Let us offer up our prayers for the youth who will be gathering in Madrid from August 16-21 to observe World Youth Day (WYD). The theme this year is: Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith (cf Col 2:7).
To revitalise Catholic Culture and Identity, we must help to build up the faith of our youths. This is an ongoing process and does not end at Confirmation. Our youths need to have the courage of their conviction, which will only be possible if they are grounded in their faith. I remember attending the launch of a book entitled: A Tree God planted – written by one of my friends in London. She said she experienced racism in the Catholic Church when she first arrived in London. Nevertheless, she prayed and kept going to Mass, Sunday after Sunday. She said: “I told them, I am like a tree God planted. I’m in and I’m not coming out!”
We need to plant such trees of faith in the hearts and minds of our youths. My heart filled with pride as I watched the young pilgrims who gathered on July 24 on San Fernando Hill to be officially commissioned to represent T&T in Madrid. The rain fell as if to bless them. The ground was soggy but that did not dampen their spirits.
And when Pearl Badal brought her two lovely young daughters to meet me, I thanked the Lord for some good news. Let’s affirm parents who keep their children on the right path and rooted in their faith. Our task is to reach out and support them. The family has a critical role in building up our youths in Jesus; in helping to form their consciences; in instilling in them the virtues and values that will stand them in good stead as they journey through life.
Can you imagine the love and joy that will fill the hearts of the 1-2 million young people who are expected to attend WYD from around the world to pray, sing, dance, share, and close the week with Mass with the Holy Father? It is worth noting that the invitation to attend extends to all young people, of all faiths and none. As the saying goes, we are many parts yet all one body.
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Here in T&T we need to strengthen family life so that our youth have the right kind of grounding/support. The words of Archbishop Francis Chullikatt, the permanent observer of the Holy See at the UN, are offered for reflection. He addressed the UN high-level meeting on youth on July 28, stating, inter alia, that “The family, founded on the marriage between one man and one woman, is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and must be guaranteed protection by society and the state…parents — mother and father together — have the primary responsibility for the upbringing and development of their children to help them become virtuous citizens and leaders. Parents cannot withdraw from this essential role.
“Each and every young person should be able to be brought up in an environment in which he or she is able to grow and learn, that is, in a community and society characterised by peace and harmony, free from all violence and discord. Each and every child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding…such an environment will promote good and responsible citizenship that is essential to the common good of humanity.
“Moral responsibility and respect for others are learned in a family. The family has an important role to play in educating children to develop all their faculties and in training them to acquire ethical and spiritual values and to be deeply attached to peace, liberty and the dignity and equality of all men and women.”
If we believe that it takes a village to raise a child, we will partner with parents in this important task, and become advocates for our nation’s children – striving to get our Government to ensure that the basic needs of our youths and their families are met so that they can live in dignity.
Let us pray that our youths will do as Archbishop Gilbert said to them – use the opportunity not only to form bonds with others, but to have heart-to-heart dialogue with Jesus who is our rock.
