Ahead of Feast of St. John Bosco, celebrated tomorrow January 31st worldwide, Pope Francis praised all the good work performed by Salesians worldwide.
The Pontiff did so following his midday Angelus prayer to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, where the young people of Catholic Action were present and let balloons free in the Square as a gesture of peace.
Remembering the saint known as a patron saint of the youth, the Argentine similarly greeted young girls and boys of Catholic Action of the diocese of Rome, pointing out their large presence in the Square.
“Dear young people, this year too, accompanied by your parents, educations and assistant priests, you have come – a small group, due to the pandemic – at the end of the Caravan for Peace. Your slogan is “Let’s mend peace”. It is a good slogan!”
“It is important!” the Pope encouraged, pointing out: “There is a great need to “mend”, starting from our personal relationships, all the way to relations between states. Thank you! Keep going!”
St. John Bosco, Father & Teacher of Young, ‘Didn’t Close Himself Off in Sacristy’
On the eve of the feast of Saint John Bosco, Francis greeted the Salesians and Salesian women, “who do so much good in the Church.”
“I followed the Mass celebrated in the shrine of Mary Help of Christians [in Turin] by the Rector Major Ángel Fernández Artime, I prayed with him for everyone. We think of this great Saint, father and teacher of the young.
“He did not shut himself up in the sacristy, he did not close himself off in his own things. He went out into the streets to look for young people, with the creativity that was his hallmark. Best wishes to all Salesians!”
Leprosy Day & Lunar New Year
The Pontiff recalled that today, Jan. 30, is World Leprosy Day.
“I express my closeness to those who suffer from this disease,” he said, voicing: “I hope that there will be no lack of spiritual assistance and healthcare assistance.
It is necessary to work together towards the full integration of these people, overcoming every form of discrimination associated with a sickness that unfortunately still afflicts many people, especially in the most disadvantaged social contexts,” he lamented.
The Vatican’s full message for the World Day, by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development’s acting prefect, Cardinal Michael Czerny, can be read here in English.
He also remembered that on February 1st, the Lunar New Year will be celebrated in the Far East, as well as various other parts of the world.
“I extend my cordial greetings, and express the wish that in the New Year everyone may enjoy peace, health and a peaceful and secure life,” the Pope said. “How beautiful it is when families find opportunities to gather together and experience moments of love and joy!
The Holy Father lamented that many families will not be able to get together this year because of the pandemic, expressing his hope that soon this trial will be overcome.
“Finally, I hope that, thanks to the good will of individuals and the solidarity of peoples,” he expressed, “the entire human family will be able to achieve with renewed dynamism goals of material and spiritual prosperity.”
As usual the Pope concluded, wishing those present a good Sunday, lunch, and asking them to pray for him.
Here is the full Vatican-provided English translation of the Pope’s remarks after the midday prayer:
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AFTER THE ANGELUS
Dear brothers and sisters,
Today is World Leprosy Day. I express my closeness to those who suffer from this disease, and I hope that there will be no lack of spiritual assistance and healthcare assistance. It is necessary to work together towards the full integration of these people, overcoming every form of discrimination associated with a sickness that unfortunately still afflicts many people, especially in the most disadvantaged social contexts.
The day after tomorrow, 1 February, the Lunar New Year will be celebrated in the Far East, as well as various other parts of the world. I extend my cordial greetings, and express the wish that in the New Year everyone may enjoy peace, health and a peaceful and secure life. How beautiful it is when families find opportunities to gather together and experience moments of love and joy! Many families, unfortunately, will not be able to get together this year because of the pandemic. I hope that we will soon be able to overcome this trial. Finally, I hope that, thanks to the good will of individuals and the solidarity of peoples, the entire human family will be able to achieve with renewed dynamism goals of material and spiritual prosperity.
On the eve of the feast of Saint John Bosco, I would like to greet the Salesians and Salesian women, who do so much good in the Church. I followed the Mass celebrated in the shrine of Mary Help of Christians [in Turin] by the Rector Major Ángel Fernández Artime, I prayed with him for everyone. We think of this great Saint, father and teacher of the young. He did not shut himself up in the sacristy, he did not close himself off in his own things. He went out into the streets to look for young people, with the creativity that was his hallmark. Best wishes to all Salesians!
I greet you all, faithful of Rome and pilgrims from all over the world. In particular, I greet the faithful of Torrejón de Ardoz, in Spain, and the students from Murça, in Portugal.
I affectionately greet the boys and girls of Catholic Action of the diocese of Rome! They are here in a group. Dear young people, this year too, accompanied by your parents, educations and assistant priests, you have come – a small group, due to the pandemic – at the end of the Caravan for Peace. Your slogan is “Let’s mend peace”. It is a good slogan! It is important! There is a great need to “mend”, starting from our personal relationships, all the way to relations between states. Thank you! Keep going! And now you will release your balloons as a sign of hope… there! It is a sign of hope that the young people of Rome are bringing to us today, this “caravan for peace”.
I wish you all a blessed Sunday. And please, do not forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch, and arrivederci!
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