Acta Benedicti Pp. XVI 645

with the values of the Gospel. Each of us has a mission, each of us is called to

change the world, to work for a culture of life, a culture forged by love and

respect for the dignity of each human person. As our Lord tells us in the

Gospel we have just heard, our light must shine in the sight of all, so that,

seeing our good works, they may give praise to our heavenly Father.7

Here I wish to say a special word to the many young people present. Dear

young friends: only Jesus knows what "definite service" he has in mind for

you. Be open to his voice resounding in the depths of your heart: even now

his heart is speaking to your heart. Christ has need of families to remind the

world of the dignity of human love and the beauty of family life. He needs

men and women who devote their lives to the noble task of education, tend-

ing the young and forming them in the ways of the Gospel. He needs those

who will consecrate their lives to the pursuit of perfect charity, following him

in chastity, poverty and obedience, and serving him in the least of our broth-

ers and sisters. He needs the powerful love of contemplative religious, who

sustain the Church's witness and activity through their constant prayer. And

he needs priests, good and holy priests, men who are willing to lay down their

lives for their sheep. Ask our Lord what he has in mind for you! Ask him for

the generosity to say "yes!" Do not be afraid to give yourself totally to Jesus.

He will give you the grace you need to fulfil your vocation. Let me finish

these few words by warmly inviting you to join me next year in Madrid for

World Youth Day. It is always a wonderful occasion to grow in love for

Christ and to be encouraged in a joyful life of faith along with thousands

of other young people. I hope to see many of you there!

And now, dear friends, let us continue our vigil of prayer by preparing to

encounter Christ, present among us in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.

Together, in the silence of our common adoration, let us open our minds and

hearts to his presence, his love, and the convincing power of his truth. In a

special way, let us thank him for the enduring witness to that truth offered

by Cardinal John Henry Newman. Trusting in his prayers, let us ask the

Lord to illumine our path, and the path of all British society, with the kindly

light of his truth, his love and his peace. Amen.

7 Cfr. Mt 5:16.