ADDRESS OF THE HOLY FATHER PAUL VI
TO THE MISSIONARIES FROM NIGERIA

Saturday, 14 Mach 1970

Dear Sons and Daughters in Jesus Christ,

It is a joy have you with us. It is the Church of Christ that sent you out as missionaries to a great people; it is the Vicar of Christ who receives you back today.

In His name We thank you for what you have done to spread His Gospel. We thank you for your dedication and self-sacrifice. We thank you for all that you have suffered in the name of Jesus, and for His people.

In you, We greet your brother and sister missionaries throughout the world, those who, as we said on last Mission Sunday, “have had the supreme courage to give everything, to give themselves”, who “know how to wait without seeing results”, who “die with their work unfinished, tired, alone, sacrificing their remaining nostalgic feelings in the unique invincible love of Christ, alive in His Church”.

We thank you for your faith and bid you place your unending hope in the resurrected Christ.
Wherever you may go in His name, Our Apostolic Blessing is upon you.