VATICAN CITY, AUG 17, 2000 (VIS) - Made public today was the Holy Father's letter addressed to Cardinal Bernard F. Law, archbishop of Boston, U.S.A. The letter, written in Latin and dated July 8, names the cardinal as the Pope's special envoy at celebrations to mark the National Eucharistic Congress of Peru, due to be held from August 30 to September 3.
The mission accompanying Cardinal Law will be made up of Msgrs. Antonio Arcari, counsellor at the apostolic nunciature in Peru and Paul B. McInerny, Cardinal Law's personal secretary; Frs. Antonio Santarsiero O.S.J., provincial superior of the Oblates of St. Joseph in Peru and Salvador Pineiro, pastor of the parish of 'Santa Rosa' in Lima.
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Thursday, August 17, 2000
THE CHURCH AND THE POPE NEED YOUNG PEOPLE'S GENEROSITY
VATICAN CITY, AUG 17, 2000 (VIS) - This morning at Castelgandolfo, the Holy Father presided at a Mass for young people who had participated in the international forum which was held in Rome from August 12 to 15.
"Dear young people," said the Pope in his homily, "do not doubt God's love for you! For you, He reserves a place in His heart and a mission in the world. ... The task appears immense because it assumes the dimensions of society and of the world, but do not forget that, when He calls, the Lord also gives the strength and the grace necessary to respond to the call.
"Do not be afraid," he continued, "to shoulder your responsibilities. The Church needs you, she needs your commitment and your generosity. The Pope needs you, at the start of this new millennium, he asks you to carry the Gospel along the paths of the world."
Making reference to the Gospel passage where the Lord asks Simon Peter if he loves Him, John Paul II said: "Today Christ asks the same question to each of you: do you love me? He does not ask you to address the masses, to know how to run an organization or administer a patrimony. He asks you to love Him. All the rest will follow as a result. Indeed, to follow Jesus' footsteps does not translate immediately into things to be done or said but, above all, into the fact of loving Him, of being with Him and of welcoming Him entirely into your lives."
The Pope concluded by encouraging the young people to love Christ and the Church: "Love Christ as He loves you. Love the Church as Christ loves her and do not forget that true love places no conditions, it does not calculate or recriminate, it simply loves."
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FIFTEENTH WORLD YOUTH DAY IS PROVING A SUCCESS
VATICAN CITY, AUG 17, 2000 (VIS) - Yesterday at midday, Fr. Ciro Benedettini C.P., vice-director of the Holy See Press Office, made the following declaration:
"There is great satisfaction within the Vatican for the favorable start to the 15th World Youth Day, officially opened yesterday, Solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin, with the welcome ceremonies for young people at St. John Lateran and St. Peter's Square.
"In particular, the Holy Father has expressed his profound joy for the festive atmosphere and the enthusiasm with which the more than 700,000 young people, present since yesterday, have lived the start of their Jubilee; welcoming with the freshness and spontaneity of their years his invitation to deepen their friendship with Christ and bear witness to their faith.
"Since 7 a.m. today, the young people have started to pass through the Holy Door at the rate of more than 20,000 an hour. The processions gather on the Lungotevere and, amid songs and prayers, slowly wind their way towards St. Peter's Square."
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WYD: CATECHESIS, MASS, CONFESSION AND THE HOLY DOOR
VATICAN CITY, AUG 17, 2000 (VIS) - This morning, various cardinals and bishops who are participating in World Youth Day imparted Jubilee catechesis to young people, divided into language groups, in various basilicas and churches of Rome.
At the same time, two international Masses for young people were being held in the Circus Maximus, one at 9 a.m. and the other at 11:30. Since 7 a.m. priests have been taking it in turns to administer the Sacrament of Confession in 32 languages in 300 specially prepared booths around the Circus Maximus.
This afternoon, the 'Incontragiovani' (meetings between young people) will be held. These are 280 initiatives organized by movements, groups, parishes and ecclesial bodies from 30 different countries, during which the young people will have the chance to meet and talk directly.
From 7 a.m. today, as yesterday, a constant stream of young pilgrims pass down the Via della Conciliazione into St. Peter's Square and then through the Holy Door of the basilica in order to gain the Jubilee indulgence.
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