Pope Benedict XVI blesses the people from the Abbey of St. Benedict where he is staying. Photo courtesy of www.visitadopapa.org.br
Last night he spoke to the youth in the largest soccer stadium of the state, Pacaembu. He used the story of the rich youth who approached Jesus but left sad, unable to fight his attachment to material goods, to tell his young audience about the importance of following Christ:
But as I gaze at you young people here present—you who radiate so much joy and enthusiasm—I see you as Christ sees you: with a gaze of love and trust, in the certainty that you have found the true way. You are the youth of the Church.
I send you out, therefore, on the great mission of evangelizing young men and women who have gone astray in this world like sheep without a shepherd. Be apostles of youth. Invite them to walk with you, to have the same experience of faith, hope, and love; to encounter Jesus so that they may feel truly loved, accepted, able to realize their full potential. May they too may discover the sure ways of the commandments, and, by following them, come to God.
You can be the builders of a new society if you seek to put into practice a conduct inspired by universal moral values, but also a personal commitment to a vitally important human and spiritual formation. Men and women who are ill prepared for the real challenges presented by a correct interpretation of the Christian life in their own surroundings will easily fall prey to all the assaults of materialism and secularism, which are more and more active at all levels. Be men and women who are free and responsible; make the family a centre that radiates peace and joy; be promoters of life, from its beginning to its natural end; protect the elderly, since they deserve respect and admiration for the good they have done. The Pope also expects young people to seek to sanctify their work, carrying it out with technical skill and diligence, so as to contribute to the progress of all their brothers and sisters, and to shed the light of the Word upon all human activities (cf. Lumen Gentium, 36). But above all, the Pope wants them to set about building a more just and fraternal society, fulfilling their duties towards the State: respecting its laws; not allowing themselves to be swept along by hatred and violence; seeking to be an example of Christian conduct in their professional and social milieu, distinguishing themselves by the integrity of their social and professional relationships. They should remember that excessive ambition for wealth and power leads to corruption of oneself and others; there are no valid motives that would justify attempting to impose one’s own worldly aspirations—economic or political—through fraud and deceit.
Later today he will preside the canonization Mass of my country's first native born saint, friar Galvao. It is a day of joy in Brazil!
From Catholic News Agency:
Friar Galvao.- The festivities which Pope Benedict will attend Thursday at the Pacaembu Stadium, will continue hours later at the Campo de Marte, where thousands of young people will hold vigil on the eve of the canonization of the first Brazilian saint.
According to organizers, many participants who will attend the encounter with the Pope are expected to make the pilgrimage to Campo de Marte to await the canonization ceremony on Friday.
During the vigil, more than 50 different choral groups from local parishes will accompany the Orchestra of the Dramatic and Musical Conservatory of Sao Paulo.
Among the songs that will be performed at the vigil include the official song for the papal visit, “Pelos prados y campiñas,” an adaptation of Psalm 22, as well as two songs in honor of Fray Galvao. Between each song, reflections by the future saint will be read.
Auxiliary Bishop Joaquim Justino Carreira of Sao Paulo said, “The grace of God with the coming of the Pope is being felt in our country. I am referring especially to the joy, disposition and gratitude of the people involved in this event of such great magnitude.”
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