The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1953-09-18
Pope Summons Youth To Crusade for Salvation of

over 100000 members and about
100000 aspirant members, as
precious recruits in great and
promising army" for the cause of
Christian reconstruction.
I'VE are sure" the Pontiff de-
clared, that if these 100000 chill
dren were present here, We would
not have time entirely to formu-
late such an invitation before
thunder of joyous and ready
'yesseS would sound"
Asserting that the outcome of
this great undertaking" is not to
be compromised by a dangerous
hesitation, the Pontiff insisted also
that precise ideas, profound CON
viction, strength TO resist evil, and
generosity" are necessary If the
youth of Catholic Action is to sue
ceed in its work of moral recon
struction.
Pope Plus laid particular stress
on the dangers to youth itself in
modern world which "deafens
them with its clamor and tires
them with its constant restless
ness"
Work To Be Done
"The work to be done" he told
the priests, sis great: to expel
the enemy which perhaps has al
ready penetrated within your own
YOUTH associations, to bar he pas
sage through which he attempts to
pass, and, finally, to enter the lists
for the salvation of youth"
There is not one heart anxious
for the fate OF the world" the Holy
Father exhorted, who is not pre-
occupied over youth, and IL is not
difficult to understand that along
its path lie robbers and eviidoers
ready TO sssail, rob and iniure, and
to disappear afterwards, leaving
youth only half alive on the same
path. In this spiritual feUd, perps-
trsted day by day, hour by hour,
exception is made for no category,
expense is not spared, and no
means or blows are excluded by
the evil and complex conspiracy OF
sin"
The Holy Father urged the
priest moderators TO be jealous in
watching over young people, CIV
ing them "a clear vision OF the
Catholic doctrine, and helping
them so that they may become
strong Of will and ready to face
up to their Christian opportunities
in life.
IF young people" he said,
"haye clear ideas, profound con
viction, and strong Will, which
is also docile, they can approach
the great things that await them
with more efficiency"
More Priests Required
Speaking OF those who might one
day themselves become priests, the
Pope told the moderators that they
should speak to them with per
suasion and warmth of the great
ness of the priesthood" and tell
them more priests are urgently re-
quired, because never before as
today has the harvest been so
great, but the workers so iew."
Other young people = the great
majority - Pope Plus went on, are
"called by God to be His coopera-
tors in the procreatlon OF new
life" He said these young people
should be made to understand the
beauty of Christian love- and en-
couraged TO lead lives OF "uncon-
taminated purity"
All young people, Whatever their
vocation, the Holy Father stressed.
need 10 have a complete faith, and
should be ready TO renounce all
mediocrity. He said the world
needs a youth that desires divine
life and desires il abundantiy, .
youth, which, studying, working.
speaking, praying and suffering
has a passionate love of Jesus in
its soul, like a flame which de-
youTs.'
"The present hour" Pope Plus
concluded sis the hour of the
Gospel. after systems which have
tried to initiate God, and have fail
ed. or are about to fail"