Today we recall the poignant words of Saint John XXIII when, opening the Council, he indicated the path to follow: “Now the Bride of Christ wishes to use the medicine of mercy rather than taking up arms of severity. The Catholic Church wants to show herself a loving mother to all; patient, kind, moved by compassion and goodness toward her separated children”.

Blessed Paul VI spoke in a similar vein: “We prefer to point out how charity has been the principal religious feature of this Council. A wave of affection and admiration flowed from the Council over the modern world of humanity. Errors were condemned, indeed, because charity demanded this no less than did truth, but for individuals themselves there was only admonition, respect and love.

—All this rich teaching is channeled in one direction, the service of mankind, of every condition, in every weakness and need.