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Eduardo Verástegui Reaches Out to British Youth

International Walsingham Prayer Festival 2009 in England.

Eduardo Verástegui in England.

Eduardo Verástegui was invited to the Youth 2000 International Walsingham Prayer Festival 2009 (Sanctuary@Walsingham). Youth 2000 is an independent, international initiative that helps young adults aged 16-30 plug back into God at the heart of the Catholic Church. Its main distinguishing feature is the emphasis it places on celebration of the Mass and Adoration of the Eucharist; next come a focus on active evangelisation and the organisation of retreats and spiritual events for young people throughout the world. The five-day festival was entirely youth-led and featured testimonies and dynamic prayer and worship in the style of the World Youth Days led by Pope Benedict XVI.

Among the line-up of speakers at the annual festival in Walsingham was Eduardo Verástegui, a Mexican actor who gave up his glittering Hollywood career to dedicate his talents to God.

Verástegui told the young people gathered at the festival, who had travelled to Walsingham from as far as Germany and Spain, that they were called to holiness in the situations of their everyday lives. He told his audience that after his conversion he refused film scripts that did not promote Christian values: "I was without work for four years," he said.

Following his conversion he felt called to become a missionary in the Brazilian jungle. However a priest told him: "Hollywood is your jungle." Verastegui founded 'Metanoia films', a company dedicated to producing films with an upbeat message that promote virtue. In 2007, Verastegui's film 'Bella', the story of a young girl pondering an abortion, won the "People's Choice" prize at the Toronto Film festival. He also starred in the film.

An international speaker on pro-life issues, Verástegui spoke to the young pilgrims about chastity and the importance of keeping sex within the context of marriage.

Verástegui was one of the festival's many inspiring speakers including Michelle Moran, member of the Pontifical Council of the Laity. Noel Murphy, 31, National Director of Youth 2000, said: "We are especially delighted that Eduardo Verastegui was able to join us. It is hard to live your faith as a young Catholic and Eduardo's talk was a strong encouragement to young people to stand up for their Christian values. Young people of this country need role models like Eduardo."

Eduardo also attended a pro-life vigil in Bedford Square, London, at one of the many abortion clinics in this country. Abortion is legal in England since 1967. The United Kingdom is in need of pro-life messages and we are expecting the release and distribution of "Bella" in this country very soon, as Eduardo's visit generated immense interest in the film.