Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
New York (Agenzia Fides) - On the afternoon of April 19, the Holy Father held two encounters with young people at St. Joseph’s Seminary in New York. Addressing a group of youth with disabilities, in the Seminary’s chapel, the Pope said that, “God’s unconditional love, which bathes every human individual, points to a meaning and purpose for all human life. Through his Cross, Jesus in fact draws us into his saving love and in so doing shows us the way ahead - the way of hope which transfigures us all, so that we too, become bearers of that hope and charity for others.” Before imparting his blessing on those present, Benedict XVI encouraged the disabled youth “to pray every day for our world,” saying, “there are so many intentions and people you can pray for, including those who have yet to come to know Jesus. And please do continue to pray for me.”
Later, on the Seminary’s athletic field, the Pope held an encounter with crowds of young people and seminarians, religious sisters and brothers who greeted him with “Happy Birthday” in German. “This evening,” the Pope said, “I wish to share with you some thoughts about being disciples of Jesus Christ ─ walking in the Lord’s footsteps, our own lives become a journey of hope.” Benedict XVI then mentioned six American men and women who the Church honors as Venerable, Blessed, or Saint: Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Saint John Neumann, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, Venerable Pierre Toussaint, and Padre Felix Varela. “Through orphanages, schools and hospitals, by befriending the poor, the sick and the marginalized, and through the compelling witness that comes from walking humbly in the footsteps of Jesus, these six people laid open the way of faith, hope and charity to countless individuals, including perhaps your own ancestors.”
And referring to today, Benedict XVI asked, “Who bears witness to the Good News of Jesus on the streets of New York, in the troubled neighborhoods of large cities, in the places where the young gather, seeking someone in whom they can trust? God is our origin and our destination, and Jesus the way.” The path of that journey twists and turns through the joys and the trials of ordinary, everyday life. Young Americans are offered many opportunities for personal development, and are brought up with a sense of generosity, service and fairness. “Yet you do not need me to tell you that there are also difficulties: activities and mindsets which stifle hope, pathways which seem to lead to happiness and fulfillment but in fact end only in confusion and fear. My own years as a teenager were marred by a sinister regime that thought it had all the answers; its influence grew - infiltrating schools and civic bodies, as well as politics and even religion - before it was fully recognized for the monster it was. It banished God and thus became impervious to anything true and good... Let us thank God that today many people of your generation are able to enjoy the liberties which have arisen through the extension of democracy and respect for human rights.”
Continuing his speech, Benedict XVI emphasized that, “The power to destroy does, however, remain... Yet, it never triumphs; it is defeated. This is the essence of the hope that defines us as Christians... The One who shows us the way beyond death is the One who shows us how to overcome destruction and fear: thus it is Jesus who is the true teacher of life.”
The Holy Father then illustrated the reality of the darkness of the modern world, with a first group of examples that “pertains to the heart:” drug and substance abuse, homelessness and poverty, racism, violence, and degradation. While the causes of these problems are complex, all have in common a poisoned attitude of mind which results in people being treated as mere objects - “a callousness of heart takes hold which first ignores, then ridicules, the God-given dignity of every human being.” The second area of darkness affects the mind, the Pope said, and “often goes unnoticed, and for this reason is particularly sinister. The manipulation of truth distorts our perception of reality, and tarnishes our imagination and aspirations... The fundamental importance of freedom must be rigorously safeguarded. It is no surprise then that numerous individuals and groups vociferously claim their freedom in the public forum. Yet freedom is a delicate value. It can be misunderstood or misused so as to lead not to the happiness which we all expect it to yield, but to a dark arena of manipulation in which our understanding of self and the world becomes confused, or even distorted by those who have an ulterior agenda.”
The Pope spoke of how “some today argue that respect for freedom of the individual makes it wrong to seek truth, including the truth about what is good. In some circles to speak of truth is seen as controversial or divisive, and consequently best kept in the private sphere. And in truth’s place - or better said its absence - an idea has spread which, in giving value to everything indiscriminately, claims to assure freedom and to liberate conscience. This we call relativism. But what purpose has a “freedom” which, in disregarding truth, pursues what is false or wrong?”
“truth is not an imposition. Nor is it simply a set of rules. It is a discovery of the One who never fails us; the One whom we can always trust. In seeking truth we come to live by belief because ultimately truth is a person: Jesus Christ.” As believers, we are called to “help others to walk the path of freedom which brings fulfillment and lasting happiness,” passing on to them the light of Christ: “This is the way of the saints. It is a magnificent vision of hope - Christ’s light beckons you to be guiding stars for others, walking Christ’s way of forgiveness, reconciliation, humility, joy and peace.” The Pope encouraged the youth not to fall into the temptation of closing in on themselves, not “to doubt the strength of Christ’s radiance, to limit the horizon of hope,” and to take courage by fixing their gaze on the saints: “Let your imaginations soar freely along the limitless expanse of the horizons of Christian discipleship. Sometimes we are looked upon as people who speak only of prohibitions. Nothing could be further from the truth! Authentic Christian discipleship is marked by a sense of wonder. We stand before the God we know and love as a friend, the vastness of his creation, and the beauty of our Christian faith.”
Thus, the Pope said, “the example of the saints invites us, then, to consider four essential aspects of the treasure of our faith: personal prayer and silence, liturgical prayer, charity in action, and vocations. What matters most is that you develop your personal relationship with God. That relationship is expressed in prayer... As the saints teach us so vividly, prayer becomes hope in action. do not be afraid of silence or stillness, listen to God, adore him in the Eucharist. Let his word shape your journey as an unfolding of holiness.”
And speaking of the participation in the liturgy, the Pope said, “whenever you gather for Mass, when you go to Confession, whenever you celebrate any of the sacraments, Jesus is at work. Through the Holy Spirit, he draws you to himself, into his sacrificial love of the Father which becomes love for all. We see then that the Church’s liturgy is a ministry of hope for humanity.”
“The life of faith and hope is also a life of charity,” the Pope said, encouraging the youth to look about them “with Christ’s eyes,” to listen with His ears, to feel and think with his heart and mind. To the situations of suffering and injustice, “We must respond with a renewed social action that stems from the universal love that knows no bounds. In this way, we ensure that our works of mercy and justice become hope in action for others.”
Addressing the topic of vocations, the Pope showed that, “it is in families that vocations are given life” and to the seminarians, he said: “The People of God look to you to be holy priests, on a daily journey of conversion, inspiring in others the desire to enter more deeply into the ecclesial life of believers. I urge you to deepen your friendship with Jesus the Good Shepherd. Talk heart to heart with him. Reject any temptation to ostentation, careerism, or conceit. Strive for a pattern of life truly marked by charity, chastity and humility, in imitation of Christ.” He also spoke of “the positive spiritual renewal which Congregations are undertaking in relation to their charism,” emphasizing how “the wondrous array of charisms proper to each Religious Institute is an extraordinary spiritual treasury,” and encouraging the youth not to “be shy to speak with Religious Brothers, Sisters or Priests about the charism and spirituality of their Congregation.”
Benedict XVI concluded his address recalling that “the hope which never disappoints is Jesus Christ.” To the youth, he said, “You are Christ’s disciples today. Shine his light upon this great city and beyond. Show the world the reason for the hope that resonates within you. Tell others about the truth that sets you free.” He then bade them farewell until World Youth Day in Sydney, in July. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 22/4/2008; righe 115, parole 1566)
