Young people with the Gospel in their pockets at the farthest ends of the earth

“Being Jesus 24 hours a day” was the title of the Australian youth congress which was held at the Mariapolis Centre of Melbourne, Australia. 115 teenagers were present, aged between 9 and 17 years. They came from various cities of the country, from New Zealand and New Caledonia.

The meeting lasted 5 days, and was made possible through the communion of goods made throughout the past year by the young people together with families and friends. Even the shops and markets participated by donating fruit, vegetables, bread, meat and drinks.
The programme provided for moments of study of the Gospel and how to put it into practice, space for dialogue and sharing of experiences from life. “The moments of communion were profound-says Madeline – and they helped us to understand that we are not alone in trying to be another Jesus in every moment of our life.” It was a solemn moment when a copy of the Gospel was given to each one. “I felt that Jesus was really present-said one of the youths-as though He in person gave us His Word.” The readings of the day, with the call of the apostles, put in the hearts of each one a purpose: to live the Gospel in their own environment, as today’s apostles, sent by God to evangelise these lands.

The second event was framed within New Zealand, a marvellous archipelago, with high mountains and crystal clear sea. 60 youths of various ages took part in the “Teens4unity Camp” of Lower Hutt. The theme was: putting the Gospel into practice in our cities. Many of the youths, together with their families were refugees from other countries. Their experiences were strong, often painful, but lived in a “one to one” profound relationship with God. Together they examined the initiative “Colour the city with love” that the Youth for Unity are taking forward on a worldwide level, in order to help those persons in their cities who are alone or deprived. Many ideas emerged on how to take forward this initiative, as for instance those activities involving the youths of the aborigines population.

The last stage was Perth. Characteristic of the meeting is that it was an itinerant day: the youths accompanied Nadia and Agostino across this magnificent city where natural beauty and very modern buildings trace a very harmonious landscape. Thus, between the banks of the river Swan and those of the Indian Ocean, the youths spoke of the history of the city, of the discord between the colonisers and the aborigines, of its characteristics and today’s problems. Then the dialogue opened up on the commitment of Christian life, and also on the responsibility and beauty of the response of each one to the call of God. While saluting each other, they expressed the desire to continue to meet to delve into the life of the Gospel, involving also their friends. They also bore in mind the world relay race “Run4Unity” of the 12^th May when the youths of this region, at the extreme east of the world, will be amongst the first to begin the race.