Cardinal Gracias: Young Asians bring Asian values to World Youth Day in Krakow

Mumbai: The large contingent of young Asians to World Youth Day in Krakow “is the springtime of the Church”.

They bring not only Asia’s size, vitality and beauty, but also its multi-cultural diversity, pluralism, values of hospitality and family, said Cardinal Oswald Gracias, president of the Federation of Asian Bishops (FABC) who spoke to AsiaNews about the upcoming event.

“Thousands of our Young Asians are pilgrimage to Krakow filled with gratitude to John Paul II and for love of Pope Francis,” the prelate said.

“Most of our Asian delegates have seen Saint Pope John Paul II and loved him and felt loved by him. They knew they were loved by Pope John Paul II and were endeared by Saint John Paul II’s support and love for Asia, which were especially obvious with Pope John Paul II and many visits to Asian countries. World Youth Day in the Philippines witnessed some 5 million participants, the biggest crowd assembled for a Eucharistic celebration in all history and this is Asia’s treasured gift to the Universal Church.

“The massive contingent from Asia to Krakow is the springtime of the Universal Church. Springtime, because besides the delegates from the various dioceses, many ecclesial realities and movements are bringing our Young Asian to WYD.

“Our Asian pilgrims not only bring the grandeur, the vitality and beauty of Asia, but also its multi-cultural diversity, pluralism and the Asian values of hospitality and family and, of course, the Church of the young.

“For our Asian pilgrims, this journey is not for herself or himself alone. Her or his life of prayer and friendship with God affects the lives of countless others. The meeting with other youths, from other parts of the world will mutually enrich lives and mission, the sharing’s, the exchange of ideas and stories and above all, the Unity in love for Jesus and the Faith, this will be a Joy and Encounter to enrich the Church. We are strengthened by seeing the youth all over. The dynamism and generosity of the youth of the world to embark on this pilgrimage to the World Youth Day.”John Paul II’s love for Asia”The love of John Paul II for Asia has generated generous and mutual enthusiasm for young Asians.

Saint John Paul II liked Asia and our young people know this in their heart of hearts. Pope John Paul II visited Asia several times: in 1981 he was in the Philippines, in Goa, Japan and Pakistan. In 1984, he was in South Korea and Thailand. In 1987, he was in Bangladesh and Singapore.

In 1989, he was again in South Korea and also in Indonesia, East Timor and Mauritius. In 1985, he was in Sri Lanka and again in the Philippines for the World Youth Day and in November 1999 he returned back to Asia for the publication of the apostolic exhortation ‘Ecclesia in Asia’.

“Now as our Asian pilgrims travel to Krakow for World Youth Day, they will experience the place where in a certain way, the roots of the World Youth Day emerged. They are going to touch the sacred soil from which Saint John Paul came (Krakow), and this is significant for our young Asians. For our intelligent and insightful Asians, they will see in Auschwitz, the experiences of the time, the history, sufferings of his people that shaped and moved the heart of the Holy Father John Paull II. This encounter will enrich the lives of our Asian pilgrims.

The Shrine of St Faustina, who had the revelation of the Divine Mercy devotion, will leave a deep and lasting impression on our youth. And filled with this Joy of Mercy, our Asian youth will return home, enriched and enthused to carry on in the mission of sharing God’s unfailing love and mercy.”Pope Francis’s invitation to friendship with God”Pope Francis repeatedly speaks of encounter, a call for an intimate friendship with God. My prayer for our Young Asians is that this encounter will be shared with their families, community, society, nations so that they can become youthful messengers of God’s Divine Mercy.

“All this shows how the mission and blessings of Christ in Asia are continuing through the presence of the successors in the chair of St Peter, our beloved Pope Francis, who is loved by all, across faiths, and cultures, nationalities and transcends everything. Pope Francis is calling on the Church to show the face of Mercy.

Pope Francis attracts all to Jesus and His Divine Mercy.”Asia is the hope of the future, to give light to the world, youthfulness and fidelity to the faith and Church so that the Holy Father will revitalise the Church.”