World Youth Day 2016

While we are in the midst of the Democratic National Convention young people from around the world are gathering in Krakow Poland for World Youth Day.  World Youth Day is being held from July 25 – 31^st .  The theme of this gathering is “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”  Using the fifth Beatitude from Matthew’s gospel, WYD focuses on celebrating God’s mercy during this Year of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis.  Young people from around the world will gather in Krakow, Poland to experience the culture and the global Church.  This pilgrimage of faith will be an opportunity for the youth to learn about others and experience prayer and worship together.  Krakow has given the world many saints including St. Faustina, St. Maximillian Kolbe and St. John Paull II.

Our Ursuline community in Poland is hosting some of the pilgrims.  Let us pray for all who are on this journey of faith and for all that we may practice mercy in all we do.  Perhaps it is a good time to pray again Pope Francis’ prayer for the Year of Mercy.

Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father, and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him. Show us your face and we will be saved. Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money; the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things; made Peter weep after his betrayal, and assured Paradise to the repentant thief. Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman, “If you knew the gift of God!”

You are the visible face of the invisible Father, of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy: let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified. You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error: let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God.

Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with His anointing, so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord, and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring  good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed, and restore sight to the blind.

We ask this of you, Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy; you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.

Pat Schifini, OSU