Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - “Dear young friends with ever new creativity inspired by the Holy Spirit in prayer, continue to carry the Cross of Jesus which I entrusted to young people twenty years ago. Those young people have changed and I too have changed but your heart, like mine, is still thirsting for truth, happiness, eternity and so it is always young! This evening once again I put my trust in you, the hope of the Church and society! Do not be afraid! Everywhere and on every occasion, opportune or not opportune, (cfr 2 Tm 4,2), carry the power of the Cross so that all, thanks also to you, may continue to see and believe in the Redeemer of mankind!” This was part of the address which Pope John Paul II gave to young people from Rome and surrounding dioceses during a festive event on Thursday 1 April in St Peter’s Square in preparation for the 19th World Youth Day, Palm Sunday 4 April which will be celebrated by Bishops and their youth in Catholic dioceses the world over with the theme: "We want to see Jesus" (Jn 12,21).
Among the young people present for the festive event participants at the 8th Youth Forum organised by the Pontifical Council for the Laity. There was a concert of music dancing and prose to recall the pervious 18 world youth days and then the Pope arrived on his open air jeep to join the young people. He reminded them that he first gave youth the Cross at the closure of the Holy Year of the Redemption 1983-1984: “Since then, on a pilgrimage from one Day to the next, the Cross travels the world carried by young people the Cross to announce the merciful love of God who reaches out to each and every one of his creatures to restore human dignity lost through sin. Thanks to you dear friends, millions of young people, seeing that Cross have changed their lives committing themselves to live as authentic Christians.”
The Pope urged the young people never to let go of the Cross: “Look at the glory which awaits you. How many wounds are inflicted on your hearts, often by the world of adults! Entrust yourselves ideally again to the Cross. I ask you to believe that many have faith in you, Christ has faith in you and only in Him lies the salvation for which you are searching!” John Paul II stressed the need to find new ways to approach young people to tell them about the Gospel and he asked the young people to help in this regard: “We must think of new ways to evangelise the world of youth, but with the certainty that today Christ wishes to be seen, he wishes to show his face to all! Do not be afraid to try new paths of total giving to the Lord and of mission: you suggest how the Cross can be carried to the world of today!”
Congratulating the organisers of a “Mission of Youth for Youth” which will be undertaken in October in Rome’s city, and for the International Youth Forum which will conclude on Palm Sunday, the Pope said to the young people in St Peter’s Square: “Nourished by the Eucharist, united in the Church, carrying your own crosses, let your faith explode as you tell everyone about God’s mercy! On this path do not be afraid to entrust yourselves to Christ. Of course you love the world and you are right because the world was created for mankind. However at a certain point in life one has to make a radical decision. Without denying the expression of God’s beauty and the talents received from Him, we must take the side of Christ to bear witness to all of God’s love.” In this regard Pope John Paul II recalled the figure of Saint Friar Albert, Adam Chmielowski, a talented artist and a man of great culture who broke with art when he realised God was calling him to a greater task. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 2/4/2004; Righe 44; Parole 667)
