Benedict XVI encourages Argentinean youth to have greater apostolic zeal

Buenos Aires, Argentina, Aug 19, 2010 / 15:58 pm

Pope Benedict XVI sent his apostolic blessing to the participants of the upcoming National Children and Teen Mission Day in Argentina, encouraging them to renew their faith and be missionaries to their peers.

In his message, the Pope expressed his hope that the event, which will take place on August 22, will “contribute effectively to the renewal of the faith and Christian life, such that missionary zeal … might flourish in the diocese and awaken in the hearts of each member of the local churches the desire the share in the perennial mission,” to “proclaim the Gospel to all peoples.”

The national director of the Pontifical Mission Works, Father Osvalde Leone, sent his own message, pointing to the need for children and young people to bear witness to others with their missionary zeal. “Children and young people seek to immediately engage in the mission,” he said. “When they commit themselves, they are true missionaries and animators of the mission in their own families, neighborhoods, schools and among friends,” the priest said.

The day should motivate children and teens to think first about the needs of their local communities, then also find ways to spiritually and materially support children and teens on other continents, Fr. Leone added. “One thing doesn’t exclude the other,” he said, “but rather both are mutually necessary to truly be missionaries.”