"I may also mention the youth groups that, under varying names and forms but always with the purpose of making Jesus Christ known and of living by the Gospel, are in some areas multiplying and flourishing in a sort of springtime that is very comforting for the Church…These groups are a source of great hope for the Church of tomorrow. But, in the name of Jesus, I exhort the young people who belong to them, their leaders, and the priests who devote the best part of their ministry to them: No matter what it costs, do not allow these groups - which are exceptional occasions for meeting others, and which are blessed with such riches of friendship and solidarity among the young, of joy and enthusiasm, of reflection on events and facts - do not allow them to lack serious study of Christian doctrine. If they do, they will be in danger - a danger that has unfortunately proved only too real - of disappointing their members and also the Church." [1]

It is extremely important that those who have encountered Christ at a Youth 2000 retreat receive good catechesis to avoid developing a vague spiritualism.  We must make every effort to learn to know more about the One we love, both through His Word in Sacred Scripture and in the teachings of the Church.  The following are rich documents worth studying which correlate to the three pillars of Youth 2000:

Devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament:  Ecclesia de Eucharistia - A renewed call for us to centre our lives on the Eucharist which is the “Source and summit” of the Church’s life.

Devotion to Our Lady:  Rosarium Virginis Mariae - An inspiring reminder of the role of Our Lady and the place of the rosary in Catholic life.

Fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church:  Novo Millennio Inuente - This contains prophetic guidance for the Church entering the new millennium after the great jubilee.

Mane Nobiscum Domine

– This meditation, written for the Year of the Eucharist, is the pinnacle of Pope John Paul II’s mission.  The above 3 documents are synthesised here so that they may be considered a ‘trilogy’ that shadow the 3 pillars of Youth 2000.

“An important way of introducing the People of God to the mystery of Christ is through catechesis. Here, the message of Christ is transmitted in a simple and substantial form. It is therefore necessary to intensify the catechesis and the faith formation not only of children but also of young people and adults. Mature reflection on faith is a light for the path of life and a source of strength for witnessing to Christ. Most valuable tools with which to achieve this are the Catechism of the Catholic Church and its abridged version, the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.”[2]

[1] Catechesi Tradendae 47

[2] Pope Benedict XVI, 13 May 2007, Inaugural Session of the 5^th General Conference of the Bishops of Latin America & the Caribbean, para no 3