World Youth Day kicks off with message: 'Have the courage to be saints'
FREE Catholic Classes
At the opening Mass of World Youth Day 2019, Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa Mendieta of Panama told young people from across the globe that a life of holiness is really possible, with the help of God's grace.
Highlights
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
1/23/2019 (5 years ago)
Published in Americas
Keywords: World Youth Day, message, courage to be saints
Panama City, Panama, (CNA) - "The Church is looking forward to this springtime of young people. We have confidence in you, we expect a lot from you, because we are fully convinced that...the changes and transformations that humanity and the Church require are in your hands," he said.
To prepare themselves for the responsibilities ahead of them, Archbishop Ulloa said, young people must learn their personal, familial, cultural, and faith history. He emphasized the role of grandparents in transmitting family identity.
He encouraged the youth to swim against the tide of the culture, fighting for holiness rather than simply seeking the avoidance of suffering in life.
"Being holy leads us to break out of spiritual and material corruption, of all that which causes us evil and offends God," he said. "A saint defends the defenseless " the unborn, but also the born child who is destitute, a saint defends migrants, seeks justice, prays, lives in and loves the community, is joyful and has a sense of humor, is always striving, breaks out of mediocrity, lives the mercy of God and shares it with his neighbor."
Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from around the world are expected to flood Panama this week for World Youth Day, which culminates with an overnight prayer vigil and Mass with Pope Francis Jan. 26-27.
The opening Mass for the event was held at Santa MarĂa La Antigua Field in Panama City.
Archbishop Ulloa reminded those present that sainthood is "not a myth," but a reality for their lives. He pointed to the witness of saints including Martin de Porres, Rose of Lima, Juan Diego, JosĂ© Sánchez del RĂo, John Bosco, Oscar Romero and John Paul II.
The archbishop of Panama expressed his hope that World Youth Day would be a "balm" for the plight of many young people, especially migrants, those from homelands experiencing violence, and people suffering due to "drug trafficking, human trafficking, crime and so many other social evils."
He encouraged young people to trust in the Virgin, not only asking for her intercession, but also striving to imitate her virtues.
"Let's not be afraid, dear young people, have the courage to be saints in today's world," he said, adding that in doing so, "you're not renouncing your youth or your joy; completely the opposite, you will show the world that it's possible to be happy with so little, because Jesus Christ, the reason for our happiness, has already won for us eternal life with his resurrection."
---
'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'
Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
Mysteries of the Rosary
-
St. Faustina Kowalska
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
-
Saint of the Day for Wednesday, Oct 4th, 2023
-
Popular Saints
-
St. Francis of Assisi
-
Bible
-
Female / Women Saints
-
7 Morning Prayers you need to get your day started with God
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Chaplain Reveals Unrest at Columbia University Caused by Communists
-
Discovering Who We Are: God's Truth in Scripture
-
Pope Francis Advises Parish Priests on Fostering a Missionary Church
-
5 Reasons Going To Church Is Important (even on days you feel like you can skip)
-
U.S. Catholic Parishes Experience Resurgence of Traditional Practices
Daily Catholic
- Daily Readings for Saturday, May 04, 2024
- St. Florian: Saint of the Day for Saturday, May 04, 2024
- The Universal Prayer (attributed to Pope Clement Xi): Prayer of the Day for Saturday, May 04, 2024
- Daily Readings for Friday, May 03, 2024
- St. James the Lesser: Saint of the Day for Friday, May 03, 2024
- Prayer before Starting on a Journey: Prayer of the Day for Friday, May 03, 2024
Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.