makabloglang: 26th World Youth Day, “Rooted and built up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the faith” (Col 2:7)

"Prayer itself, born in Catholic families, nurtured by programs of Christian formation, strengthened by the grace of the sacraments, is the first means by which we come to know the Lord’s will for our lives. To the extent that we teach young people to pray, and to pray well, we will be cooperating with God’s call. Programs, plans and projects have their place; but the discernment of a vocation is above all the fruit of an intimate dialogue between the Lord and his disciples. Young people, if they know how to pray, can be trusted to know what to do with God’s call."
Pope Benedict XVI

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Thousands of young people from around the world converge on Madrid, Spain, today, Aug 16, 2011 to celebrate the 26th World Youth Day (WYD), a great festival of faith. And this great event will continue to inspire holiness til Aug 21, 2011.
This year’s WYD theme is “Rooted and built up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the faith” (Col 2:7). It is a time, in the words of St. Paul, to be planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith. The solidarity created at each World Youth Day celebration allows youth an opportunity to proudly proclaim their faith.”

In his message for the occasion, the Holy Father underscored the importance of passing on to today’s generation of young people and their rights to receive from previous generations “solid points of reference” that can help them make choices and on which they can build their own lives.

While the event is organized by the clergy and laity of the Catholic Church, youth of all faiths, ethnicity, and culture are invited to attend and encounter Christ, giving the gathering a universal character. During the week-long event, young people from all over the world come together to show the universality of, and diversity within the Church and humanity.

The institution of World Youth Day is an important legacy left by the late Pope John Paul II to the world’s young people, and which Pope Benedict XVI has faithfully carried on continuing the transmission of the message of hope to the youth of the world, inviting them, and commissioning them as Christ’s disciples to become faithful living witnesses of the Gospel teachings.

Let us join our Holy Father and the 26th World Youth Day 2011 organizers in praying for the success of this week-long pilgrimage. May the participants grow in faith, hope, and love that when they return to their respective countries and communities, they shall have become sowers of the seeds of these virtues and make a significant impact in the faith life of the society where they belong.

Although not all generation of X and Y are given the chance to become participants. Still let us include them as children of ours to our prayers. Find time to slow down and experience silence and stillness to connect with God by making prayers a vital part of our daily life. Just passing for a few moments each morning and night to thank God and ask forgiveness unconditionally .

Spread love and let us strengthen our faith to our Lord, Jesus Christ son of God, hear our prayers to bless these children of ours. Lead them unto you and so guide them not to become a part of world of chaos. Amen..

God