Carl Maes - 19 years old, Georgia, U.S.A.

How would you define a young person?
A youth who is seeking the Truth and fullness in life, which we can obtain through Jesus Christ.

How would you define yourself?
I would define myself as a young person trying to love God more and serve Him better each day.

What is your mission as a young person?
To love God with my whole heart, always seeking to do His will, and to persevere in my studies for His glory.

What virtue would you like to give to all young people?
Fortitude/chastity. We must always have the courage to turn away from the immoral things this world has to offer even if our friends ridicule us.

Do young people listen?
Yes.

How would you like to be remembered?
St. Carl Maes.

What is courage?
Courage is a wonderful virtue. It is when we persevere in doing what is right no matter how difficult that may be, such as answering the last question.

Do you need this virtue to be a Catholic nowadays?
Definitely!

What person do you most admire?
My father. Through his continuous Christian examples, my faith was strengthened and he always helped when I needed it.

What is your greatest challenge?
To have complete trust in God.

What has been the most important event in your life?
My First Communion.

What passage from the Gospel do you like the most?
Lk. 12:49 “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!”

Do you feel responsible for the salvation of young people?
Yes.
Why?
We are not on this earth alone. It is the Christians’ duty to love one another and to help each other get to heaven.

What can you do for the present world?
Pray and give a good Christian example to others.

Do you believe in hope? Why?
Certainly. Hope gives us an interior joy and keeps us from despair.

How do you respond to the call of the Pope?
Pope Benedict XVI, like Pope Paul II, says not to be afraid of Christ but to open the doors of our hearts to Him in order to find true life. In response, I desire to lead a more holy life and gain strength through daily adoration and Mass.

Do you really feel called to holiness?
Most definitely. My goal is to place God first in my life, no matter what He calls me to do.

Which saint would you most like to be like? Why?
St. Louis de Montfort because of his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

What would you like to say to young people?
This life is the only one that you have. Choose to love Christ and help others love Him as well.

FILL IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES:
-I am frightened by ... Not loving God the way I should
-I am overjoyed by ... Receiving Christ in the Eucharist
-I am disposed to ... Die for Christ
-I find consolation in ... Knowing that God loves me and His infinite mercy
-I seek above all ... Heaven
-I find peace in ... Eucharistic Adoration
-It is worth it ... Living the Catholic faith
-I give thanks to God for ... Everything
-When I make a mistake ... I seek forgiveness through confession

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