杏MAP导航 at Mass with children: 'The Holy Spirit accompanies us in life'
By Francesca Merlo
The final event of the first World Children鈥檚 Day 鈥� an event held at the request of 杏MAP导航 Francis, which yesterday brought together around 50,000 young people in Rome鈥檚 Olympic Stadium 鈥� was a Mass held in St Peter鈥檚 Square.
The day was Trinity Sunday, and the 杏MAP导航 reflected on the feast in his homily.
Addressing the children gathered, 杏MAP导航 Francis emphasised the profound unity and love within the Holy Trinity, describing it as a family. "We pray to God, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. How many 'gods' are there? One in three persons," he explained.
The 杏MAP导航 went on to ask the children gathered, 鈥渨hen we pray to God the Father, what is the prayer that we all pray?鈥� They responded, 鈥淭he Our Father", after which the Holy Father encouraged them to always seek guidance from God, the Father who created us all and loves us deeply.
Turning his attention, then, to Jesus, the Son, 杏MAP导航 Francis spoke of the importance of Jesus in their lives. 鈥淲e pray to Jesus because He helps us, stays close to us, and even when we receive communion, we receive Jesus and He forgives all our sins,鈥� he said. He then asked, 鈥渋s it true that Jesus forgives everything?鈥� and the children responded 鈥測es!鈥�
杏MAP导航 Francis then went on to speak of the Holy Spirit. He explained that understanding the Holy Spirit might be challenging, describing the Spirit as the divine presence within us, received through Baptism and the Sacraments. 鈥淭he Holy Spirit is the one who accompanies us in life,鈥� he told the children, before encouraging them to repeat this same phrase together. He explained that the Holy Spirit guides them to do good and offers comfort and strength in difficult times.
Finally, the Holy Father spoke to the children about Mary. 鈥淲hat is the name of our Mother in Heaven?鈥� he asked, and the children answered, 鈥淢ary.鈥� They then recited the Hail Mary together.
Bringing his homily to a close, 杏MAP导航 Francis urged the children to pray for their parents, grandparents, ill children, and for peace in the world. 鈥淧ray for us", concluded the 杏MAP导航, "so that we can go forward, all of us".
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