Mumbai (AsiaNews) - "Let us pray that World Youth Day increases our young people's love of Christ, for they are the hope of tomorrow, in openness and wonder, in faith and spontaneity." This was the invitation launched by Msgr. Agnelo Gracias, auxiliary bishop of Mumbai to the Catholic community, on the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, celebrated yesterday in the monastery of the Carmelites in Andheri.
"The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel - Sister Marie Gemma, prioress of the cloistered monastery told AsiaNews - leads each of us to deepen our devotion to Our Lady and the gift of prayer that allows us to uncover her mystery." "Contemplating and beholding the beauty of Mary - she added - is very important in today's world, which is so full of distress and ugliness. The Virgin is a beauty that enchants God with her innocence and purity."
To celebrate the feast of yesterday Msgr. Gracias presided over a special mass. In addition to praying for the upcoming World Youth Day (22-28 July), which this year will be held in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), the bishop addressed a thought also for the victims of the recent floods.
"Let us pray - he said - so that Christ's compassion give them a horizon of hope, strength, courage and love," to overcome the suffering that has hit them.