MANILA, Philippines – Exactly 20 years ago on Monday, January 12, then Pope John Paul II arrived in the Philippines for the second time, endeared himself to Filipinos, and attracted the biggest crowd ever for a papal event. The 20th anniversary of John Paul’s arrival in the Philippines on January 12, 1995, happens 3 days before the visit of Pope Francis to this predominantly Catholic country. To mark both events, Rappler looks back at John Paul’s speeches during World Youth Day in Manila in 1995. What can we learn from John Paul as Francis visits the Philippines? Sense of vocation “It is always Christ who sends. But whom does he send? You, young people, are the ones he looks upon with love. Christ, who says: ‘Follow me,’ wants you to live your lives with a sense of vocation. He wants your lives to have a precise meaning and dignity.” (International Youth Forum Mass, University of Santo Tomas Seminary, January 13, 1995) Meaning in life “Too many young people do not realize that they themselves are the ones who are mainly responsible for giving a worthwhile meaning to their lives.” (Prayer Vigil with the Youth, Rizal Park, January 14, 1995) Vocation to love “The vocation to love, understood as true openness to our fellow human beings and solidarity with them, is the most basic of all vocations. It is the origin of all vocations in life.” (Prayer Vigil with the Youth, Rizal Park, January 14, 1995) Inalienable dignity “If you defend the inalienable dignity of every human being, you will be revealing to the world the true face of Jesus Christ, who is one with every man, every woman, and every child, no matter how poor, no matter how weak or handicapped.” (Prayer Vigil with the Youth, Rizal Park, January 14, 1995)

Criticizing adults

“Sometimes you are very critical of the world of adults, and sometimes they are very critical of you. This is not something new, and it is not always without real basis in life. But always remember that you owe your life and upbringing to your parents, and the Fourth Commandment expresses in a concise way the demands of justice toward them (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 2215).”

(World Youth Day Concluding Mass, Rizal Park, January 15, 1995)

Freedom, responsibility

“How many young people think they are free because they have thrown off every restraint and every principle of responsibility? How many of them think that because certain forms of behavior are socially accepted, they are therefore morally right? They abuse the beautiful gift of sexuality; they abuse drink and drugs, thinking that such behavior is all right because certain sectors of society tolerate it…

“Build your lives on the one model that will not deceive you! I invite you to open the Gospel and discover that Jesus Christ wants to be your ‘friend’ (cf. Jn 15: 14).”

(World Youth Day Concluding Mass, Rizal Park, January 15, 1995)

Farewell: ‘Be strong’

“Kayo ay isinugo ni Kristo tulad ng pagsugo sa Kanya ng Ama. Salamat at pinakinggan ninyo ang kanyang Salita.

“Inaanyayahan ko kayong maging mga alagad ng Ebanghelyo, at mga tagapagtaguyod ng kanyang Kaharian sa inyong mga pamilya, parokya, samahan, at sa bawat bahagi ng inyong buhay bilang mga Pilipino. Nawa’y maging matatag kayo sa inyong pananampalataya at pagmamahal sa inyong kapwa.”

(Christ sends you even as he himself was sent. I thank you for listening to his word, and I encourage you to become apostles of the Gospel and builders of God’s kingdom in your families, parishes, groups, and in every aspect of Filipino life. Be strong in faith and love!)

(Farewell to Young People, Rizal Park, January 15, 1995)

See more photos of World Youth Day in Manila, as well as other papal visits, in the video below.

– Rappler.com

Quotes from John Paul II: We Love You, a compilation of speeches from World Youth Day in 1995