A ‘Jesus Fest’ of 5,000 young Indians for Karol Wojtyła’s beatification
A beautiful bust of Pope John Paul II and a smiling framed portrait of Pope Benedict XVI are on display in his office. As a young man, he fell in love with Pope John Paul II’s vision for the Church and his appeal to youth, something “just unprecedented in history.”
The celebration will be a ‘Jesus Fest’ and will take place on 1 May. It will include a moment of prayer and a concert.
“This year, with the beatification of John Paul II, our Jesus Fest, which as John Paul II as our patron, will celebrate the beatification,” Fr Warner said.
“Our purpose with the Jesus Fest, which we have celebrated for many years, is to bring young people to the Church. This year there will be a prayer vigil, on Saturday and on the day following the celebration. It will end with a big concert, with professional singers and musicians, who will sing texts about the life and witness of John Paul II.”
For Fr Warner, John Paul II’s relationship with young people was very special. “What John Paul II did for young people no one did before. Only he could summon an assembly of five million people, including countless young people, to Manila. Whilst other international organisations talk, Catholics do. Young people felt loved and accepted by John Paul II, in an inclusive Church where young people matter”.
This heritage must be maintained. “Sadly, this is not being done sufficiently enough and it is more urgent that ever that we as the Church, at this historic beatification, transmit this witness and legacy of the Pope to our youth. Importantly, this is the right time for our young people to participate in the universal Church, and with the Vatican, make ourselves feel that we here in India as part of this great journey of faith along with youth of the world.”
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