【慈幼通訊社 ─ 2011 年 8 月 26 日羅馬慈幼總部訊】 ─ 第二十六屆普世青年節已曲終人散，現在正是思考其成果及意義的時候。我們刊出了青年牧民議員 Fabio Attard 神父所撰寫的稿件。

「馬德里普世青年節活動已結束。然而這經歷在青年心中所喚起的效果是沒有結束的。在聆聽及重閱教宗本篤十六世的講話，我認為這次信仰慶典有四個重點。」

「第一個是邀請青年『不要害怕』。教宗一再催促青年，不要因敵視信仰的環境而氣餒，即使我們信仰的抉擇成為眾人的笑柄。他的言辭是安慰，不是對抗。教宗打開慰藉的門，連同信仰的抉擇，給那些以勇毅與純真接納它的人。」

「以相近的文字，教宗向青年指出的第二個目標，是要『克服平庸』。教宗本篤十六世至少在三次機會上，表達這些簡潔而具深度的思想，指出我們需要克服陷人於空虛的文化。每一個接納信仰挑戰的人，都會離開這純粹橫向的層面，並發現這使時空有意義的奧蹟的美善。」

「教宗接著在此，提供一個緊繫於基督的向前的方法，就是要在磐石上建屋，建築自己的生命故事，扎根信仰。教宗本篤十六世的邀請，並非與青年及他們的故事格格不入。青年緊握這份邀請，作他們生命計劃的中心。在馬德里的日子裡，有些人會像我一樣，每天花上數小時在萊蒂洛公園聽告解，我們認識到青年如何接納教宗的說話。青年朝聖者在馬德里所經歷的寬恕與修和，並非一次性的。他們以後也會體驗這次修和聖事的經歷及經常辦告解。」

「馬德里普世青年節的第四個要點，就是教宗邀請他們喜樂地回家，並要分享這喜樂。有些人有幸與基督相遇，不能自私地把這經驗收藏起來。有些人得到了成為門徒的經歷，便要對人宣揚，成為一個宗徒。教宗也要求青年，作忠信與喜樂的見證者──這是信仰生活的兩面。誰相信，就會成為忠信的人，並找到真正的喜樂與幸福。」

「馬徳里的一週，確實是『晚餐廳』的經歷，使人意識到這一代厭倦空虛的青年人的信仰。這是眾多尋求真善美的青年的喜樂之所。我們與不同語言、種族及文化的青年相聚。他們是喜樂的青年，可永遠成為朋友──此友誼是信仰耶穌基督。」

「對我們慈幼會士來說，是時候帶給他們真實而持久的經驗，而非單純活動。這經驗不是一時的令他們快樂，卻要在他們生命中烙印。鮑思高神父邀請我們帶給他們真正的幸福——成聖的道路。成聖對青年朝聖者來說，不再是令他們蒙羞的字詞，卻是賦予他們力量！這是對我們的挑戰！」

Following on from World Youth Day: offer young people a path to holiness

(ANS  - RMG –Rome, 26 August 2011) – Now that the 26th World Youth Day is clearly at an end the time has come to think through the results  and what it meant. We publish a contribution by Fr Fabio Attard, Salesian Youth Ministry General Councillor.

“World Youth Day in Madrid is now over in terms of an event. But what is not over are the effects the experience would have aroused in the hearts of many young people. Listening and re-reading Benedict XVI's addresses, I think there are four key terms in this celebration of faith.

The first word is one that invites young people to “be not afraid”. The Pope repeatedly urged young people not to be discouraged by an environment hostile to faith, an environment which even ridicules the very choice of faith. His words were comfort, not confrontation. The Pope opened the door of consolation that comes with the choice of faith to those who welcome it with courage and simplicity.

Along similar lines, the second goal indicated the Pope indicated to young people was to “overcome mediocrity”. On at least three occasions Benedict expressed simple yet  profound thoughts on the need to overcome the culture of emptiness that people find themselves swamped by. Anyone who accepts the challenge of faith leaves the merely horizontal level behind and discovers the beauty of the mystery that gives meaning to time and history.

It is here, then, that the Pope offers a way forward, by being anchored in Christ, meaning to build one's house, one's own life story on rock, steadfast in the faith. Pope Benedict's invitation does not come as something alien to young people and their story. Young people seize this invitation at the heart of their plans for their lives. Someone like me who spent several hours in the confessional at El Ritiro Park during the days in Madrid knows how young people welcomed the Pope's words. The experience of forgiveness and reconciliation that the young pilgrims had in Madrid was not a once-off experience. They have good experience of the sacrament of reconciliation, and frequent it often.

The last key point of World Youth Day in Madrid, then, was the Pope's invitation to them to go back home happy, but not only in themselves. Someone who has had the good fortune to encounter Christ can not keep him selfishly to him or herself. Someone who has had the experience of discipleship now has to proclaim it, has to be an apostle. And the Pope asked young people to be faithful and happy witnesses - the two sides of a life of faith. Whoever believes, seeks to be faithful, and fidelity finds true joy, true happiness.

Madrid was an 'upper room' experience for a week, where one sensed the faith of a generation of young people who are tired of emptiness. It was a joyful place for many young people who are in search of truth, beauty. We met young people of all languages, races and cultures. They are happy young people who seem to be friends forever - friendship that is  faith in Jesus Christ.

For us Salesians now is the time to offer them true and lasting experiences, not just events. Experiences that will mark their livs and not just entertain them for a while. Don Bosco invites us to give them the true happiness that is the path to holiness. And holiness, for the young pilgrims, is no longer a word that brings shame, but only strength! The challenge is ours!”.