Benedict XVI sent a message to youth gathered for the 10th National Youth Day under way in Davao in the south of the Philippines. He exhorted them to model their lives on bible precepts and to keep their gaze firmly fixed on Christ, the light for the journey of mankind.
Davao (AsiaNews) In the world, there is the "urgent need for a new generation of apostles" who would "build their life in Christ, accepting the Word with joy and putting the teachings of the Bible into practice".
This was the thrust of a message sent by Benedict XVI to youth of the Philippines as they mark the 10th National Youth Day under way in Davao in the south of the country.
In a message read by Archbishop Fernando Filoni, Apostolic Nuncio, to 10,000 young people who gathered to celebrate the event, the pope recalled "the urgent need for the emergence of a new generation of apostles anchored firmly in the Word of Christ, capable of responding to the challenges of our times and prepared to spread the Gospel far and wide."
The pontiff urged young people to "testify to the light of Christ, the shining beacon for our life's journey." He also invited them to "become familiar with the Bible, one's compass pointing out the road to follow", adding: "By reading it, one will know Christ. Reading, studying and meditation of the Word should then flow into a life of consistent fidelity to Christ and his teachings."
The theme of the National Youth Day meeting, which is being held from 8 to 12 November, is "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (cfr Psalm 119, 105).
On the first day, Davao Archbishop Mgr Fernando Capalla urged delegates "to strengthen the fibers of Filipino society with moral and spiritual ties that keep their church and communities united." The four days of the meeting will include hymns, times of prayer, Eucharistic celebrations and conferences.
The Bishops' Conference of the Philippines started celebrating National Youth Day back in 1986 as a way of implementing its preferential apostolate for children and youth. From 1987 to 1990, the annual encounter was held in Manila. Since 1991, however, National Youth Day has been celebrated in different dioceses of the country.