"Mga kaibigan" (Dear friends)
"Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat" (I warmly thank you all).
I would have liked to visit you at your homes, but it was not possible. I thank you for coming to meet me instead. Thank you for wanting to represent the others who wanted so much to come but could not. Being with you today brings great joy to my heart. I greet you with affection and I hope you know how much I have looked forward to our meeting.
In my previous pastoral visits to Africa and Brazil, I met other men and women suffering from leprosy. These encounters left a deep impression on me, because I was able to appreciate the loving patience and courage with which they live in spite of trials and adversity.
1. I stand here in the name of Christ Jesus to remind you of his extraordinary love for all his brothers and sisters, but particularly for each one of you. The Gospels bear witness to this truth. Think for a moment how often Jesus manifested his concern by transforming situations of need into moments of grace. In St Luke's Gospel, for example, Jesus is approached by ten lepers who ask to be healed. The Lord orders them to show themselves to the priests, and along the way they are healed. One of them returns to give thanks. In his gratitude he demonstrates a faith that is strong, joyful and full of praise for the wonder of God's gifts. Evidently Jesus has touched the deep intimacy of this man's being with his love.
2. Again in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, we are presented with a leper who asks Jesus to heal him but only if it is his will. What great gratitude the man feels when his request is heard! He sets out to spread the joyful news of the miracle to all he meets. Such great happiness comes from man's faith. His words 'if you will you can cleanse me' reflect a readiness to accept whatever Jesus wishes for him. And his faith in Jesus was not disappointed! Dear brothers and sisters, may your faith in Jesus be no less firm and constant than the faith of these people in the Gospels.
3. I know that your affliction brings intense suffering, not only through its physical manifestations, but also through the misunderstandings that so many people in society continue to associate with Hansen's disease. You often come across very old prejudices, and these become an even greater source of suffering. For my part, I will continue to proclaim before the world the need for even greater awareness of the fact that, with appropriate help, this disease can indeed be overcome. This is why I ask everyone everywhere to support more and more the courageous efforts that are being made to eradicate leprosy and effectively treat those who still suffer from it.
4. I pray that you will never be discouraged or aggravated. Wherever and whenever you encounter the Cross, embrace it as Jesus did, that the Father's will may be done. May your suffering be offered up for the benefit of the whole Church, so that you may say with St Paul: "Therefore I am glad in my sufferings... and I complete in my flesh what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of His Body, which is the Church..." (Col 1:24).
Three days ago I beatified in your country sixteen martyrs of Nagasaki. Among them is Blessed Lazarus of Kyoto, who was a leper. How we rejoice at the help Blessed Lazarus gave to the missionaries as a translator and guide. Finally, his commitment to spreading the Gospel cost him his life; he died shedding his blood for the faith. His love for Christ involved much suffering, even torturous pain! He experienced the incomprehension, rejection and hatred of others in his service to the Church! But by the power of God's grace, Blessed Lazarus bore witness to the faith and merited the precious gift of the crown of martyrdom.
Dear friends, I invite you to imitate the courage of Blessed Lazarus who is so close to you. Share the convictions of your faith with your brothers and sisters who suffer with you. Return the love of the doctors, nurses and volunteers who so generously care for you. Work to build a living community of faith, a community that supports, strengthens and enriches the universal Church. This is where your service to Christ is! It is here that your lives are challenged! It is here that you can manifest your faith, your hope and your love!
May God bless you, dear brothers and sisters! Bless all those suffering from leprosy in this country! May he bless your families, your friends and all those who care for you! "Ai higit sa lahat, inihahabilin ko ang aking sarili sa inyong panalangin, sa inyong pagmamahal" (And above all, I commend me to your prayer and love).
[Pope John Paul II, Address to the Tala Leprosarium, Manila 21 February 1981]
