LAITYFAMILYLIFE . BULLETIN

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LAITYFAMILYLIFE A trimestral bulletin from the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life Share Tweet Forward Share

Special Issue 2023 - World Youth Day "With this World Youth Day, God gave a “push” in the other direction. It marked a new beginning of the great pilgrimage of young people across the continents, in the name of Jesus Christ. And it was not a coincidence that this happened in Lisbon, a city overlooking the ocean, a city that is a symbol of the great explorations by sea. And so, at World Youth Day, the Gospel proposed to young people the model of the Virgin Mary. [...] In this way, Mary guides the pilgrimage of young people in following Jesus today, in the third millennium." (Pope Francis, General Audience, Wednesday, 9 August 2023) On the website of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life are available news, official texts and photos of the XXXVII World Youth Day (August 1-6, Lisbon), which saw the participation of 1.5 million young pilgrims from all over the world to go to the encounter with the Living Christ, together with Pope Francis.  Visit our website and social accounts to read and share what we experienced together, to continue the pilgrimage to follow Jesus! NEWS The next WYD in 2027 in Seoul: announced at the closing Mass of the WYD   Pope Francis' missionary mandate and the two next appointments with young people TEXTS AND MULTIMEDIA “Rise up” - the WYD catechesis: social friendship and mercy are the themes of the second and third days   Experiences of synodality and reconciliation with God. READ ALL “Rise up”- the WYD catechesis: the first day is about dialogue on integral ecology   Card. Lacroix: “Transforming the heart is called to be integral and touches every aspect of our lives”. READ ALL A Manifesto of the youth participating in the 4th International Congress on the Care for Creation – WYD 2023   Presented to Pope Francis with appeals and commitments for a new humanity. THE MANIFESTO  THE CONGRESS

The WYD Vigil: being roots of joy for others and getting back up after every fall The City of Joy: an experience of harmony, sharing and forgiveness The WYD Stations of the Cross: Taking the risk of loving and walking with Jesus Opening Mass of WYD: The new world begins with an encounter WYD Welcome ceremony: God loves us as we are. Everyone St. Peter's Basilica in prayer for the youth of WYD

KEEP RIDING THE WAVES OF LOVE AND CHARITY

In the final WYD event on his schedule, Pope Francis thanks the 25 thousand World Youth Day volunteers from 150 countries for their wonderful generosity, service and faith.

- By Thaddeus Jones

 In his final meeting with young people in Lisbon on Sunday afternoon, Pope Francis met with 25 thousand World Youth Day volunteers at another large outdoor event on a sun-baked afternoon there. The volunteers came from around the world representing 150 countries.

 Celebration and joy

The event began with a video featuring video highlights of World You day as a way to relive the intense and joyous days of celebration and joy. Participants from around the world shared their experience of the celebrations in a video collage of interviews interspersed with moments from the WYD events.

 Then three young participants offered their own live testimonies telling the Pope about their experience of World Youth Day and how it transformed them and their faith.

 Chiara from Germany working in youth ministry said the WYD events gave her a tangible experience of God's boundless love and acceptance. She added that it marked a powerful experience of being part of a Church that represents so many people from around the world, a real family, and a beautiful mosaic of cultures and believers in the one God searching for His love.

 Francisco from Portugal just graduated from college, but spent the past year assisting in the preparations for WYD as a volunteer. He said it's been a real journey and hard work, but a wonderful experience of inner growth and seeing Jesus in others, especially their smiles.

 Then Filipe, a volunteer also from Portugal, spoke about how WYD helped him draw closer to the Lord and recognize the Lord in every person he met. He expressed his lifelong mission to serve Christ and others for peace in our world.

 Thank you to all

The Patriarch of Lisbon, Cardinal Manuel Clemente, then thanked the Pope for his presence and participation, saying everyone will carry the experiences in their hearts and memories. He thanked the volunteers for their great dedication, calling them the "World Youth Day 2023 generation".

 Pope Francis then read parts of his prepared address and spoke ad lib, expressing his profound gratitude and praising everyone for their hard work making these unforgettable days possible. Recalling how everyone labored for months, behind the scenes with little fanfare, they set an example as a real team and service for all.

 Joy of service

The Pope said despite the fatigue he could see on their faces at times, he always noticed that their eyes glowed "with the joy of service."  He thanked them for their generosity, rushing to meet others and to serve them "in the name of Jesus."

 Recalling the testimonies of Chiara, Francisco and Filipe, the Pope observed how all three spoke of "a special encounter with Jesus" and how that "most beautiful" experience became the "engine" that helps us move in earnest and keep going in our life of faith and service.

 “Renewing the personal encounter with Jesus every day is the heart of the Christian life.”

 Vatican News

GMG-WYD . GOD IS CALLING YOU BY NAME

Pope welcomes young people to WYD

Pope Francis leads the welcoming ceremony of the 37th World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, and reminds young people from across the globe that God calls each of us by name because He loves every person.

 

-         By Christopher Wells

 A vibrant spectacle of colour and sound greeted Pope Francis and hundreds of thousands of pilgrims at the Welcoming Ceremony for World Youth Day 2023.

 The festive character was intended as a celebration of the faith and a demonstration of the unity and diversity of a Church that combines tradition and modernity, and featured a cast of some 50 young people from 21 different countries, as well as the WYD choir and orchestra, and numerous other musicians showcasing the Portuguese culture.

 A notable addition to this year’s opening ceremony was the choreographic performance of the lyrics of the music in Portuguese sign language, promoting the participation of those with difficulties hearing.

 Following the arrival of Pope Francis, a group of young people read selections from letters produced by the cast, representing the thousands of letters the Pope receives each day. The letters highlighted the questions and concerns of youth from around the world, with many asking for advice and prayers for their families, countries, and local Churches.

The welcoming ceremony continued with the procession of flags from all the countries represented at World Youth Day, accompanied by an original song, “Um Dia de Sol” (“A Sunny Day”), composed by Héber Marques especially for the occasion. The song highlights the desire to celebrate faith in Jesus.

 The highlight of the Welcome Ceremony was a Liturgy of the Word, focusing on St Luke’s account of Jesus’ sending forth the seventy-two disciples.

 In his reflection on the Gospel reading, Pope Francis warmly welcomed the young people taking part in World Youth Day, reminding them that God has called them by name precisely because He loves each one of them. “At this World Youth Day,” the Pope said, “let us help one another to recognize this fundamental reality: May these days be vibrant echoes of God’s call of love.”

A community of the called

Christ’s Church, the Pope continued, is “the community of the called,” not a community of the best people; rather, we are all sinners, all called "as we are, with our problems and limitations.” We are, he said,  “a community of brothers and sisters of Jesus, sons and daughters of the same Father. I want to be very clear with you.”

 Pope Francis insisted, “There is room for everyone in the Church,” adding that Jesus expressed this clearly in the Gospels in parables where all are called: “the young and old, the healthy and the sick, the righteous and sinners: everyone, everyone, everyone, everyone!” And he invited the crowd to repeat after him, “Everyone, everyone, everyone!”

 God loves us

Insisting again and again that God loves them, the Pope told young people to never grow tired of coming to God with questions. “Asking questions is good,” he said, “it is often better than giving answers, because those who ask questions remain restless, and restlessness is the best remedy” for a routineness that can “anaesthetize the soul.”

 Pope Francis invited young men and women to reflect on how “beautiful” it is that God loves us. “God loves us as we are,” he repeated, “not as we would like to be or as society would like us to be.” Instead, we are called and loved as we are with our defects and limitations, but also “with our desire to move forward in life.”

 “This is what I wanted to tell you,” he said, in conclusion: “Don’t be afraid, have courage, go forward knowing that we are loved…” And he called on the young people to repeat with him: “God loves us.”

‘There’s a Rush in the Air’

The Pope’s address was followed by a Litany invoking the patrons of World Youth Day, including Pope St John Paul II, St John Bosco, Bd Pier Giorgio Frassati, and Bd Carlos Acutis, as well as Portuguese saints and blesseds, such as St Anthony, Bd Joan of Portugal, and Bd Maria Clara of the Child Jesus.

 The liturgical ceremony concluded with the recitation of the Our Father and the Pope’s final blessing.

 For the finale, the performers offered a choreographed presentation of an anagram inspired by the Gospel reading and addressed to all those present: “Go… I am sending you… the Kingdom of God has come near to you.”

 As the Holy Father left the stage at the conclusion of the opening ceremony, Lisbon’s Edward VII Park resounded with the strains of this year’s World Youth Day anthem, “Há Pressa no Ar” – “There’s a Rush in the Air.”

 

CONGO: MSJ- FORUM LIKASI

GRAND MERCI -MSJ-FORUM LIKASI " 

Les jeunes élèves et les étudiants des Ecoles Salésiennes dans le cadre de la formation chrétienne, humaine ont participé à un forum sous le thème " Jeune sois témoin de la Miséricorde Divine". Ils ont vécu une bonne expérience du 26 au 31 Juillet en se formant sur: La Miséricorde dans la Bible; les grandes figures de la Miséricorde; la Miséricorde dans le quotidien, le secourisme et la Miséricorde;  et la formation sur certaines pratiques chrétiennes." 
Nous disons merci à UMEC-WUCT qui nous accompagne et qui fait connaître nos activités pour le bien des nos Ecoles de la Mission Salésienne dans le monde. Nous saluons tous nos frères et soeurs missionnaires. 
Chers jeunes, confrères et soeurs merci beaucoup pour cette grande rencontre du forum - Msj tenu a Likasi. Félicitations pour tout ce que vous avez vécu comme formation, moment de prière et de méditation et de découverte culturelle...Merci aux frères et soeurs de Likasi qui ont accueilli ces jeunes.Vous avez vécu la Miséricorde selon style salésien...Merci pour tout, les soeurs salésiennes prient pour vous en retraite à la Kafubu....Que Dieu vous bénisse!

P. Albert Kabuge

RETRAITE SPIRITUELLE 

DES FILLES DE MARIE AUXILIATRICE-"

 Du 16 au 23 Juillet 2016, les soeurs salésiennes ont vécu la retraite sous le thème 'FMA, Missionnaire de la Miséricorde'. Nous avons vécu un moment de grâce en partageant sur la miséricorde Divine en lien avec le CG 23 " Élargissez votre regard ! Avec les jeunes, missionnaires d'espérance et de joie." Merci à tous ceux qui ont accompagné les soeurs en ce moment de prière, de formation, du silence. Que Dieu vous bénisse! Merci aux soeur de la Province d'AFC....