Just a 100 days left for World Youth Day,says Madrid’s Cardinal
(May 10, 2011) A new Pentecost is looming just over the horizon, with only 100 days
till the World Youth Day in the Spanish capital Madrid, said Cardinal Antonio Rouco
Varela, Archbishop of the host city. The prelate called the faithful of his archdiocese
to the final leg of preparation in a note released on Sunday. The Madrid World Youth
Day is scheduled for Aug. 16-21. "We have not failed to prepare ourselves spiritually
and pastorally, so that Madrid's World Youth Day with Pope Benedict XVI, accompanied
by bishops from all the dioceses of the world, will again be the providential occasion
for a profound, authentic and joyful encounter with Jesus Christ, who calls young
people in his Church so that their lives, often depressed and broken, and others -fresh
and vigorous, will be rooted and built up in him. Jesus is the only one who can give
them truth, hope and love," the cardinal said. Cardinal Rouco Varela also spoke
of the enormous evangelizing potential of World Youth Day, born from the singular
apostolic charism of Blessed John Paul II, and designed pastorally by him. He urged
the faithful of Madrid to prepare to welcome and support the flood of pilgrims. So
far, some 340,000 pilgrims from 170 nations have registered. The Cardinal also called
on the local people to participate in the events. He said "Let us take profound advantage
of the exceptional grace of this 'new Pentecost' of the young people of the world."