COLOGNE (CNS): In back-to-back encounters with more than 1 million young people from around the world, Pope Benedict XVI urged them to discover the transforming power of the faith and join the “true revolution” of personal holiness.
At a World Youth Day vigil on August 20 and a closing Mass the next day, the Pope preached about the inspiration of the saints and the mystery of the Eucharist, encouraging the youths to change themselves if they want to change the world.
The Pope was presiding for the first time over World Youth Day, and he did so in a solemn and dignified style.
At the vigil, he sat quietly as he watched slow liturgical dancing and listened to Scripture readings.
In his talk, he retold the simple story of the Wise Men who found Jesus in a manger, thus discovering an unworldly kind of power.
His first act was to bless a huge bronze bell dedicated to the memory of Pope John Paul, who founded World Youth Day.
The vigil was heavier on prayer and lighter on entertainment than previous events.
The Pope also cautioned young people to avoid constructing a “private God” or a “private Jesus”, but to trust the Church as the place where believers come together in a real communion.
At a closing Mass the next morning, the Pope, dressed in gold vestments, was joined by more than 900 bishops, 9000 priests and a much smaller number of male and female altar servers.
In a sermon delivered alternately in five languages, the Pope explained two essential concepts of the faith – the Eucharist and mission.
The Pope then spoke about the duty of Christians to evangelise, spreading the joy of their own encounter with Jesus.
