Online youth initiative honours Benedict XVI, Pope Emeritus

(Vatican Radio) Shortly after Benedict XVI’s announcement that he would resign at the end of February, a group of young people from Ireland and the UK came together to show their appreciation for the Holy Father through the online initiative: Generation Benedict. For each of the 40 days of Lent, Generation Benedict publishes a testimony of a young man or young woman whose faith has been enriched by Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI. The testimonies gathered for the website come from a variety of young people: single, married, priests, religious, and those still discerning their vocation.

The inspiration for the initiative came Lisette Carr are Collette Power, two online bloggers. Speaking with Vatican Radio, Carr explained what she herself received from the pontificate of Benedict XVI.

“At a time when I was looking to learn more about the Catholic faith and deepen my relationship with Jesus, his speeches and writings really helped my understanding, and my faith has grown.”

In his apostolic visit to the United Kingdom, she noted how “he specifically addressed young people on several occasions, reminding us that we are all called to be holy. We’re all called to be saints. And he challenged us to find out who God is calling us to be.”

Many of the testimonies featured on the website cite the Holy Father’s visit to the United Kingdom as being a key turning point in the these young people. Others, his presence at World Youth Day in Cologne, Sydney, and most recently Madrid.

Listen to Ann Schneible’s full report: