[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”]In his message for the 2021 World Youth Day, Pope Francis offers a reflection on the conversion of St. Paul and draws parallels between the apostle’s calling and young people today.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”\u2013 Pope Francis” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” custom_css_testimonial_portrait=”display”] Today Christ speaks to you the same words that he spoke to Paul: Arise! Do not remain downcast or caught up in yourself: a mission awaits you! You too can testify to what Jesus has begun to accomplish in your lives. In Jesus\u2019 name, I ask you:<\/p>\n
– Arise! Testify that you too were blind and encountered the light. You too have seen God\u2019s goodness and beauty in yourself, in others and in the communion of the Church, where all loneliness is overcome.<\/p>\n
– Arise! Testify to the love and respect it is possible to instil in human relationships, in the lives of our families, in the dialogue between parents and children, between the young and the elderly.<\/p>\n
– Arise! Uphold social justice, truth and integrity, human rights. Protect the persecuted, the poor and the vulnerable, those who have no voice in society, immigrants.<\/p>\n
– Arise! Testify to the new way of looking at things that enables you to view creation with eyes brimming with wonder, that makes you see the Earth as our common home, and gives you the courage to promote an integral ecology.<\/p>\n
– Arise! Testify that lives of failure can be rebuilt, that persons spiritually dead can rise anew, that those in bondage can once more be free, that hearts overwhelmed by sorrow can rediscover hope.<\/p>\n
– Arise! Testify joyfully that Christ is alive! Spread his message of love and salvation among your contemporaries, at school and in the university, at work, in the digital world, everywhere.<\/p>\n
The Lord, the Church and the Pope trust you and appoint you to bear witness before all those other young people whom you will encounter on today\u2019s \u201croads to Damascus\u201d. Never forget that \u201canyone who has truly experienced God\u2019s saving love does not need much time or lengthy training to go out and proclaim that love. Every Christian is a missionary to the extent that he or she has encountered the love of God in Christ Jesus\u201d (Evangelii Gaudium, 120).[\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_cta title=”To read the Pope’s full message” button_url=”https:\/\/www.vatican.va\/content\/francesco\/en\/messages\/youth\/documents\/papa-francesco_20210914_messaggio-giovani_2021.html” button_text=”Click here to read” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#efefef” background_layout=”light”][\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In his message for the 2021 World Youth Day, Pope Francis offers a reflection on the conversion of St. Paul and draws parallels between the apostle’s calling and young people today. Today Christ speaks to you the same words that he spoke to Paul: Arise! Do not remain downcast or caught up in yourself: a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-44838","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized-en"],"yoast_head":"\n