Visit to the parish of Saint Mary Queen of the World in Torre Spaccata December 14, 1986

St. John Paul II

Rome, December 14, 1986

After the meeting with the Pastoral Council, the Pope met with the representatives of all the groups and associations in another room, who were presented by the pastor. Among the faithful, some itinerants were also present. To all the Pope has addressed these words:

«I greet all those present and, through you, all the lay apostolate groups, different groups, characterized by a certain program, a certain spirituality. For example, there is a Carmelite spirituality that has its visible sign in the Carmelite scapular, which I have been carrying for many years. Then there is a Neocatechumenal and other group spirituality. Other programs, other spiritualities. All contribute to the common good of the Church. What I say corresponds to the words of Saint Paul: the Body of Christ Church. Many organs, many limbs, many cells contribute to the life of the body, of an organism. We are also a spiritual organism, a mystical organism, which is called the Body of Christ and we all receive from this organism the different impulses of the Holy Spirit, the different graces, special graces, the different charisms. Later, with these impulses, with these graces we try to contribute to the good of the body, to the whole of the mystical body of Christ, of the parish that is, in the Pauline analogy, Body of Christ. I want to express my great joy at the way you have celebrated the 25th anniversary of your parish today, in a very dignified, very beautiful way, with great participation, with a celebration during which you have prayed well and sung well. And also for the coronation of the Virgin, Queen of the World. I wish the best to each one of you and to your associations. May they be a source of good for others and for yourself. I also wish you a Merry Christmas.»