Living with Strength and Kindliness

World Youth Day 2021

“Stand up. I appoint you as a witness of what you have seen." (cf. Acts 26:16)

You might not remember but I certainly do, the excitement of preparing students over the last two decades for World Youth Day celebrations. World Youth Days, (of which there have been 12) are held every three years, and are a world wide encounter that have been hosted by countries right across the globe. The most recent in my memory are Panama (we did not go to this one), Krakow in Poland, Rio and Brazil and who could forget Sydney Australia! The celebration typically falls on Palm Sunday (the week before Easter) but Pope Francis has announced that this event will now fall on The Feast of Christ the King (Sunday just passed and the last Sunday in the Church’s Liturgical Year).

World Youth Day is recognised as an event that brings together young people from across the globe to experience an encounter with Jesus with their peers. It provides an opportunity to personally experience the universality of the Catholic Church and to share with the whole world the hope of many young people who are committing their lives to Christ and His Church.

Each year Pope Francis pens an address to young people on a particular topic. This year his letter to youth addressed ways that young people can represent the values and view of the church in contemporary society. As can be seen in Paul’s words from Acts Jesus calls upon young people to ‘Stand Up!’

Pope Francis calls upon young people to share their gifts with the world around them. One way that we see young people stepping up is in the areas of Social and Ecological Justice and this is particularly evident in our own school environment.

I will leave you with this quote from Pope Francis. He states, “Whenever a young person falls, in some sense all humanity falls. Yet it is also true that when a young person rises, it is as if the whole world rises as well. Young people, what great potential you have in your hands! What great strength you have in your hearts!”

Pope Francis asks young people to ‘Arise’ to the call to be witnesses to their faith in the world today.

A Prayer for Youth on the Celebration of World Youth Day

God of all, we rejoice today on this celebration of World Youth Day for young people everywhere.

May youth everywhere share the love of Christ by their words and actions.

May they hear the call of Pope Francis to live the Beatitudes.

May they serve those in need and tend to the “poor in spirit.”

May they come to know that the poor and provide us with an opportunity to encounter Christ himself.

In your most Holy name we pray.

Amen.

Kirrilee Westblade

Catholic Identity Leader