 YOUTH
One Way Young People Can Overcome Their Problems
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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