Pope encourages young people to bear witness to Christ with courage and joy
By Alina Tufani Díaz
Music, songs, colors, smiles, and joy filled the Bata Stadium, which has a capacity of more than 30,000 people and was packed with young people and families, seminarians, priests, and the faithful of Bata, who gave the Pope a “warm welcome.” In thanking them for such affection, the Pope recalled the motto of the visit to Equatorial Guinea—“Christ, Light of Equatorial Guinea, toward a future of hope”—and assured them that "the brightest light here is the one that shines in your eyes, on your faces, in your smiles, and through your songs," all bearing witness that "Christ is the joy, meaning, inspiration, and beauty of our lives.”
The culture of effort
The Pope’s address, preceded by a welcome from the Apostolic Administrator of Bata, Bishop Miguel Ángel Nguema Bee, followed a series of testimonies that served as the guiding thread of his reflection. It began with Alicia, who spoke about the importance of being faithful to our duties and contributing, through daily work, to the good of the family and society.
"She shared with us her dream of a land “where young people, men and women, do not seek easy success, but choose the culture of effort, discipline and hard work — a land where this is valued.” She said that being Christian means not only participating in the Eucharistic celebration, but also working with dignity and treating everyone with respect. She also spoke about the challenges women face in the workplace."
Following the Lord, you will receive “a hundredfold”
Then came the Pope’s response to seminarian Francisco Martín, who, speaking of his vocational calling, shared not only the joy of opening his life wide to God but also the struggles before saying his “yes,” which he embraced with joy and deep serenity.
"A life given to God is one of happiness, but it must be renewed each day through prayer, the sacraments and time spent with the brothers and sisters whom the Lord places along our path. In the communion of hearts and in acts of kindness toward those in need, the miracles of charity are continually renewed. So, if you feel that Christ is calling you to follow him in a path of special consecration — as priests, religious sisters, or religious brothers, catechists — do not be afraid to follow in his footsteps."
The family: fertile ground for human and Christian growth
To the families present, the example of Purificación and Jaime Antonio served as a reminder that, by trusting in God, their families can grow in unity, welcoming life as a gift to be protected and educated for an encounter with the Lord.
"Being spouses and parents is an exciting mission — a covenant to be lived day by day. Within this covenant, you will continually rediscover one another as you cooperate with God in the miracle of life and in building happiness for yourselves and for your children. Be prepared to embrace this calling as a journey of true love that grows in freedom; as a journey of hope, born from the knowledge that God will never abandon you; and as journey of holiness, in which you always seek the good and happiness of others."
Respect for life that is born and grows
Finally, the Pope thanked the “sincerity and courage” of a 13-year-old boy, the son of a single mother abandoned by his father, whose words should encourage us to build a better world, based on respect for life that is born and grows. We are called to cultivate, live, and bear witness to life despite sacrifices, judgments, prejudices, and stereotypes that seek to diminish its value.
"Victor Antonio has reminded us that welcoming life requires love, commitment and care. These words, spoken by a young person, should lead us to reflect seriously on the importance of protecting and safeguarding the family and the values learned within it."
Let us be witnesses of the love Jesus has given us
The Pope underscored the importance that every person feel respected and no one be forgotten; may institutions take part in transforming the world; and together let us make this a firm resolution, a joyful commitment, so that Christ, Light of Equatorial Guinea, of Africa, and of the whole world, may guide us all toward a future of hope.
"Dear young people, parents and all who are present, let us be inspired by the beauty of love; let us become witnesses to the love that Jesus has given us and taught us! Let us show every day that it is beautiful to love — that the greatest joys, in every situation, come from knowing how to give and from giving of ourselves, especially when we reach out to those most in need. The light of charity, nurtured in our homes and lived out in faith, can truly transform the world..."
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