John Paul II, St. Therese of Lisieux among WYD Rio patron saints

(June 01, 2012) Blessed John Paul II and St. Teresa of Child Jesus have been chosen among the patrons and 13 intercessors of the World Youth Day celebrations next year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. “Each one, who allowed him or herself to be guided by the Holy Spirit, is an example to follow for all people, especially young people,” said Archbishop Orani Joao Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro, the president of the WYD 2012 organizing committee. “We place all the young people who will come to Rio de Janeiro in the hands of God and Mary, and of the patron saints and intercessors,” he said during his announcement. The patron saints for the event are Our Lady of Aparecida, St. Sebastian (the patron saint of Rio de Janeiro), St. Anthony of Santana Galvao, St. Therese of the Child Jesus and Blessed Pope John Paul II. Among the 13 intercessors are the first saint of America, St. Rose of Lima; the first Chilean saint, St. Teresa of the Andes; Blessed Laura Vicuna; Blessed Joseph of Anchieta and Blessed Albertine Berkenbrock. Other intercessors include Blessed Chiara Luce Badano; Blessed Sister Dulce; Blessed Adilio Daronch; Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati; Blessed Isidore Bakanja; Blessed Ozanam; St. George and Saints Andrew Kim and companions, known as the martyrs of Korea.
World Youth Day Toronto in 2002 was the first to choose patron saints for the global youth event. Since then, a group of saints and blessed have been chosen for each World Youth Day. World Youth Day in Rio will be held from July 23-28, next year, with hundreds of thousands expected to attend including Pope Benedict XVI.