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Excerpts from the Holy Father on the Jubilee Day for Persons with Disabilities

 From the Homily at the Basilica of St Paul-Outside-the-Walls:

I greet you with affection, dear friends…The season of Advent, which begins today, spurs us to prepare ourselves to welcome the Lord who will come. But how should we prepare?…the Christian community prepares for the Lord's second coming by focusing on those persons whom Jesus himself favored, those who are often excluded and ignored by society. This is what we have done today by gathering in this basilica to live the grace and joy of the Jubilee with you, who are disabled, and with your families. By this action we intend to make your worries, your expectations, your gifts and your problems our own.

…In Christ's name, the Church is committed to making herself more and more

a "welcoming home" for you. We know that the disabled person—a unique and unrepeatable person in his equal and inviolable dignity—needs not only care, but first of all love which becomes recognition, respect and integration…On this solemn occasion, I would like to ask those who have political       responsibilities at every level to work towards ensuring living conditions       and opportunities such that your dignity, dear disabled brothers and       sisters, is effectively recognized and protected…If your civil, social and spiritual rights must be protected, it is nevertheless even more important to safeguard human relations: relations of aid, friendship and sharing. That is why it is necessary to encourage forms of treatment and rehabilitation which take into account a complete vision of the human person.

From the Vatican Jubilee Day Address of John Paul II:

I greet all of you here, as well as those who have joined us by radio and       television. This afternoon's celebration shows that the integration of disabled persons has made progress, even though there is still a long way to go; indeed, there are some important and urgent needs on which it would be       good to pause and reflect. First of all, the right that every disabled man and woman has in any country of the world to a dignified life. It is not only a question of satisfying their specific needs, but even more of seeing their own desire for acceptance and autonomy recognized. Integration must become an attitude and a culture; at the same time, lawmakers and government leaders must give their consistent support to this cause.

 Scientific research, for its part, is called to guarantee every possible form of prevention, while protecting life and health. When a disability cannot be remedied, it is still possible to unleash the potentials which the disability does not cancel. This potential should be supported and increased:  for rehabilitation not only restores impaired functions, but puts others into action and prevents deterioration. Among the rights to be guaranteed we must not forget the right to study, to work, to a home, to the removal of barriers, and not only architectural ones! For parents, moreover, it is important to know that society accepts responsibility for the so-called "after us", so that they can see their disabled sons or daughters entrusted to the concerned attention of a community prepared to care for them with respect and love.

 And what can we say of the volunteers who help their needy brothers and sisters? Dear friends, you are a people who bear witness to hope, who silently but effectively are helping to build a freer and more fraternal world.

May the Lord's word illumine this path of solidarity. Let us depart encouraged by this Jubilee day, one entirely marked by the Gospel Beatitudes. Christ, our       traveling companion, is our joy. In a few days' time, we will contemplate       him in the mystery of his birth:  from Bethlehem, where he chose to make       himself one of us, he will renew his message of happiness. It is our task       to bring it everywhere, so that it may be a source of serenity and peace       for everyone. I pray for this, as I bless you from my heart.

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