps he has never been
remembered before at such a large festive gathering. Thank you
all!
© L'Osservatore
Romano
