Archbishop Mgr Paul Cremona OP yesterday met members of the public including a group of young people from the Salesians’ Oratory in Sliema at the Archbishop’s Palace in Valletta, on occasion of the Christmas season and the New Year.
“I have been to Paceville once, but as you can imagine I cannot go there often or it is most likely I will be fired!” joked the Archbishop lightheartedly, and told the group: “Can I give you this honourable mission to spread the word of Jesus in small gestures and kindness wherever you go and meet other youths, whether it is a place of entertainment in Paceville or work?”
“I feel close to your mission because I love all young people whether they are for or against the Church,” added Mgr Cremona. “So please go to these places where the young people are and pass on the message of Christ,” he concluded.
Auxiliary Bishop Mgr Annetto Depasquale and Archbishop Emeritus Mgr Joseph Mercieca were also present for this event. The three bishops met personally with the group of young people of different ages, especially in view of the fact that the Church is celebrating World Youth Day next year.
Gianluca Maresca and Diane Attard thanked the Archbishop on behalf of the Salesian youths for being so close to them in their own environment and listening to them, as well as the marginalised youth. They also thanked him for his letter “which offers us guidance for the year ahead, and for looking after all youth, not only Christian ones, but also those that span the whole social spectrum.”
In response, Mgr Cremona thanked them for their speech from the heart, and reminded the group that Jesus discovered his mission at the age of 12 when he told his parents that he had to do his Father’s will. “Similarly no matter at what age you may discover Jesus in your life, you have the power and spirit needed to spread his message,” said Mgr Cremona.
Songs were sung by the group of young people including an innovative, and sweet version of The Lion King whose lyrics went “in the curia, the busy curia, the archy’s on the go!” The Archbishop also met with members of the general public and attendance was good.
The Archbishop’s Curia informed the general public that Pope Benedict XVI’s message to the young people of the world on the occasion of the 23rd World Youth Day, can be found online under www.vatican.va. This particular speech also marks the very first time one can find the Pope’s message translated into Maltese on the Vatican’s website.