1. God Expects Something From Each One Of Us

“God expects something from you. Have you understood this? God expects something from you, God wants something from you. God hopes in you. God comes to break down all our fences. He comes to open the doors of our lives, our dreams, our ways of seeing things. God comes to break open everything that keeps you closed in. He is encouraging you to dream. He wants to make you see that, with you, the world can be different. For the fact is, unless you offer the best of yourselves, the world will never be different.  This is the challenge.”
Pope Francis, World Youth Day, Poland, 30th July 2016

2. Young People, Leave A Mark With Your Life

“It is very sad to pass through life without leaving a markCertainly, drugs are bad, but there are plenty of other socially acceptable drugs, that can end up enslaving us just the same.  One way or the other, they rob us of our greatest treasure: our freedom.

The times we live in require only active players on the field, and there is no room for those who sit on the bench.  Today’s world demands that you be a protagonist of history because life is always beautiful when we choose to live it fully, when we choose to leave a mark. As he did on Pentecost, the Lord wants to…turn your hands into signs of reconciliation, of communion, of creation.  He wants your hands to continue building the world of today.  And he wants to build that world with you.
Pope Francis, World Youth Day, Poland, 30th July, 2016

3. Sofa Happiness Does Not Exist

“Confusing happiness with a sofawhich makes us feel comfortable, calm, safe…that promises us hours of comfort so we can escape to the world of videogames and spend all kinds of time in front of a computer screen.  A sofa that keeps us safe from any kind of pain and fear.  A sofa that allows us to stay home without needing to work at, or worry about, anything.  “Sofa-happiness !  Little by little, without even realising it, we start to nod off, to grow drowsy and dull.”
Pope Francis, World Youth Day, Poland, 30th July, 2016

4. The Lord Wants To Enter And Enrich The Details Of Your Life

“The Lord…wants to enter your homes, to dwell in your daily lives: in your studies, your first years of work, your friendships and affections, your hopes and dreams.  How greatly he desires that you bring all this to him in prayer!  How much he hopes that, in all the “contacts and “chats of each day, pride of place be given to the golden thread of prayer!  How much he wants his word to be able to speak to you day after day, so that you can make his Gospel your own, so that it can serve as a compass for you on the highways of life!”
Pope Francis, World Youth Day, Poland, 31st July, 2016

These Pope Francis World Youth Day quotes were compiled by Sarah Borg, a participant in World Youth Day 2016.

Read more:
– Top Pope Francis’ Solidarity Quotes  
– Youth Arise International
– Malta Catholic Youth Network
– Resources for youth leaders. Kindly note material is at times in Maltese.

The post Pope Francis World Youth Day Quotes appeared first on Universe of Faith.

1. However Far You May Wonder, He Is Always There

“He is in you, he is with you and he never abandons you. However far you may wander, he is always there, the Risen One. He calls you and he waits for you to return to him and start over again. When you feel you are growing old out of sorrow, resentment or fear, doubt or failure, he will always be there to restore your strength and your hope.”
Pope Francis, Christ Is Alive, 2019

2. Get Out There – Youth Is For Taking Risks

“Youth is for taking risks, good risks, risks full of hope. It is meant to be staked on great things. Youth is meant to be given away, to help others to know the Lord. Don’t keep your youth to yourselves: get out there!”
Pope Francis, 37th National Convocation of the renewal in the Holy Spirit, 2014

3. Ask The Lord To Give You The Grace To Be Merciful

“I meet so many young people who say that they are tired of this world being so divided, with clashes between supporters of different factions and so many wars, in some of which religion is being used as justification for violence. We must ask the Lord to give us the grace to be merciful to those who do us wrong. Jesus on the cross prayed for those who had crucified him: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do (Lk 23:34).” 
Pope Francis, World Youth Day, 2016

4. Youth, Be United With Jesus

“I encourage you always to be “living stones in the Church, to build up the Church, by being united to Jesus. Catholic Action without Jesus is pointless, it becomes an NGO, and there are many of these, it doesn’t work.
Pope Francis, Young People of the Italian Catholic Action, 2013

5. “Healthy enthusiasm is something of God”

“Enthusiasm is contagious. But do you know where this word comes from: enthusiasm? It comes from Greek and it means “to have something of God inside or “to be inside God. Enthusiasm, when it is healthy, demonstrates this: that one has something of God inside and expresses him joyously. Be open, with this enthusiasm, to hope and to yearn for fullness, yearn to give meaning to your future, to your whole life, to imagine the appropriate journey for each of you and to choose the path that brings you peace and human fulfillment. Appropriate journey, choose the path… what does this mean? Do not stand still, a young person cannot stand still! , and journey. This means go toward something; because a person can move and not be one who journeys, but a “wanderer, who roams, roams, roams through life… But life is not made for “roaming through, it is made to “journey through, and this is your challenge!
Pope Francis, Address, July 2014

6. Don’t Be Afraid To Make Decisions

“In many regions there is a widespread culture of the provisional which favours an indefinite prolongation of adolescence and postponement of decisions; fear of the definitive thus generates a kind of paralysis of decision-making. Yet youth cannot remain on hold. It is the age of choices and herein lies its fascination and its greatest responsibility. Young people take decisions in professional, social and political fields and in other more radical ways that determine the shape of their lives. It is because of choices of this kind that one can speak more precisely of “life choices: a young person’s life, in its unrepeatable uniqueness, is given a definitive orientation.”
Synod Of Bishops, Young People, Faith And Discernment, 2018

Pope Francis youth quotes

Read more:
– Top Pope Francis’ Quotes About Global And Local Human Solidarity
– “I Work With Prostitutes” – The Negative Effects Of Prostitution

Watch:

The post Top Pope Francis’ Quotes to Youth appeared first on Universe of Faith.

When he was twenty he made sexual advances towards Maria, his neighbour, but she refused to submit. He stabbed her fourteen times. She died the next day. Her last words were “I forgive Alessandro Serenelli…and I want him with me in heaven forever. Alessandro was imprisoned for thirty years. He experienced anger, nervousness and a difficult time but eventually repented and found peace. After serving his 27 year sentence he asked pardon from Maria’s mother and from the community on a Christmas mass. He also became a Franciscan lay brother with the Caphucins. A few years before he died in 1970, Alessandro wrote the letter below:

“I’m nearly 80 years old. I’m about to depart.

Looking back at my past, I can see that in my early youth, I chose a bad path which led me to ruin myself.

My behavior was influenced by print, mass-media and bad examples which are followed by the majority of young people without even thinking. And I did the same. I was not worried.

There were a lot of generous and devoted people who surrounded me, but I paid no attention to them because a violent force blinded me and pushed me toward a wrong way of life.

When I was 20 years-old, I committed a crime of passion. Now, that memory represents something horrible for me. Maria Goretti, now a Saint, was my good Angel, sent to me through Providence to guide and save me. I still have impressed upon my heart her words of rebuke and of pardon. She prayed for me, she interceded for her murderer. Thirty years of prison followed.

If I had been of age, I would have spent all my life in prison. I accepted to be condemned because it was my own fault.

Little Maria was really my light, my protectress; with her help, I behaved well during the 27 years of prison and tried to live honestly when I was again accepted among the members of society. The Brothers of St. Francis, Capuchins from Marche, welcomed me with angelic charity into their monastery as a brother, not as a servant. I’ve been living with their community for 24 years, and now I am serenely waiting to witness the vision of God, to hug my loved ones again, and to be next to my Guardian Angel and her dear mother, Assunta.

I hope this letter that I wrote can teach others the happy lesson of avoiding evil and of always following the right path, like little children. I feel that religion with its precepts is not something we can live without, but rather it is the real comfort, the real strength in life and the only safe way in every circumstance, even the most painful ones of life.” 

Alessandro Serenelli

Read more on Maria Goretti and Alessandro Serenelli on: www.mariagoretti.com

Read more:
– Pope Francis’ Quotes About Saints
– Top Popes’ Holiness Quotes

The post Alessandro Serenelli Letter appeared first on Universe of Faith.

World Youth Day is about good memories, good input and interesting discoveries

“My head abuzz with crazy memories, snippets of talks, and interesting discoveries; it’s no wonder I’m struggling to make sense of it all.” Anna described the whole experience was completely unique: “I suppose at times we felt we were at sell-out concerts, in football matches, or, as on the last walk to the vigil site, that we were on Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. Now combine all these experiences together, adding thousands of vibrant youth from all over the world, erratic weather and Pope Francis, and I feel you might have taken a small step into understanding World Youth Day.”

World Youth Day is about a good mix of noise and silence

When asked about the things which struck her most, Anna mentioned the sheer size of the gatherings. However, she also said that, “the most powerful moments were not the sounds of thousands of voices shouting “Jesus Christ, you are my life, although admittedly that was quite special , but the moments of quiet. During one of the mornings there was a power cut; the microphones and translations cut out, the whirring of the machines completely stopped. The hall was filled with an intense silence, as people stopped singing to turn their hearts and thoughts to Christ. Just to be still and pray among so much noise served as a pertinent reminder as to what the real reason behind all the festivities was , our faith.”

World Youth Day is about a mix of big events and personal encounters

Anna described how this experience was a mixture of big events and personal encounters, “There were innumerable chances to meet other Catholics , whether it be to trade trinkets and take selfies, or to discuss their experiences. One of the simple joys was that an interesting conversation and new friends could materialise at any time. One moment you might be chatting with some Italian monks at the road crossing. A few hours later, and you’re introducing yourself to the Ecuadorian priest and the Polish nun sleeping in the same field as you.”

World Youth Day is a time to deepen one’s faith and friendships

Anna concludes by saying that: “World Youth Day for me was a great time to grow deeper in my faith, to exchange stories with new friends from all over the world, a time also to strengthen existing friendships. It was a time to feel truly one and welcome in this universal family of our Catholic Church. Most of all, it was a time to realise that us, the young people of today, must “get off the sofa and take responsibility; for we are the future of our Church.

Read more:
– Top Pope Francis’ Quotes to Youth
– Top Pope Francis Mercy Quotes From World Youth Day 2016

The post "I Went to World Youth Day" – What is World Youth Day all About? appeared first on Universe of Faith.

Sarah: “Throughout this year, only God knows the number of times I have heard the word ‘mercy’ uttered: endless times by priests during mass and lay people’s prayers, during adorations, prayer meetings, retreats and so forth. I went to World Youth Day 2016 with full conviction that I know exactly what mercy is, being compassionate with people who need love, attention, empathy or perhaps even material things nothing new, we’ve heard it all before.

However, I can tell you, that Francis’ sermons were nothing close to rambling about the same idea or getting angry at the lack of mercy shown by some people. Nothing of the sort.

Instead, Pope Francis described mercy as always having a “youthful face, stemming from an enthusiastic, dedicated, zealous and energetic attitude towards life. Regardless of one’s age, one can always have the face of mercy, passionate about offering the very best to others “not what is left over: the best!”

Read more on mercy…

Abigail: “I met a lot of people from different communities and groups in World Youth Day 2016. We made friends, and I said: How wonderful to see that every person, every community is a witness of Christ in several ways, through her work, through her charism, through her spirituality. I felt as if we are the Jewish people on their pilgrimage to the Holy Land. And so we are: one Church on our pilgrimage to where we belong, to be united with God forever.

We have seen what the Jewish had gone through in Auschwitz, and in the Jewish Quarters at Krakow, and we were very sorry to see what the human being can do without Christ. It is a need to be truly instruments of God’s mercy in a world, which is thirst for love.

We had intimate moments with God in Krakow, when we were alone with God in prayer, for example Taize’ prayers, or during worship, and when we prayed with the Pope as well. Our meetings with the Pope were like an oasis for us. The Lord has spoken to us through the Pope. The smiles and joy we had, the souvenirs that were exchanged, the discussions with other youths from different nationalities, the photos we took, the testimonies from different people, the wonderful atmosphere , everything was a blessing for us. I was filled with courage and hope , yes the Church is alive, Christ is alive, even when it seems that we are walking in the dark.”

Read more:
– “I Went to World Youth Day” – What is World Youth Day all About?
– Top Pope Francis’ Quote to Youth

The post World Youth Day 2016 appeared first on Universe of Faith.

The young man’s reason for coming to see me was not particularly plausible. I answered his question, but he did not leave. He wanted to talk, though not about a particular subject. From what he said next, I learnt he was twenty-two, and had just been released, after a month in prison. He had lost his temper and become violent, when taunted by the new boy-friend of the girl who had just jilted him. He went on to speak most cynically of girls, men, and society in general. According to him, girls could not love: they just played games to make you fall for them. It was clear he thought of the world as a sad, corrupt reality. I could easily sense his deep unhappiness; his great longing to be loved, to find meaning in life. How could it be done? Was it possible?

Having, in the past, experienced this same most unpleasant of moods, I felt I now knew the answers to his unspoken questions, but looking at his strained face, pugilistic physique, his sleek black hair, the two large rings in one of his ears, I hesitated. But then I decided to dare speak, convinced that I was giving the one true answer, though, not necessarily, the one he expected to hear. I even feared it would put him off. I said we all needed God: without him, we would never feel fulfilled. A relationship with God was what so many, without knowing, were yearning for. He listened and, to my relief, his facial expression showed he tended to agree. Then he said, for three years, he had refrained from entering any church, but lately, being so thoroughly dejected, he had tried confession, and, for a time, felt much calmer. He left me then, but did not leave the premises. Some time later, I saw him again in the grounds, puffing away at a cigarette.

That evening, in the quiet of my room, I thought: Andre Frossard entered a church an atheist and, after five minutes, left it a firm believer; but sometimes it takes longer than that to find God, and be able to say: God exists: I have met him.

Written by  Maltese Catechist
Published: 2017

Read more from the Maltese Catechist:
– Finding God In Literature
– When Cancer Hits Your Brother
– Easter Poem: One Solitary Word

The post An Experience Of Working With Young People – A Moment Of Accompaniment appeared first on Universe of Faith.

My adolescent years

I have always been brought up in a family where religion is very important.  However, as I grew older, the more my parents sought after me to join them in their religious community, the more I refused to accept to go. Eventually, at the age of 18, I used to tell them that I was going to mass and wasn’t. There was a time in my life where I didn’t go to mass or pray for a long period of time; years at times. Every now and then I used to go to Lenten talks or something, but it was all because I had to.  I used to think that people who are religious are boring people who have nothing more interesting to do in their life. It’s like they’re religious fanatics because either they have nothing better to do or because there is something totally wrong in their life!

My life in cohabitation and Catholic turning point

It was October. I was passing through a rough patch in my life, mainly due to the problems I had in my relationship with my boyfriend and was seeing myself as stuck in a life I didn’t want to live. One day while I was browsing Facebook I received an invitation from my cousin for a course called ‘7: Making Sense of It All‘ organised by a religious organisation. At first, I was feeling strange even within the group itself as I went on my own and didn’t know anyone in particular, but gradually I started realising that whatever the leader was saying was really making sense. The things I used to hear when I was younger and rejected for so long, were now making much more sense and I started to look at them differently.

I realised that I started answering a lot of my questions through faith. However, I believe that my real conversion happened on my first confession. The session was called ‘God’s Yes to Sex’ where sexuality was being discussed. At that time I was living with my boyfriend and had been doing so for the past one and a half years. Deep down I knew that it was not something that my parents approved. I felt guilty about it. However, I was saying to myself, it’s convenient, it’s what everyone is doing and so on and so forth.

When I went to confession I decided to confess this in particular. However, the priest told me that he cannot give me absolution as I was still living with my boyfriend. This left me completely puzzled and perplexed. I was saying to myself ‘How can the forgiving, all-loving God I’ve been hearing for long about, and I’ve recently got to know as I was starting to have a personal relationship with him, not forgive this?! It must be a terrible thing I’m doing.’ After I cried for long and prayed about it. With the help of my leaders, I’ve decided to stop living with my boyfriend there and then. It was one of the hardest decisions I took in my life.  At the same time, it was also the easiest to do as I was convinced that it was the right thing to do.

My new road to peace and joy

After this, I truly started taking the relationship with Jesus more seriously and started making Jesus important in my life! Before my conversion, I used to see Confession as saying sorry just because I had to. Like saying sorry but deep down I didn’t really care or regret anything I did. Now that I took Jesus seriously, I am realising what a gift it really is; one that we all take for granted! Now it’s more like saying I’m deeply and truly sorry for hurting someone else or for doing something that I’m not supposed to do, and truly asking God to change my heart and to help me change the way how I live and change the things I do.

I have come to believe that unconfessed sins break down our faith and rob our peace and joy. The next time I went to confession following this, I truly experienced God’s forgiveness. I experienced God’s peace and love for me. I discovered that it’s really important for me to be part of a community as it helps me even more. I’m finding that praying every day and also going to mass is really helping me know and experience God better. At times I will be in complete awe of his love for us. It’s really an amazing feeling and I suggest it to everyone.”

*Name has been changed.

Read more:
Feeling Insecure – Love As The Greatest Security
Being True to Oneself – Sarah’s Experience

The post Leaving Cohabitation- “I Had Been Living With Him For 18 Months” appeared first on Universe of Faith.