Vatican City, 14 January 2016 (VIS) –
Pope Francis' message for the Jubilee of Mercy for young boys and
girls was published today. In the text, dated 6 January 2016,
Solemnity of the Epiphany, the Holy Father addresses young boys and
girls aged 13 to 16, many of whom intend to make a pilgrimage to
Rome from 23 to 25 April, and who are "preparing to be
Christians capable of making courageous choices and decisions, in
order to build daily, even through little things, a world of peace",
and encourages those who live in difficult situations not to lose
hope as the Lord "has a great dream" for them that He
wishes to come true. He invites them not to be "taken in by the
messages of hatred or terror all around us", and instead to make
new friendships.
The following is the full text of the
Message:
"Dear Young Friends,
The Church is celebrating the Holy Year
of Mercy, a time of grace, peace, conversion and joy. It is meant for
everyone: people of every age, from far and near. There are no walls
or distances which can prevent the Father’s mercy from reaching and
embracing us. The Holy Door is now open in Rome and in all the
dioceses of the world.
This grace-filled moment also concerns
you, dear young people. I encourage you to take an active part in
this celebration and to realise that each of you is a child of God. I
would like to invite you, one by one, calling you by name, as Jesus
does each day. For you know that your names are written in heaven, in
the heart of the Father, that Merciful Heart which is the source of
all reconciliation and kindness.
The Jubilee is a year-long celebration,
in which every moment becomes a chance for us to grow in holiness. It
is a time when we can discover that life together as brothers and
sisters is like a great party, perhaps the most beautiful party we
can imagine, the endless party that Jesus has taught us to celebrate
by his Spirit. The Jubilee is the party to which Jesus invites us
all, without excluding anyone. That is why I also wanted to have some
days of prayer and celebration with you. I am looking forward to
seeing many of you in April.
'Merciful like the Father'. This is the
theme of the Jubilee, but it is also the prayer we make for all of
you as we welcome you in the name of Jesus. To be merciful means to
grow in a love which is courageous, generous and real. It means to
grow physically and spiritually. You are preparing to be Christians
capable of making courageous choices and decisions, in order to build
daily, even through little things, a world of peace.
Yours is a time of life which is full
of amazing changes. Everything seems possible and impossible all at
once. I repeat what I said to some of your friends: 'Remain steadfast
in the journey of faith, with firm hope in the Lord. This is the
secret of our journey! He gives us the courage to swim against the
tide. Pay attention, my young friends: to go against the current;
this is good for the heart, but we need courage to swim against the
tide. Jesus gives us this courage! … With Him we can do great
things; He will give us the joy of being His disciples, His
witnesses. Commit yourselves to great ideals, to the most important
things. We Christians were not chosen by the Lord for little things;
push onwards toward the highest principles. Stake your lives on noble
ideals'.
Here I cannot forget those of you who
are living in situations of war, extreme poverty, daily troubles and
loneliness. Don’t ever lose hope! The Lord has a great dream which,
with your help, He wants to come true! Your friends, young people
your age living in less trying conditions than your own, have not
forgotten you; they are working for peace and justice for everyone
everywhere. Don’t be taken in by the messages of hatred or terror
all around us. Instead, make new friends. Give of your time and
always show concern for those who ask your help. Be brave and go
against the tide; be friends of Jesus, Who is the Prince of Peace.
'Everything in him speaks of mercy. Nothing in him is devoid of
compassion'.
I realise that not all of you can come
to Rome, but the Jubilee is truly for everyone and it is also being
celebrated in your local Churches. You are all invited to this moment
of joy. Don’t just prepare your rucksacks and your banners, but
your hearts and your minds as well. Think carefully about the hope
and desires you will hand over to Jesus in the Sacrament of
Reconciliation and in the Eucharist which we will celebrate together.
As you walk through the Holy Door, remember that you are committing
yourselves to grow in holiness and to draw nourishment from the
Gospel and the Eucharist, the Word and the Bread of life, in order to
help build a more just and fraternal world.
May the Lord bless your journey towards
the Holy Door. I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide your steps and
enlighten you. For you and your families, and for all who help you to
grow in goodness and in grace, may the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of
us all, be true Door of Mercy".
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