WYD: no “flash in the pan” but extraordinary instrument for evangelisation

Spain has welcomed young people from around the world to its 68 dioceses, while in the capital Madrid finishing touches are being put to the centres for catechism, prayer and reflection that will be held by 270 bishops from around the world in 30 languages.

WYD Madrid 2011 promises to be "a kind of Pentecost", for a Europe plagued by a deepening crisis and a nation in need of renewal, in the words of Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, one of the main organisers of all 26 editions of the global Catholic youth gathering:

“World Youth Day in Madrid is very close now. An important ecclesial event, for the youth of the Church, a fascinating testimony of faith, full of enthusiasm and missionary zeal. The world today - especially Europe - is in urgent need of such testimony. Nevertheless, the fruits of each World Youth Day in the life of young people depend on how they prepare for the event and how they follow up on it in the ordinary youth ministry of the diocese. If these elements are missing, you run the risk that the WYD experience becomes e a proverbial "flash in the pan"! Pope Benedict XVI insists that every World Youth Day should mark a new beginning for youth ministry ... And fortunately this awareness continues to mature in the lives of many local churches. World Youth Days have now become an integral part of the pastoral care of the Church towards the younger generations”.

“The post-modern world is going through a difficult and deep crisis. Relativism creates a dangerous vacuum of common values ​​and meaning. The post-modern culture is a "liquid" culture with no fixed points of reference and - consequently - produces rootless people, who are deprived of safe and sound foundations in their lives ... In this situation, especially among young people, there is a growing need to find real roots in their human and Christian identity, for a foundation on which to build their lives. And the World Youth Day in Madrid aims to be a clear and persuasive answer to those needs of people today: that the foundation exists and is a living Person who has a name, Jesus Christ!”

“Spain is like a vast laboratory where the serious problems and challenges of post-modernity have manifested themselves with particular force. Such as the phenomenon of secularization, the trends towards a radical secularism, the laws of the State which are clearly opposed to natural law (the right to life, the nature of marriage and the family) ... and even the serious problem of the economic crisis, such as youth unemployment, which is constantly on the increase... Without doubt, Spanish society is hungry for hope, it urgently wants to find prospects for the future ... And in this very challenging environment today, the Church of Spain - thanks to World Youth Day - is called to rediscover its prophetic vocation and a new evangelistic courage”.

Pope Benedict XVI’s invitation to World Youth Day is addressed to all young people worldwide. In his Message for World Youth Day in Madrid, the Pope writes: "I would like all young people – those who share our faith in Jesus Christ, but also those who are wavering or uncertain, or who do not believe in him – to share this experience, which can prove decisive for their lives. It is an experience of the Lord Jesus, risen and alive, and of his love for each of us". Over the past 25 years, World Youth Day has proved to be an extraordinarily efficient instrument of evangelization of the youth, who are the also main protagonists of evangelisation.

Moreover, the experience of World Youth Day can not be limited to those who can afford the long and often expensive journey. The young people have created a Solidarity Fund, in order to provide financial assistance to their peers from poorer countries to meet the expenses. Young people from wealthier countries have offered 10 euros each. It is thus a Fund - managed by our Council - which has allowed us to meet the needs of young people most in need of financial assistance. But this is not enough! The television and internet can help young people from distant countries to attend the event in real time. Our Council has urged, therefore, the various local Churches, ecclesial movements and new communities to organize events that make use of these tools. And the result so far achieved is encouraging! World Youth Day can now be experienced in real time and in a capillary way in many environments, helping young people to live this unforgettable experience of faith”. Listen to Emer McCarthy's report:

(PHOTO/EPA: A visitor prints a cross on his wrist prior to visiting the exhibition Chased Christians Saturday in Madrid. The exhibition shows pictures about the situation of 350 million Christians that, according to the World Youth Day organization, are chased in the world).