Category Archives: World Youth Day 2011

September 24, 2012 · 9:45 AM

Cardinal Rodriguez looks to young as best resource in fight against poverty

Cardinal Rodriguez at the 2008 World Youth Day in Australia. Credit: James Alcock/Caritas Australia

Read an account in America Magazine

Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga says that young people have a central role in eradicating poverty through voluntary and community action.

The Caritas Internationalis President is speaking at an event at the United Nations on 24 September on how young people can be given the tools to transform society for the common good.

Cardinal Rodriguez says, “Caritas is reliant on young people as volunteers after natural disasters, in our advocacy campaigns and in providing social services to the poor. We look with hope and confidence to young people to seek the truth, to stand up for justice and to discover new ways of doing things. In return, they look to us for support and a sense of purpose. And too often, we are letting them down.”

The Cardinal urges the international community to support the family and educational institutes, to provide employment opportunities for the young and to respond to their idealism that another world is possible, based on solidarity rather than greed.

“The Empowering Youth to be Agents of Change in Eradicating Poverty” was co-sponsored by the Holy See UN Mission, the Honduran UN Mission, Caritas Internationalis and the Salesians of Don Bosco.

Read the full text: “Youth as agents of change to eradicate poverty”

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August 20, 2011 · 9:36 AM

The hallmark of Christianity

More than 1000 young people gathered in the parish of the Holy Family in Madrid to hear Caritas Internationalis President Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga present his second catechesis at World Youth Day.

The same day, Pope Benedict arrived in the Spanish Capital from Rome, Cardinal Rodriguez spoke of the Pope’s message for World Youth Day: “Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith.” Caritas Spain looks at what he said.

Cardinal Rodriguez said, “Whatever we build must be planned in a way that that when tough winds blow, it isn’t swept away.”

“Our lives are constantly put to the test by personal, family and social crises, through relativism and the ethics of convenience which try to uproot us and make us believe that all that which satisfies our personal needs is good. Yet faith isn’t the rational adherence to an ideology but a personal meeting with Christ who lives within us.”

Cardinal Rodriguez underlines that Christ is the foundation which helps us face our crises and leads to us being stronger. He, who lives among us, is the one who can satisfy our greatest wishes, our most pressing desires for happiness and salvation.

The Hallmark of Christianity

Cardinal Rodriguez reminded the young people that “Christians receive a mark at Baptism. They are aware of this and they act in accordance with it. We are of Christ, we are his inheritance.”

The Cardinal invited young people to answer this call from Christ. Like Pope Benedict in his World Youth Day message, he asked them to offer their commitment and to learn to meet Christ in the Eurcharist where we witness his compassion in helping the poor, the sick and those in difficulty.

Other noteworthy points from Cardinal Rodriguez’s catechesis:

“Life is a song and what better director than Christ to guide the song of our lives?”
“Trusting in our solid foundations, we can have confidence if life puts us to the test. The strength of our faith enables us to face difficulties rooted in Christ.
“When people worship God and listen to his voice, a world of love can be built where each one of us is respected.”
“Christ wants to be discovered and treated as a friend. He is the way, life, happiness and salvation.”
“Being a Christian is to be baptised and to be conscious of this. But even more important is to be consistent with this baptism. That means behaving in accordance with what baptism is. With baptism we are son of God and brother of Jesus Christ. We are temple of the Holy Spirit, member of the Church and inheritor of the Kingdom.”

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August 18, 2011 · 4:11 PM

The foundations of faith

Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga speaking to young people at World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid. Credit: Caritas Spain

Read in Spanish and French

Caritas Internationalis president, Cardinal Oscar Rodríguez Maradiaga has given the first of three catecheses at World Youth Day in Madrid. The theme of all the catecheses is “That each of us uses what we receive to serve others.” Caritas Spain looks at the first catechesis.

Building communities through faith

“What are the foundations of our faith like?” With this question Cardinal Rodriguez reflects upon how the building of our lives “can only be complete if they are built on the solid rock that is the Lord”. He called on young people to “build on the rock by listening to the Word and putting it into practice”. Only in this way can we be “living stones, who love and defend life and who build the community that is the Church.” This is possible “even though we’re here from different countries and cultures, we have the same faith which makes the foundations solid”.

A spiritual GPS

Cardinal Rodriquez then looked at the effect of a lack of foundations in today’s world. As he had already said, “The absence of God is at the roots of all of today’s crises.” He continued, “If societies’ reference point stops being God, they will become disorientated. It’s strange that a world which has such advanced technology to help people find their way – such as the GPS – is so disorientated. The Cardinal called for a spiritual GPS, guided by “the Word of God, the bread of life and the Virgin Mary.” This is the door that opens us to Jesus, he said.

Be witnesses to faith

Cardinal Rodriguez ended his catechesis by appealing to the young people at World Youth Day in Madrid “to be witnesses of faith and to live out a truth which isn’t isolated from their lives, to be firm in faith which is the source which brings reasons to live, to fight, to love, to make peace and to be happy, because happiness isn’t found by seeking it out but by making other people happy.


Les fondements de la foi

Le président de Caritas Internationalis, le cardinal Oscar Rodríguez Maradiaga a donné la première de trois catéchèses aux Journées Mondiales de la Jeunesse à Madrid. Le thème de toutes les catéchèses est « Que chacun d’entre nous utilise ce que nous recevons pour servir les autres. » Caritas Espagne examine la première catéchèse.

Bâtir des communautés par l’intermédiaire de la foi

« Quels sont les fondements de notre foi ? » Avec cette question, le cardinal Rodriguez réfléchit à comment le développement de notre vie « ne peut être total que s’il prend appui sur le rocher solide qu’est le Seigneur ». Il a demandé aux jeunes de « prendre appui sur le rocher en écoutant la Parole et en la mettant en pratique ». Ce n’est qu’ainsi que nous pouvons être des pierres vivantes qui aiment et défendent la vie, et qui bâtissent la communauté de l’Eglise. » C’est possible « car même si nous venons de pays et de cultures différents, nous avons la même foi qui rend les fondements solides. »

Un GPS spirituel

Le cardinal Rodriguez a ensuite examiné les effets d’un manque de fondements dans le monde d’aujourd’hui. Comme il l’avait déjà dit, « L’absence de Dieu est à l’origine des crises d’aujourd’hui ». Il a continué en disant que « Si le point de référence des sociétés
arrête d’être Dieu, alors elles deviendront désorientées. Il est étrange qu’un monde qui a une technologie aussi avancée pour aider les gens à trouver leur chemin – comme le GPS – soit aussi désorienté ». Le cardinal a appelé pour un GPS spirituel, guidé par « la parole de Dieu, le pain de la vie et la Vierge Marie ». « C’est la porte qui nous ouvre à Jésus », a-t-il dit.

Soyez témoins de la foi

Le cardinal Rodriguez a terminé sa catéchèse en demandant aux jeunes des Journées Mondiales de la Jeunesse à Madrid « d’être témoins de la foi et de mettre en pratique une vérité qui n’est pas isolée de leur vie, d’être fermes dans la foi, qui est la source qui donne des raisons de vivre, de se battre, d’aimer, de faire la paix et d’être heureux, parce qu’on ne trouve pas le bonheur en le cherchant mais en rendant les autres heureux.

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· 1:54 PM

Interview with Caritas Internationalis secretary general

Caritas Internationalis secretary general Michel Roy emphasises the importance of working together during an interview with Caritas Peru TV.

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August 17, 2011 · 4:21 PM

World Youth Day inaugural mass

Young pilgrims gather in the centre of Madrid. Credit: Caritas Spain

By Ana Guirao, Caritas Spain

The heat didn’t stop thousands of young people coming to Plaza de Cibeles to take part in the inaugural mass for World Youth Day.

Even though the celebration was starting at 8 in the evening, young people started to arrive from midday onwards. Young people with their country flags came from all corners of the city to converge on the square.

Cardinal Antonio Maria Rauco, Archbishop of Madrid, welcomed the young people. He then gave a homily in which he said, “Do you accept the wonderful and beautiful challenge of “the new evangelisation” of your young peers?

Answer him yes, remembering that vibrant and brave call of John Paul II in the homily on Monte del Gozo on the 20th of August, 1989:

“Do not be afraid to be saints! Let Christ reign in your hearts! Answer him yes with a complete hope and a generous opening to the big life’s goals, as it is typical to young people. Answer the renewed call of Benedict XVI with a clear and coherent engagement of life! You can evangelise with words and works, today more than ever.”

At the end of the celebration, Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, said, ““You have come to this meeting with the Holy Father Benedict XVI bringing with you all your plans and hopes, as well as your concerns and apprehensions about the choices that lie ahead. These will be days that you will never forget, days of important discoveries and decisions that will be decisive for your future.

“Many of us might wonder: in our world today where God is often rejected and people live as if God did not exist, is it still possible to have faith?

“Dear young people! You are gathered here in Madrid after having come from the most remote corners of the planet. You have come to say aloud to the whole world – and in particular to Europe which is showing signs of being very lost – your unwavering “yes”! Yes, faith is possible. It is in fact a wonderful adventure that allows us to discover the magnitude and beauty of our lives. This is because God, revealed in the face of Christ, does not put human beings down. God exalts us beyond all measure and beyond our wildest imaginings! For the next few days, together with the apostles, we all want to shout aloud to the Lord: “Increase our faith!” (Lk 17:5). Like Saint Anselmo, we too want to pray: Lord, “Teach me to seek you, and reveal yourself to me as I seek, because I can neither seek you if you do not teach me how, nor find you unless you reveal yourself (Proslogion 1:1).”

Misa de inauguraión de la JMJ

Por Ana Guirao, Cáritas Española

El calor no impidió que ayer miles de jóvenes acudiesen a la plaza de Cibeles para participar en la misa inaugural de la JMJ.

Pese a que la celebración estaba prevista para las 8 de la tarde, desde las 12 de la mañana los jóvenes comenzaron a congregarse en las inmediaciones de la plaza. Desde todos los lugares de la ciudad miles de jóvenes con la bandera de su país se dirigieron a Cibeles.

Tras dar las bienvenida a todos los jóvenes, durante la homilía el cardenal Antonio María Rouco, animó a los jóvenes: “Tened presente estos días que el Señor, por medio del Papa, os va a preguntar: ¿aceptáis el formidable y hermoso reto de “la nueva evangelización” de vuestros jóvenes coetáneos? Respondedle que sí, recordando aquella vibrante y valiente llamada de Juan Pablo II en la Homilía del Monte del Gozo el 20 de agosto de 1989: ¡“No tengáis miedo a ser santos”! ¡“dejad que Cristo reine en vuestros corazones”! Respondedle que sí con toda la capacidad de ilusión y apertura generosa a los grandes ideales de la vida que os es tan propia. ¡Responded a la renovada llamada de Benedicto XVI con un claro y coherente compromiso de vida! Se evangeliza con las palabras y con las obras, hoy más que nunca”.

Al término de la celebración Mons. Rilko, presidente del Pontificio Consejo para los Laicos se dirigió a los jóvenes: “Habéis traído a esta cita con el Santo Padre Benedicto XVI vuestros proyectos, vuestras esperanzas y también vuestras inquietudes, la preocupación por las decisiones que os esperan… Serán días inolvidables de importantes descubrimientos y de decisiones determinantes para vuestra vida…” (…)

“Sin embargo, muchos hoy se preguntan: en nuestro mundo, que tan a menudo rechaza a Dios y vive como si Dios no existiera, ¿es aún posible la fe? …

¡Queridísimos jóvenes! Os habéis reunido aquí, en Madrid, desde los rincones más remotos del planeta, para decir en voz alta a todo el mundo –y en particular a esta Europa que está dando signos de profunda desorientación– para decir vuestro firme “sí”! “Si”, ¡la fe es posible! Es más, es una aventura maravillosa que nos permite descubrir toda la grandeza y la belleza de nuestra vida. Porque Dios, que se ha revelado en el rostro de Jesucristo, no disminuye al hombre sino que lo enaltece mas allá de toda medida, mas allá de toda imaginación! En estos días, junto con los Apóstoles, queremos todos gritar al Señor: «¡Aumenta nuestra fe!» (Lc 17,5)… Queremos también nosotros orar con las palabras de San Anselmo: Señor, «enséñame a buscarte, muéstrate al que te busca, porque no puedo buscarte si no me enseñas el camino. No puedo encontrarte si no te haces presente.» (Proslogion 1,1)

 

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August 12, 2011 · 5:09 PM

A fresh breeze is blowing through Madrid…

Religious consult with WYD volunteers

Ana Guirao, Caritas Spain

(see below for Spanish)

We just had the final press conference in preparation for World Youth Day. They offered us load of figures about the participation, registration, volunteers, costs and the like. Almost half a million people have already registered.

We’re really on the home straight. The stage in Plaza de Cibeles – the place where the Pope will be welcomed – is almost up, so are all the structures to hold TV cameras and satellite equipment. Pilgrims have started to arrive and you can see all the volunteers on the streets wearing their green tabards. Madrid has been turned into one big stage in preparation for this festival of faith.

This is the right time to celebrate hope. It’s a moment when many tired and disheartened young people will see firsthand that it’s possible to have hope, that love is in each person’s heart and is just waiting for a fresh breeze to awaken it. World Youth Day, where many young people will proclaim their faith without fear, is the moment of this breeze.

The participation of pilgrims from communities and countries which are going through hard times will be especially moving. Caritas Internationalis secretary general, Michel Roy, highlighted in his message the swell of solidarity from young people during the Japan earthquake. Almost 600 young Japanese pilgrims are coming to Spain. There are pilgrims from the Horn of Africa, a region with is living through a dramatic drought. There will be 3 from Somalia, 624 from Kenya, 81 from Ethiopia, 7 from Eritrea and 60 from Sudan. There will also be pilgrims from countries where they are persecuted for their faith. The suffering of these people revitalises the Church and those who spend some time with them.

Yes, Madrid is gearing up for World Youth Day and we at Caritas are eager to welcome people. Hurry up and come and see us, we’re all waiting for you!

YA ESTAMOS PREPARADOS

Ana Guirao. Cáritas Española

Acaba de celebrarse la última rueda de prensa de la JMJ, nos han ofrecido un montón de cifras: de participación, de inscripción, de voluntarios… datos económicos.

Verdaderamente estamos en la recta final, ya está casi montada la plataforma en la plaza de Cibeles, donde se dará la bienvenida al Papa; las torres para los medios de comunicación…, ya han empezado a llegar los peregrinos y a los voluntarios se les ve en la calle con sus chalecos verdes. Madrid, convertido en un gran escenario, se prepara para esta fiesta de la fe.

Se trata de un momento providencial para celebrar la esperanza; un momento en el que muchos jóvenes cansados y desanimados sabrán de primera mano que es posible la esperanza, que hay razones para ella y que el amor anida en el corazón de cada hombre esperando que una brisa fresca lo despierte, estos días, con miles de jóvenes proclamando sin miedo su fe es el momento de esa brisa.

Será especialmente emocionante la participación de aquellos peregrinos cuyas comunidades y países atraviesan momentos de dificultad. Michel Roy destacaba en su mensaje la participación de los jóvenes durante el terremoto de Japón, desde allí llegarán a España 579 peregrinos; también tenemos muy presentes a los que llegan desde el Cuerno de África que atraviesan por momentos dramáticos: 3 de Somalia, 624 de Kenia, 81 de Etiopía, 7 de Eritrea y 60 de Sudán y a otros muchos perseguidos por razón de su fe en diferentes países del mundo. El sufrimiento de todos ellos vivifica a la Iglesia y de forma especial a quienes tendremos la dicha de compartir unos días con ellos.

Madrid está preparado, os esperamos con impaciencia, Cáritas, una vez más, está lista para acoger a todos con alegría. ¡No tardéis os esperamos!

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August 8, 2011 · 8:26 AM

Hola España!

World Youth Day 2011 kicks off in Madrid on 16th August. Elizabeth Pappalardo and Krystie Tham from Caritas Australia are just two of the hundreds of thousands of young people who will travel to the Spanish capital to celebrate their faith and join in the celebrations.

From our experiences at World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, we will never forget the pride we felt in being young Australian Catholics. Being witnesses of love and peace through smiles, laughter, singing and dancing as the diversity of cultures and nations came together, was a week we will never forget.

World Youth Day is a significant event for young Catholics as the diversity of nations and countries joined under the Catholic Church unite to share their faith. The experience rejuvenates us to spread the gospel of Jesus in our home lands.

We are looking forward to being a part of the love and joy shared during World Youth Day in Madrid from 16- 21 August. We are excited to share our spiritual journey with passionate young Catholics from around the world. We feel privileged to be able to take this journey and represent Caritas Australia.  For those who will be taking part in the event and manage to spot us amongst the exuberant crowds in our red Caritas shirts, make sure you come and say HOLA! :D
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· 8:22 AM

We welcome you to Madrid for World Youth Day

By Ana Guirao, Caritas Spain

Available also in Spanish

Almost half a million young people from around the world will gather in Madrid with Pope Benedict to celebrate World Youth Day from 16-21 August. It is a real opportunity for young people to answer their call and to strengthen their commitment to their faith.

The Pope will celebrate Mass and participate in the Via Crucis while there as well hear young people from different countries confess . The culmination of WYD will be a concluding Mass on Sunday 21 August which will be celebrated by the Pope and at which hundreds of thousands of people are expected.

WYD wouldn’t be complete without a fundamental aspect of Christian life: charity. How can you love Christ and not love your neighbour? How can you take part in adoration of the Eucharist and non in the suffering of your brother or sister? This is the reason that Caritas, as a part of the Church and as an expression of love, is present at WYD.

Caritas Spain will take the opportunity of WYD to raise awareness among young about those who are most vulnerable in the world. We are promoting two projects at WYD: one which will help vulnerable women in Spain,  and another sees us working with Caritas Brazil on a project to help young people.
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