GROUP PM

 Dear sisters, dear young people

Together in building the future!

It is with great joy and much hope that we are together in preparation for the meeting of millions of people, young and not so young. Together in a deep desire to walk, to sow seeds of peace, of fraternity along the way.

On your way, sow seeds of goodness, seeds of life, of harmony. Be creative in building a new world. A world with more beauty, more justice, more peace. Be the generation of hope, the generation that builds peace, in the progressive discovery of a new vision of the world and of history.

The theme that the Holy Father chose for these days could not be more expressive. Mary set out on her way and hurried to the mountain, to a city in Judea Lk 1:39. Mary is the woman of encounter, of charity, the missionary woman. She is in a hurry to meet, to communicate and to proclaim joy. Leave happily and hastily. Mary of Nazareth is the great figure of the new way, who teaches us to say yes to God. The great protagonist of the journeys.

Let us be evangelizers of hope, witnesses of the Gospel of joy, of the presence of the Risen Christ. The Holy Father is the first inscribed in the WYD in Lisbon. He is happy to make his way with you! It is a great event.

The main objective of the Days is to place the person of Jesus Christ at the centre of our lives. He is the point of reference, the true light of all initiatives and all commitment. It’s good to be together, it’s good to look each other in the eye. It’s good to share what’s important. Even from a distance, we are close, heart to heart.

 It is Jesus who seduces, it is he who calls. His gaze heals. Love heals life, says Pope Francis. Jesus wants to establish a personal relationship with each one of us, to touch the heart, his presence gives warmth generates confidence. We know the experience of the disciples of Emmaus: Our hearts did not burn when He spoke to us on the way Lk 24:32.

Together, let us listen to the Spirit, let us seek what Jesus wants to accomplish in us and through us! Let us be bold, full of dynamism. Open to the Spirit of Jesus, to his invitations for change, starting in our hearts, in our personal lives and in group sharing! Without an openness to the newness of the Spirit, to the surprises of God, they do not happen in our lives or in our environments.  Faith fades, love for the brother, or sister evaporates and the testimony of the Gospel has no strength to advance.

Open yourselves to joy, to hope, to building a new world.

What I wish you: be happy and make happy those who live with you!

Jesus walks with us, he is the way, the truth and the life! Jn 14:6.

Together! We will do well! Thank you so much!

Irmã Maria dos Anjos Alves, p.m.