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From: Vatican Information Service <visform@pressva-vis.va>
Subject: VISEN 040102
To: VIS <visform@pressva-vis.va>
VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
FOURTEENTH YEAR - N. 1 ENGLISH FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2004
SUMMARY, DECEMBER 31 - JANUARY 2:
FAMILIES MUST BE FAITHFUL TO GOD'S PLAN FOR THEM
VATICAN CITY, DEC 31, 2003 (VIS) - Today at 6 p.m. in the Vatican Basilica, John Paul II presided at first vespers of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and the "Te Deum" of thanksgiving for the end of the year.
In the homily, the Pope invited everyone to give thanks to God for the "countless blessings that He has bestowed on us throughout the year."
Addressing in particular the faithful of the diocese of Rome, the Holy Father said: "The icon of Our Lady of Divine Love, a precious gift from the community or Rome to the Pope, is here with us today. I am very grateful to you for it. In Our Lady's crown there are embedded jewels which correspond to the twenty mysteries of the Holy Rosary, as I asked for the five luminous mysteries to be added to the traditional fifteen mysteries. I hope that this icon will be venerated in the new Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Love. I especially entrust to Our Lady the pastoral activity that the diocese has carried out throughout the years for the family, young people and for vocations of special consecration."
He then recalled what he wrote in the apostolic exhortation, "Familiaris consortio": "The future of humanity passes by way of the family." The Pope then said, "I entrust my prayer to Jesus through the Mother of God and St. Joseph, her spouse, so that He inspire in the diocese of Rome pastoral activity appropriate for our times, directed to all the families in the city and to young couples that are preparing for marriage. May families always correspond ever more fully to God's plan for them!" AC/VESPERS:TE DEUM/. VIS 040102 (290)
A NEW INTERNATIONAL ORDER IS NECESSARY
VATICAN CITY, JAN 1, 2004 (VIS) - At 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Basilica, John Paul II presided at a Eucharistic celebration on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and on the occasion of the 37th World Day of Peace. This year's theme is: "An Ever timely Commitment: Teaching Peace." Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State, celebrated the Mass.
The Pope said that this year's message for the World Day of Peace "is connected to what I proposed at the beginning of my pontificate, emphasizing the urgency and necessity of forming consciences in the culture of peace. Since peace is possible - I wanted to repeat - it is a duty of ours."
John Paul II remembered Archbishop Michael Aidan Courtney, apostolic nuncio in Burundi, "who was tragically killed a few days ago while carrying out the mission of promoting dialogue and reconciliation. We pray for him with the hope that his example and his sacrifice bring fruits of peace to Burundi and to the world."
After inviting all "to return ideally to Bethlehem in order to adore the Child in the manger," the Pope emphasized that the land where Jesus was born, "continues to live in dramatic conditions" and in other parts of the world "the fires of violence and conflict continue to burn. However, we must persevere without giving into the temptation of discouragement. Everyone must make an effort so that the fundamental rights of persons through a constant education in lawfulness is respected."
"The need for a new international order is ever more necessary," he continued, "one that takes advantage of the experience and results achieved over the years by the United Nations; an order that is capable of finding adequate solutions to problems, solutions based on the dignity of the human person, the integral development of society and solidarity among rich and poor nations, the sharing of resources and the results of scientific and technological progress."
Later on at midday, the Holy Father appeared at the window of his private study. Before thousands of people who came to St. Peter's Square to participate in the praying of the Angelus, the Pope stressed that "peace is above all a gift from God, but it is also a project which each and every person must contribute to."
After asking Our Lady to "help us to be witnesses and builders of this peace, heavenly gift and daily conquest of human beings who are concerned about the common good," John Paul II expressed his "wishes for prosperity and for peace at the beginning of this new year." HML/WORLD DAY PEACE/. VIS 040102 (440)
AUDIENCES
VATICAN CITY, JAN 2, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar general for the diocese of Rome and president of the Italian Episcopal Conference. AP/./. VIS 040102 (40)
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, JAN 2, 2004 - The Holy Father:
On Saturday December 31, it was made public that the Holy Father:
NOTICE
VATICAN CITY, JAN 1, 2004 (VIS) - In the year 2004, Vatican Information Service will be transmitted from Monday to Friday except for the days indicated below:
January 6 (Tuesday) February 11 (Wednesday) March 19 (Friday)
April 8 (Thursday) April 9 (Friday) April 12 (Monday) April 13 (Tuesday)
May 20 (Thursday)
June 10 (Thursday) June 29 (Tuesday)
Entire month of August
November 1 (Monday) November 2 (Tuesday) November 4 (Thursday)
December 8 (Wednesday) December 24 (Friday) December 27 (Monday) December 31 (Friday) ././. VIS 040102 (80)
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