Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Thursday, 31 July 2025
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Rome (Agenzia Fides) – “We live because we have hope. Hope is a way of receiving what we believe in. It is a blessing that makes us know the meaning of our life, which is Jesus.” This morning, July 31, at the Convent of Saint Chrysogonus in Rome, Bishop Aldo Berardi O.SS.T., Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia (AVONA), celebrated the welcoming Mass for young pilgrims arriving from the Vicariate for the Jubilee of Youth. Of the group initially organized to come to Rome, some did not receive visas upon departure, which left a deep sense of bitterness among them and throughout the Vicariate community. But with words like “hope, discernment, charity, and faith,” Berardi encouraged the young people to continue despite the difficulties, convinced that Jesus is always with them.“We are here because we want to be confirmed. We want to be with others to feel like family. And the great Catholic family comes to Rome to receive Christ on a pilgrimage of hope. It is important that you are here, even if you are tired, the journey has been difficult, and you have had to wait in long lines. It is beautiful that you come to confirm your faith and receive the strength of the Holy Spirit. You are here to encounter Jesus, who is everywhere, along with these half a million pilgrims. Jesus never physically came to Rome,” the bishop emphasized, “but he is with us. He sent his Apostles throughout the world, each to a different place, but the Church of Rome is the one that presides in charity, the one that has confirmed the other Churches in the faith through spirituality.”“The discomfort of this large crowd is sometimes difficult, but spiritually it is powerful. So, do not be discouraged. When you return home, you will feel better, you will be stronger and witnesses of Jesus. We know that we cannot speak much outside our church, but we can live a lot. This means that our lives are a testimony of who we are, of what we believe, and of the love we have received in the Holy Spirit. God is everywhere. He is with us in our Vicariate, in our different countries, in our different communities. But the Lord also blesses us when we move physically and spiritually. So, when we move physically, even if it is difficult for us at times, we move in our hearts and find a way to touch the heart of God. God is touching the fruit of the Spirit that is in his hands. Open your hearts, your minds, and be assured that the Lord will give you strength and answer your questions. Perhaps not immediately, but the Lord is already speaking to you. So open your hearts to his presence, and the Holy Spirit will be with you.”Continuing his reflection, the Apostolic Vicar referred to Saint Ignatius of Loyola, whose liturgical memorial is celebrated on July 31. “The focus of the Jesuit Congregation founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola is discernment. Discernment takes time, sometimes years. And sometimes we say, ‘When I was in that place, this happened. I didn’t see the sign of God, now I understand.’ That’s why discernment is important, the presence of the Lord, and how to discern our activities, our commitment, what we are doing.”“Let us ask the Lord that this pilgrimage may touch our hearts and bless us,” concluded the Bishop, who presided over the Eucharistic concelebration with five priests from the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia.