Pray for our youth

by Letters Editor · Published May 26, 2011 · Updated May 23, 2011

From Gillian Tweehuysen, Benoni

Our young people will soon be attending World Youth Day with Pope Benedict in Madrid, Spain. I would like to suggest that a prayer for them could be said at all Masses prior to their pilgrimage and while they are away, as a means of solidarity and support to them, for they are the Church of tomorrow.

Perhaps an Our Father, Hail Mary, and a Glory be could be said, and an invocation to a patron saint for youth, or perhaps to our recently beatified Bl John Paul II, as he was the one who introduced us to World Youth Day. School children could also be encouraged to pray for our Southern African representatives during this period, and let�s also include those who are house-bound through age or ill health.

South Africa needs priestly and religious vocations and an experience of this nature, where there are different nations and cultures united in prayer, and adoration with the Holy Father, will surely bless and inspire them through the power of the Holy Spirit. This could also result in a call to serve God as a priest or religious.

Parish societies and sodalities could be encouraged to do a spiritual bouquet for these young people, which could consist of offering their attendance at Mass and receiving Holy Communion; saying rosaries or the Divine Mercy chaplet; making a visit to the Blessed Sacrament; offering little sacrifices or deeds of love.

Our precious youth need all the encouragement that we, as parents and fellow Catholics, can give them. Let us pray that God will bless them and Our Blessed Lady protect them, and may they return to us filled with the flame of God�s love, hope and joy, ready to serve him as a community serving humanity.