Letter of Pope Francis to young people

LETTER OF POPE FRANCIS
TO YOUNG PEOPLE ON THE OCCASION  OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE PREPARATORY DOCUMENT
OF THE XV ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS

Dear young people,

I have the joy of announcing to you that in October 2018 the Synod of Bishops will be held on the theme  "young people, faith and vocational discernment  ". I wanted you to be at the centre of attention because I carry you in my heart. Today itself the Preparatory Document is presented, which I entrust to you as a "compass" throughout this journey.

The words that God addressed to Abram come to mind:  "Go from your country, your kindred and your father's house, to the land that I will show you  " (Gen 12:1). These words are addressed today also to you: they are the words of a Father who invites you to "go out" to launch yourselves towards a future that is unknown but bearing certain fulfilment, towards which He Himself accompanies you. I invite you to listen to the voice of God that resounds in your hearts through the breath of the Holy Spirit.

When God said to Abram  "go!  " what did He mean? Certainly not to distance himself from his own people or from the world. It was a strong invitation, a provocation, so that he might leave everything and go towards a new land. What is this new land for us today, if not a more just and fraternal society that you deeply desire and that you want to build to the very edges of the world?

But today, unfortunately,  "go!  " also takes on a different meaning. That of abuse of power, of injustice and of war. Among you many young people are subjected to the blackmail of violence and forced to flee their native land. Their cry rises to God, like that of Israel enslaved under the oppression of Pharaoh (cf. Ex 2:23).

I also wish to recall to you the words that Jesus once said to the disciples who asked Him:  "Master, where are you staying?  ". He answered:  "Come and see  " (Jn 1:38-39). Towards you too Jesus turns His gaze and invites you to come to His home. Dear young people, have you encountered this gaze? Have you heard this voice? Have you felt this ardour to set out? I am sure that, even if the din and the confusion seem to reign in the world, this call continues to resound in your soul to open it to complete joy. This will be possible to the extent that, also with the accompaniment of expert guides, you know how to undertake an itinerary of discernment to discover God's plan for your life. Even when your journey is marked by precariousness and by falling, God, rich in mercy, extends His hand to lift you up.

In Krakow, at the opening of the last World Youth Day, on several occasions I asked you:  "can things be changed?  ". And together you cried out a resounding  "yes!  ". This cry is born of your youthful heart that cannot bear injustice and cannot bend to the throwaway culture, nor yield to the globalisation of indifference. Listen to this cry that rises from the depths of you! Even when you feel, like the prophet Jeremiah, the inexperience due to your youth, God encourages you to go where He sends you:  "Have no fear […] for I am with you to deliver you  " (Jer 1:8).

A better world is also built thanks to you, to your desire for change and to your generosity. Do not be afraid to listen to the Spirit who suggests bold choices to you, do not delay when your conscience asks you to dare to follow the Master. The Church herself desires to listen to your voice, to your sensibility, to your faith; even to your doubts and your criticisms. Make your cry heard, let it resound in the communities and let it reach the pastors. Saint Benedict recommended to abbots to consult also the young before every important decision, because "the Lord often reveals to a younger person what is better" (Rule of Saint Benedict III, 3).

Thus, also through the journey of this Synod, my brother Bishops and I want to become still more the collaborators of your joy (cf. 2 Cor 1:24). I entrust you to Mary of Nazareth, a young woman like you towards whom God turned His gaze full of love, so that she may take you by the hand and guide you to the joy of a total and generous "here I am!" (cf. Lk 1:38).

With my paternal affection,

FRANCIS

From the Vatican, 13 January 2017