ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II
TO THE MEMBERS
OF THE INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE OF CATHOLIC KNIGHTS

Thursday, 5 October 1989

Dear Friends,

I am happy to have this opportunity to greet you, the distinguished members of the International Alliance of Catholic Knights on the occasion of your meeting in Rome. In welcoming you to the Vatican, I wish to express my deep appreciation for the many ways in which the members of your Orders have contributed to the material and spiritual growth of the Church in our time.

In the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation “Christifideles Laici”, I recalled that the Church, in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, has become the servant of all humanity (Ioannis Pauli PP. II Christifideles Laici, 36). Within her mission of service to the individual and to the whole of society, Catholic charitable and fraternal organizations like yours have a important role to play. I am pleased that you have devoted your meeting this year to the subject of “The Family, Cradle of the Christian Vocation”. As Christian laity who strive to imbue the temporal sphere with the spirit of Christ (Cfr. Lumen Gentium, 36), you have rightly attached great significance to the task of safeguarding the dignity of the family.

Through your commitment to this vital apostolate, the Church’s mission of service to the family and to society is greatly advanced.

I assure you of my prayers for the continued success of the many worthy projects which your Orders have undertaken. As you conclude your meeting, I invoke upon all of you the grace and peace of Christ our Lord, and cordially impart to you and to your families my Apostolic Blessing.

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