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Pope Benedict XVI- Angelus |
Angelus Message
On World Youth Day
"It Was Like a Multicolored Mosaic"
H.H. Benedict XVI
July 27, 2008
www.zenit.org
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
On Monday I returned from Sydney, Australia, the site of the 23rd
World Youth Day. I still have this extraordinary occasion, in which
I experienced the youthful face of the Church, on my mind and in my
heart: It was like a multicolored mosaic, formed by young men and
women from every part of the globe, all gathered together in the one
faith in Jesus Christ.
“Young pilgrims of the world” -- this is what the people called
them, a beautiful expression that captures the essential in these
international meetings initiated by John Paul II. These gatherings
in fact form the stages of a great pilgrimage across the world, to
show how faith in Christ makes us all children of one Father who is
in heaven and builders of a civilization of love.
The awareness of the Holy Spirit, protagonist of the life of the
Church and of each Christian, was characteristic of the meeting in
Sydney. The long journey of preparation in the local Churches
followed the theme of these words of the risen Christ to the
apostles: “You Will Receive Power When the Holy Spirit Has Come Upon
You and You Will be My Witnesses” (Acts 1:8).
On July 16-18, in churches of Sydney, the numerous bishops exercised
their office, proposing catechesis in various languages: These
catecheses were moments of reflection and recollection that were
indispensable for making the event one that, instead of being a
merely external manifestation, would leave a deep impression on the
conscience.
The evening vigil, in the heart of the city, beneath the Southern
Cross, was a choral invocation of the Holy Spirit; and at the end,
during the large Eucharistic celebration last Sunday, I administered
the sacrament of confirmation to 24 young people from different
continents, 14 of whom were Australian, inviting all present to
renew their baptismal vows.
In this way World Youth Day was transformed into a new Pentecost,
from which the mission of the young people, called to be apostles to
their contemporaries, was relaunched. They are following in the
footsteps of many young saints and blessed, in particular Blessed
Piergiorgio Frassati, whose relics, brought to the cathedral of
Sydney, were venerated by an uninterrupted pilgrimage of young
people. Every young man and woman was invited to follow the example
of the young saints and blessed, to share the personal experience of
Jesus, who changes the life of his “friends” with the power of the
Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the love of God.
Today I would again like to thank the bishops of Australia,
especially the archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal [George] Pell, for the
extensive preparatory work and for the cordial welcome they offered
me and all the other pilgrims. I thank all the Australian civil
authorities for their precious collaboration. All those, in every
part of the world, who prayed for this event, assuring its success,
will certainly receive a special grace.
May the Virgin Mary dispense the most beautiful graces to everyone.
I also entrust to Mary the period of rest that I will have beginning
tomorrow in Bressanone in the mountains of Alto Adige. Let us remain
united in prayer!
[After the Angelus, the Holy Father greeted the people in several
languages. In English, he said:]
I greet the English-speaking visitors and pilgrims who are here
today and I wish you all a pleasant stay in Italy. This Sunday’s
Gospel reminds us that we should treasure above all else the faith
that has been given to us. I pray that your visit to Rome and the
surrounding area will help you to deepen your faith and to grow in
your love for our Lord Jesus Christ. May God bless you all!
[In Italian, he said:]
I would now like to greet the Italian pilgrims and, in particular,
the large group of participants in the General Assembly of the
Focolare movement.
While I rejoice over the election of new leaders for the movement, I
exhort all of you, dear brothers and sisters, to follow with joy and
courage the path of Chiara Lubich's spiritual heritage, which is
gathered in your statutes, increasing more and more the
relationships of communion in the family, community and in every
ambit of society. [...]
I greet all those who are vacationing now, wishing them serene days
of profitable physical and spiritual leisure. However, I do not
forget those who cannot benefit from a time of rest and vacation: My
thoughts turn to the sick in hospitals and nursing homes, to those
in prison, to the elderly, to those who are alone, and those who are
passing the summer in the heat of the city. To all of you I assure
my affectionate nearness and a remembrance in my prayer.
May you all have a good Sunday!
[Translation by ZENIT]
Look
at the One they Pierced!
This page is the work of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and
Mary
