Discourse to youth gathered on the summit of San Cristobal Hill, on the eve of the feast of Christ the King, October, 1938

My dear young men:

The impressive ceremony we are celebrating tonight is full of the deepest significance. High on this hill, under the gaze of God our Father and protected by the motherly mantle of Mary who raises her hands on high to intercede for us, we have come together, on fire with enthusiasm, ardent youth, carrying radiant torches, souls full of fire and love while at the foot of the hill, the great city lies in the terrible silence of the night.

This scene reminds me of another which occurred almost two thousand years ago, on a mountain top, at nightfall… On the heights, Jesus and his apostles, at the foot of the mountain a great crowd and far off, the regions already buried in the obscure darkness of the night of the spirit (cf. Ps 106, 10). Profoundly moved at the terrible sight of souls without the light, Jesus tells his apostles: “You are the light of the world” (Mt 5,14). You are responsible for illuminating this night for souls, for inflaming them, for transforming this heat into life, new life, pure life, eternal life…

And you, my very dear young men, Jesus now shows you this city that lies at your feet and how he pities it: “I have compassion of the crowd” (Mk 5,14). While you though many, - at the same time far too few- have kept your appointment here on the heights… Many, so many… at this moment are soiling their souls, crucifying Christ anew in their hearts, in places of pleasure overflowing with weak youth, youth without ideals, without enthusiasm, anxious only for pleasure even at the cost of the life of their souls…! If Jesus were to appear at this moment in the midst of us, gazing with pity and extending his hands with compassion over Santiago and over Chile, he would say to you: “I have compassion on the crowd…” (Mk 8, 2).

There at our feet lies an immense crowd of people who do not know Christ, who have been educated for years and years without ever hearing the name of God pronounced, nor the holy name of Jesus.

I have no doubt that if Christ were to descend this night on San Cristobal, churning with emotions, he would gaze upon the darkened city and repeat the same words: “I have compassion on it”, and turning to you all he would say with infinite tenderness: “You are the light of the world… You must bring light to this darkness. Do you wish to collaborate with me? Do you wish to be my apostles?”

This is the ardent calling that the Master gives to youth today. And if they should decide to answer! Even if they were only a few… A small number of intelligent, convinced workers could influence the salvation of our nation… But how difficult it is in some places to find even this reduced number! The majority of people remain with their pleasures, in their concerns… Changing their lives, dedicating themselves to work for the salvation of souls... it cannot be done, there is no will nor desire…

How many are called by Christ during these wonderful soaring years of youth! They listen, they seem to doubt for a few moments. But the torrent of life drags them along. But you, my dear young people have responded to Christ, you wish to be among those chosen, you desire to be apostles… But to be an apostle does not signify wearing some insignia on your jacket; it does not mean talking about the truth, but living it, becoming incarnated in it, transformed in Christ. To be an apostle does not mean to carry a torch, to possess the light, but to be light…

More than a lesson, the Gospel is an example. It is a message converted into a living being. “The Word was made flesh” (Jn 1,14) “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched, this we proclaim to you” Cf.1Jn1,1-3). The Word, the divine Message has been incarnated: Life has manifested itself. We must be like pure crystals in order that the light may shine through us. “You who see, what have you done with the light? (Claudel)

My dear young people, an integrally Christian life is the only way to radiate Christ. Therefore, it is necessary to have a Christian life in your home, a Christian life with the poor who surround us, a Christian life with your companions, a Christian life in your relations with young women… a Christian life in your profession, a Christian life in the theater, at the dance and in sports.

Christianity means an entire life of giving, a transformation in Christ, or it is a ridiculous parody worthy of laughter and scorn.

And this transformation in Christ presupposes identification with the Master, even in his hours on Calvary. For this reason, one who does not suffer crucifixion with Christ for at least a short time cannot be an apostle. Therefore those who reduce the apostolate, Catholic Action, mainly to a spectator sport of discourses and ostentatious manifestations will accomplish nothing. These functions are good and serve a purpose but they are not the coronation of the work, but only the beginning, a gathering of enthusiasm, a mutual lifting up of spirits, an accompanying of Christ even in the hours of his passion and with him, mounting the cross.

Before you descend the mount, I ask you, my dear young men, in the name of Christ: Can you drink the bitter chalice of the apostolate? Can you accompany Jesus in his pain, in the tedium of a work continued in perseverance? Can you? If you hesitate, if you do not feel courageous enough to stand out from the masses, these vague, formless and mediocre masses, if like the young man in the Gospel you feel sad in face of the sacrifices that Christ is asking… then renounce the beautiful title of coworker and friend of Christ.

O Lord! If in this multitude that has come together at your feet, the flame of generous desire should break forth and if they should say with all sincerity: “Lord, take and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, all my will, all I have and possess I consecrate it all entirely to your service, to radiate your life, content with no other reward than that of serving you and like these torches that consume themselves in our hands, to be consumed for Christ…” They will renew in Chile the marvels achieved by the apostles in the pagan society they conquered for Jesus.