World Youth Day

What is World Youth Day?

World Youth Day is an unbelievable weeklong spiritual journey where pilgrims from all over the world unite to share their faith. The week includes prayer, song, concerts, drama, sharing, liturgy, catechesis, and an unforgettable vigil and closing mass with the Holy Father. In 1984, the Pope John Paul II invited young people from all over the world to participate in a pilgrimage at the very first World Youth Day. Since then it has been held in Argentina (’87), Spain (’89), Poland (’91), Denver, U.S. (’93), Philippines (’95), Paris, France (’97), Rome, Italy (’00), Toronto, Canada (’02), Cologne, Germany (’05) and Sydney, Australia ('08).

Since 1984, Pope John Paul II has been gathering young people from all over the world. The history of attendance at previous World Youth Days (at the closing mass with the Pope) is as follows:

YEAR	LOCATION	USA ATTENDANCE	TOTAL ATTENDANCE
1984/5	Rome, Italy	Not known	Two gatherings of 300,000 each
1987	Buenos Aires, Argentina	Not known	900,000
1989	Santiago de Compostela, Spain	Not known	400,000
1991	Czestochowa, Poland	Not known	1,600,000
1993	Denver, USA	180,000	500,000
1995	Manila, Philippines	1,000	4,000,000
1997	Paris, France	13,000	1,200,000
2000	Rome, Italy	20,000	2,000,000
2002	Toronto, Canada	57,000	800,000
2005	Cologne, Germany	25,000	1,000,000
2008	Sydney, Australia	10,000+ expected	500,000 expected

Even though the international World Youth Day gatherings happen about every 2-3 years, World Youth Day itself is celebrated each year. Some of the 'total attendance" numbers above reflect the total population at the closing Mass which includes many locals who attended only that one event.

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.

  World Youth Day Typical Schedule of Events (2011's events will begin on Monday)

	Tues	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Morning Afternoon Evening	Day of Welcoming Arrival and Welcome Opening ceremony	Catechetical Session w/ participating bishops afternoon and evening shows, music, prayer opportunities	Catechetical Session w/ participating bishops afternoon and evening shows, music, prayer opportunities	Catechetical Session w/ participating bishops afternoon and evening shows, music, prayer opportunities Stations of the Cross	Pilgrimage to Vigil Site Vigil Celebration & sleep over	Closing Liturgy w/ Holy Father