They came from all over the earth

At approximately 6:00pm this evening in Rio de Janeiro, the Mass marking the official opening of the XXVIII World Youth Day began.  It is traditional that the Opening Mass for World Youth Day is presided by the local Ordinary (Bishop or Archbishop of the place where the World Youth Day is taking place, so in this case, the Archbishop of San Sebastiano di Rio de Janeiro was the one who led the time of prayer, accompanied by all the other Cardinals and Bishops who are in Rio for this occasion.  The Holy Father was not present, however: he will be officially welcomed by the youth on Thursday of this week.

Here is an English-language translation of the homily which was pronounced by the Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro during the Opening Mass:

Homily of His Grace, Orani Joao Tempesta
Archbishop of San Sebastiano di Rio de Janeiro
for the Opening Mass of the XXVIII World Youth Day
Copacabana Beach

Dear young people!
Distinguished authorities, ecclesiastical, civil, and military!
Beloved people of God,

We are starting this World Youth Day Rio 2013.  You are all most welcome here.  This wonderful city has become even more beautiful with your presence.  A great joy invades us; you are here.  They came from all over the earth.  During these days, this will be home to all of you.  You are part of our family in this beautiful and important moment in history.  Everyone arriving is tired from their journey but this is time to be with the Lord Jesus Christ, to live as his disciples.  This experience will give us enthusiasm to be missionaries. Go and make disciples.  

The Archdiocese of Saint Sebastian of Rio de Janeiro received the great responsibility that came with the choice made by Pope Benedict XVI, now emeritus, announced at the end of the Mass in Madrid in August 2011.  We thank him for the choice, the guidelines, the theme of World Youth Day and his encouragement.  We know he is following us in prayer, and accompanies us, watches us through the media.  However, providentially, this day was destined to be a journey that would bring World Youth Day to Latin America for the second time in 26 years.  It would also be the place to welcome the first Apostolic journey of the first Latin American Pope in history who came to preside over this beautiful and important moment in the life of the Church and these lands of Saint Sebastian.  We welcomed him on Monday and the streets of this city were full of joy.  Officially we will welcome him solemnly here, in this very place on Thursday.  The first Latin American Pope in history has walked upon the soil of Latin America during this WYD and turned this town into a sanctuary.  This week, Rio becomes the centre of the Church alive and young.  All roads lead here.  You have come from different parts of the world to share our faith and the joy of discipleship.  This happiness strengthens us and invites us to reach out to other young people, to make us all missionaries.  

Here too, after nearly two years of travelling through our country, the symbols of World Youth Day have arrived: the cross and the icon of Our Lady.  When these symbols were delivered in Madrid, Spain in August 2011, the young people of our country were overcome with joy and emotion, and they welcomed these icons in their communities.  We have with us in various parts of the city, relics of some of the World Youth Day patron saints and intercessors, reminding us that at all times and in all places of the world, we have young people who are holy.  We are also connected to these people, and they are examples for us of Christian life, and they pray with us for today’s youth.  We are called to be protagonists in a new world.  I’m sure you will do your best in your cities and your countries.  The world needs young people like you.

We just heard the gospel in which Jesus calls Matthew to discipleship, and he announces that he came so that sinners would experience mercy.  We are among those people called to the obedience of faith.  We received the grace of vocation to the apostolate.  We were called to be disciples of Jesus Christ, God’s beloved saints.  The first reading, along with the psalm tells us that our response should be readiness, saying, Here I am!  Here I am – speak for your servant is listening!

 

It was his call that brought us together in this wonderful setting of the beach which gets its name because of a devotion to Our Lady of Copacabana.  The sea, the sand, the beach and the crowd remind us of our vocation of discipleship.  This scene reminds us of the boats left on the beach by those who were called by Jesus to follow him.  Today, we are called to follow the risen Christ.  The master – Jesus – invites us to swim in deep waters – the waters of our baptism, and this beautiful international meeting in the heart of the Year of Faith is a favorable time to renew our commitments in our Christian community.  We are called to live deep faith in this ever-changing time, but with the enthusiasm and consistency of one who is led by the Holy Spirit’s action by reflecting on Matthew’s response to Jesus when he comes to supper at Matthew’s house and transforms his life.

To Samuel in the first reading, the call seemed like a dream, but with the help of someone else, he was able to understand that the voice of God was real. The missionary path requires discernment, but also the assistance of someone by our side to help us recognize the voice of God, and here we are: parishes, families, associations, movements opening our homes; our homes are your homes.  There is a revolution of love going on.  The other is Christ for us; the other is our brother.  We are called to live by building a world of siblings.  We want everyone to feel welcomed into the embrace of Christ who calls everyone to be with him, to join him in building the Kingdom of God.  Christ invites us.

Come, my friends.  Let us walk in the footsteps of the Successor of Peter, the Vicar of the Redeemer.  Let us travel through this river, along this river, spreading brotherhood wherever we go, and around the Master, along with other disciples from all the corners of the earth, we will say: Lord, how good it is to be here.  Walk through this town.  Witness Jesus Christ.  Commit to a new world.  Infect everyone with the joy and peace of Christ, and as watchmen of the morning, work for the renewal of the world in the light of God’s plan.  You, dear young people are the gift of a society that expects that this crisis of values has a solution.  You are called to form a new generation that lives the faith, and pass it to the next generation.

We are invited to a faith experience.  We are invited to participate in this community, and are given the opportunity to be enthusiastic – to join with our brothers and sisters – to testify that another world is possible.  We have many barriers and injustices to overcome.  Let us build bridges instead of walls and obstacles.  Through you, the world will see witnesses to the solidarity of sharing and acceptance of Christ, the Redeemer.  Mary, with so many names and invocations, who here in Brazil is invoked under the title of Our Lady of Aparecida, but also as Our Lady of Pegna, Our Lady of Nazareth is his mother and the mother of all young people.  To her we entrust each of you who accept Christ, who accept the challenge of being protagonists of a new world like sentinels of the morning awakening to a new dawn of hope.  Christ is risen! The Holy Spirit will enlighten us in our lives and give us understanding of our mission to lead people to the Father.  Today, we begin the journey.  Christ, the Redeemer invites us: come my friends.  He tells us: be missionaries. Go and make disciples of all nations! And we must respond: Here we are Lord; send us!