The realism of prayer” “

An international meeting on the WYD, organized by the Pontifical Council for the Laity, was held in Rome from 10 to 13 April. It was attended by 230 leaders of youth pastoral care in 80 countries throughout the world and representatives of some 50 movements, associations and communities, to reflect on post-Toronto and prepare for the next World Youth Day in Cologne in 2005. We sounded out the views of some European youth. “Austrian youth have experienced this period [of the war in Iraq] with a sense of deep oppression in their hearts. Peace initiatives have been numerous throughout Austria. Many met together to pray for peace. They took part in protest marches and demonstrations. But the most important thing was to kneel and recite the rosary. The spiritual dimension represented a way of responding to the question whether the war was just or not. Austria is a very generous country. It has a great fund-raising capacity and an ability to organize itself in humanitarian ventures. I know many organizations that are working with the young and preparing a mission in Iraq for reconstruction and the support of the civilian population”. Robert Schmalzbauer, delegate for new movements and communities (Austria) “Young people rejected the war also by taking to the streets in protest marches. A free choice that involved thousands of Catholic youngsters, even if in many cases they were exploited by the media. In the parishes there were many occasions for prayer. In particular the young are preparing the Pope’s visit to Madrid in early May this year as a special occasion of prayer for peace. This war has affected the Spanish people in various ways: not only due to the political decisions taken by the government, but especially following the death of two young journalists, aged 32 and 37. War kills, it doesn’t happen accidentally”. Maria Ruiz Dávila, Istituzione Teresiana (Spain) “In this period the young often met together to pray. At the same time they participated in protest marches with those in their own age group or met to discuss and exchange views about what was happening in Iraq. In my community we prayed in a special way for peace once a week. A group of 14-year-olds decided to take prayer into the streets. It was very important for them to be able to bear witness in public”. Astrid Froeb, L’Arche (Germany) “We believe a great deal in the project of creating a united Europe. But it’s not enough to have a single currency to be united. During the war in Iraq we were divided and this helps no one. The young have a need to build a common home, and to believe in it with all their heart and soul”. Liliana Bonello (Malta) “For Portuguese youth this is the right time to pray the Rosary each day to Our Lady of Fatima, as the Pope says. The young are very much struck by the strength of this Pope who invites us to pray, to have faith, to construct peace in our families and in our cities. If it is to be united, Europe must really act in a united way. We have many things in common, but also different cultures. Only by pursuing the path of peace can Europe build its future”. Madalena Correia De Campos (Portugal)