Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment

Yogyakarta.  - "As the Gospel reminds us, we must be ready to be missionaries of the Good News of Jesus with every man we meet. There is much enthusiasm among young Catholics in Indonesia: they are very happy for the proclamation of the extraordinary missionary month. Young people are the future and the hope of the mission. Young people from all over the world have to be ready and full of enthusiasm to serve the Church and society": says to Agenzia Fides Fr. Antonio Haryanto, executive secretary of the Episcopal Commission for youth.

The priest was delegated as President of the Organizing Committee of the Asian Youth Day held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, last August, and this event recalls the missionary momentum: "Young people are called to bring Jesus into every corner of the world, in their daily lives, with their passion and creativity; we encourage them not to be afraid to proclaim the Good News of Jesus not only by using conventional ways but also through new technologies. The Synod on Youth scheduled for October 2018 will be a stimulus for them".

What Fr. Haryanto highlights about the Indonesian youth, is the aspect of joy: "All missionaries are called to evangelize with joy, and this is a characteristic of the Indonesian youth. Let us give the authentic message of the Gospel when joy comes from our words and actions, so that the world can see Jesus in us. To young people we say, with the words of Pope Francis: keep smiling and do not be afraid".

(Source: Agenzia Fides, 8/11/2017)

(Photo: Radio Maria Indonesia)