World Youth Day
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World Youth Day is a gathering of young people, initiated by Pope John Paul II in 1984. Occurring every three years it is celebrated on a diocesan level annually, and at a week-long international level every two to three years at different locations, attracting hundreds of thousands of youths from almost every country on the planet. It is a major part of the upsurge in Catholic Youth Work over recent years.
The 2005 World Youth Day Day was the first such gathering to occur after the death of John Paul II. Held in Cologne, Germany, the World Youth Day Day also marked the first apostolic journey of Pope Benedict XVI, and it was also the first time the Pope had traveled outside of Italy since his election.
On 21 August 2005, perched on a hill at Marienfeld outside Cologne, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI blessed the young people of Australia by inviting the youth of the world to proclaim and celebrate the Holy Spirit in Sydney, Australia in 2008.
"And now, as the living presence of the Risen Christ in our midst nourishes our faith and hope, I am pleased to announce that the next World Youth Day will take place in Sydney, Australia, in 2008. We entrust to the maternal guidance of Mary most holy, the future course of the young people of the whole world." (His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, Marienfield, WYD 2005)
The theme of World Youth Day 2008 will be "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses" (Acts1:8)
Contents |
[edit] Purpose
The purpose of World Youth Day is threefold:
- Gathering together: World Youth Day is a coming together of young people from all over the world and a strong reminder of the strength and confidence the young bring to the Catholic Church today. A calling for the world's youth to come together as one people.
- Putting trust in the young: World Youth Day is not simply a gathering for the young people of the world, but a time to put trust in the world's youth.
- Meeting the international world on a human level: It is still a marvel in this the 21st Century to exchange with others and to be a part of an international experience. International events are able to stir much hope but also many fears (increase in fundamentalism, nationalism and other new conflicts). The Catholic Church and Christians feel themselves to have a role to play in preventing the development of these fears, and in aiding each person in finding their way and discovering hope.
[edit] Chronology of celebrations
[edit] International
| World Youth Day |
| International level celebrations |
|
1984 | 1985 | 1987 | 1989 | 1991 | 1993 | 1995 | 1997 | 2000 | 2002 | 2005 | 2008 |
| Year | Dates | Location | Attendance1 | Theme |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | April 15 | Rome, Italy |
300,000 | Holy Year of Redemption |
| 1985 | March 31 | Rome, Italy |
300,000 | International Youth Year |
| 1987 | April 11–12 | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
900,000 | We ourselves have known and put our faith in God’s love towards ourselves (1Jn 4:16) |
| 1989 | August 15–20 | Santiago de Compostela, Spain |
400,000 | I am the Way, the Truth and the Life (Jn 14:6) |
| 1991 | August 10–15 | Częstochowa, Poland |
1,600,000 | You have received a spirit of sonship (Rom 8:15) |
 1993 |
August 10–15 | Denver, United StatesFinal mass held at Cherry Creek State Park |
500,000 | I came that they might have life, and have it to the full (Jn 10:10) |
 1995 |
January 10–15 | Manila, PhilippinesFinal mass held at Luneta Park |
5,000,000 [Holds the World record of the largest human assembly in history] | As the Father sent me, so am I sending you (Jn 20:21) |
 1997 |
August 19–24 | Paris, FranceFinal mass held at Longchamps |
1,200,000 | Teacher, where are you staying? Come and see (cf. Jn 1:38-39) |
 2000 |
August 15–20 | Rome, Italy Final mass held at Tor Vergata |
2,000,000 | The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn 1:14) |
 2002 |
July 23–28 | Toronto, CanadaFinal mass held at Downsview Park |
800,000 | You are the salt of the earth ... you are the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-14) |
 2005 |
August 16–21 | Cologne, GermanyFinal mass held at Marienfeld |
1,200,000+ | We have come to worship Him (Mt 2:2) |
 2008 |
July 15–20 | Sydney, AustraliaFinal mass to be held at Randwick Racecourse |
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses. (Acts 1:8) |
1Attendance numbers reflect the total number at the closing Mass which includes many locals who attended only that one event.
[edit] Diocesan
| Date | Theme |
|---|---|
| March 23, 1986 | Always be prepared to make a defence to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you (1Pt 3:15) |
| March 27, 1988 | Do whatever he tells you (Jn 2:5) |
| April 8, 1990 | I am the vine, you are the branches (Jn 15:5) |
| April 12, 1992 | Go into all the world and preach the Gospel (Mk 16:15) |
| March 27, 1994 | As the Father sent me, so am I sending you (Jn 20: 21) |
| March 31, 1996 | Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life (Jn 6:68). |
| April 5, 1998 | The Holy Spirit will teach you all things (cf Jn 14:26 ) |
| March 28, 1999 | The Father loves you (cf. Jn 16:27) |
| April 8, 2001 | If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me (Lk 9:23) |
| April 13, 2003 | Behold, your mother! (Jn 19,27) |
| April 4, 2004 | We wish to see Jesus (Jn 12:21) |
| October 29, 2006 | Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me (Mk 10:47) |
[edit] Typical schedule of events
| Tues | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Day of Welcoming Arrival and Welcome | Catechetical Session w/ participating bishops | Catechetical Session w/ participating bishops | Catechetical Session w/ participating bishops | Pilgrimage to Vigil Site | Closing Liturgy w/ Holy Father |
| Afternoon | Opening ceremony | afternoon and evening shows, music, prayer and reconciliation opportunities | afternoon and evening shows, music, prayer and reconciliation opportunities | afternoon and evening shows, music, prayer and reconciliation opportunities | ||
| Evening | Stations of the Cross | Vigil Celebration & sleep over |
[edit] External links
- http://www.catholic.travel/ Current information on World Youth Day
- http://www.vatican.va/gmg/documents/
- http://www.usccb.org/laity/youth/wydarchives.htm
- Sydney Australia World Youth Day 2008 Website
- http://www.wydforum.com Discuss all matters relating to world youth day in Sydney 2008!
- News and Background on World Youth Day from the Deutsche Welle.
- http://www.catholicapologeticsofamerica.blogspot.com Catholic Apologetics of America has some news relating to World Youth Day and the traditionalist youth group called Juventutem
- http://www.youthineurope.com Information and trips to WYD Sydney
- http://www.military.catholic.org.au/wyd2008 Information from the Catholic Diocese of the Australian Defence Force. For Australian and foreign military pilgrims planning to travel to World Youth Day 2008.
- http://www.did08.com Melbourne's Days in the Dioceses 2008 - The Journey To World Youth Day, Sydney 2008 - It All Starts Here! Five day event prior to WYD Sydney 2008.
