“Let yourselves be loved by Christ, he is a friend that will not disappoint”Pope Francis

Welcoming ceremony, WYD Rio 2013

Friendship with Christ

Looking out to this sea… I am reminded of the moment when Jesus called the first disciples to follow him by the shores of Lake Tiberias. Christ asks each of us again: Do you want to be my disciple?Do you want to be my friend?Do you want to be a witness to my Gospel?

Pope Francis

Welcoming Ceremony, Waterfront of Copacabana, WYD Rio 2013

St Josephine Bakhita

Disciple of Christ, Friend of Christ and witness to the Gospel

Her Story

Link to video

•Born in Sudan in 1869

•Kidnapped & sold into slavery

•Baptised in 1890; great joy at becoming a ‘daughter of God’

•Became a Canossian Sister

•For 50 years lived humbly as a religious sister, answering the convent door

•Died 8th February 1947

•Canonized on 1st October 2000

Friendship with Christ

Despite the suffering she experienced as a slave, St Josephine Bakhita is a wonderful example of a disciple of Christ.

Because of her close friendship with Jesus, she was able to forgive those who had treated her so very badly, and to share God’s love with all she met. Long after her death she continues to be a witness to the Gospel.

“Be good, love the Lord, pray for those who do not know Him.

What a great grace it is to know God!”

St Josephine Bakhita

Are there any obstacles in your friendship with Christ?

Pope Francis: “Put on Christ”Dear young people: “Put on Christ” in your lives.

“Put on Christ”: he awaits you in the sacrament of Penance, with his mercy he will cure all the wounds caused by sin.

Do not be afraid to ask God’s forgiveness, because he never tires of forgiving us, like a father who loves us. God is pure mercy!

“Put on Christ”: he is waiting for you also in the Eucharist, the sacrament of his presence and his sacrifice of love, and he is waiting for you also in the humanity of the many young people who will enrich you with their friendship, encourage you by their witness to the faith, and teach you the language of love, goodness and service.

You too, dear young people, can be joyful witnesses of his love, courageous witnesses of his Gospel, carrying to this world a ray of his light. Let yourselves be loved by Christ, he is a friend that will not disappoint.

Pope Francis, WYD Rio 2013