Vatican City (Fides Service) - On Saturday 25 January Pope John Paul II followed on television the World Meeting of Families event in Manila in the Sala Clementina in the Vatican together with a group of families from the Philippines. By means of a live television link, the Pope addressed the thousands of families present for the event in Manila. In his address the Holy Father said: "In the theological-pastoral session just concluded you discussed the theme: "The Christian Family: Good News for the Third Millennium". I chose these words with your World Meeting in mind, in order to highlight the sublime mission of the family. By embracing the Gospel and walking in its light, families are given the demanding responsibility of bearing witness to its message.
Dear Christian families, proclaim joyfully to the whole world the wonderful treasure which you, as domestic churches, possess! Christian couples, in your communion of life and love, in your mutual self-giving and in your generous openness to children, become, in Christ, the light of the world. The Lord asks you daily to be like a lamp which does not remain hidden, but is put "on a stand, and ... gives light to all in the house" (Mt 5:15). Above all, be "good news" for the third millennium by remaining faithful to your vocation. Whether you were married recently or many years ago, the Sacrament of Matrimony continues to be your own special way of being disciples of Jesus, contributing to the spread of the Kingdom of God and growing in the holiness to which all Christians are called. As the Second Vatican Council noted, Christian couples, in the fulfilment of their marital and family responsibilities, "increasingly advance their own perfection and their mutual sanctification" See complete address in English and other languages at www.fides.org (Fides Service 27/1/2003)