Vatican City, Mar 14, 2008 / 13:27 pm
St. Peter’s Basilica was filled on Thursday afternoon as thousands of young people participated in a liturgy of Reconciliation. Pope Benedict heard the confessions of some of the youth and delivered a talk to them in which he encouraged them to be open to the Holy Spirit so that through His grace they can become ‘redeemers of the young people of the world’.
The penitential liturgy was held with young people from Rome in preparation for the 23rd World Youth Day. Youth from around the world will gather for the celebration in Sydney, Australia from July 15 to 20. The theme for the gathering is: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses".
"At the roots of being Christian", the Holy Father told the young people, "is an encounter with an event, with a Person. This opens a new horizon and, with it, a decisive sense of direction". In order "to favor this encounter you are preparing to open your hearts to God, confessing your sins and - by the action of the Holy Spirit and through the ministry of the Church - receiving forgiveness and peace.
"Thus", he added, "we make room in ourselves for the presence of the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Blessed Trinity which is the 'soul' and the 'vital breath' of Christian life. The Spirit helps us to grow 'in an understanding of Jesus that becomes ever deeper and more joyful and, at the same time, to put the Gospel into practice'", he said.