1998 WORLD YOUTH DAY

THE POPE COUNTS ON YOU

The Pope thinks about you and loves you; he reaches out to you daily with affectionate thoughts and accompanies you with prayer; he trusts you and counts on you, on your Christian commitment and on your collaboration in the Gospel cause.

LOOK TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

I invite you, in communion with the whole Church, to look to the Spirit of the Lord, Who renews the face of the earth (cf. Ps 104 [103]:30).

THE HOLY SPIRIT, YOUR TEACHER

For the next World [Youth] Day [April 5, 1998] I consider it fitting to suggest these words of Jesus for your reflection and prayer: "The Holy Spirit will teach you all things" (cf. Jn 14:26).

RELIVE THE MYSTERY OF PENTECOST

It is important to go in spirit to the Upper Room, to relive the mystery of Pentecost (cf. Acts 2:1-11) and to "let [ourselves] be taught" by God's Spirit, docilely and humbly enrolling in His school, so as to acquire that "wisdom of heart" (Ps 90 [89]:12) which sustains and nourishes our life.

CONFIRMED BY THE SPIRIT

The mystery of Pentecost, as a gift of the Spirit to each one, is made present in a privileged way by Confirmation, which is the sacrament of Christian growth and spiritual maturity.

ENCOUNTER WITH CHRIST

By participating actively and generously in the life of the parishes, movements and associations, you are experiencing how the charisms of the Spirit help you to encounter Christ, to increase your familiarity with Him and to achieve and enjoy ecclesial communion.

"BE READY TO ANSWER THE LORD"

It is...indispensable for each one to seek and to recognize day after day the long path on which the Lord is leading him to his personal encounter with Him. Dear friends, question yourselves seriously about your vocation and be ready to answer the Lord Who is calling you to take the place He has prepared for you from eternity.

GENUINE FAMILIARITY WITH THE LORD

Familiarity with the Lord, when it is genuine, necessarily leads us to think, choose and act as Christ thought, chose and acted, putting ourselves at His disposal in order to continue His saving work.

(Source: Message for 1998 World Youth Day, issued November 30, 1997)