world youth day

NEWS REGARDING WORLD YOUTH DAY

The preparations for the XXVI World Youth Day 2011 has officially begun and World Youth Day organizers in Spain announced on 1st October 2009 that they are expecting some two million to attend the international youth event in 2011, a number “ten times greater than the Olympic Games.

WYD 2011 Director of Communications, Yago de la Cierva, said Pope Benedict would be welcomed at the Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid, where he will celebrate the opening Mass. Madrid's Mayor Alberto Ruiz Gallardon said the Mayor’s office building would be turned into “the great sacristy of Madrid” for the one thousand bishops expected to concelebrate.

On Friday, the Way of the Cross will take place along the city's famous thoroughfare the “Paseo de la Castellana,” where the fourteen stations will be decorated with renowned artistic pieces. The city’s central park, known as “Parque del Retiro,” will host the “Festival of Forgiveness,” where young people will be able to receive the sacrament of Confession.

On Saturday, the Cuatro Vientos stadium will host the vigil, “a cultural and musical event that will transform itself as the hours pass in the prayer vigil.” After spending the night under the stars, the closing Mass will be celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday morning.

The organization of WYD 2011 is being spearheaded by Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela of Madrid and Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. Six teams of organizers and some ten thousand volunteers will be involved in the execution of the event.

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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE XXVI WORLD YOUTH DAY 2011 WEEK (15th - 21st AUGUST 2011)

Opening Mass: 15th August 2011 (Solemnity of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven)
Main Celebrant: His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
Con-Celebrants: His Excellencies Cardinals, His Lordships Arch/Bishops & Priests of the World
Venue: Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid, Spain
Time: TBA

Stations of the Cross: 19th August 2011
Venue: Paseo de la Castellana, Madrid, Spain
Time: TBA (tentatively 3:00 p.m. Spaniard time)

Festival of Forgiveness (Sacrament of Reconciliation): 19th August 2011
Venue: Parque del Retiro, Madrid, Spain
Time: Throughout the day

Evening Vigil with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI: 20th August 2011
Venue: Cuatro Vientos Stadium, Madrid, Spain
Time: Evening onwards

Final and Concluding Mass of the XXVI World Youth Day 2011 & the Announcement of the Host City of the XXIX World Youth Day 2014
Main Celebrant: His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
Con-Celebrants: His Excellencies Cardinals, His Lordships Arch/Bishops & Priests of the World
Venue: Cuatro Vientos Stadium, Madrid, Spain
Time: TBA (tentatively 10:00 a.m. onwards Spaniard time)
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PRAYER FOR WORLD YOUTH DAY 2011

God our Father, we place the preparation
for World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid, in
your hands.
Save and protect Pope Benedict and all
the pastors of the Church.
Enlighten and strengthen all those
preparing this event.
Grant them wisdom and strength to carry
out their work.
Help our community to prepare deeply for
this ecclesial event.
Amen

Lord Jesus Christ,
before your ascension, you promised to be
with your Church until the end of the
world.
Bless and multiply the efforts of all
volunteers
and staff of World Youth Day.
Make your collaborators in the work of
redemption
for this event, take root and build in Christ,
the
young people from Spain and worldwide.
Amen

Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life,
pour out your grace upon the lands of
Spain.
Open the hearts of the Spanish to the
reception to all young people who come to
the event.
Grant to those who attend, a conversion in
their lives.
Make them strong in faith, hope and
charity.
Amen.

Mary, Immaculate Mother, patroness of
Spain, pray for us.
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1) Spanish bishops are urging the Pope to name a patron saint for the 2011 event; they have suggested Blessed Mary Raphael Baron, who will be canonized in late 2009 by Benedict.

2) Pope Benedict XVI to celebrate XXVI World Youth Day 2011 Opening Mass on Solemnity of Feast of the Assumption @ Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid, Spain. 2 million people is expected to attend. 2nd largest World Youth Day after the 1995 WYD in the Philippines.

Ryan A
Administrator