“We Shall Have Apostles Among Children” – General Audience of August 17, 1994

“We cannot overlook the role of children in the Church. We cannot speak of them without deep affection. They are the smile of heaven entrusted to the earth. They are the true jewels of the family and of society. They are the delight of the Church. They are like the ‘lilies of the field,’ of whom Jesus said that ‘even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these’ (Mt 6:28–29). They are the favorites of Jesus, and the Church, the Pope, cannot but feel within their hearts, for them, the loving sentiments of the Heart of Christ. (…) Jesus’ love and esteem for children are a light for the Church, which imitates her Founder. She cannot fail to welcome children as He welcomed them (…). The presence of children in the Church is also a gift for us adults (…). What the Church feels committed to fostering is the Christian formation of children, which is often not sufficiently ensured. (…) From a psychological and pedagogical standpoint, it is well known that children readily and willingly enter into prayer when encouraged to do so, as the experience of many parents, educators, catechists, and friends shows. On these points, the responsibility of the family and the school must be continually recalled. The Church urges parents and educators to take care in forming children in the sacramental life, especially in approaching the sacrament of forgiveness and in participating in the Eucharistic celebration. (…) In this catechesis dedicated to the ‘apostolate of the laity,’ I am naturally led to conclude with a forceful expression of my predecessor, Pope Pius X. Explaining the lowering of the age for First Communion, he said: ‘There will be saints among children.’ Saints indeed have been among them. But today we can add: ‘There will be apostles among children.’ Let us pray that this prediction, this hope, may be fulfilled ever more fully, just as that of Saint Pius X was fulfilled.”

Here is the full address.

I bambini di oggi, nuovi evangelizzatori – Angelus di domenica, 6 gennaio 2002

– «(…) Today the Church entrusts the mission of evangelization in a special way to children. (…)  The missionary support of children is precious for so many missionaries, faithful to the mandate of Christ, who work for the propagation of the faith to the ends of the earth. Our grateful thought and constant prayer to the Lord goes to each one of these fearless evangelizers.»

Here is the full speech.

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