World Youth Day
World Youth Day (commonly abbreviated to WYD) is a youth-oriented Catholic Church event. While the event itself celebrates the Catholic faith, the invitation to attend extends to all youth, regardless of religious convictions.[1] World Youth Day is not associated with International Youth Day or any of the international observance days.
World Youth Day was initiated by Pope John Paul II in 1985. It is celebrated diocesan level annually, and at a week-long international level every two to three years at different locations. The international level events attract hundreds of thousands of youth from almost every country on the planet. It is a major part of the upsurge in Catholic Youth Work in some countries over recent years; for example, the Director of Catholic Youth Services for England and Wales has said of the event that it would have far-reaching effects, not restricted to those who attended.[2]
The Church has officially designated Mother General of the Missionaries of Charity, Teresa of Calcutta and Pope, John Paul II as the Patron Saints of the event.
Traditional process
World Youth Day is commonly celebrated in a way similar to many events. The most emphasized and well known traditional theme is the unity and presence of numerous different cultures. Flags and other national declarations are displayed amongst people to show their attendance at the events and proclaim their own themes of Catholicism. Such is usually done through chants and singing of other national songs involving a Catholic theme.
Over the course of the major events taking place, national objects are traded between pilgrims. Flags, shirts, crosses, and other Catholic icons are carried amongst pilgrims which are later traded as souvenirs to other people from different countries of the world. A unity of acceptance among people is also common, with all different cultures coming together to appreciate one another.
Other widely recognized traditions include the Pope's public appearance, commencing with his arrival around the city with the "Popemobile" and then with his final Mass held at the event. Such is the regard for the large distance of pilgrimage walks performed by the attenders of the event. One of the more recent festivals in Sydney recorded an estimated distance of a 10-kilometre walk as roads and other public transport systems were closed off.
Pope Benedict XVI has criticized the tendency to view WYD as a kind of rock festival; he stressed that the event should not be considered a "variant of modern youth culture" but as the fruition of a "long exterior and interior path".[3]
World Youth Day 1995
In the 1995 World Youth Day, 5 million youths gathered at Manila's Luneta Park in the Philippines, an event recognized as the largest crowd ever by the Guinness World Records.[4] In an initial comment immediately following the event, Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, stated that over 4 million people had participated.[5]
World Youth Day 2008
The Archdiocese of Sydney was chosen as the host of the 2008 World Youth Day celebrations. At the time it was announced in 2005, WYD 2008 was commended by then Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard, and the Archbishop of Sydney, George Cardinal Pell.[6] World Youth Day 2008 was held in Sydney, with the Papal Mass held on the Sunday at Randwick Racecourse.
The week saw pilgrims from all continents participate in the Days in the Diocese program hosted by Catholic dioceses throughout Australia and New Zealand. Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Sydney on Sunday 13 July 2008 at Richmond Air Force Base. Cardinal George Pell celebrated the Opening Mass at Barrangaroo (East Darling Harbour) with other activities including the re-enactment of Christ's passion during the stations of the Cross and the Holy Father's boat cruise through Sydney Harbour. Pilgrims participated in a variety of youth festivities including visits to St Mary's Cathedral, daily Catechesis and Mass led by Bishops from all around the world, concerts, visits to the tomb of Blessed Mary MacKillop, the Vocations Expo at Darling Harbour, received the Sacrament of Reconciliation and prayed before the Blessed Sacrament during Adoration. The Mass and concert at Barangaroo saw an estimated crowd of 150,000.
The event attracted 250,000 foreign visiting pilgrims to Sydney, with an estimated 400,000 pilgrims attending Holy Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI on 20 July.[7].
In May 2007, it was reported that Guy Sebastian's song Receive the Power had been chosen as official anthem for the Roman Catholic Church's XXIII World Youth Day (WYD08) to be held in Sydney in 2008. The song was co written by Guy Sebastian and Gary Pinto, and also features the vocals of Paulini.[8][9]
Receive the Power[10] was used extensively throughout the 6 days of World Youth Day in July 2008, and also in the television coverage which went around the world.[11]
In November 2008, a 200 page book named "Receive The Power" was launched to commemorate World Youth Day 2008.[12]
There was controversy around issues of state government funding for WYD 2008, the venue chosen, the legislation on declared areas and statements by Bishop Anthony Fisher who claimed he had been misquoted.
World Youth Day 2011
Following the celebration of Holy Mass at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on 20 July 2008, Pope Benedict XVI announced that the next International World Youth Day 2011 would be held in Madrid, Spain. This event was held from 16–21 August 2011.
There were nine official patron saints[13] for World Youth Day 2011 in addition to Blessed John Paul II: St. Isidore, St. John of the Cross, St. Maria de la Cabeza, St. John of Avila, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Rose of Lima, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Rafael Arnaiz, and St. Francis Xavier, patron of world missions. During his address to seminarians, Pope Benedict XVI announced that the Spanish mystic and patron of Spanish diocesan clerics, St. John of Avila, will now be a "Doctor of the Church,"[14] a designation granted to only 34 saints throughout the twenty centuries of Church history.
The event was judged to be a success, with an estimated 2,000,000 people at an all-night vigil to complete the week; a crowd figure very much higher than expected.
World Youth Day 2013
The World Youth Day events have been spaced three years apart since 2002, but the Rio de Janeiro World Youth Day in 2013 will take place next year. Father Lombardi said the change was made to avoid the youth event coinciding with the FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Brazil in 2014.
Chronology of celebrations
International
| Year | Date | Host | Attendance | Theme | Anthem | Mass |
| 1984 | 15 April | Rome, Vatican City
|
300,000 | Holy Year of the Redemption: A Festival of Hope | Resta Qui Con Noi
[Italian] |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 31 March | Rome, Vatican City |
300,000 | International Youth Year |
| |
| 1987 | 11 – 12 April | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
1,000,000 | We ourselves have known and put our faith in God’s love towards ourselves (1 Jn 4:16) | Un Nuevo Sol
[Spanish] |
|
| 1989 | 15 – 20 August | Santiago de Compostela, Spain |
400,000 | I am the Way, the Truth and the Life (Jn 14:6) | Somos Los Jóvenes
[Spanish] |
|
| 1991 | 10 – 15 August | Częstochowa, Poland |
1,600,000 | You have received a spirit of sonship (Rom 8:15) | Abba Ojcze
[Polish Italian Spanish] |
|
| 1993 | 10 – 15 August | Denver, USA |
500,000 | I came that they might have life, and have it to the full (Jn 10:10) | (We Are) One Body
[English] |
|
| 1995 | 10 – 15 January | Manila, Philippines |
5,000,000 | As the Father sent me, so am I sending you (Jn 20:21) | Tell the World of His Love
[English] |
|
| 1997 | 19 – 24 August | Paris, France[15] |
1,200,000 | Teacher, where are you staying? Come and see (cf. Jn 1:38–39) | Maître Et Seigneur
[French] |
|
| 2000 | 15 – 20 August | Rome, Vatican City  Italy |
2,000,000 | The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn 1:14) | Emmanuel
[Italian English French Spanish] |
|
| 2002 | 23 – 28 July | Toronto, Canada |
800,000 | You are the salt of the earth ... you are the light of the world (Mt 5:13–14) | Lumière Du Monde/Light Of The World
[French English Spanish Italian] |
|
| 2005 | 16 – 21 August | Cologne, Germany |
1,200,000[16][17] | We have come to worship Him (Mt 2:2) | Venimus Adorare Eum
[German Latin French Spanish English Italian] |
|
| 2008 | 15 – 20 July | Sydney, Australia |
400,000[18] | You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses. (Ac 1:8) | Receive The Power
[English Italian Spanish French] |
|
| 2011 | 16 – 21 August | Madrid, Spain[19]
|
1,400,000–2,000,000[20][21][22] | Rooted and built up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the Faith (Col 2:7)[23] | Firmes en la Fe
[Spanish English French Italian German Polish Hellenic] |
|
| 2013 | 23 – 28 July | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil[24]
|
TBD | Go and make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19) | TBD |
|
1Attendance numbers reflect the total number at the closing Mass which includes many locals who attended only that one event. Unless otherwise referenced, the numbers are quoted from the USCCB website. 2This lists languages used in the main international version of the anthem. Local versions of the anthem in other languages (and alternate versions) may have also been produced.
Diocesan
| Date | Theme |
|---|---|
| 23 March 1986 | Always be prepared to make a defence to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you. (1 Pt 3:15) |
| 27 March 1988 | Do whatever he tells you. (Jn 2:5) |
| 8 April 1990 | I am the vine, you are the branches. (Jn 15:5) |
| 12 April 1992 | Go into all the world and preach the Gospel. (Mk 16:15) |
| 27 March 1994 | As the Father sent me, so am I sending you. (Jn 20: 21) |
| 31 March 1996 | Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. (Jn 6:68) |
| 5 April 1998 | The Holy Spirit will teach you all things. (cf. Jn 14:26 ) |
| 28 March 1999 | The Father loves you. (cf. Jn 16:27) |
| 8 April 2001 | If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (Lk 9:23) |
| 13 April 2003 | Behold, your mother! (Jn 19:27) |
| 4 April 2004 | We wish to see Jesus. (Jn 12:21) |
| 9 April 2006 | Your word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path. (Ps 119:105) |
| 1 April 2007 | Just as I have loved you; you also should love one another. (Jn 13:34) |
| 5 April 2009 | We have set our hope on the Living God. (1 Tim 4:10)[23] |
| 28 March 2010 | Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? (Mk 10:17)[23] |
| 1 April 2012 | Rejoice in the Lord Always (Philip 4:4) |
Typical schedule of events
International Level
| Up to week before | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MORNING | Days in the Dioceses:
|
Day of official arrival and welcome for pilgrims | Catechetical Session with participating Bishops | Walking pilgrimage to Vigil Site | Closing ceremonies:
| ||
| AFTERNOON | Opening ceremonies | Afternoon shows, music, prayer and reconciliation opportunities | The Pope officially arrives at WYD and delivers his welcome address at a prayer service | Afternoon shows, music, prayer and reconciliation opportunities | Afternoon shows, music, prayer and reconciliation opportunities at Vigil Site | ||
| EVENING | Evening shows, music, prayer and reconciliation opportunities | Stations of the Cross | Evening Vigil with the Pope | ||||
Diocesan Level
Events at Diocese-level celebrations are decided by a local team usually appointed by the Ordinary.
Since these celebrations usually occur during Palm Sunday, it almost always will include the Holy Mass of Passion Sunday – where Jesus' entry to Jerusalem in his final days is commemorated.
Music, prayer, reconciliation opportunities, as well as adoration of the Blessed Sacrament may also be part of the celebrations.
See also
References
- ^ WYD08 FAQs – About... Q2, and Attending... Q1
- ^ [1] – Quotation from Helen Bardy.
- ^ nsymmonds (22 December 2008). "Statements of Benedict XVI". Blog.beliefnet.com. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- ^ http://www.frcoulter.com/wyd/index.html
- ^ http://www.romereports.com/palio/john-paul-ii-to-be-listed-in-guinness-book-of-records-english-3963.html
- ^ "Australians delighted at 2008 World Youth Day"
- ^ "400,000 fill Randwick Racecourse for WYD08 Final Mass. Retrieved 1st March 2009". Wyd2008.org. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- ^ "Zenit. Australian Idol Wrote World Youth Day Anthem, retrieved on 25 May 2008". Zenit.org. 16 May 2007. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- ^ "Wyd2008 The World Youth Day 2008 song, Receive the Power, retrieved on 25 May 2008". Wyd2008.org. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- ^ "Receive the Power Myspace video". Vids.myspace.com. 26 April 2009. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- ^ "wyd2008. Pope Benedict XVI thanks volunteers and leaves Australia happy and blessed. Retrieved 1st March 2009". Wyd2008.org. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- ^ "Catholic News: More power for WYD pilgrims. November 25, 2008". Cathnews.com. 25 November 2008. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- ^ "Patron saints announced for WYD 2011 in Madrid". Catholic News Agency. 4 May 2010. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
- ^ "Pope Benedict Announces Another Doctor of the Church". Retrieved 23 August 2011.
- ^ "Baptismal Vigil with Young People". Vatican.va. 23 August 1997. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- ^ WYD08 FAQs – About... Q6
- ^ New South Wales Parliament Hansard – [World Youth Day 2005] culminated in Pope Benedict XVI announcing on 21 August 2005 before 1.2 million people in Cologne, Germany
- ^ "WYD08 Pope Benedict XVI thanks volunteers and leaves Australia happy and blessed". Wyd2008.org. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- ^ Hundreds of Thousands gather for pope's youth finale – SBS News[dead link]
- ^ "Cerca de un millón y medio de personas reciben al Papa en Cuatro Vientos". Europapress.es. 21 August 2011. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- ^ juan vicente boo / corresponsal en el vaticano (21 August 2011). "Dos millones de oraciones". ABC.es. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- ^ "WYD: Looking back on the Pope's visit to Madrid". News.va. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- ^ a b c "Holy Father chooses themes for future World Youth Days". Catholicnewsagency.com. 16 December 2008. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- ^ "Brazil to host World Youth Day, pope announces", CNN, Al Goodman, 21 August 2011
External links
- Official World Youth Day website
- Vatican World Youth Day website
- WYD Madrid 2011
- WYD Sydney 2008
- WYD page from United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
- World Youth Day Photo Slideshows, Themesongs and Small Movie (English/Dutch/German)
- In pictures: Pope ends Australia trip
World Youth Day events | |
|---|---|
 Pope John Paul II | |
 Pope Benedict XVI | |
 Pope Francis | |
| Planned | |
