Pope Francis encourages the young people of the “Shalom” Catholic Community in the Vatican to keep their missionary charism alive as they celebrate the 40th anniversary of their Brazilian-born movement that aims to evangelize the young, by the young. There were some 1000 young people present in the gathering.
Pope Francis thanked the founders for their introductory remarks, and in particular, for remembering the circumstances in which the “Shalom” Catholic Movement was born, that is during a Eucharistic celebration in Fortaleza. This, he said, reminds us that, “It is the Holy Spirit that makes the Church live, that pushes it forward.”
The Holy Father reflected on how to persevere in friendship with God in a “hectic world, and inspire other people in our environments with the Gospel message; on the role of young people in the Church; on the importance of friendship with the poor; and on the present and future of the “Shalom” Community.
Concerning the first question presented by a young woman named Fabiola, the Pope focused on the need to “abide in Jesus” and His love, “that touches people’s hearts, wherever we are, in every environment.”
The rest, he added, “is done by the Holy Spirit.”
With regard to the importance of the leadership of young people in the Church, Pope Francis once again emphasized the importance of “listening to youths,” talking to and sharing experiences with them.
The Pontiff pointed out that being young is “not so much about physical youth, but about the youth of spirit,” as recalled by Pope St. John II, warning against “paternalism” toward young people.
Answering the question about “friendship with the poorest brothers and sisters,” Pope Francis called attention to the extraordinary example of St. Theresa of Calcutta, who went out to find the Lord Jesus in “in the faces of the abandoned people.”
Reflecting on the present and future of the “Shalom” Movement, following the testimonies of two young people about their experience, Pope Francis encouraged participants to keep alive their “missionary enthusiasm” which, over the years, has given life “to an ecclesial reality that now includes not only young people, but also families, celibates committed to the mission, and priests.”