Cardinal Christoph Schonborn of Vienna sent a message once again to the youth for the 2017 World Youth Festival. The message:
“Dear young friends! You again arrived to Medjugorje in such a great number. No one ordered you to come here in this summer heat. You are doing that since this is desire of your own heart, otherwise you would not have bothered to do so. What moves you to come to Medjugorje? This is not a fashion, not a trend, not just some enthusiasm. This is special vicinity, vicinity of Gospa who is attracting you. I know that from Lourdes and other places where She is showing Her vicinity, where people can feel Her presence. Such mighty strength and consolation comes from Mary’s nearness! So many people discovered faith in Her presence, were converted and so many after so many years were able to go again for Confession and to receive God’s forgiveness. I was very moved that our Holy Father appointed his Special Envoy for Pastoral Work in Medjugorje, Archbishop of Warsaw Praga, Henryk Hoser, exactly on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11. That is a very nice sign, while he also emphasized many conversions as one of the fruits of Medjugorje. Therefore I ask from you to pray for him! He is successor of St. Peter to whom Jesus entrusted the whole Church! I ask you for one more thing, something that Pope Francis reminds us often to—charity and love for the poor and little ones. He who has heart for the poor of any sort, cannot fail in his life. There is a great love that comes from Medjugorje for the people in need. I am with you in my heart in these days and I wish you to obtain many graces, to have good Confession and to experience joy of genuine celebration in the communion with others. Do not allow anyone or anything take that joy away from you. That joy is truly authentic testimony for this world.â€
