(December 28, 2011) Every week on Wednesday, the Pope holds a public meeting, called
the general audience, during which pilgrims and tourists who come to Rome have a chance
of seeing and hearing him speak in several languages. The general audience of Dec.
28th, the last this year, was held indoors in the Paul VI audience hall in the Vatican.
It began with a reading in several languages from Luke’s Gospel on the episode of
the finding of Child Jesus among the learned men in Jerusalem’s temple. An aide addressed
the Pope on behalf of the English-speaking pilgrims wishing him for the New Year and
introduced the various groups to him. Pope Benedict then delivered a discourse in
English.
Listen: Dear
Brothers and Sisters, Our continuing catechesis on prayer leads us, during
this Christmas season, to reflect on the place of prayer in the life of the Holy Family
of Nazareth. In the home of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we learn to contemplate the mystery
of God’s presence and to grow as faithful disciples of Christ. The Gospels present
Mary as the supreme model of prayerful meditation on the mysteries of Christ’s life;
in praying the Rosary, in fact, we unite ourselves to her contemplation of those mysteries
in faith and hope. Saint Joseph fulfilled his vocation as the father of the Holy
Family by teaching Jesus the importance of quiet fidelity to work, prayer and observance
of the precepts of the Law. Jesus’ unique relationship with his heavenly Father was
reflected in the prayer life of the Holy Family and stands at the heart of all Christian
prayer. May the example of the Holy Family inspire all Christian families to be schools
of prayer, where parents and children alike come to know that closeness to God which
we joyfully celebrate in these days of Christmas. I offer a warm welcome
to the students and teachers from the Oak International Academies. Upon all the English-speaking
visitors present, including the pilgrimage groups from Ireland, and the United States,
I cordially invoke an abundance of joy and peace in Christ our Newborn Saviour!