Here is an excerpt of the message
of Blessed John Paul II as he thanked God for the gift of young people in the WYD
celebrations.
Thank God for the World Youth
Days! Thanks be to God for all the young people who have been involved in these
past years! Many of them are now adults who continue to
live their faith in their homes and work-places. I am sure, dear friends, that you
too will be as good as those who preceded you. You will carry the proclamation
of Christ into the new millennium.
When you return home, do not grow
lax. Reinforce and deepen your bond with the
Christian communities to which you belong. I look with confidence to this
new humanity which you are now helping to prepare. I look to this Church which in every age is made youthful
by the Spirit of Christ and today is made happy by your intentions and
commitment. I look to the future and make my own the words of an ancient
prayer, which sings the praise of the one gift of Jesus, the Eucharist and the
Church:
"I give thanks to you,
Father of us all, for the life and the knowledge which you revealed to us
through Jesus your servant. To you be glory in every age! Just as this bread
now broken was wheat scattered far and wide upon the hills and, when harvested,
became one bread, so too let your Church be gathered into your kingdom from the
far ends of the earth. You, O Lord almighty, have created the universe to the
glory of your name; you have given people food and drink for their comfort, so
that they may give you thanks, but to us you have given a spiritual food and
drink and eternal life through your Son. Glory be to you forever! Amen.”
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