WORLD YOUTH DAY

HISTORY OF THE WYD

The Roots of WYD

· Throughout Pope John Paul II’s papacy, youth has been a priority. When he was elected pope in 1978, John Paul said that young people are the future of the world and the hope of the Church.

· At the end of the Jubilee Year of the Redemption in 1984, the Pope invited young people to a special gathering on Palm Sunday in Rome. Three hundred thousand young people attended this Youth Jubilee.

· It was at this celebration that the Pope entrusted the Holy Year Cross to the youth of the world. This cross is now known as the WYD Cross. It has visited all the countries where WYDs have been held.

In 1985 ¾ the United Nations International Year of Youth, Pope John Paul II extended a second invitation to young people. This time 450,000 attended this second international youth gathering held on Palm Sunday in Rome. The theme was: “Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15)
These events in 1984 and 1985 inspired the Pope to create WYD, which brings together young Catholics from around the world to celebrate their faith and learn more about it. WYD is an encounter of the youth of the world with the Holy Father and the Christian community of the host country. With a renewed faith in Jesus Christ, young people go out into the world to be witnesses to the Gospel.

The first WYD was held in 1986 on Palm Sunday (the Sunday before Easter). It was celebrated on a local scale: in Rome and in parishes all over the world.

International WYDs

1987 Buenos Aires, Argentina Attendance: 1,000,000 Theme: “We know and believe the love God has for us” (1 John 4:16) 1989 Santiago de Compostela, Spain Attendance: 500,000 Theme: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6) 1991 Czestochowa, Poland Attendance: 1,200,000 Theme: “You have received a spirit of sonship” (Romans 8:15) 1993 Denver, U.S.A. Attendance: 600,000 Theme: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10) 1995 Manila, Philippines Attendance: 4,500,000 Theme: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (John 20:21) 1997 Paris, France Attendance: 1,100,000 Theme: “Teacher, where are you staying? Come and see” (John 1:38-39) 2000 Rome, Italy Attendance: 2,000,000 Theme: “The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14)

· After WYD 1997 in Paris, there was a three year interval before the next international celebration. This happened to allow WYD to take place in the context of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000.

· In the years between international WYDs, it is celebrated locally on Palm Sunday around the world.

XVII World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto

· At the conclusion of WYD 2000 in Rome on August 20, 2000, Pope John Paul II announced that Canada would host WYD in the summer of 2002. Canadian organizers anticipate that 450,000 young people will respond to the pope’s invitation to come to Toronto July 23-28, 2002.

· The theme of WYD 2002 is: “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:13-14)

· “Come, and make the great avenues of Toronto resound with the joyful tidings that Christ loves every person and brings to fulfillment every trace of goodness, beauty and truth found in the city of man. Come, and tell the world of the happiness you have found in meeting Jesus Christ, of your desire to know him better, of how you are committed to proclaiming the Gospel of salvation to the ends of the earth!” (Message of the Holy Father to the Youth of the World on the Occasion of the XVII World Youth Day, July 25, 2001)

WORLD YOUTH DAY CROSS – ROME 4-13-2003
Pope John Paul II: "I entrusted this Cross to young people in the Holy Year 1984. At the end of each pilgrimage it makes, it is received into Rome's St. Lawrence Youth Center, which this year is celebrating its 20th anniversary. I thank Cardinal Stafford, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, for the care he and his collaborators give the center, as well as the movements, associations and communities, coordinated by the Emmanuel Community, which animate the center.…now resumes its pilgrimage: it will first travel through the countries of Eastern and Central Europe, then, starting with Palm Sunday next year, will visit the dioceses of Germany, eventually reaching Cologne," where the 2005 World Youth Day will take place…I also entrust to the delegation that has come from Germany, the icon of Mary. From now on, together with the Cross, she will accompany World Youth Days. The icon will be a sign of Mary's maternal presence with young people, who are called, like the Apostle John, to welcome her in their lives."

Foreign participants travel to cities across Canada to be hosted by young Canadians and: experience local culture and see the beauty of Canada help in social service activities join Canadian youth in times of prayer, pilgrimages and Masses enjoy friendly gatherings – meals, parties, concerts

WYD participants arrive in the Greater Toronto Area, settle into their accommodations and meet the young people of Toronto who will host them along with local Churches and the entire Community

Afternoon
Opening Mass of Welcome
His Eminence Aloysius Cardinal Ambrozic, Archbishop of Toronto, will celebrate the Eucharist at Exhibition Place near downtown Evening Opening Concert at Exhibition Place, featuring Canadian talent.

Morning
Catecheses – times of prayer, discussion and reflection based on the teachings of Bishops from around the world, followed by Mass

Afternoon and Evening
Social Service
Youth Festival, consisting of spiritual, cultural and entertainment activities
Sacrament of Reconciliation

Afternoon
Papal Welcoming Ceremony at Exhibition Place
Sacrament of Reconciliation

Evening
Youth Festival, consisting of spiritual, cultural and entertainment activities
Sacrament of Reconciliation

Evening
Way of the Cross – On University Avenue in downtown Toronto
Sacrament of Reconciliation

Morning and Afternoon
Mass for pilgrims in Toronto churches
Walking pilgrimage to Donsview Lands
Sacrament of Reconciliation at Donsview Lands

Evening
A vigil with the Pope begins at 8:00 p.m. with prayer, music, testimonies and a message from the Pope. The Pope will leave after the vigil and the youth will sleep outside at the Donsview Lands

From 9:30 a.m. until noon, the Pope will celebrate Mass at Donsview Lands. This event is open to all members of the public.

The World Youth Day theme was “You are the salt of the world, you are the light of the world.” These words were heard all around the campus on Exhibition Place. During the catechesis sessions we were reminded of all the different uses for salt and light.

One example was that salt is used to give flavor to food. We as the Youth of the world were told to give the Catholic church the flavor to keep it alive. We should flavor our teachings to attract others who haven’t yet found Christ, to start looking for Him. We were also reminded that salt is used for preserving food. We were reminded to preserve the teachings of Christ for other generations, so that they may enjoy and rejoice in His love.

Another thing that was mentioned was that light is a sign of hope. We as the light of the world should give hope to the rest of the world. WE should never give up and always believe in God.

Another beautiful thing was the Way of the Cross. As we traveled up the streets of Toronto we were reminded of the troubles Jesus went trough. The stages and costumes and procession were put together very beautifully. I’m glad we took part in it.

There are many wonderful things to reflect upon when I think of World Youth Day.

I thought the chance to experience on of the Pope’s Masses would be enough. After the first day I knew that this wasn’t just about coming to see the Pope. It was about meeting people from around the world and experiencing Jesus with them. It was amazing to see people from different cultures and places singing chants for the Pope and praying together with Him as our leader. All the waiting in line for food and waking up early was well worth it. I don’t think there was a single person who said they didn’t enjoy themselves at the World Youth Day. It was an experience I will never forget. MK

World Youth Day provided a once in a lifetime opportunity. Initially I was resistant to taking on the role as Site Coordinator for St. Bernadette School. As the amount of work continued to grow, volunteers stared to sign up and lessen my anxiety. As WYD approached St. Bernadette School was assigned pilgrims from Chile, USA and Canada.

In the first evening as a host site, we saw God as hand at work as a priest from Chile asked if they could say a mass. Before I could get to the phone to talk with Fr. Zygmunt, there he was standing in front of me willing to help set up the mass. Although there were other experiences like this during the week, it was not the pilgrims and their stories that demonstrated God’s presence the most. It was the volunteers that served at St. Bernadette.

Many volunteers went over and beyond any expectations that were placed upon them. Some took the pilgrims laundry home to wash while others prepared real food for the pilgrims to eat when they arrived one night. Some volunteers danced with the pilgrims from Saskatchewan during their morning prayer service.

All of the volunteers shared themselves and their time to help people that they did not know and befriended many of them. God has blessed me with this opportunity and through it, has shown me the true goodness of the people in our community.

On my return to Rome I send you my heartfelt thanks for the warm welcome given me by the Church in Toronto. I am very grateful for all that the Archdiocese did to prepare the Seventeenth World Youth Day and play host to the young people from around the world who came in such numbers and professed their faith in Christ and the Church with such joy and commitment. I am confident that the experience of the World Youth Day will be for the Bishops and faithful a sign of the springtime of faith for which we pray. To you personally and to your collaborators I wish to express my indebtedness for your dedicated efforts and I assure you of my prayers for your ministry. Upon you and your brother Bishops and the entire Canadian Catholic community I invoke the joy and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ and cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing.