杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

With less than three months to go to World Youth Day (WYD), 杏MAP导航 Francis has sent his encouragement to participants registered for the event in Lisbon, Portugal, on 1-6 August.

In his video message released on Thursday, the 杏MAP导航 praised the excitement the young Catholics must feel as they prepare to travel.

鈥淚 can imagine the things you must have on your mind,鈥� he said, 鈥渉ow you鈥檙e going to: make it happen, request your work or study permit, get what you need for your trip, so many concerns!鈥�

At the same time, the 杏MAP导航 urged the young people to 鈥渓ook toward the horizon鈥� by using their excitement and hope as a stepping stone.

Hope built on excitement

杏MAP导航 Francis acknowledged that taking part in WYD is 鈥渁 beautiful thing鈥� built on the hope of events that will unfold.

鈥淧repare yourselves with that enthusiasm,鈥� he told the young people. 鈥淗ave hope, because one grows a lot at an event like WYD.鈥�

They may not realize it yet, he said, but the young people can expect to discover wonderful new things as they meet people from other parts of the world and build relationships founded on common values.

Talk to grandparents before WYD

The 杏MAP导航 said the Church is blessed to enjoy the 鈥渟trength of youth鈥�, and so he encouraged participants in WYD to prepare well for what lies ahead.

He also shared with them a 鈥渟ecret鈥� for a proper preparation.

鈥淚n order to prepare well,鈥� he said, 鈥渋t helps to look to your roots by meeting with your elders鈥�, such as grandparents.

Participants in the upcoming WYD in Lisbon should ask their grandparents: 鈥淲hat do you think I must do?鈥�

Our elders, concluded 杏MAP导航 Francis, 鈥渨ill give you wisdom.鈥�

And he wrapped up his video message by encouraging the young people to 鈥渟trive ahead鈥�, saying he is looking forward to encountering them in Lisbon.