The 35th Youth Festival began in Medjugorje

Under the motto "Mary has chosen the good part..." (Lk 10, 42), the 35th Youth Festival began in Medjugorje on August 1^st, and will last until August 6^th.

The day began with a press conference at which the Apostolic Visitor with a special role for the parish of Medjugorje, Archbishop Aldo Cavalli and the parish priest of Medjugorje, Br. Zvonimir Pavičić addressed the media.

This spiritual renewal for young people gathered thousands of young people from all over the world again this year.

"We are often asked about numbers and how many young people we expect. We don't bother much with numbers, even though there are a lot of young people. We are glad that they all came here with the desire to be closer to Christ, to listen and choose that better part like Mary. Although many countries are in unenviable positions in terms of unrest and wars, young people still arrive from these countries as well. This is precisely why we will direct a lot of time and prayers for peace, peace in everyone's heart and peace in the world for the end of all wars", said Br. Zvonimir Pavičić, while the young people came to Medjugorje from eighty countries.

"The Pope knows very well the importance of this place and this meeting. He gave importance to this place in the way that he took upon himself all the pastoral responsibility of this place, Medjugorje. The second thing he showed his importance was that he sent his representative, the archbishop, who is responsible for pastoral care. This is a unique thing in the Church. The Pope understands very well the importance of this meeting with young people, and therefore every year he sends his message to young people, which he prepares himself", said Archbishop Cavalli, and the message of the Holy Father, in which he encouraged young people, was not missing this year either.

"An authentic disciple, moreover, becoming wise and strong in the Spirit, necessarily transmits the Kingdom of God to others, because announcing His Word is not an obligation only for priests and religious, but also for you, dear young people. You must have the courage to speak of Christ in your families, in your educational and working environment, in your free time. Announce Him above all with your life, manifesting the visible presence of Christ in your existence, in your daily commitment and in coherence with the Gospel in every concrete decision. The Lord wants you to be fearless apostles of the Good News and builders of a new humanity,'' reads, among other things, the message of Pope Francis, which was read by Archbishop Cavalli, and then the parish priest of Medjugorje welcomed everyone, after which the countries from which the youth came were introduced, namely: Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Canada, China, Colombia, Congo, Ivory Coast, Croatia , Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, England, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Finland, Gabon, Germany, Great Britain, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Haiti, Holy Land, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan , Reunion, Latvia, Lithuania, Lebanon, Macau, Madagascar, Martinique, Mexico, Moldova, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Senegal, Serbia , Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Great Britain, USA, Vatican, Vietnam, Wales and Zimbabwe.

Holy Mass on the first evening of the Youth Festival, with the concelebration of 640 priests, was celebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Archbishop Francis Assisi Chullikatt, who encouraged the youth not to be afraid of the new life that Jesus offers them.

"Even though everything around you, in one moment, can change, God's Word, Jesus, remains faithful, He does not change, transcends history, He is always ready to meet you, encourage you, help you, guide you to the safe harbor of salvation. Only he, the only helmsman of Peter's boat (cf. Mk 4, 38-40), knows how to guide you in dark and stormy moments to a safe choice in life. In fact, he seeks you and follows you constantly, even at this moment when I speak to you in his name, because he will never stop loving you (cf. 2 Tim 2:13). Never forget that he first loved you (cf. 1 John 4:10). He has always loved you, therefore he seeks you and speaks to your heart, because faith is born and grows from attentive listening to the word of God (cf. Rom 10)'', said Msgr. Chullikatt and invited these young people to imitate Jesus' disciples on the road to Emmaus in the uncertainties, distractions and confusion of everyday life and, like them, "ask Jesus to 'stay with you' while you wait for the light of a new day and the future, which is sometimes uncertain".

Ask Jesus to 'stay with you' whenever you have to travel the roads of the many Emmaus of our time. Let him be your strength, your bulwark, your faithful friend, your safe compass and eternal hope. Let him, first of all, be your best choice throughout your life. Carry it in your soul, proclaim it and live it with all your heart, all your strength and all your mind (cf. Mt 22:35-40; Mk 12:28-31) - and thus testify to the whole world your faith that Jesus is the only Savior and the Redeemer of mankind!" said Archbishop Chullikatt and concluded: "May the most holy Mary, the icon of the Church and the image of Christ's disciples, ask God for mercy for us to become and always be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, tireless messengers of peace, love, of hope – and the joy of Christ in the world.''

After the Holy Mass, the Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament followed. (PHOTO)