"There are many priests, seminarians and consecrated persons here today; be close to them and support them!"
"And if, in the depths of your hearts, you feel the same call to the priesthood or consecrated life, do not be afraid to follow Christ on the royal road of the Cross! At difficult moments in the Church's life, the pursuit of holiness becomes even more urgent," the Pope continued.
He was interrupted when he said, "You are young, and the Pope is old and a bit tired," by a loud chorus of "The Pope is young; the Pope is young."
"And if, in the depths of your hearts, you feel the same call to the priesthood or consecrated life, do not be afraid to follow Christ on the royal road of the Cross! At difficult moments in the Church's life, the pursuit of holiness becomes even more urgent," the Pope continued.
He was interrupted when he said, "You are young, and the Pope is old and a bit tired," by a loud chorus of "The Pope is young; the Pope is young."
John Paul II interrupted them, saying: "But he still fully identifies with your hopes and aspirations. Although I have lived through much darkness, under harsh totalitarian regimes, I have seen enough evidence to be unshakably convinced that no difficulty, no fear is so great that it can completely suffocate the hope that springs in the hearts of the young."
"Do not let that hope die! Stake your lives on it! We are not the sum of our weakness and failures; we are the sum of the Father's love for us and our real capacity to become the image of his Son".
Reuters photo of Pope John Paul II in Toronto
Photo Of "Our Lady of Guadalupe" courtesy of
La Voz de Aztlan:
http.www.aztlan.net
PVR
Please continue...
Reuters photo of Pope John Paul II in Toronto
Photo Of "Our Lady of Guadalupe" courtesy of
La Voz de Aztlan:
http.www.aztlan.net
PVR
Please continue...