Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santiago (Agenzia Fides) - The National Commission for Youth Ministry has published a message addressed to young Chileans on the occasion of the solemnity of Pentecost, which has been a highlight of youth ministry in dioceses and movements for years. Thousands of young people gather to celebrate the Vigil and invoke the Holy Spirit. "The times we live in need you and the gifts that with so much love and tenderness God has placed in you", is written in the message, which invites you to share the hope and love of the Risen Christ. "Your country needs it ... your youth environment needs it ... finally, your Church needs it, in listening to synodal processes and also in encouraging and vigilant to translate them into concrete innovations".
Recalling the event of Pentecost, when the Apostles gathered in the Upper Room went out filled with the Holy Spirit to announce the Gospel to different peoples, the message invites young people to ask themselves how they live the Gospel, if they are not solely centered on themselves... Another question is linked to the gift of languages: what are the languages of today? "In this Chile that is moving towards a post-pandemic time, with needs for justice, needs for recognition of dignity, needs for peace and communion, it is necessary to meet in the language of my brothers and sisters road. Who more than you, the young people, can make this possible and help your communities to unite!" The message recognizes that, as young people, it is not easy to share the faith. For many, the fact of being Catholic can be a reason for criticism, but the wonders of God can be spoken of in many languages, in many ways, in very concrete forms. "Pentecost is coming together to bring the good news in the context, in the languages, in the circumstances of others. Today, the different languages can be not only idioms, but also a gesture of friendship, a smile, a hug, an encouragement, among many others. Pentecost is also a time to prepare ourselves to welcome the presence of God, by contemplating him in the world, in our country, in nature, in the least, and in our personal and community steps. "As a great Chilean ecclesial community, with our shortcomings, our pains and our courage to repair, to be a sign of love, care and dedication, we also ask the Spirit to be present in our processes of discernment, in our listening and in our dialogue, and thus to practice it in synodality". (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 3/6/2022)
