World Youth Day in Madrid

This year's World Youth Day -- which should really be called World Youth Week because of its length -- will be celebrated in Madrid, Spain less than two months from now. Millions of young pilgrims are scheduled to arrive in Madrid on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, August 25 (or earlier); the week will conclude with a papal Mass at 9 a.m. on Sunday, August 21st.

I am always amazed by the huge numbers of young people from all over the world who attend these World Youth Day gatherings every few years. They began in 1984 when Pope John Pail II invited the world's youth to join him in St. Peter's Square for what he then called an International Jubilee of Youth on Palm Sunday. Over 300,000 young people filled the square causing the pope to remark, "What a fantastic spectacle is presented on this stage by your gathering here today! Who claimed that today's youth has lost their sense of values? Is it really true that they cannot be counted on?" Pope John Paul was so pleased with the turnout he decided to invite them back to Rome the following year for the first official World Youth Day. That was more than 25 years ago and since then World Youth Day has been held in many different locations throughout the world and the numbers attending have climbed considerably.

Surrounded by youth at Sept 2008 Papal Audience

Interestingly, on our visit to Rome for "deacons' week" during the Holy Year 2000, Diane and I were struck by the large numbers of young people we encountered throughout our week-long stay. At every event, at every venue, they vastly outnumbered us "mature" folks, and their enthusiasm and obvious joy were contagious. Since then Diane and I have returned to Rome three times and on each occasion encountered the same phenomenon: huge numbers of enthusiastic, prayerful young people. What a blessing! The mass media inundate us with one story after another depicting angry, self-centered, anarchic youth, who seem to lack any spiritual values whatsoever. How wonderful it is to know that these are not representative of all young people, that many of our youth are actively searching for the Way, the Truth, and the Life and striving to lead lives of holiness.

Keep our young people in your prayers, for they represent the future of our Church and our world. Blessed and guided by the Holy Spirit -- the Spirit of Truth and Wisdom and Love -- they can correct all those foolish mistakes our generations have made and can join in God's work of leading humanity to Jesus Christ. If you can afford it, you might consider helping one or more young people in your parish to make this pilgrimage to Madrid in August.

I've included two brief videos below. The first is the official "invitation video" asking young people to come and join the millions of others who will make this pilgrimage to Madrid, while the second highlights Pope Benedict's plans for making the pilgrimage with them. And here's a link to the official World Youth Day website.