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The Church's Message to Young People
VATICAN II'S MESSAGE TO YOUNG PEOPLE (1962-65)
"Lastly, it is to you, young men and women of the world, that the Council wishes to address its final message. For it is you who are to receive the torch from the hands of your elders."
—Blessed Paul VI, Closing of Vatican II 1965 -
Second Vatican Council's Closing Message to Youth, 7 December 1965 -
It is in the name of God and of His Son, Jesus, that we exhort you to open your hearts to the dimensions of the world, to heed the appeal of your brothers, to place your youthful energies at their service.
The Church looks to you with confidence and with love. Look upon the Church and you will find in her the face of Christ, the genuine, humble and wise Hero, the Prophet of truth and love, the Compassion and Friend of youth.
Fight against all egoism. Refuse to give free curse to the instincts of violence and hatred which beget wars and all their trains of miseries.
The Church is anxious that this society that you are going to build up should respect the dignity, the liberty, and the rights of individuals. These individuals are you.Build with enthusiasm a better world than what we have today!
"I say to each one of you, 'put on faith,' and your life will take on a new flavor. 'Put on Hope' and every one of your days will be enlightened. 'put on love' and your life will be like a house built on rock, your journey will be joyful because you will find many friends to journey with you." —WYD Rio de Janeiro, 2013