Don Orazio Sciacca Invites Young People to Reflect on the Centrality of Christ in Their Lives
Article by Chiara Costanzo
Well, well, well! Sunday, November 24, saw the diocese of Acireale come alive with the vibrancy of the youth as they celebrated World Youth Day at the Sanctuary of Valverde. It’s great to see young people gathering together; I don’t know about you, but the only time I saw that many youngsters in one place was during a sale on the latest smartphone!
The Eucharistic Celebration, led by Don Orazio Sciacca, the Director of the Youth Ministry Service—a title that sounds like he should be running a cool pizza joint or something—saw many young folks from different diocesan realities join in. It was a bit like a Catholic Coachella, minus the questionable food stalls and the chance of getting sunburned while praising the Lord!
Now, during the homily, Don Sciacca had some words of wisdom. He reminded the crowd that this event isn’t just a local happening; it holds a global significance. Much like how it always feels like a family gathering when the relatives start talking about the “good old days” — except in this case, it’s about meeting the Holy Father, which could be a tad more exciting! And given that it coincides with the solemnity of Christ the King, it’s all about looking at the bigger picture while still enjoying the local color, wouldn’t you agree?
Pope Francis has set the theme for this year’s World Youth Day as “Those who hope in the Lord walk without getting tired.” Sounds great, right? Very inspiring! But let’s be honest, half of us struggle to walk around the block without getting tired, so maybe some divine assistance is exactly what we need for our fitness goals. This theme promises rebirth—an end to the Babylonian exile. Just imagine that: returning from exile, only to find that your favorite pizza place has closed! What a letdown!
In his reflection, Don Sciacca emphasized the kingship of Christ. He warned against viewing Jesus as this faraway cosmic figure. Trust me, when you think about it, referring to Jesus as “King of the Universe” can make you feel like you’re attending a very posh cosmic gala while wearing flip-flops. Yet, the beauty lies in realizing that this “universe” includes you and me—and Jesus actually wants to be the king of our lives, not just of the distant stars!
He continued with a critical question: “Who is the king of our universe? Who reigns within us?” It’s a thought-provoking moment—like the time I discovered my snack cupboard was actually an alternate universe filled with chocolate. Don’t worry, Don Sciacca won’t judge your snacking choices… well, maybe a little!
As the Eucharistic Celebration wrapped up, there was a moment for prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by lively sharing among the youths about their experiences in evangelization and service. It’s reminiscent of a therapy session, but instead of discussing feelings, they’re trading stories of struggles and achievements. Who needs a therapist when you have a group of passionate young people!
The day was charged with joy and a spirit of camaraderie—an inspirational event where bonds were solidified and reflections on faith were nurtured. Honestly, it sounds like a blast! Not to mention it’s a fabulous way to spend a Sunday—much better than trying to make sense of a complicated online shopping return policy!
So, for all the young hearts out there: let’s take a page from Don Orazio’s book. Let’s put Christ at the center of our lives and ensure that He reigns in our internal universe. After all, if anyone knows how to guide us with love, it’s Him and not that GPS app we keep ignoring!
November 25, 2024
Don Orazio Sciacca Invites Young People to Reflect on the Centrality of Christ in Their Lives
Article by Chiara Costanzo
Sunday 24 November, the diocese of Acireale marked the significant occasion of World Youth Day at the revered Sanctuary of Valverde, a site known for its spiritual significance and welcoming atmosphere.
The Eucharistic Celebration, presided over by Don Orazio Sciacca, who serves as the Director of the Youth Ministry Service, attracted numerous young individuals from various diocesan realities actively engaged in a spectrum of youth activities, all eager to deepen their faith and community connections.
During the heartfelt homily, Don Sciacca emphasized that this pivotal event, while it shares a global dimension encouraging young people to connect with the Holy Father, also carries profound local significance. It serves as a vital platform for dialogue among different communities within the diocese. By the directive of Pope Francis, this celebration coincides with the solemnity of Christ the King, intertwining global and local faith journeys.
World Youth Day is, therefore, a vibrant celebration that allows young people to openly express their belonging to the Church and their deeply held beliefs, fostering a sense of unity and purpose amongst the participants.
The theme chosen by Pope Francis for the XXXIX edition is inspired by the Book of Consolation of Isaiah: “Those who hope in the Lord walk without getting tired”. This profound passage heralds the conclusion of the Babylonian exile and symbolizes the rebirth and renewal of God’s people, representing the unwavering hope that remains a cornerstone of the believer’s journey.
In his reflection, Don Orazio underscored the kingship of Christ, which manifests through His passion and is imbued with a message of universal love: “When we define Jesus as King of the Universe,” he articulated, “we risk relegating it to something immense and distant from us. However, the essence of this term is contained precisely in that word ‘universe’, which includes each of us. Jesus desires to be the king of our universe, of our life.
He continued: “Each of us lives in the circumstances that life reserves for us, but Christ wants to reign both in the external places in which we find ourselves and in our internal world, in the depths of our being. We must ask ourselves: who is the king of our universe? Who reigns within us? Let us put Christ at the center of our lives so that he can bring order and guide us with his love, from the beginning to the end of our days.”
The Eucharistic Celebration concluded with a prayer dedicated to the Day, followed by a moment of sincere adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Following this sacred time, the young participants gathered in groups to share their experiences and engage in meaningful discussions. Each group recounted their unique journeys of evangelization and service, highlighting both the challenges faced and the successes achieved along the way.
The day, enveloped in an atmosphere of celebration and brotherhood, provided a precious opportunity to strengthen bonds and reflect thoughtfully on the collective faith journey, reinforcing a shared commitment to their beliefs and community.
November 25, 2024
**How does Don Orazio Sciacca believe the theme “Those who hope in the Lord walk without getting tired” influences today’s youth?**
**Interview with Don Orazio Sciacca on World Youth Day Celebrations**
**Interviewer:** Good afternoon, Don Orazio! It’s a pleasure to speak with you after such an energizing celebration of World Youth Day at the Sanctuary of Valverde. How did you feel the event went?
**Don Orazio Sciacca:** Good afternoon! It was truly a remarkable experience. The presence of so many young people coming together to celebrate their faith is always uplifting. I could feel the excitement and enthusiasm in the air, and it reminded me of the vibrant energy that our youth bring to the Church.
**Interviewer:** You gave a heartfelt homily emphasizing the local significance of this event while also connecting it to the global dimension of World Youth Day. Could you elaborate on that?
**Don Orazio Sciacca:** Certainly! While World Youth Day has a universal aspect that calls young people to connect with the Holy Father, it also serves as a unique opportunity for local communities to engage in dialogue and share their experiences. This year’s celebration coincided with the solemnity of Christ the King, which allowed us to reflect on how Jesus reigns in our lives, both individually and collectively. It’s a reminder that we’re part of something much bigger than ourselves.
**Interviewer:** The theme for this edition, “Those who hope in the Lord walk without getting tired,” draws from the Book of Consolation of Isaiah. How do you see this theme resonating with today’s youth?
**Don Orazio Sciacca:** This theme speaks to the essence of resilience and faith. It encourages young people to cultivate hope, especially in a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming. Many of our youth face challenges that could wear them down, so it’s important for them to know that with faith, they can persist. It’s about encouraging them to rely on God’s strength to navigate their personal journeys, just as the Israelites found hope at the end of their exile.
**Interviewer:** During the event, there was a moment for prayer and sharing among the youth about their experiences in evangelization and service. What impact do you think this has on their faith journey?
**Don Orazio Sciacca:** Those moments of sharing are vital. They create a sense of community and belonging. When young people share their stories of struggles and successes, it fosters a supportive environment where they can learn from each other. It’s like a spiritual therapy session, where they realize that they are not alone in their journeys. This camaraderie strengthens their faith and encourages them to become more active in evangelization and service.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a truly transformative experience! What message do you want to leave with young people who might be reading this?
**Don Orazio Sciacca:** I want them to remember that Christ desires to be at the center of their lives. Just like I discussed in my homily, it’s essential to reflect on who reigns in our hearts. Whether it’s personal struggles, dreams, or joys, placing Christ at the center ensures that our lives are guided by love and purpose. So, let’s allow Him to be the king of our internal universe!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Don Orazio, for your insights and inspiring words. We look forward to seeing how this event impacts the youth in the diocese moving forward!
**Don Orazio Sciacca:** Thank you! It’s been a pleasure to share, and I’m excited to see how our youth continue to grow in their faith and commitment to the Church.