World Youth Day
From Freepedia
World Youth Day (WYD) is an annual gathering of Catholic youths created by Pope John Paul II in 1984 "to consolidate the ordinary youth ministry by offering new encouragement for commitment, objectives which foster ever greater involvement and participation" (Letter from Pope John Paul II - Seminar on WYD 1996). It is celebrated on a diocesan level annually, and at an 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.
Contents |
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.
Chronology of Celebrations
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, Image:Flag of Italy.svg Italy | 300,000 | Holy Year of Redemption |
| 1985 | March 31 | Rome, Image:Flag of Italy.svg Italy | 300,000 | International Youth Year |
| 1987 | April 11–12 | Buenos Aires, Image:Flag of Argentina.svg 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, Image:Flag of Spain.svg Spain | 400,000 | I am the Way, the Truth and the Life (Jn 14:6) |
| 1991 | August 10–15 | Częstochowa, Image:Flag of Poland.svg Poland | 1,600,000 | You have received a spirit of sonship (Rom 8:15) |
| Image:Gmg1993.gif 1993 | August 10–15 | Denver, Image:Flag of the United States.svg United States Final 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) |
| Image:Gmg1995.gif 1995 | January 10–15 | Manila, Image:Flag of the Philippines.svg Philippines Final mass held at Luneta Park | 5,000,000 | As the Father sent me, so am I sending you (Jn 20:21) |
| Image:Gmg1997.gif 1997 | August 19–24 | Paris, Image:Flag of France.svg France Final mass held at Longchamps | 1,200,000 | Teacher, where are you staying? Come and see (cf. Jn 1:38-39) |
| Image:Gmg2000.gif 2000 | August 15–20 | Rome, Image:Flag of Italy.svg Italy Final mass held at Tor Vergata | 2,000,000 | The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn 1:14) |
| Image:Gmg2002a.gif 2002 | July 23–28 | Toronto, Image:Flag of Canada.svg Canada Final mass held at Downsview Park | 800,000 | You are the salt of the earth ... you are the light of the world (Mt 5:13-14) |
| Image:Wyd2005.gif 2005 | August 16–21 | Cologne, Image:Flag of Germany.svg Germany Final mass held at Marienfeld | 1,100,000+ | We have come to worship Him (Mt 2:2) |
| 2008 | August 15–20 | Sydney, Image:Flag of Australia.svg Australia |
Take up your cross and follow me (Mk 8:34) |
1Attendance numbers reflect the total number at the closing Mass which includes many locals who attended only that one event.
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) |
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 opportunities | afternoon and evening shows, music, prayer opportunities | afternoon and evening shows, music, prayer opportunities | ||
| Evening | Stations of the Cross | Vigil Celebration & sleep over |
External links
- http://www.vatican.va/gmg/documents/
- http://www.usccb.org/laity/youth/wydarchives.htm
- http://www.wyd2005.org/ The XX World Youth Day Official Website (in 5 languages)
- 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
