In his Message for World Youth Day of that & # 39; year, which will be held at diocesan level on Palm Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI urged young Christians to give hope to their peers at a time of crisis of hope.
"The crisis of hope is more likely to affect the younger generations in the socio-cultural environments with certainties, values \u200b\u200band solid points of reference are to address difficulties that seem beyond their strength, "says the Pope in the text, released today by the Holy See Press Office.
Young people today are in many cases" wounded by life, conditioned by personal immaturity that is often consequence of a dysfunctional family, the educational choices and permissive libertarian and difficult and traumatic experience, "he notes.
" For some - unfortunately there are many - the almost unavoidable is an alienating escape into dangerous and violent behavior toward dependence on drugs and alcohol, and many other traps for the unwary. "
Nevertheless," even those who find themselves in conditions painful to have followed the advice of 'bad teachers', turns off the desire for true love and true happiness, "notes the Bishop of Rome, indicating the need for young people" a new evangelization, which helps the new generations to rediscover the true face of God. "
In the text, the Pope recalls what he told young people in Sydney during the closing Mass of World Youth Day, urging them to let themselves be shaped by God to be messengers of divine love, able to build a future of hope for all humanity. "
" The question of hope is truly central to our lives as human beings and our mission as Christians, especially in these times, "he says.
The hope that must provide the young people, he adds, should be" firm and reliable. "Experience has shown that personal qualities and material goods are not sufficient to ensure that hope of which the 'human spirit is in constant search.
In this sense, points out that "one of the main consequences of God is the evident loss that marks our society, loneliness and violence, discontent and loss of confidence that can often lead to despair. "
St. Paul, model for young
advantage of the fact that this World Youth Day will take place in the context of the Pauline Year, Pope offers message to young people in St. Paul as a model of "a witness of hope" in the crisis and the difficulties he faced.
When he met Christ on the Damascus road, he says, "Saul was a young man like you, about twenty-five years, a follower of the Law of Moses and determined to fight by all means those he considered enemies of God."
For Paul, "hope is not only an ideal or a feeling, but a living person: Jesus Christ, the Son of God," added the Pontiff. "Like one day he met the young Paul, Jesus also wants to meet each of you, dear young people." This
encounter with Christ is above all "in prayer", he stressed, urging young people to make space for prayer is not only personal but also community: "There are many ways to become acquainted with him, no experience, groups and movements, meetings and tours to learn to pray and thus grow in the faith. Take part in your parish liturgies and feast upon the Word of God and active participation in the sacraments. "
Similarly, Benedict XVI urges evangelization: "The Church is counting on you for this challenging mission: Do not be discouraged by the difficulties and trials you encounter. Be patient and persevering to overcome the natural tendency of young people in a hurry to want everything now. "
