On his sacred journey to Rio, Pope Francis demonstrated his deep affection for the youth of the world by placing them in the Heart of Christ. The Holy Father said, “I am here to meet young people coming from all over the world, drawn to the open arms of Christ the Redeemer. They want to find a refuge in his embrace, close to his heart, to listen again to his clear and powerful appeal: “Go and make disciples of all nations”.
This placing of the world’s youth into the embrace of Christ is a continuation of the Consecration of the World’s youth to Christ made two years ago in Madrid by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
World Youth Day Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Lord Jesus Christ,
Brother, Friend, and Redeemer of mankind,
Look with love upon the youth gathered here
And open for them the eternal fountain
Of your mercy
Which flows from your open Heart on the Cross.
They have come to be with you and adore you.
With ardent prayer
I consecrate them to your Heart
So that, rooted and built up in you,
They will always be yours, in life and in death.
May they never turn away from you!
Give them hearts like yours,
Meek and humble,
So that they may always listen to your voice and your commands,
Do your will,
And be praise to you throughout the world,
So that mankind, contemplating their works,
May give glory to the Father with whom you live,
In everlasting happiness,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
Forever and ever.
Amen
While we await Pope Francis’ discourses with our young people, we can reflect on these significant actions and hopes, and turn to the Visitation Order, the sanctuary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to learn more of what He said to us through St. Margaret Mary.
“Behold this Heart which has loved everyone so much that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming itself, in order to testify its love.”