YOUTH

Statement of Pope John Paul II

The Church today observes the generosity of many young people, their desire to make the world a better place and to make the Christian community advance. Thus she focuses her attention to them, seeing in them a privileged participation in the hope which comes to her from the Holy Spirit. The grace operating in young people paves the way for the Church’s progress as regards both her expansion and her quality. Very rightly we can speak f the Church of the young, remembering that the Holy Spirit renews in everyone-even in the elderly, provided they remain open and receptive-the vibrance of grace.

Since “youth is a time of an especially intensive discovery of one’s self and one’s choice of life: (Christifidels laici,n.46) today, more than ever, it is necessary to help young people to get to know themselves with regard to what is beautiful and promising within them. Their qualities and creative capacity should be oriented to the highest aim that can attract and infect hem with enthusiasm: the good of society, solidarity towards all their brothers and sister, the spread of Gospel ideal of life and concrete commitment to neighbor, participation in the Church’s efforts to encourage the advent of a better world.

On the other hand, it is true that you people are also “troubled by anxieties, by disappointments by anguish and fear of the world, as well as by the temptations that come with their state” (Christifideles Laici, n.46)

The Pope will never tire of repeating the invitation of dialogue, and of urging the involvement of youth. He has done so in a great many texts addressed to them, and in particular in the Letter on the occasion of the International Youth Year proclaimed by the United Nations (1992).

This is one of the most comforting experiences of my pontifical ministry, as that of the pastoral activities of my brother Bishops throughout the world who, like the Pope, see the Church advancing with the youth in prayer, at the service of humanity, in evangelization. We all yearn to conform increasingly to the example and teaching of Jesus, who called people to follow him in the manner of “children” and “young people”.

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