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Young pilgrims commissioned to find Christ at WYD

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Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP with young pilgrims about to head to WYD in Panama. PHOTO: Alphonsus Fok

On the feast commemorating the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem, Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP sent eager young pilgrims off on their own search for Christ at World Youth Day 2019 in Panama.

At the special Commissioning Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral, Archbishop Fisher blessed the happy young pilgrims as they prepared for the great spiritual adventure of WYD, where they will be joined by Pope Francis and thousands of young Catholics from all around the world.

“The sight of so many young people reminds us that our God and our Church are ever ancient and ever new,” Archbishop Fisher said.

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Archbishop Fisher deliver his homily during the WYD Commissioning Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral on the Feast of the Epiphany. PHOTO: Alphonsus Fok

Drawing on traditional artistic representations of the Three Wise Men, the Archbishop said often the one who brought the gift of myrrh—a funeral spice—to the Christ Child was depicted as a young man.

“He was a young one like our two hundred plus World Youth Day pilgrims present here today to be commissioned to go to Panama.”

“This is no ordinary baby, then, so we don’t bring him stuffed pink dinosaurs that play Jingle Bells when you pull the cord. This is Christ our King and so we crown Him with gold. This is Christ our God, and so we praise Him with incense. Above all, this Christ our Saviour, who will die to save us, and so we bring Him myrrh.”

WYD pilgrims at the Commissioning Mass. They will be joined in Panama by Pope Francis and thousands of young Catholics from all around the world. PHOTO: Alphonsus Fok

“The youngest of the three magi best guessed what Jesus was about! You come, like him, with your questions and guesses,” Archbishop Fisher told the young pilgrims.

“You are not followers of stars but of Christ the true light. You are about to embark on a journey across the world to bring Jesus something more precious than gold, incense or myrrh: the gift of your hearts and minds, your talents and limitations, your very selves.”

“Be ready to give Him all that you are, so you may return to our land as the bright stars we need, shining with the light of Christ.”

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