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- Pope's Open Air Mass and Appeal To Youth
Pope's Open Air Mass and Appeal To Youth
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
17 Sep 2010
Pope Benedict XV1 celebrated an early evening open-air Mass in Bellahouston Park, about three miles from the centre of Glasgow.The Holy Father arrived by popemobile, stopping to greet people along the way.
His homily touched on themes ranging from ecumenism, the evangelisation of culture, to the need to pray for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. However he also spoke directly to the "dear young Catholics of Scotland".
The pope acknowledged the "many temptations placed before you every day - drugs, money, sex, pornography, alcohol - which the world tells you will bring you happiness, yet these things are destructive and divisive."
"There is only one thing which lasts," he affirmed, "the love of Jesus Christ personally for each one of you. Search for him, know him and love him, and he will set you free from slavery to the glittering but superficial existence frequently proposed by today's society.
"Put aside what is worthless and learn of your own dignity as children of God."
Prior to and after the Mass, Scottish singer Susan Boyle fulfilled her lifelong dream of singing for the pope.
The 49-year old sang before and after the open-air mass, firstly the song which made her famous on Britain's Got Talent, I Dreamed a Dream and then after she sang a rendition of the hymn Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace.
She later said it was beyond her dreams and a very humbling experience.
For Pope Benedict's complete homily click below
