Pope Benedict had a meeting with children on Saturday at St Rita's parish church in
Benin's economic capital, Cotonou. Here is the full transcript of his remarks, translated
into English:
"Dear Young Friends,
I thank Bishop René-Marie Ehuzu
of Port Novo, Director of Social Ministry of the Benin Bishops’ Conference, for his
words of welcome. I also thank the parish priest and Aïcha for their words offered
on behalf of all of you. After this beautiful moment of Eucharistic adoration, it
is with much joy that I greet you. Thank you for coming out in such great numbers! God
our Father has gathered us around his Son and our brother, Jesus Christ, who is present
in the host consecrated during the Mass. This is a great mystery before which we
worship and we believe. Jesus, who loves us very much, is truly present in the tabernacles
of all the churches around the world, in the tabernacles of the churches in your neighbourhoods
and in your parishes. I ask you to visit him often to tell him of your love for him. Some
of you have already made your First Holy Communion, and others are preparing for it.
The day of my First Holy Communion was one of the most beautiful days of my life.
It is the same for you, isn’t it? And why is that? It’s not only because of our
nice clothes or the gifts we receive, nor even because of the parties! It is above
all because, that day, we receive Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time! When
I receive Communion, Jesus comes to live in me. I should welcome him with love and
listen closely to him. In the depths of my heart, I can tell him, for example: “Jesus,
I know that you love me. Give me your love so that I can love you in return and love
others with your love. I give you all my joys, my troubles and my future.” Do not
hesitate, dear children, to speak of Jesus to others. He is a treasure whom you should
share generously. Throughout the history of the Church, the love of Jesus has filled
countless Christians, and even young people like yourselves, with courage and strength.
In this way, Saint Kizito, a Ugandan boy, was put to death because he wanted to live
according to the baptism which he had just received. Kizito prayed. He realized
that God is not only important, but that he is everything. What, then, is prayer?
It is a cry of love directed to God our Father, with the will to imitate Jesus our
brother. Jesus often went off by himself to pray. Like Jesus, I too can find a calm
place to pray where I can quietly stand before a Cross or a holy picture in order
to speak to Jesus and to listen to him. I can also use the Gospels. That way, I
keep within my heart a passage which has touched me and which will guide me throughout
the day. To stay with Jesus like this for a little while lets him fill me with his
love, light and life! This love, which I receive in prayer, calls me in turn to give
it to my parents, to my friends, to everyone with whom I live, even with those who
do not like me, and those whom I do not appreciate enough. Dear young people, Jesus
loves you. Ask your parents to pray with you! Sometimes you may even have to push
them a little. But do not hesitate to do so. God is that important! May the
Virgin Mary, his Mother, teach you to love more and more through prayer, forgiveness
and charity. I entrust you to her, together with your families and teachers. Look!
I have this rosary in my pocket. The rosary is like a tool that we can use to pray.
It is easy to pray the rosary. Maybe you know how already; if not, ask your parents
to help you to learn how. At the end of this meeting, each one of you will receive
a rosary. When you hold it in your hands, you can pray for the Pope, for the Church
and for every important intention. And now, before I bless you all with great affection,
let us pray together a Hail Mary for children throughout the world, especially for
those who are sick, who are hungry and in places of war. Let us pray together: Hail
Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed
is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now
and at the hour of our death. Amen."