VATICAN - The Pope sends a message to young people in Holland for the 1st National Catholic Youth Day: “I encourage you to turn every day to the Lord who desires nothing but your true happiness”

Tuesday, 29 November 2005

Vatican City (Fides Service) -Pope Benedict XVI sent a message to young Dutch participants in the first National Day of Catholic Youth, celebrated in Nieuwegein, Netherlands, on November 27 in which he said “With this message dear young people I wish to be present among you in spirit and I assure you that I accompany you in prayer.... You have gathered today at the invitation of your Bishops and this is an important sign for Dutch society. It means you are not afraid to say you are Christians and to bear witness in public.”
He reminded the young people that the main purpose of their gathering was to “encounter the Lord Jesus Christ” and to share the experience of World Youth Day in August in Germany, at which many Dutch young people were present. “Dear friends, Jesus is your true friend and Lord, enter into a relationship of true friendship with Him. He awaits you, and only in Him will you find happiness. How easy it is to content oneself with superficial pleasures, ... to live only for oneself in the apparent enjoyment of life. But sooner or later one becomes aware that this is not true happiness, because true happiness is much deeper and is only to be found in Jesus”.
Benedict XVI calls on the young people “to turn every day to the Lord who desires nothing but your true happiness”, and to have with him an intense and continual relationship ” through the prayer of the Rosary, “learn the art of prayer with the simplicity and profundity of Mary”, participation in the Eucharist, adoration kneeling in front of the tabernacle , the celebration of the sacrament of Reconciliation. “What a wonderful opportunity the Lord offers us with this Sacrament to renew ourselves inwardly and advance in our Christian life! I encourage you to take the opportunity frequently!”
“If you follow Jesus, you never feel alone because you are part of the Church, which is a great family in which you can grow in true friendship with so many brothers and sisters in the faith, scattered in every corner of the world. Jesus needs you to 'renew' modern society.” The Pope encourages the young people to learn more about the faith, “even though in the eyes of the world it may seem a message which is not easy to accept”, to be active in the parish, in church movements and associations “to experience with other young people the joy of being followers of Christ”. The Pope concludes his Message with assurances of his prayers for the young people meeting in Nieuwegein, in the hope that they "generously welcome the call of the Lord. ... Only by responding positively to His call, however demanding it may seem, is it possible to find happiness and peace of heart”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 29/11/2005 - Righe 31, Parole 451)


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