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ZENIT
The World Seen From Rome
Daily dispatch - September 02, 2007
POPE IN LORETO
Dreams Can Come True, Pope Affirms
Don't Be Seduced, Benedict XVI Tells Youth
Holy Father Worried About Planet's Future
Pontiff to Youth: See You in Sydney
WORLD FEATURES
Scots Commemorate 1982 Papal Visit
NEWS BRIEFS
Priest-Survivor of Kidnapping Thanks Pope
184,800 Registered for World Youth Day
Caritas President Visits Peru
ANGELUS
On the Home and the Public Square
Dreams Can Come True, Pope Affirms
Tells Youth Christ Will Fulfill Their AspirationsLORETO, Italy, SEPT. 2, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI told young people not to be afraid to dream, since the Spirit of God is the one who places great aspirations in their hearts.
This is the message the Pope left Saturday evening to the half-million young people gathered in Loreto. The encounter was part of the Italian bishops' pastoral program to focus on youth ministry.
The Holy Father continued the message today at Mass, saying: "Unfortunately, today it is not unusual that many young people see a full and happy life as a difficult dream, and sometimes almost as an impossibility.
"Many people of your age look to the future with anxiety and pose many questions."
The Pontiff said they ask themselves, "'How do we be a part of a society marked by many and grave injustices and sufferings? How do we react to egoism and to the violence that at times seems to dominate? How do we give full meaning to life?'
"Do not be afraid, Christ can fulfill the deepest aspirations of your heart! Could there be unrealizable dreams when it is the Spirit of God who awakens and cultivates them in the heart?"
Great things
Benedict XVI said: "Allow me to repeat this to you tonight: Each one of you, if you remain united with Christ, can accomplish great things.
"This is why, dear friends, you must not be afraid to dream -- with open eyes -- of great projects of good, and you must not let yourselves be discouraged by difficulties."
During the meeting, some young people gave testimonies and engaged the Holy Father in dialogue, posing questions to which the Pope responded.
After the Saturday prayer vigil, the Pontiff went into the shrine of Loreto for a moment of private prayer in the Holy House. According to tradition, it is Mary's house from Nazareth that was carried stone by stone to Italy.
Later, the night was illuminated by fireworks that concluded a day marked by the vigil with the Pope and music performed by Italian artists.
Don't Be Seduced, Benedict XVI Tells Youth
Says World Needs Daring ChristiansLORETO, Italy, SEPT. 2, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI invited half a million young people to go against the current in a world seduced by violence, despotism and "success at all costs."
The Pope's appeal resounded at the closing Mass today in Loreto, where the Holy Father arrived Saturday for an encounter with youth from Italy and around the world.
"There are so many messages, above all through the media, that are being directed toward you! Be vigilant! Be critical!" the Pontiff exclaimed.
Most of the young pilgrims had spent the night under the stars or in large tents. There were 150 bishops and 2,000 priests who concelebrated the Eucharist with the Pope.
Benedict XVI spoke to the youth a few kilometers from the Italian national shrine, where, according to tradition, Mary’s house was carried stone by stone from Nazareth.
He explained to the young people that the humility that they heard about in the Gospel passage read at Mass ("Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted," Luke 14:11) is not "the way of renunciation but of courage."
Under a scorching sun, the Bishop of Rome told the young people: "The message is this: Do not follow the way of pride but the way of humility.
"Go against the current: Do not listen to the interesting and seductive voices that today from many parts propose as models lives of arrogance and violence, of despotism and success at all costs, of appearances and having, of harm to being."
Media influence
Speaking of the enormous influence that media desire to have on young people, he told them: "Do not follow the current produced by this powerful attempt at persuasion.
"Do not be afraid, dear friends, to prefer the 'alternative' ways indicated by true love: a sober way of life attentive to others; affectionate relationships that are sincere and pure; an honest commitment in study and work; deep interest in the common good.”
The Pope encouraged them to not be afraid "to appear different and be criticized for that which might seem foolish or unfashionable."
"Your fellow young people, but also adults and especially those who seem the farthest from the mentality and values of the Gospel, have a profound need to see someone who dares to live according to the fullness of humanity manifested in Jesus Christ," he said.
"The way of humility, dear friends, is therefore not the way of renunciation but of courage,” Benedict XVI emphasized. "It is not the result of a defeat but the outcome of a victory of love over egoism and of grace over sin."
Holy Father Worried About Planet's Future
Urges Re-creating an Alliance Between Man and EarthLORETO, Italy, SEPT. 2, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The world is in urgent need of Catholics working to protect the environment, says Benedict XVI.
The Pope said this today at the end of his homily for the closing Mass of his encounter with young people in Loreto.
Following Christ, the Holy Father affirmed, brings with it "the continual effort to make one's own contribution to building a more just and solidary society, where all can enjoy the goods of the earth."
"I know that many of you dedicate yourselves with generosity to bear witness to your own faith in various social ambits, volunteering, working to promote the common good, peace and justice in every community," he said. "One of the areas in which work appears to be urgent is without a doubt that of protecting creation.
"To the new generations the future of the planet is entrusted, in which there are evident signs of a development that has not always known how to safeguard the delicate equilibriums of nature.
"Before it is too late, it is necessary to make courageous decisions that reflect knowing how to re-create a strong alliance between man and the earth.
"A decisive 'yes' to the protection of creation is necessary and a firm commitment to reverse those tendencies that run the risk of bringing about situations of unstoppable degradation."
Benedict XVI applauded an initiative from the Church in Italy to promote sensitivity to the issue of protecting creation. Sept. 1 has been established as a national day for promoting awareness of these matters.
"This year," the Holy Father observed, "attention is focused above all on water, a most precious good that, if it is not shared in a fair and peaceful way, will unfortunately become a cause for significant tensions and bitter conflicts."
Pontiff to Youth: See You in Sydney
Entrusts Australia Meeting to MaryLORETO, Italy, SEPT. 2, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI twice reminded youth of his next appointment with them: World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, Australia.
The Pope was in Loreto on Saturday and today in an encounter with young people, part of the Italian bishops' three-year plan to focus on youth ministry in their dioceses.
On two occasions during his meetings with the young people, the Holy Father recalled his appointment with them in Sydney.
During the prayer vigil Saturday evening on the outskirts of Loreto -- where the Italian national Marian shrine is located -- the Pontiff spoke of his dream of being present at the World Youth Day.
"I would like to make an appointment with you young people in Sydney, where a year from now the next World Youth Day will be held,” he said.
Distance
"I know, Australia is a long ways from here, and for Italian youth it is literally the other side of the world,” Benedict XVI noted. “Let us pray that the Lord, who works every wonder, grant to many of you the chance to be there.
"May he grant it to me, may he grant it to you. This is one of our many dreams that, praying this night together, we entrust to Mary.”
The Pope again spoke of the appointment during the Mass he celebrated for the young people today.
He said: "I invite you to prepare yourselves for this great manifestation of youthful faith, meditating on the message that treats the theme of the Holy Spirit, to live together a new springtime of the Spirit."
The message that the Pope has written to young people to prepare for the meeting is dedicated to the Holy Spirit.
A delegation of young people from Australia came to the gathering in Loreto to invite the participants to their country next year and to learn from the organization of the Italian meeting.
Scots Commemorate 1982 Papal Visit
Prelate Says John Paul II's Words Still KeyGLASGOW, Scotland, SEPT. 2, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Archbishop Mario Conti said that Scots need to continue reflecting on Pope John Paul II's words, 25 years after the Pontiff visited their country.
During a pilgrimage commemorating today the 1982 papal visit, Archbishop Conti encouraged Scots to stay loyal to their Catholic faith, even as society makes it more difficult.
Archbishop Conti quoted John Paul II's words to the young people of Scotland: "Do not let the sight of the world in turmoil shake your confidence in Jesus. Not even the threat of nuclear war. Remember his words: 'Be brave: I have conquered the world.' Let no temptation discourage you. Let no failure hold you down. There is nothing that you cannot master with the help of the One who gives you strength."
"Those young people," the archbishop said, "now in their 40s and 50s, will have learned by bitter experience how necessary it has been to rely on Jesus in facing the challenges of the age."
"What the Holy Father said is as true today as it was then," Archbishop Conti continued. "We find it harder to follow Christ today than appears to have been the case before. Witnessing to him in modern life means a daily contest.
"As believers we are constantly exposed to pressures by modern society, which would compel us to conform to the standards of this secular age, substitute new priorities, restrict our aspirations at the risk of compromising our Christian conscience."
Archbishop Conti referred to a pastoral letter prepared by the prelates to mark the occasion of the papal visit.
"Today, at a distance of 25 years, we need to reflect on those words. In so many areas of life 'the most fundamental principles of our Christian life' are not only questioned, but ridiculed and threatened with sanction," the letter reads.
4 challenges
Archbishop Conti continued: "Individualism has come to predominate; the growth in the quest for individual rights has taken precedence over what is right. These trends bring many challenges."
The 73-year-old archbishop named four particular challenges: "The sacredness of life: Here we refer to the ever increasing incidence of abortion and the creeping acceptance of euthanasia.
"The family: What we have in view here is not only the natural union of man and woman in marriage being questioned as to its uniqueness, but also to the very institution being downgraded by legislation which has accorded equal rights to unmarried and same sex unions.
"Education: Our reference in this case is to the repeated attacks made on our Catholic schools, unjustly accusing them of fostering sectarianism.
"Freedom of conscience: Our concern is about equality legislation which could impact on the right of Catholic agencies to work with a coherent Christian ethic in many fields, including that of adoption, as if everyone had an equal right to adopt a child, treating it as if it were a commodity, rather than considering as paramount the child's needs."
Archbishop Conti offered an invitation to Scottish Catholics: "To join us confidently in preaching the Gospel to the nonbelievers and the un-churched of our land."
Priest-Survivor of Kidnapping Thanks Pope
LORETO, Italy, SEPT. 2, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Father Giancarlo Bossi, the Italian missionary who was kidnapped for 39 days in the Philippines, was in Loreto with Benedict XVI to express his gratitude for having survived his ordeal.The Pope spoke of Father Bossi during his address to the youth gathered in Loreto. "In [Father Bossi] I would like to greet and thank all those who spend their existence for Christ on the frontiers of evangelization," he said.
For his part, Father Bossi, 57, said to the Pope, "Holy Father, I am happy to be with you this evening to give my thanks: to God for having once again lovingly kept my life in his hands; to you for having carried me in your father’s heart while I was being held hostage; to all these young people because with their prayer and their love they gave me the courage to remain faithful to Christ, to his Church, to my missionary vocation, and to the people to whom I belong."
Father Bossi was taken hostage June 10 and held for more than five weeks. He plans to return to the Philippines to continue his missionary service.
184,800 Registered for World Youth Day
SYDNEY, Australia, SEPT. 2, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Surpassing expectations, 184,800 pilgrims have already registered for World Youth Day.World Youth Day chief operating officer Danny Casey said he was thrilled with the response from prospective pilgrims in Australia and from around the world for the event that is still 11 months away.
Casey said, "We appear to have exceeded our target for international visitors and are confident that the numbers of Australian pilgrims will grow even further."
"These numbers show the level of anticipation that is building in Australia and around the world for this historic event," that will be "the largest event held in Australia in terms of participants and will deliver a significant boost to the [New South Wales] and Australian economies," he said.
"With the support of the federal and state governments, we are progressing well in our plans for accommodation, catering and event planning," Casey added.
Australian pilgrims top the list of those registered with 50,710, while U.S. pilgrims are second with 36,171.
More than 500,000 people are expected to take part in at least one World Youth Day event.
LIMA, Peru, SEPT. 2, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The president of Caritas Internationalis visited Peru, showing support for his staff on site in that country since it was devastated by an earthquake last month.
Cardinal Oscar Rodríguez Maradiaga visited the team of volunteers Wednesday and met with the secretary-general of Caritas Peru, Jorge LaFosse Quintana.
"I’ve come to be with you to show my solidarity and closeness,” said Cardinal Rodríguez, the archbishop of Tegucigalpa in Honduras. "I am very happy to be here, and I thank you for the extraordinary work you are doing. We must continue helping those who are most in need.
"Caritas is like a beacon of hope for millions of men, women, and children, who benefit from our service in difficult times, and this contributes to their integral human development.
"The mission of Caritas is rooted in the social doctrine of the Church, founded on the dignity of the human person. Caritas’ work for the poorest manifests God’s love."
To date, Caritas has delivered aid amounting to $1 million. They have launched an appeal for $11 million, for immediate relief and reconstruction efforts after the magnitude-8 earthquake that struck Aug. 15.
On the Home and the Public Square
"Let Us Spiritually Enter Into the Holy House"LORETO, Italy, SEPT. 2, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI delivered today before reciting the midday Angelus with young people gathered in Loreto.
* * *
At the close of this solemn Eucharistic celebration, let us recite, my dear young people, the Angelus, in spiritual communion with all those who are joined to us via radio and television. Loreto, after Nazareth, is the ideal place to pray meditating on the mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God.
So, in this moment, my invitation is for us all to enter with our minds and hearts into the sanctuary of the Holy House, within those walls which according to tradition come from Nazareth, the place where the Virgin said “yes” to God and conceived in her own womb the Eternal Word incarnate.
Before we depart from this assembly, let us leave for a moment the "agora," the public square, and spiritually enter into the Holy House. There is a reciprocal relationship between the public square and the home. The square is large, it is open, it is the place of the encounter with others, of dialogue, of contact; home, on the other hand, is the place of meditation and interior silence, where the Word can be deeply welcomed.
To bring God into the public square, we must have received him interiorly at home, like Mary in the annunciation. And vice versa, the house is opened onto the square: This is also suggested by the fact that the Holy House has three walls, not four. It is an open home, opened onto the world, life, and also onto this agora of young Italians.
Dear friends, it is a great privilege for Italy, in this wonderful corner of the Marche, to give hospitality to the shrine of the Holy House. Be rightly proud about this and profit from it!
In the most important moments of your life come here, at least in your heart, to spiritually recollect yourselves between the walls of the Holy House. Pray to the Virgin Mary that you might obtain the light and strength of the Holy Spirit, to respond fully and generously to the voice of God. Thereby you will become true witnesses in the public square, in society, bearers of a Gospel that is not abstract but incarnate in your life.
[Translation by ZENIT]
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