At noon today, in the Consistory Hall at the Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father, Pope Francis received in audience a representative group from Catholic Action Italy (ACR) and wished them Christmas greetings.
Dear children of Catholic Action,
Welcome! I am glad to meet with you. This is a gathering for the exchange of Christmas greetings. I thank you for your greetings which have been offered to me in the name of all members of Catholic Action Italy, represented here by these organizers who have accompanied you. But they have remained silent and have allowed you to speak. This is very good, my compliments! I am happy to present my wishes too, to you, to your families and to the entire Association.
I have heard that this year, you have been focusing on a theme which has as its slogan: Everything to be discovered. This is a beautiful path, which requires courage and the hard work of research, in order that you might rejoice at discovering the plan that Jesus has for each one of you. Inspired by this slogan, especially by the word everything, I wish to give you a few suggestions in order to continue your journey in Catholic Action, in the family and in the community.
First, never give up, because what Jesus has in mind for your journey has to be constructed together with your parents, your brothers and sisters, your friends, your classmates, friends from your catechism classes, your parishes and from Catholic Action;
Second, take an interest in the needs of the poor, the suffering and those who are lonely, because those who choose to love Jesus must love their neighbours. In this way, your journey in Catholic Action will become more and more centred on love. I loved the story about the water pump. It's nice, a great project.
Third, love the Church, and love her priests, put yourselves at the service of the community - for the Church is not only made up of priests, bishops ... etc ... but involves the entire community ... , put ourselves at the service of the community. Give your time, your energy, your personal qualities and capacities to your parishes, and in this way, you will testify to the richness of every person as a gift from God which is meant to be shared. This is important! That everything: everything to be discovered, everything to be shared, everything to be built together, everything to be loved ...
Fourth, be apostles of peace and of serenity, beginning with your families, remind your parents, your siblings and your peers that it is a beautiful thing to love yourself, and that misunderstandings can be overcome, because when we are united with Jesus, everything is possible. This is important: everything is possible. But this word is not a new invention: this word was spoken by Jesus, when he came down from the mount of the Transfiguration. To that father who was asking Jesus to heal his son, what did Jesus say? Everything is possible for those who have faith. With faith in Jesus we can do everything, everything is possible.
Fifth, speak with Jesus. Prayer: speak with Jesus, the greatest friend who will never abandon you, confide all your joys and your disappointments in him. Run to him every time that you make a mistake or do something wrong, with certainty that He will forgive you. And speak to others about Jesus, about his love, about his mercy, about his tenderness, for friendship with Jesus, who gave his life for us, is a treasure worth talking about. All these everything's are important.
What do you think? Will you dare to try putting these suggestions about everything into practice? I think that you already do a lot of these things. Now, with the grace of his Nativity, Jesus wants to help you to take another more decisive step, to be more confident, more joyful to become his disciples. One little suggestion is enough: Here I am. Our Mother can teach us well, she who responded to the call of the Lord: Here I am. We can ask her to help us by praying together a Hail Mary ...
And remember: everything to be discovered, everything to be built together, everything to be loved, everything to be shared, everything is possible, and faith is a treasure worth talking about.
Thank you for your visit. Remember me in your prayers, please, don't forget.
Now, I willingly bless you all. I bless you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
for the meeting with youth from
Catholic Action Italy
Dear children of Catholic Action,
Welcome! I am glad to meet with you. This is a gathering for the exchange of Christmas greetings. I thank you for your greetings which have been offered to me in the name of all members of Catholic Action Italy, represented here by these organizers who have accompanied you. But they have remained silent and have allowed you to speak. This is very good, my compliments! I am happy to present my wishes too, to you, to your families and to the entire Association.
I have heard that this year, you have been focusing on a theme which has as its slogan: Everything to be discovered. This is a beautiful path, which requires courage and the hard work of research, in order that you might rejoice at discovering the plan that Jesus has for each one of you. Inspired by this slogan, especially by the word everything, I wish to give you a few suggestions in order to continue your journey in Catholic Action, in the family and in the community.
First, never give up, because what Jesus has in mind for your journey has to be constructed together with your parents, your brothers and sisters, your friends, your classmates, friends from your catechism classes, your parishes and from Catholic Action;
Second, take an interest in the needs of the poor, the suffering and those who are lonely, because those who choose to love Jesus must love their neighbours. In this way, your journey in Catholic Action will become more and more centred on love. I loved the story about the water pump. It's nice, a great project.
Third, love the Church, and love her priests, put yourselves at the service of the community - for the Church is not only made up of priests, bishops ... etc ... but involves the entire community ... , put ourselves at the service of the community. Give your time, your energy, your personal qualities and capacities to your parishes, and in this way, you will testify to the richness of every person as a gift from God which is meant to be shared. This is important! That everything: everything to be discovered, everything to be shared, everything to be built together, everything to be loved ...
Fourth, be apostles of peace and of serenity, beginning with your families, remind your parents, your siblings and your peers that it is a beautiful thing to love yourself, and that misunderstandings can be overcome, because when we are united with Jesus, everything is possible. This is important: everything is possible. But this word is not a new invention: this word was spoken by Jesus, when he came down from the mount of the Transfiguration. To that father who was asking Jesus to heal his son, what did Jesus say? Everything is possible for those who have faith. With faith in Jesus we can do everything, everything is possible.
Fifth, speak with Jesus. Prayer: speak with Jesus, the greatest friend who will never abandon you, confide all your joys and your disappointments in him. Run to him every time that you make a mistake or do something wrong, with certainty that He will forgive you. And speak to others about Jesus, about his love, about his mercy, about his tenderness, for friendship with Jesus, who gave his life for us, is a treasure worth talking about. All these everything's are important.
What do you think? Will you dare to try putting these suggestions about everything into practice? I think that you already do a lot of these things. Now, with the grace of his Nativity, Jesus wants to help you to take another more decisive step, to be more confident, more joyful to become his disciples. One little suggestion is enough: Here I am. Our Mother can teach us well, she who responded to the call of the Lord: Here I am. We can ask her to help us by praying together a Hail Mary ...
And remember: everything to be discovered, everything to be built together, everything to be loved, everything to be shared, everything is possible, and faith is a treasure worth talking about.
Thank you for your visit. Remember me in your prayers, please, don't forget.
Now, I willingly bless you all. I bless you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
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