JMJ, mda. More than half a million young people participated in the opening Mass of the 28th World Youth Day, celebrated by the archbishop of St. Sebastian of Rio de Janeiro, Msgr. Orani João Tempesta, on the beach at Copacabana. At dusk, the large stage dominated by a blue cross was lit up with the colours of the Brazilian flag. Silence greeted the arrival of the Cross and the image of the Virgin of World Youth Day, carried in procession by young people from the five continents.
Before Mass there were prayers for the young unemployed, for the victims of a nightclub fire in Brazil, for the street children murdered at La Candelaria church, and for the young French woman who died in a bus accident in French Guiana while preparing to travel to Rio to participate in World Youth Day.
As is customary, the Pope did not participate in the opening ceremony of World Youth Day, but the director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J., confirmed that he watched the event on television and was impressed by level of participation in the event.
Rio has become the centre of the Church, its heart both youthful and vibrant
In his homily, Archbishop Tempesta returned to the theme of World Youth Day: “Go and make disciples of all nations”, inviting the young to be missionaries: “This week Rio has become the centre of the Church, its heart both youthful and vibrant”, he said. “You have come from all over the world to share together in the faith and the joy of being disciples and missionaries in all nations. Everywhere, youthful enthusiasm shows in the faces of young Christians, who wish to unite the testimony of an authentic and Christian life with the social dimension of the Gospel. … We are called to be agents for a new world. I am sure that you will do this in your cities and countries. The world needs young people like you”.
Today, we are also asked to follow the Resurrected Christ
“This setting – Copacabana Beach – reminds us of the boats left on the shore by those whom Jesus called to follow him. Today, we are also asked to follow the Resurrected Christ,” he added.
“We are called to deeply live the faith in these times of plurality and so many questions, in these changing times, but with enthusiasm and the consistency of those who allow themselves to be guided by the movement of the Holy Spirit,” the archbishop said.
Archbishop Tempesta also said that the missionary’s path demands discernment, a certain measure of “utopia,” ambitious goals, but also someone to help us to recognize the voice of God. He emphasized that “like Paul, we are servants of Christ, apostles by vocation and chosen for the Gospel of God.”
The Archbishop gave a personal description of his own experiences: “There is a revolution of love right now: the other is Christ for us! The other is our brother! May this resound throughout the world! We want each and every person to feel that they have been welcomed in the embrace of Christ, who calls everyone to join him in building up the Kingdom of God.
“Today we learn to say: ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” And we heard how once again the Lord calls us to “be missionaries. Go and make disciples of all nations!” he concluded. But before he did, he asked: “Shall we go together?”
Desire to see and touch Pope Francis and treasure al of his messages, which are the same as Christ’s
The bad weather with strong wind did not put a dampener on the youth’s joy. They had not come for a party, an entertaining festival, but on a pilgrimage, a moment of renewal and missionary commitment. Therefore, nothing mattered, not the weather, the facilities, translations or the food.
What mattered was the Lord and the grace of Rio 2013.
José Anibal Arguello Rojas, one of the schoenstatt.org collaborators left for Rio with the Pilgrim Mother in his hands and Covenant solidarity in his heart: “I am leaving Asuncion for Rio de Janeiro, with a desire to see and touch Pope Francis, to treasure his messages which are the same as Jesus’…I take this large family in my backpack and unite everyone in this great covenant solidarity pilgrimage! Many blessings in this special week for our young Church!
“Thirst for hope, thirst for God” – ” Being a disciple of Christ” – “Be Missionaries: now go”
In addition, from 24 to 26 July, 250 bishops from all five continents will deepen the themes of World Youth Day in three mornings of catechesis on the following themes: “thirst for hope, thirst for God” (Wednesday 24 July), “being a disciple of Christ” (Thursday 25) and on “being a missionary: now go!” (Friday 26). The catechesis sessions will take place in 300 distinct locations, from Copacabana and the metropolitan area to the favelas, and in churches, gyms, sports camps and social centres. The Schoenstatt Shrine in Rio de Janeiro is also a centre for catechesis during these three days. The majority of the sessions will be held in Portuguese (133), but there will also be 50 in Spanish, 25 in English, 15 in Italian and French, 8 in German and 5 in Polish. In total, the catechesis will be held in 20 different languages, including Arabic, Croatian, Danish, Slovenian, Greek, Czech and Russian.
With material from VIS, Aica schoenstatt.org collaborators.
Translation: Sarah-Leah Pimentel, South Africa
