VATICAN CITY, MARCH 8, 2002 (Zenit.org).- On Woman´s Day, John Paul II appealed for help for all women in difficulty.
The Holy Father made this appeal today when he met with members of the «Tra Noi» (Among Us) movement, which for the past 50 years has been committed to the aid of domestic employees, as well as other marginalized members of society.
The Pope took advantage of the occasion to express his «spiritual closeness to women in difficulty, hoping that there will always be persons near them who are ready to support them, so that they can fully realize their aspirations.»
The Tra Noi movement arose when Father Sebastiano Plutino, a religious of the Little Work of Divine Providence, brought together women working as domestics to assist other women in their line of work, as well as victims of social marginalization. The movement spread throughout Italy and to other countries, notably Brazil.
John Paul II encouraged the members, saying that «social categories, old and new, at risk or marginalized, await your service.»
Among the neediest, the Holy Father mentioned «immigrants, elderly people in difficulty, and youths seeking solid points of reference.»
«By spreading the ´spirituality of acceptance´ you can be the authors of an authentic universal fraternity, in which every human being feels accepted without distinctions of social class, religion, culture or nationality,» John Paul II told the members during a private audience.
In order to achieve this objective, «it is necessary, in the first place, to maintain alive and intensify daily contact with God in assiduous listening to his Word, with prayer and an intense sacramental life.»
«Only men and women of prayer can be authors of an incisive social and apostolic action. May the Eucharist, inexhaustible source of communion and missionary commitment, be at the center of everything,» the Holy Father said.
