Dear brothers and sisters
“God loves the joyful giver” (2 Cor 9:7) With these words of Saint Paul, I wish to greet all those gathered here. I greet the members of the Administrative Council of the Foundation, headed by its President, Archbishop Szczepan Wesoły, whom I thank for his introductory word. I cordially greet Cardinal Adam J. Maida, Archbishop of Detroit, Archbishop Józef Kowalczyk, Apostolic Nuncio to Poland, Bishop Stanisław Ryłko, Secretary of the Vatican Council for the Laity, and Bishop Stanisław Dziwisz, Prefect of the Pontifical House and Vice-President of the Council. In a special way I greet the friends and benefactors of the Foundation present here. I also extend my greeting to those who were unable to come and who generously support the Foundation spiritually and materially.
I began with the words of the Apostle Paul. They were addressed as an encouragement to the faithful of the Church in Corinth, who organized material assistance for the community in Jerusalem. The Apostle writes: “Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You are being enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God, of your righteousness” for the generosity of people of good will constantly rises in the Church. I continue to undertake them today, presenting to God all that the Foundation has been able to accomplish over the course of seventeen years through the goodness and generosity of friends from all over the world.
(Speech to the benefactors of the John Paul II Foundation. Vatican, October 29, 1998)
Do not cease in this good work. Papal Speeches to the John Paul II Foundation
John Paul II Foundation &Centre for Documentation and Study of the Pontificate of John Paul II, Rome 2012
