ANGELUS: ADVENT STARTS JUBILEE PREPARATORY PERIOD

VATICAN CITY, DEC 1, 1996 (VIS) - At today's angelus, the Holy Father reminded the faithful that today, in addition to being the first Sunday of Advent and a new liturgical year, is "the start of the path of immediate preparation for the Jubilee Year 2000."

"As I indicated in 'Tertio Millennio Adveniente'," the Pope went on, "the next three years will be a time of strong spiritual and apostolic commitment for the local Churches throughout the world." Recalling that 1997 is dedicated "to meditating on the mystery of Christ," he said: "We want to fix our attention on Jesus, Son of God and son of Mary, Word made flesh, a man like us, who died and rose for us, to present Him with the needs and hopes of the men of our time."

Pope John Paul added that "Advent, which starts today, reawakens in believers the sense of watchfulness and active hope. ... It is time to conquer laziness and mediocrity, renewing one's entire existence in the light of the Gospel. It is time to rediscover the value of prayer. ... To prayer must be joined a strong commitment of charity towards our needy brothers in whom we meet and serve in a special way Christ, Redeemer of mankind."
ANG/ADVENT JUBILEE/... VIS 961202 (200)