World Youth Day
Purpose
World Youth Day was created in response to declining church attendence by youth in the Catholic religon. It is an attempt to catch upto to other christian sects in a more 'rock-concert' style religon.
However, they organizers calim that the purpose of World Youth Day is threefold:
Putting Trust in the Young
World Youth Day is a coming together of young adults from the four corners of the world and a strong reminder of the strength and confidence the young bring to the Church today.
Gathering Together
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. A calling for the world's youth to come together as one people.
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 Church and Christians themselves have a role to play in preventing the development of these fears, and in aiding each person in finding their way and discovering hope.
Overview
Since 1984, Pope John Paul II has been gathering young people from all over the world. The history of attendance at previous World Youth Days (at the closing mass with the Pope) is as follows:
| YEAR | LOCATION | USA ATTENDANCE | TOTAL ATTENDANCE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984/5 | Rome, Italy | Not known | Two gatherings of 300,000 each |
| 1987 | Buenos Aires, Argentina | Not known | 900,000 |
| 1989 | Santiago de Compostela, Spain | Not known | 400,000 |
| 1991 | Czestochowa, Poland | Not known | 1,600,000 |
| 1993 | Denver, USA | 180,000 | 500,000 |
| 1995 | Manila, Philippines | 1,000 | 4,000,000 |
| 1997 | Paris, France | 13,000 | 1,200,000 |
| 2000 | Rome, Italy | 20,000 | 2,000,000 |
| 2002 | Toronto, Canada | 57,000 | 800,000 |
Even though the international World Youth Day gatherings happen about every 2 years, World Youth Day itself is celebrated each year. Some of the 'total attendance" numbers above reflect the total population at the closing Mass which includes many locals who attended only that one event.
The next XX World Youth Day will be held in 2005 in Cologne, Germany
Typical Schedule 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.usccb.org/laity/youth/wydarchives.htm
- http://www.wyd2005.org/ The XX World Youth Day Official Website (in 5 languages)