Pope
John Paul II Words to
the Youth
THE CHURCH NEEDS YOUR GENEROSITY AND DYNAMISM
VATICAN
CITY, APR 14, 2000 (Vatican Information Service)
The Pope this morning welcomed to the Vatican 200 young people from
Rouen, France who are in Rome on a Jubilee pilgrimage, telling them
that this is a special "time of retreat, reflection and prayer."
In Rome, "as you receive the witness of the first Christian
communities," observed the Holy Father, "you in turn are
called to be witnesses and to fully take your place in the heart
of the people of God. The Church is counting on you; she needs your
youth, your generosity and your dynamism, so as to further become
the people whom God loves and who raise a new hope for the world."
"May you be the witnesses that this new century so needs!"
exclaimed John Paul II. "Certainly, you will need courage and
audacity to sometimes go counter-current to the seductive propositions
of today’s world, and to behave in conformity to the Gospel
demands of true love. But you will discover that life with Christ,
the search for Truth, practicing basic human and moral values, respect
for yourself and others, are the paths of authentic freedom and
true happiness."
In concluding words, the Pope told the young people that "Christ
calls you to place your hope in Him and to follow Him on the path
to marriage, priesthood or the consecrated life. In the silence
of your hearts, don’t be afraid to listen as the Lord speaks
to you!"
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