For the unity of the Church
Call for commitment
“Let them be one as we are one” is Jesus’ desire and prayer to his father.
Building a Church of communion, a Church of diversity where all the baptized, with their differences, are called to build this unity!
If you young, today, you want our brotherly love to shine,
If you want to welcome with love and respect your Christian brother from another tradition, your Catholic brother who does not always think like you,
if you want to act with him for the unity of the Church, then get up!
Youth engagement:
Lord, you teach us that “it is by the love you have for one another that you will be recognized as my disciples”. We are committed to working for the unity of your Church. So that together, gathered at the foot of the cross, the Church may be the sign of your love for all.
Lord pardon for the discords and faults against the unity of your body. We have differences but we want to be a reconciled diversity.
We pledge to witness that the love of your name is stronger than anything that wants to divide us.
Blessing of the Bishops:
Lord, you know us, you know the forces of division that can cross us, you desire for our Church a testimony of love.
Send your Spirit of communion upon these young people, which it gives to each one to watch over the unity of your body which is the Church.
We ask it to you who is the Living, today and for endless centuries.
For the poorest, the smallest
Call for commitment:
Jesus is present in the heart of the poor and the little ones! He keeps telling us What you did to the least of mine, you did to me “.
The smallest, the one who struggles on the road, who is pushed aside because he gets in the way of our projects, who apparently has nothing to give… Well Lord, that one is you who comes to our meeting.
To you, young man, the pope says to you: I want a poor Church for the poor “.
So if you want to commit yourself to serving them, if you want to build fraternity with them, get up!
Youth engagement:
We are committed to getting out of our comfort zones, to letting ourselves be disturbed, to taking concrete action by sharing our goods.
We commit ourselves to serving you in all those who at the CAF, at work, in our families, in the streets, in so many associations or volunteer organizations need our loving presence.
Thus, we will build a poor Church for the poor.
Blessing of the Bishops:
Lord, we are poor sinners whom your grace renews day after day.
Send your Holy Spirit on these young people,
Spirit of love and service,
Spirit of compassion and tenderness,
May he enable each of these young people to be at the side of those who need their presence in daily life.
We ask this of you who are the Living One, at the heart of your Church, today and for endless centuries.
To announce the Gospel
Call for commitment:
“Be my witnesses”… Jesus tells us and tells us again and again. There are not, there will be no witnesses other than each one of us to announce the Gospel! Baptized in the heart of the world, men and women united in the sacrament of marriage to bear witness to the tenderness of God, priests, pastors of the People of God to lead them on the roads of the Gospel, consecrated men and women religious, to bear witness to the Coming Kingdom, A new generation of witnesses is rising, you are that generation. If you want to be a missionary of the Gospel, if you want to live the joy of announcing the name of Jesus! Get up !
Youth engagement:
Lord, wherever we go, wherever we are, we commit ourselves to announcing the Gospel, to going out to those who have not met you. And to tell them by our life, our words, our actions: you are loved by God! You are saved by God.
Lord, we are committed to welcoming the strength of your Holy Spirit to announce your Word in time and out of season, respecting each person’s journey. Place your gaze in our eyes and your words in our mouths so that we may become visible signs and accessible witnesses of your love.
Blessing of the Bishops:
Lord, our brothers and sisters need to discover you, to know you, to experience how much you love them.
Look at these young people who rise to announce your Word.
Give them Lord your Spirit of audacity and humility,
Give them your spirit of strength so that they bear witness to the Gospel of love.
Make everyone missionary disciples!
We ask you this through Jesus your beloved son who reigns with you in the unity of the holy spirit, for ever and ever.
AMEN