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Day

September 12th, 2004

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 12, 2004 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II highlighted three imperatives for Christians amid a world scourged by violence: contemplation, communion and mission.

"Contemplation, to journey on the path of holiness; communion, to foster the spirituality of unity; mission, to be evangelical ferment in every place," the Pope told several hundred people gathered today at the papal summer residence near Rome.

The Holy Father expressed the same imperatives last Sunday to the 250,000 people who gathered in Loreto, Italy, for the beatification of Alberto Marvelli, Pina Suriano and Pere Tarrés i Claret. Many of the 250,000 were members of Italian Catholic Action.

John Paul II began his meeting today with pilgrims by recalling the feast of the Name of Mary and asking the Mother of God to "watch over humanity at this time marked by overwhelming explosions of violence."

"May she especially watch over the new generations, desirous of building a future of hope for all," he added before praying the midday Angelus.

"I perceived this intense aspiration for a world of justice and peace also in the children, youths and adults of Catholic Action," the Holy Father continued. "The Church counts on the active presence of Catholic Action and on its faithful dedication to the great cause of the Kingdom of Christ."

He added: "I also look to Catholic Action with great confidence and encourage all the members to be generous witnesses of the joyous evangelical proclamation, to give back hope to today's society in search of peace."