"[Young people] help in Confirmation sessions, parish music groups, youth groups, and projects serving those who are disadvantaged. We are a truly living Church that offers great opportunities for young people to encounter the love of Christ and share it."
Welcome to the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on behalf of the young people of England, Wales and Scotland by Paschal Uche, 18 September 2010
Dear Holy Father,
It is a privilege and a great pleasure to welcome you on behalf of young Catholics from England, Wales and Scotland. Your visit brings us together – it is like a family reunion – and we are very pleased to see you.
My name is Paschal Uche and I am from St Francis’ Parish in East London. Gathered here today are two and a half thousand young people representing almost every parish in the country. Like many here I have been actively involved in the Church serving the elderly in Lourdes and going on retreat. I know that others help in Confirmation sessions, parish music groups, youth groups, and projects serving those who are disadvantaged. We are a truly living Church that offers great opportunities for young people to encounter the love of Christ and share it.
Pope John Paul II said that our faith is a “noble and authentic adventure” and we really want other young people to experience this. It is our prayer that your visit inspires us to be “saints of the third millennium.”
Holy Father we would like to ask you to bless for us a candle stand, which we hope will be a symbol for Catholic Youth Ministry. It has been thoughtfully designed for use in prayer, teaching and meditation.*
For many of us before today you were a face on the television or a picture in a Church but today we behold you face to face and on behalf of the Catholic youth of this great nation I would like to express my profound and heartfelt gratitude for your visit. May God Bless you.
On the steps of Westminster Cathedral, Pope Benedict greets over 2,500 young people in the piazza.
Pope Benedict XVI is welcomed to St Peter’s Residence in Vauxhall.
Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, welcomes Pope Benedict XVI in Westminster Cathedral.
Pope Benedict XVI praises Welsh Catholics and their devotion to Our Lady.
