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World Youth Day

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For the International Youth Day holiday, see International Youth Day.
World Youth Day 2000 in Rome

World Youth Day is a youth-oriented Roman Catholic Church event. While the event itself celebrates the Catholic faith, invitation to attend is non-denominational.[1] World Youth Day is not associated with International Youth Day or any of the international observance days.

World Youth Day (or in short 'WYD') was initiated by Pope John Paul II in 1986. It is celebrated on a 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]

Origins

Antonio María Rouco Varela speaking in a catechesis during the Pope's visit in Bavaria

In the month before the Extraordinary Synod, John Paul II took the occasion of the United Nations' International Youth Year to launch one of the signature initiatives of his pontificate-the World Youth Days that would draw millions of young people on pilgrimage to Europe, Latin America, North America, Asia, and Oceania.[3]

The idea of the World Youth Day, the Pope remembered, could be traced back to his young friends in Srodowisko and their exploration of the personal and vocational dynamics of adolescence and young adulthood. His early papal pilgrimages, in Italy and abroad, had convinced him that a pastoral strategy of accompaniment with young people was as valid for a pope as it had been for a fledgling priest.

Srodowisko[4], a term suggested by Wojtyla himself in the 1960, is now used as a self-description by a group of some 200 men and women, many of them married couples with grandchildren, which first began take shape during his university Chaplaincy at St. Florian's Church in Krakow's old town, in Poland. Srodowisko does not translate easily. "Environment" is one possibility, but John Paul II prefers more humanistic "milieu." In any case, what would later come to be known as Srodowisko involved the fusing of several networks of young adults and young married couples with whom Father Wojtyla worked. The earliest of these called it self Rodzinka, or "little family." A later group of Wojtyla youngsters called themselves Paczka, "packet" or "parcel". Srodowisko saw youth groups evolve into networks of intellectual conversation. Both youngsters and intellectuals became involved in holiday excursions. The word itself maybe hard to translate, but that this network of friendships was crucial in shaping the ideas and the ministry of Karol Wojtyla the priest, later bishop, and ultimately pope, is indisputable. John Paul II marked the UN's International Youth Year and his Palm Sunday, 1985, meeting with young people in Rome with an Apostolic Letter, To the Youth of the World, which mixed reminiscence, exhortation, and the Pope's phenomenological approach to anything human in fairly equal proportions.

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 largely 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. The most recent festival in Sydney recorded an estimated distance of a 10km 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". [5]

World Youth Day 2008

Main article: World Youth Day 2008

The Archdiocese of Sydney was chosen as the host of the 2008 World Youth Day celebrations. The occasion will mark only the fourth Papal visit to the country - Pope Paul VI, twice by Pope John Paul II and now Pope Benedict XVI. 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, Cardinal George 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. The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI arrived into 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 event attracted 250,000 foreign visiting pilgrims to Sydney with an estimated 400,000 pilgrims attending Holy Mass celebrated by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday 20 July 2008. This is the largest single gathering of human beings at the one place in Australia's history[citation needed].


World Youth Day 2011

Following the celebration of Holy Mass at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on 20 July 2008, the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI proudly blessed the people of Spain by announcing that the next International World Youth Day 2011 will be held in Madrid, Spain. This will be held from August 15 until the 21st 2011.

Chronology of celebrations

International

International level celebrations[7]
Year Date/s Location Attendance1 Theme Theme Song (Anthem) [Languages]2 Notable Facts
1984 April 15 Rome,  Italy
 Vatican City		 300,000 Holy Year of Redemption: A Festival of Hope Resta Qui Con Noi

[Italian]

1985 March 31 Rome,  Italy
 Vatican City		 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 (1 Jn 4:16) Un Nuevo Sol

[Spanish]

  • First WYD outside Europe
1989 August 15–20 Santiago de Compostela,
 Spain		 400,000 I am the Way, the Truth and the Life (Jn 14:6) Somos Los Jóvenes

[Spanish]

1991 August 10–15 Częstochowa,
 Poland		 1,600,000 You have received a spirit of sonship (Rom 8:15) Abba Ojcze

[Polish Italian Spanish]

1993 August 10–15 Denver,
 United States		 500,000 I came that they might have life, and have it to the full (Jn 10:10) (We Are) One Body

[English]

  • Final Mass held at Cherry Creek State Park
  • First WYD in North America
1995 January 10–15 Manila,
 Philippines		 4,000,000 As the Father sent me, so am I sending you (Jn 20:21) Tell the World of His Love

[English]

1997 August 19–24 Paris,
 France
[8]		 1,200,000 Teacher, where are you staying? Come and see (cf. Jn 1:38-39) Maître Et Seigneur

[French]

2000 August 15–20 Rome,  Italy
 Vatican City		 2,000,000 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn 1:14) Emmanuel

[Italian English French Spanish]

2002 July 23–28 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 August 16–21 Cologne,
 Germany
1,200,000[9][10] We have come to worship Him (Mt 2:2) Venimus Adorare Eum

[German Latin French Spanish English Italian]

2008 July 15–20 Sydney,
 Australia		 400,000 [11] 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 August 15–21 Madrid,
 Spain[12] 		TBD Rooted and built up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the Faith (Col 2:7)[13] TBD
  • Spain becomes the first country (outside Italy) to host WYD twice

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

Diocesan level celebrations (celebrated on Palm Sunday each year)
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. (1 Pt 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)
April 9, 2006 Your word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path. (Ps 119:105)
April 1, 2007 Just as I have loved you; you also should love one another. (Jn 13:34)
April 5, 2009 We have set our hope on the Living God. (1 Tim 4:10)[13]
March 28, 2010 Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? (Mk 10:17)[13]

Typical schedule of events

International Level

WORLD YOUTH DAY - Overview of Week
Up to week before TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
MORNING Days in the Dioceses:
  • Catechetical Sessions around host and nearby dioceses
 Day of official arrival and welcome for pilgrims Catechetical Session with participating Bishops Walking pilgrimage to Vigil Site Closing ceremonies:
  • Morning prayers are led by participating bishops
  • Holy Mass is celebrated by the Pope
  • The next host diocese is announced by the Pope after Mass
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

Diocesian 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

  1. ^ WYD08 FAQs - About... Q2, and Attending... Q1
  2. ^ [1] - Quotation from Helen Bardy.
  3. ^ Weigel, George. "Youth and the Future" Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II, pp.493-494, 2005
  4. ^ Weigel, George. "Srodowisko." Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II, pp.98-102, 2005
  5. ^ Statements of Benedict XVI
  6. ^ "Australians delighted at 2008 World Youth Day"
  7. ^ Vatican: World Youth Day Chronicle, July 25, 2008
  8. ^ Baptismal Vigil with Young People
  9. ^ WYD08 FAQs - About... Q6
  10. ^ 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
  11. ^ WYD08 :: Home :: Media :: Latest News :: Pope Benedict XVI thanks volunteers and leaves Australia happy and blessed
  12. ^ Hundreds of Thousands gather for pope's youth finale - SBS News
  13. ^ a b c Holy Father chooses themes for future World Youth Days
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