World Youth Day

World Youth Day (WYD) is an annual gathering of Catholic young people, 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 a 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. It is a major part of the upsurge in Catholic Youth Work over recent years.

The 2005 World Youth Day was the first such gathering to occur after the death of John Paul II. Held in Cologne, Germany, the World Youth Day also marked the first apostolic journey of Pope Benedict XVI, and it was also the first time the Pope had traveled outside of Italy since his election.

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

1993 1995 1997 2000 2002 2005You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses. (8)

**International level celebrations**
Year	Dates	Location	Attendance¹	Theme
1984	April 15	Rome,	300,000	Holy Year of Redemption
1985	March 31	Rome,	300,000	International Youth Year
1987	April 11–12	Buenos Aires,	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,	400,000	I am the Way, the Truth and the Life (Jn 14:6)
1991	August 10–15	Częstochowa,	1,600,000	You have received a spirit of sonship (Rom 8:15)
August 10–15	Denver, 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)
January 10–15	Manila, Final mass held at Luneta Park	5,000,000	As the Father sent me, so am I sending you (Jn 20:21)
August 19–24	Paris, Final mass held at Longchamps	1,200,000	Teacher, where are you staying? Come and see (cf. Jn 1:38-39)
August 15–20	Rome, Final mass held at Tor Vergata	2,000,000	The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn 1:14)
July 23–28	Toronto, Final mass held at Downsview Park	800,000	You are the salt of the earth ... you are the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-14)
August 16–21	Cologne, Final mass held at Marienfeld	1,200,000+	We have come to worship Him (Mt 2:2)
2008	July 15–20	Sydney, Final mass to be held at Olympic Park

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

Diocesan

**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 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)
World Youth Day 2008 Website.
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
http://www.youthineurope.com Information and trips to WYD Sydney