Instructions for the Animator 1.This is a Presentation of the Message of Benedict XVI for the 23 rd World Youth Day. 2.The Notes below the slides contain the text of Pope’s Message pertaining to it. 3.The background song is the WYD theme song. Words are in the note section of this slide.

Message of Pope Benedict XVI “I always remember with great joy the various occasions we spent together in Cologne in August At the end of that … I made an appointment with you for the next gathering that will be held in Sydney in 2008.”

The underlying theme of the spiritual preparation for our meeting in Sydney is: Underlying theme The Holy Spirit and mission

In 2006 we focused on the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Ps 119, 105) In 2007 we are seeking a deeper understanding of the Spirit of Love. "Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another" (Jn 13, 34). Underlying theme

“And in 2008 the theme is …”

23 rd WYD - THEME

WYD ‘08 THEME

1.To Know the Holy Spirit (principally by listening to the Word of God) Four Goals

2. To rediscover Holy Spirit as the "soul“ of Christian Life (through the sacraments of Christian initiation -- Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist) Four Goals

3. to grow in an understanding of JESUS Four Goals

4. to put the Gospel into practice Four Goals

The promise of the Holy Spirit in the Bible Before his Ascension, Jesus said to his disciples: "And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you." (Luke 24, 49)

At creation, the spirit of God "was moving over the face of the waters." (Gen 1, 2) At the creation of Man, God breathed into him the Spirit, the breath of life (Gen 2, 7) Spirit gives New Life as seen in Ezekiel when God restores "dry bones." (37, 1-14) God promised: in the last days, I “will pour out my spirit on all flesh.” (Joel 3, 1-2). The promise of the Holy Spirit in the Bible

At annunciation the Holy Spirit overshadows MARY and she bears the Son of God. (Lk 1, 35) JESUS filled with the Spirit begins his public ministry with these words: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor." (Lk 4, 18-19) The promise of the Holy Spirit in the Bible

Before his death, Jesus tells his disciples several times about the coming of the Holy Spirit, the "Counsellor" The promise of the Holy Spirit in the Bible

“And I will pray the Father and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you.” (Jn 14, 16-17) The promise of the Holy Spirit in the Bible

“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (Jn 14, 26) The promise of the Holy Spirit in the Bible

“But when the Counselor comes whom I shall send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me.” (Jn 15, 26) The promise of the Holy Spirit in the Bible

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” (Jn 16, 13) The promise of the Holy Spirit in the Bible

Pentecost - point of departure for Church's mission On Easter Sunday, Jesus “breathed on” the apostles the Holy Spirit. (Jn 20, 22) And finally, on Pentecost Day: "suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them." (Acts 2, 2-3)

The Holy Spirit renewed the Apostles from within, filling them with power and courage. Pentecost - point of departure for Church's mission

Those frightened fishermen had become courageous heralds of the Gospel. Nothing could now stop them! Pentecost - point of departure for Church's mission

Holy Spirit: Soul of the Church and Principle of Communion Apostolic and missionary fruitfulness of the Church is not principally due to clever programmes and efficient pastoral methods, but is the result of the community's constant prayer. (EN 75)

Holy Spirit: Soul of the Church and Principle of Communion For the mission to be effective, communities be "of one heart and soul." (Acts 4, 32)

Holy Spirit: "Teacher of the interior life" The Holy Spirit continues to act with power in the Church. To receive this power, the fruits of the Spirit we must become open to Him! So, let us “know the Spirit, establish a relationship with Him and allow ourselves to be guided by Him!”

Holy Spirit: "Teacher of the interior life" “Let us welcome the Holy Spirit as the guide of our souls, and as the "Teacher of the interior life"

THE SACRAMENTS of Confirmation and the Eucharist You might ask: How can we allow the Holy Spirit to renew us? How can we grow in our spiritual lives?

THE SACRAMENTS of Confirmation and the Eucharist The answer is: through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and, in an ongoing way, the Eucharist.

THE SACRAMENTS of Confirmation and the Eucharist … Those who have received the sacraments should remember that they have become "temples of the Spirit": God lives within them…

THE SACRAMENTS of Confirmation and the Eucharist Confirmation gives us special strength to witness to and glorify God with our whole lives (cf. Romans 12, 1)

THE SACRAMENTS of Confirmation and the Eucharist The Eucharist is a "perpetual Pentecost" since every time we celebrate Mass we receive the Holy Spirit… And so, 1. take part frequently in the Eucharistic celebration, 2. dedicate some time to adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

The Need and Urgency of MISSION Only Christ can humanize humanity and lead it to its "divinization!"

The Need and Urgency of MISSION “Today too there is a need for disciples of Christ who give unstintingly of their time and energy to serve the Gospel. Each one of you must have the courage to promise the Holy Spirit that you will bring one young person to Jesus Christ in the way you consider best.”

The Need and Urgency of MISSION YOUNG PEOPLE, BE HOLY! BE MISSIONARIES! LIKE ST. FRANCIS XAVIER ST. THÉRÈSE OF CHILD JESUS

The Need and Urgency of MISSION

LET US INVOKE A "NEW PENTECOST" UPON THE WORLD

Dear Mother Mary, united in prayer with the Apostles in the Upper Room, accompany us too and obtain for all of us a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit to set our hearts on fire.

Invocation to the Holy Spirit Come, Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved spouse.

Prayer of St. Augustine Breath into me Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work too, may be holy. Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy. Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy. Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.

Things to do! Pray Daily to the Holy Spirit Learn By Heart the Scriptural Passages mentioned in the message Read the life of St. Francis Xavier or Teresa of Child Jesus Bring a Friend to Christ And … ???

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