Thursday, July 26, 2007

The Holy Father's vacation letter to the Church's young people

This morning the Holy See released Pope Benedict XVI's message for the XXIII World Youth Day, to be held next summer in Sydney, Australia. It is an inspiring document. I use inspiring not merely in a rhetorical sense, but in a more literal sense because the Holy Father's theme for World Youth Day 2008, from Acts 1,8, is: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses".

I have posted a more extensive look at the Holy Father's message on our parish blog: Message for XXIII World Youth Day. I think it will be worthwhile to unpack some, if not all, of the various sections in the coming days. So, stay tuned. Meanwhile, pray for a "new Pentecost"- "Come Holy Spirit and renew the face of the earth!"

"May Mary, united in prayer with the Apostles in the Upper Room," Pope Benedict concludes this message, "accompany you throughout these months and obtain for all young Christians a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit to set their hearts on fire. Remember: the Church has confidence in you! We Pastors, especially, pray that you may love and lead others to love Jesus more and more and that you may follow Him faithfully. With these sentiments I bless you all with deep affection."

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