LONDON, SEPT. 18, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Drawing from a text by soon-to-be Blessed John Henry Newman, Benedict XVI today encouraged youth to discover God’s will for their vocation, assuring them Christ needs families, consecrated persons and “good and holy priests.”
The Pope concluded his address this evening in Hyde Park with an appeal to youth to “Be open to [Christ’s] voice resounding in the depths of your heart.”
The Holy Father is nearing the end of his four-day trip to the United Kingdom. On Sunday, he will beatify Cardinal John Henry Newman before he returns to Rome in the evening.
In his address at the prayer vigil, he cited Cardinal Newman’s text: “God has created me to do him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another.”
Then he told youth, “Dear young friends: only Jesus knows what ‘definite service’ he has in mind for you. […] [E]ven now his heart is speaking to your heart.”
Then the Holy Father affirmed Christ’s need for “families to remind the world of the dignity of human love and the beauty of family life.” Jesus also needs people dedicated to educate the young in the ways of the Gospel, he continued. And he needs “those who will consecrate their lives to the pursuit of perfect charity, following him in chastity, poverty and obedience, and serving him in the least of our brothers and sisters.”
“He needs the powerful love of contemplative religious, who sustain the Church’s witness and activity through their constant prayer,” the Pontiff continued. “And he needs priests, good and holy priests, men who are willing to lay down their lives for their sheep.”
Benedict XVI urged the youth, “Ask our Lord what he has in mind for you! Ask him for the generosity to say ‘yes!’ Do not be afraid to give yourself totally to Jesus.”
And he concluded his remarks with an invitation to World Youth Day in 2011 in Madrid, Spain.
“It is always a wonderful occasion to grow in love for Christ and to be encouraged in a joyful life of faith along with thousands of other young people,” he said. “I hope to see many of you there!”
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On ZENIT’s Web page:
Full text: www.zenit.org/article-30405?l=english
