World Youth Day

World Youth Day (WYD) was created by Pope John Paul II in 1984. It was created in response to declining church attendance by youth in the Catholic religion. It is an attempt to catch up to other Christian sects in a more 'rock-concert' style religion.

The organizers claim 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

**International level celebrations**
Year	Dates	Location	Attendance¹	Theme
1984	April 15	Rome, Italy	300,000
1985	March 31	Rome, Italy	300,000
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	Czestochowa, Poland	1,600,000	You have received a spirit of sonship (Rom 8:15)
1993	August 10–15	Denver, USA	500,000	I came that they might have life, and have it to the full (Jn 10:10)
1995	January 10–15	Manila, Philippines	4,000,000	As the Father sent me, so am I sending you (Jn 20: 21)
1997	August 19–24	Paris, France	1,200,000	Teacher, where are you staying? Come and see (cf. Jn 1:38-39)
2000	August 15–20	Rome, Italy	2,000,000	The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn 1:14)
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)
2005	August 16–21	Cologne, Germany		We have come to worship Him (Mt 2:2)

¹Attendance numbers reflect the total population at the closing Mass which includes many locals who attended only that one event.

**Diocesan level celebrations**
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 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)