MEETING POPE FRANCIS: MY ‘CHRISTUS VIVIT’ EXPERIENCE

The Lord is our shepherd and we are blessed to be under His watch.

I was a pilgrim to the Vatican City while representing Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) and the Ghana National Catholic Youth Council (GHANCYC) as a delegate at the 11^th International Youth Forum. Like any youth, I am interested in the Church and the love it shares with the various communities around the world. I will share some thoughts and experiences with you.

Victor among the delegate during one of the sessions

In the month of June 2019, the Universal Church led by the Dicastery of Life, Family and Youth at the Vatican organized the 11^th International Youth Forum dubbed “Youth in action in a synodal Church”. This gathered about 250 youths, including 3 Ghanaian delegates, from more than 120 countries in Rome. The forum aimed at promoting the implementation of the final document from Synod of Bishops on young people, faith and vocational discernment. Thus, this Post-Synodal forum was in response to Pope Francis’exhortation titled “Christus Vivit”, which means “Christ is alive”. The 299 the paragraphed text was addressed to young people and the people of God across the world, no matter your status in this life. The first paragraph reads, “Christ is alive! He is our hope, and in a wonderful way he brings youth to our world and everything he touches becomes young and new, full of life. Christ is alive and he wants us to be alive!” ChV 1.

When the delegates encountered Pope Francis after the Mass at the St. Peter’s Basilica, he used the moment to announce the themes for the next three World Youth Day celebrations. The year 2020 “Young Man, I say to you, arise!” (cf Luke 7:14, ChV 20), 2021 “Stand Up. I appoint you as a witness of what you have seen. (cf. Acts 26:16), and 2022 (Lisbon, Portugal) “Mary arose and went with haste” (cf Luke 1:39).

An encounter with Pope Francis at the Vatican

Going forward, you will agree with me that there is no point in producing documents if the Church is not ready and willing to take action to implement its content. As such, young people like myself, who were present at the forum shared this view that we are called not to only produce documents but to live the message of joy in Christ that inspires these documents. Though the original languages the documents are published in may be a barrier, the encouragement from Christus Vivit reveals that we can go beyond such hindrance. 

Moreover, let’s understand this, both young and old people make up the Church and collaboration is a very important factor to realize the purpose of the Church’s desire. We come from diverse backgrounds but we are one and that is what makes the Catholic Church beautiful. I learnt that one of the central themes of Jesus Christ concerning the gospel is about sharing the redeeming power of the cross and the fruits of the resurrection. Such that, “The very first truth I would tell each of you is this: “God loves you”.  It makes no difference whether you have already heard it or not. I want to remind you of it.  God loves you. Never doubt this, whatever may happen to you in life. At every moment, you are infinitely loved” ChV 112.

A crosssection of panellists during the conference 

Young people desire to be engaged in the Church’s processes and to understand the essence of the gospel knowing that they are loved with an identity. It holds true that not all young people, some old people as well, are interested in anything ‘synod’ because of some prejudices associated with the processes or the voluminous documents that are published periodically. And it is not everyone that will accept the idea of empowering young people through formation because of either cultural structures, socio-economic, psychological and political gaps. However, Pope Francis highlights in Christus Vivit 34 that “Youth is more than simply a period of time; it is a state of mind. That is why an institution as ancient as the Church can experience renewal and a return to youth at different points in her age-old history.  Indeed, at the most dramatic moments of her history, she feels called to return with all her heart to her first love. Recalling this truth, the Second Vatican Council noted that, “enriched by a long and living history, and advancing towards human perfection in time and the ultimate destinies of history and of life, the Church is the real youth of the world”.  In her, it is always possible to encounter Christ “the companion and friend of youth”.

Addressing the audience

Some delegates in their very own words shared that; “Christus Vivit is a pep talk by the Pope with young people whom he and the Church cannot personally reach”.

I am concluding with ChV 143, “Dear young people, make the most of these years of your youth.  Don’t observe life from a balcony. Don’t confuse happiness with an armchair, or live your life behind a screen.  Whatever you do, do not become the sorry sight of an abandoned vehicle! Don’t be parked cars, but dream freely and make good decisions.  Take risks, even if it means making mistakes. Don’t go through life anaesthetized or approach the world like tourists. Make a ruckus! Cast out the fears that paralyze you, so that you don’t become young mummies.  Live! Give yourselves over to the best of life! Open the door of the cage, go out and fly! Please, don’t take an early retirement”.