World Youth Days have become an integral part of world youth ministry: Cardinal
Rylko
March 29, 2012: International Meeting of Leaders of World Youth Day with the theme
‘WYD Madrid 2011 - Rio 2013 World Youth Day’ opened on Thursday, in Rocca di Papa,
outside Rome. The four day meet, 29 March to 1st April is coordinated by
the Pontifical Council for the Laity. Addressing the delegates from 98 countries on
five continents, Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, President of the Council said that World
Youth Days have become an integral part of youth ministry in the world. The delegation of the Organizing Committee of World Youth Day in Madrid and the Delegation of the Organizing Committee of World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro share their experiences and plans during the meet.
Cardinal Rylko said that the delegates from the 98 countries on five continents are sent by the respective commissions for Youth of the Episcopal Conferences, 45 ecclesial movements, new communities and international youth organizations.
The first day of the meet will evaluate the unforgettable World Youth Day in Madrid 2011. Recalling the words of Pope Benedict XVI, the Cardinal said that World Youth "is a signal, a cascade of light, and give visibility to the faith, the visible presence of God in the world", the Cardinal added.
More than a million young people from various parts of the globe, gave a testimony of faith in Madrid that astonished the whole world. It was a real epiphany for a young Church, full of joy and missionary zeal.
The World Youth Day in Madrid has left a deep imprint in the hearts of Pope Benedict XVI.
"spirituality of GMG" deserve a thorough and continuous study: a new experience of the universality of the Church, a new way to experience being human, being Christian, Eucharistic adoration, the sacramental celebration of reconciliation.
Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela, will speak of the pastoral fruits that the Church of Madrid have collected in the aftermath of World Youth Day. Other representatives will share other important aspects of this extraordinary event. Finally, the young people themselves share: how they lived the last World Youth Day, what hit them.
The second day is dedicated for the World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro in 2013m with the theme: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations." It is acontinental mission project sponsored by the Fifth Conference of Latin American Bishops in Aparecida in 2007.
The last day of our work will make us reflect, finally, the ultimate purpose of the GMG, a new awareness of the importance of the Church in favor of the younger generations, in the words of Blessed John Paul II: " The Church has much to say to young people and youth have much to say to the Church ... ".
At the concluding day, Palm Sunday, Pope Benedict himself will address the delegates in St. Peter's Square for the diocesan celebration of the 27th World Youth Day. It is significant that the day was chosen because of Palm Sunday, Passion Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week as a time for the diocesan celebration of World Youth Day. We want to recall the reason for this choice as it was well explained by Blessed John Paul II: "Young people want to seek Christ in the heart of his mystery, that in the Paschal Mystery .."
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