Focus on LOVE

Two great men that have defined what our generation thirsts for.


I proud to say I am a member of the JPII Generation, the generation of young Catholics thirsting for orthodoxy and truth in our Church and in our world. Our generation was raised on Pope John Paul II's deep commitment to unity, love, and preaching the Holy Apostolic truth. And as we all know, he had a special affection for the youth, and he understood that the future of the Church lies in our hands. Thanks to his efforts, which are now being crystallized and evermore enhanced by our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, this "JPII Generation" is being absolutely set ablaze to evangelize, seek holiness, and make a difference in this world.

When I look back on the way our parents were raised in the Church, it seems like there was such an influence then on rules in their youth. With our parents growing up in the 60s and 70s, a time of radical cultural changes in America, it seems like their Catechesis was centered in "here's a list of all the bad things you should not do."

What makes our generation so different? Look at some of the documents written by Pope John Paul II: Veritatis Splendor (The Splendor of Truth), Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), Fides et Ratio (Faith and Reason), all of which lead into Pope Benedict's Deus Caritas Est (God is Love) and his most recent writing, Sacramentum Caritatis (The Sacrament of Love). Especially seen in these last two, there an incredible focus on love. There is such a push to let the world know what a loving God our Father is, and that if we can understand that basis of our faith, everything else will fall into place.

When I think about our culture and all the things wrong in the world, it's not that we sin too much -- it's that we don't love enough. This new generation of young Catholics are being taught a faith based on LOVE, on the two greatest commandments: to love God and love one another for love of Him. So watch out -- we are here to change the world.


"Even though you are young, the time for action is now! It is time to let your light shine! Remember, Christ is calling you; the Church needs you; the Pope believes in you, and he expects great things of you!"
~Pope John Paul the Great