In Lourdes Pope calls youth to bring “fresh breath of air” to the world

Lourdes, France, Aug 14, 2004 / 22:00 pm

At the conclusion of the solemn Mass on Sunday, during the Angelus prayer, Pope John Paul called the youth to become a source of hope to the world through a life of prayer and austerity.

“I greet in particular all the young people, who are so much at home in Lourdes and have placed themselves so generously at the service of their sick brothers and sisters as hospitaliers,” said the Pope.

“Dear young friends –he added:- these meetings have given me a great hope which I wish to share with you today. Let Mary be your teacher, and you will bring a fresh breath of optimism to the world, as you proclaim to all the ‘good news’ of Christ’s Kingdom.

The Pontiff recalled that Our Lady of Lourdes “called for penance and prayer.”

“She indicated to Bernadette a spring of water and asked her to drink of it. That spring of fresh water has become one of the symbols of Lourdes: a symbol of the new life which Christ gives to all who turn to him.”

“Christianity is truly a fountain of life, and Mary is the first guardian of this fountain. She points it out to all people, inviting them to renounce their pride and to learn humility, so that they can draw from the mercy of her Son and thus work together for the dawn of the civilization of love,” he concluded.