Dare to be different, Pope tells youth

Loreto, Sep. 3, 2007 (CWNews.com) - "Swim against the tide!" That was the exhortation given by Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) to young Italian Catholics at a weekend gathering in Loreto.

The Holy Father celebrated Sunday Mass on September 2 for a congregation estimated at 500,000, composed of young people participating in a national evangelization campaign initiated by the Italian bishops. In his homily the Pope told his young listeners to ignore the blandishments of those who promote "lifestyles based on arrogance and violence, on self-interest and success at all cost, on appearances on possessions."

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In his homily the Pope warned that young people must be "vigilant and critical" as they listen to the messages of the mass media and popular culture. He underlined the importance of daring to be different, to step outside the boundaries of expectations set by a secularized culture.

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To Be Different can be...
... a choice?
... a resistance?
... a change?
... an alternative?
... an insistence?
... another world is possible?

This reminded me of my first Exposure in Nepal, in which "To Be Different" was the most inspiring message and the strongest push to the movement. It helps me to avoid taking the mainstream for granted. It becomes the motivation for a change. It is not easy to be different, especially for young people, and especially in the everyday life. Having a circle of friends sharing the same value and vision… I am not alone^^ So do u!!!