General Intention August 2011

(July 30, 2011) Before we go on, we present the Holy Father’s General Intention for the month of August: That World Youth Day in Madrid may encourage young people throughout the world to have their lives rooted and built up in Christ.
Pope Benedict XVI is echoing St Paul’s letter to the Colossians, that young people throughout the world be “rooted and built up in Christ”, in harmony with the theme of the world Youth Day which reads: “Planted and built up in Christ , firm in the faith”. The Pope wants young people of today to grasp the real presence of Christ and be filled with his presence. The world abounds with false belief systems that promise happiness but cannot deliver. True happiness is possible only through friendship with Jesus Christ, a relationship which comes by faith. While extending his invitation to Young people to the World Youth Day in Madrid, the Pope expressed his longing that all young persons who share our faith in Jesus and those who are wavering or uncertain, may also share this experience which can prove decisive for their lives. It is an experience of the Lord Jesus risen and alive, and of his love for each one of us. Let us pray for the success of the coming weeklong World Youth Day, beginning in Madrid on August 16^th.