Your Eminence,

In your letter (#583/98) of 31 May 2001, you sent us important information about the preparation of the upcoming Third Continental Congress on Vocations to Ordained Ministry and Consecrated Life in North America which is to be held in Montreal from April 18-22, 2002. You also asked for an Apostolic Blessing for a successful outcome for the Congress, both for its preparatory phase and the actual celebration of the event.

In thanking you for your courteous request, I would like to assure Your Eminence that this important piece of news has been brought to the attention to the Holy Father, who has expressed his satisfaction with respect to this initiative. In anticipation that the Congress will be for the particular churches of North America a time for profound reflection on the vocational situation throughout the Continent, finding better and more effective means of promoting vocations to the ordained ministry and consecrated life, the Holy Father most willingly sends you his special Apostolic Blessing, asking on your behalf for an abundance of heavenly blessings.

I take advantage of this occasion to express my heartfelt appreciation for the activity of the Pontifical Work for Ecclesiastical Vocations in the promotion of priestly and religious vocations, and to convey to you my most distinguished and respectful greetings.

Yours in Christ,



Angelo Cardinal Sodano, Secretary of State

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