SYDNEY, Australia, JULY 19, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The president of Caritas Internationalis told youth in Sydney that World Youth Day is not a Catholic Woodstock, but rather a testimony of the Holy Spirit.
Cardinal Oscar Rodríguez Maradiaga affirmed this in the last of the catechesis sessions, held Saturday.
With songs (the cardinal also plays the saxophone) and jokes, the Honduran prelate spoke to the youth about the necessity of witnessing to their faith in the world.
"The Lord urgently calls us to be witnesses of his Gospel," he said.
His listeners came from a variety of Spanish-speaking countries, including Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. Young Spaniards were also in the audience; Benedict XVI announced Sunday that Spain will host the next World Youth Day in 2011.
Cardinal Rodríguez Maradiaga told the young people that World Youth Day "is not a Catholic Woodstock without drugs and alcohol, like some say, but rather a testimony of the Holy Spirit."
He thus urged the youth to use the Sydney event as a springboard helping them to return to their homes and give testimony of their faith in their daily lives. For this, the cardinal said, big things aren't necessary, but rather doing what should be done in each moment, being faithful to Christ. "Let's not put shackles on the Holy Spirit," he added, "so that he can make of us true works of art."
The cardinal also recalled the example of St. John Bosco, who said, "sadness and melancholy -- not under my roof." Cardinal Rodríguez Maradiaga explained that one who lives with the grace of God live authentic joy, while one who lives in sin, lives with sadness. "Have you noticed how sad the world is? Well, that's our mission, to irradiate joy, because the world lives in sadness and needs joy."
