In an exclusive message to Basilica.ro, His Grace Bishop Benedict of Sălaj placed International Youth Day in a Christian perspective, suggesting that there is also a “youth of the heart,” and that “those who feel young at heart” are “those who love the Mother of God.”
The hierarch recalled that International Youth Day, marked on Tuesday, has as its general theme local youth actions for the Sustainable Development Goals and beyond.
“This providential and generous day overlaps with the period of the Dormition Fast, when young people head in groups to monasteries dedicated to the Most Holy Virgin, often on foot pilgrimages, looking with trust at the beautiful icon — an image of perfection, purity, and joy — the icon of the Mother of God,” he said.
Pilgrimage changes the soul
“This happens especially in our Diocese of Sălaj, but also in the Eparchy of Cluj, in Maramureș, and in many other places, when eyes turn toward reference monasteries such as Nicula, Strâmba, or Rohia.”
The Bishop of Sălaj stressed that this is a concrete, specific example of local action that goes beyond the official theme.
“In other words, reflecting on the theme of this day, the path of a pilgrimage does not only change the landscape; it changes our soul. It works inwardly, offering us a reconfiguration from the inside out, from the heart toward the world around us.”
“It is not just a physical effort or an ascetic work, but more a work of the heart — an itinerary on the map, but above all an ascent toward God,” he added.
The Mother of God, a model for young people
“The Mother of God is, as I have said, the perfect model of one who believes in God, trusts in God, and casts herself into His arms,” the bishop explained.
“She received, kept secretly within her heart, and above all fulfilled the will of God, even when this meant toil, tears, and especially sacrifice — all enveloped in perfect love.”
Pilgrimage to her teaches us that great achievements require patience, courage, and perseverance, the hierarch continued.
“That is why it is so important to ask ourselves right now, in a personal way: what path am I walking today, what awaits me at its end, and ultimately, am I truly willing to sacrifice things I love for higher goals?”
Choosing the road that requires effort
“We are called not to be afraid to set out on complicated, long roads, not to be afraid of effort, because all these things will have substantial effects on our lives,” the hierarch warns.
“They will purify us outwardly, but above all, they will cleanse us inwardly. They will make our hearts a dwelling place for Christ the Lord, for love, for hope, and for the joy that such a presence can bring. We seek the Mother of God, who always leads us toward goals worthy of all that our beautiful life can mean.”
Read more: Bishop Benedict urges youth to seek mentors and embrace lifelong learning on National Youth Day
A call on the road toward God
“We greet you now as we accompany a group of pilgrims on the way to Nicula Monastery, walking with them through our diocese — a pilgrimage in which many of the participants are young people,” Bishop Benedict further conveyed.
“Joy can be seen on their faces, in prayer, in their toil, and above all in the great hope that, by laying their thoughts before her icon, they will receive comfort, clarity of mind, and especially the strength to love.”
“And here, locally in Sălaj, we await all young people and all those who feel young in this Gospel spirit to come to the wonderworking icon of the Mother of God at Strâmba, sister to the one at Nicula,” he continued.
“There, too, on the eve of the feast, we will hold a walking pilgrimage for all those who feel young at heart, for all those who love the Mother of God. We wish everyone the blessing and embrace of the Mother of God, and many years to all young people everywhere.”
Participants in the traditional pilgrimage to Nicula Monastery gather in front of St. Nicholas Church in the central park of Gherla, from where they depart on foot at 11:00 a.m. toward the monastic settlement.
Photo: Diocese of Sălaj
