Hundreds of thousands of young people from all over the World attended the prayer vigil at Cuatro Vientos presided over by the Pope
Madrid, August 20th 2011.- “I invite you to ask God to help you find your vocation in society and in the Church and to persevere in it joyfully and faithfully. It is worthwhile accepting the call of Christ and bravely and generously following the path that He proposes for you”. With these words the Pope answered the questions of five young people (from USA, Kenya, Germany and United Kingdom) during the prayer vigil at Cuatro Vientos.
The Holy Father gave them several pieces of advice amongst which was the idea of strengthening our friendship with Jesus so as to discover His will for us: “And, how do we maintain this friendship if not with frequent conversation, being with Him and sharing our hopes and sorrows with Him? St. Teresa of Jesus said that prayer ‘is about friendship, often being alone with Him whom we know loves us’.
Conscious of the adversities of the world in which young people live, Benedict XVI urged them: “Do not be afraid of the world, of the future or of your weaknesses. The Lord has granted you to live at this moment of history, so that thanks to your faith, His name might continue to resound in all the earth.”
He ended His words by encouraging them to place all their worries, questions and hopes at the feet of Jesus in the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist.
Despite the wind and the rain that fell on Cuatro Vientos the Vigil kept to the program and the young people who crowded the airbase remained in their places.
Eucharistic adoration, the protagonist
The prayer vigil at Cuatro Vientos began at 8 pm when the Holy Father appeared to the warmth of the applause and cries of all the young people congregated there.
This Vigil had a clear protagonist: the eucharistic adoration that took place at the end and for which the monstrance of Arfe a jewel of Spanish silverwork and more than 500 years old, was brought from Toledo. At the Vigil several young people also carried the WYD Cross.
As well as the WYD Choir and Orchestra the choir of El Escorial Monastery and the Orfeón Donostiarra also sang. The Prince and Princess of Asturias, as well as other famous people, were also present.
At the end of the act, before saying Good Night, the Holy Father referred to the downpour that had fallen on Cuatro Vientos: “We have lived an adventure together! Sleep well and we will see each other tomorrow, God willing.” To conclude He thanked them for putting up with the adverse climatological conditions: “You have given us a marvellous example. With such Faith you can overcome all the trials of life. Thank you everybody!”
The Holy Father went back to the Nunciature but best part of the young people will spend the night at the airbase where 17 eucharistic chapels have been installed to allow for permanent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament all night.
Tomorrow at 9.30 the WYD closing Mass will be celebrated. In the evening, at 5.30, the Holy Father will meet with 14,000 WYD volunteers and will thank them for all their work. The Pope is due to leave Barajas airport at 6.30 pm.
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