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."