At the school of the BVM

Today is the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. In light of the fact that this day celebrates one who shows us the way to the merciful heart of the Lord, it's perhaps worth a moment to consider how we take this invitation seriously, or perhaps turn away from this opportunity in favor of other interests.

More than once during his numerous meetings with young people, the late Holy Father, John Paul II challenged them to turn away from the alure of society to fall victim to the false answers that society and the world around us offers. Instead, he invited them to turn to the true answer to all our longings, and to discover that Jesus himself is the only answer we truly need.

Not only does Jesus have the answers, but he has also given us the Blessed Virgin, a mother who cares for us with the love that only a mother can share, and has the ability to draw us closer to the merciful heart of her Divine Son.

The World Youth Day encounters which were introduced in 1984 continue today to invite young people to explore the questions that they may otherwise not even ask of themselves, much less of anyone else. Through individual and group discussions, catechetical sessions and liturgical moments, participants in the World Youth Day encounters are invited to discover and celebrate the One who calls them personally to follow him.

Amazingly enough, the power of words spoken and music sung reaches not only the hearts of youth, but others as well, who are still young at heart.

Some snippets from the special music commissioned for the concluding Masses are still available:

• World Youth Day 2005 (Cologne, Germany)
• World Youth Day 2008 (Sydney, Australia)