VATICAN CITY, FEB 1, 2003 (VIS) - Nine thousand young people from the Italian archdiocese of Trani-Barletta-Bisceglie, accompanied by their archbishop and numerous priests, were welcomed by the Holy Father this morning in the Paul VI Hall. He focussed on the mission they are preparing which is called "The Mission by Young People for Young People."
The Pope noted that Italian bishops have "proposed young people and families as privileged recipients of their pastoral commitment in these years. ... Youth and families are the future of society and the Church, and it is comforting to see mature in their midst many meaningful experiences of spirituality, service and sharing."
Quoting Pope Paul VI, who said that "young people, well formed in faith and prayer, must become ever more apostles of youth," he added: "The success of your mission will depend on the quality of the missionaries: the more you are docile instruments in the hands of God, the more efficacious your witness will be. Prepare yourselves with dedication to be the 'leaven', 'salt' and 'light' in the midst of your peers and in the milieux in which you live."
"Holiness astonishes, it makes one think, it convinces and, God willing, converts. The holiness of young people is one of the most beautiful gifts that the Lord has given His Church. Each of you is called to be holy, that is to follow Jesus with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength."
"It is Jesus Who is the hope within you. It is He Who enlightens your young consciences!" John Paul II affirmed. "Transmit to your peers your joy in following Him. Whoever encounters Jesus feels a different way of being happy, a different joy of life, based not on having or appearing, but on being. Being young Christians means living with Jesus, for Jesus, in Jesus."
He urged his young listeners to always be ready to listen to Jesus, to welcome His love and to "be convinced and meek witnesses of the truth."
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