World Youth Day

World Youth Day (WYD) is an event for young people organized by the Catholic Church.

Not to be confused with International Youth Day or World Festival of Youth and Students.

Map of World Youth Day locations. Countries that have hosted at least one WYD are shaded green.

World Youth Day was initiated by Pope John Paul II in 1985. Its concept has been influenced by the Light-Life Movement that has existed in Poland since the 1960s, where during summer camps Catholic young adults over 13 days of camp celebrated a "day of community". For the first celebration of WYD in 1986, bishops were invited to schedule an annual youth event to be held every Palm Sunday in their dioceses. It is celebrated at the diocesan level annually, and at the international level every two to three years at different locations. The 1995 World Youth Day closing Mass in the Philippines set a world record for the largest number of people gathered for a single religious event with 5 million attendees— a record surpassed when 6 million attended a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in the Philippines 20 years later in 2015.

Traditional process

World Youth Day is commonly celebrated in a way similar to many events. The most emphasized and well known traditional theme is the unity and presence of numerous different cultures. Flags and other national declarations are displayed among mainly young people to show their attendance at the events and proclaim their own themes of Catholicism. Such is usually done through chants and singing of other national songs involving a Catholic theme.

Over the course of the major events taking place, national objects are traded between pilgrims. Flags, shirts, crosses, and other Catholic icons are carried amongst pilgrims which are later traded as souvenirs to other people from different countries of the world. A unity of acceptance among people is also common, with all different cultures coming together to appreciate one another.

Other widely recognized traditions include the Pope's public appearance, commencing with his arrival around the city in the "Popemobile" and then with his final Mass held at the event. A festival in Sydney (2008) recorded an estimated distance of a 10-kilometre walk as roads and other public transport systems were closed off.

Pope Benedict XVI criticized the tendency to view WYD as a kind of rock festival; he stressed that the event should not be considered a "variant of modern youth culture" but as the fruition of a "long exterior and interior path".[1]

History

1987 to 1993

1987 WYD was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 1989 WYD took place in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. 1991 WYD was held in Częstochowa, Poland. 1993 WYD was celebrated in Denver, Colorado, United States.

1995 to 2005
A view of the celebratory vibe outside the Cologne Cathedral in Germany (2005). The participation of Catholics from many countries worldwide results in an enhanced and collaborate spiritual experience.

At WYD 1995, 5 million youths gathered at Luneta Park in Manila, Philippines, an event recognized as the largest crowd ever by the Guinness World Records.[2] In an initial comment immediately following the event, Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, stated that over 4 million people had participated.[3]

1997 WYD was held in Paris, France. 2000 WYD took place in Rome, Italy. 2002 WYD was held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 2005 WYD was celebrated in Cologne, Germany. Thomas Gabriel composed for the final Mass on 21 August 2005 the Missa mundi (Mass of the world), representing five continents in style and instrumentation, in a European Kyrie influenced by the style of Bach, a South American Gloria with guitars and pan flutes, an Asian Credo with sitar, an African Sanctus with drums, and an Australian Agnus Dei with didgeridoos.[4]

2008
Main article: World Youth Day 2008

Sydney, Australia, was chosen as the host of the 2008 World Youth Day celebrations. At the time it was announced in 2005, WYD 2008 was commended by the then Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, and the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell.[5] World Youth Day 2008 was held in Sydney, with the Papal Mass held on the Sunday at Randwick Racecourse.

The week saw pilgrims from all continents participate in the Days in the Diocese program hosted by Catholic dioceses throughout Australia and New Zealand. Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Sydney on 13 July 2008 at Richmond Air Force Base. Cardinal Pell celebrated the Opening Mass at Barangaroo (East Darling Harbour) with other activities including the re-enactment of Christ's passion during the Stations of the Cross and the pope's boat cruise through Sydney Harbour. Pilgrims participated in a variety of youth festivities including visits to St Mary's Cathedral, daily catechesis and Mass led by bishops from around the world, concerts, visits to the tomb of Saint Mary MacKillop, the Vocations Expo at Darling Harbour, reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and praying before the Blessed Sacrament during Adoration. The Mass and concert at Barangaroo saw an estimated crowd of 150,000.

The event attracted 250,000 foreign visiting pilgrims to Sydney, with an estimated 400,000 pilgrims attending Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI on 20 July.[6]

On 12 June 2008, Xt3.com, a Catholic social online network and news site, was launched as the Official Catholic Social Network of WYD. It was considered to be a direct fruit of WYD08, just as Salt + Light Television was a direct fruit of World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto. The name was an abbreviation for "Christ in the Third Millennium" and is operated by the Archdiocese of Sydney, with the support of Archbishop Cardinal George Pell. The site was closed in 2019.

In December 2012, the xt3 team produced a 'Gangnam Style' Advent video.[7]

Crowd at Barangaroo, Sydney, for first day of WYD08 celebrations

In May 2007, it was reported that Guy Sebastian's song "Receive the Power" had been chosen as official anthem for World Youth Day (WYD08) to be held in Sydney in 2008. The song was co-written by Guy Sebastian and Gary Pinto, with vocals by Paulini.[8][9]

"Receive the Power"[10] was used extensively throughout the six days of World Youth Day in July 2008 and also in worldwide television coverage.[11]

In November 2008, a 200-page book, Receive the Power, was launched to commemorate World Youth Day 2008.[12]

2011
Main article: World Youth Day 2011

Following the celebration of Holy Mass at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on 20 July 2008, Pope Benedict XVI announced that the next International World Youth Day 2011 would be held in Madrid, Spain. This event was held from 16–21 August 2011.

There were nine official patron saints[13] for World Youth Day 2011 in addition to Pope St. John Paul II: St. Isidore, St. John of the Cross, St. María de la Cabeza, St. John of Ávila, St. Teresa of Ávila, St. Rose of Lima, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Rafael Arnáiz, and St. Francis Xavier patron of world missions. During his address to seminarians, Benedict announced that the Spanish mystic and patron of Spanish diocesan clerics St. John of Ávila would become a "Doctor of the Church",[14] a designation granted to only 34 saints throughout the twenty centuries of Church history.

An estimated 2,000,000 people attended an all-night vigil to complete the week, more than expected.

Pope Francis arrives at Copacabana, 26 July 2013

2013
Main article: World Youth Day 2013

Since 2002, World Youth Day has been held every three years. After the 2011 event the next World Youth Day was scheduled a year earlier than usual, in 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in order to avoid any conflict with the 2014 FIFA World Cup being held in 12 different host cities throughout Brazil and the 2016 Summer Olympics being held in Rio de Janeiro. More than 3 Million catholic youth had gathered for the event from across the world.

2016
Main article: World Youth Day 2016

Pope Francis announced at the end of closing Mass for World Youth Day 2013 that Kraków, Poland, would be the venue for World Youth Day 2016.[15] An estimated three million people attended. Young people from many different countries around the world took part in the week-long event which began on 25 July 2016, and ended on 31 July 2016 with an open-air mass led by Pope Francis at Campus Misericordiae where he announced that the next World Youth Day will take place in Panama, Central America in 2019. The theme for this year's World Youth Day was "Blessed Are The Merciful, For They Shall Obtain Mercy", tying in closely with the Year of Mercy, which was initiated by Pope Francis on 8 December 2015 and concluded 20 November 2016.

2019
Main article: World Youth Day 2019

At the Concluding Mass for World Youth Day 2016 in Kraków, Pope Francis announced that Panama City would host World Youth Day in 2019.[16] The World Youth Day was held from Tuesday 22 January until Sunday 27 January.

2023
Main article: World Youth Day 2023

At the concluding mass in Panama City, Cardinal Kevin Farell announced that the next World Youth Day will be in Lisbon, Portugal.[17] Originally scheduled to be held in August 2022, the Holy See announced on April 20, 2020, that it will be postponed until August 2023 due to the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic.[18] It is not yet known whether the event will retain the name World Youth Day 2022, or whether it will be changed to reflect the postponement.

Chronology of celebrations
# Year Date City Country Continent Attendance[19]
[upper-alpha 1]		 Theme Anthem Mass venue Notes
1 198414–15 AprilVatican City  Vatican CityEurope300,000Holy Year of the Redemption: A Festival of Hope"Resta Qui Con Noi"Saint Peter's Square
  • Pope John Paul II entrusts the WYD Cross to the Youth
  • First WYD in Southern Europe
  • First WYD in Europe
  • First WYD in a Romance-language-speaking (Italian) country
2 198530–31 MarchRome ItalyEurope300,000International Youth Year"Christus Pax Nostra"Saint Peter's Square
  • Second WYD in Southern Europe
  • Second WYD in Europe
3 19876–12 AprilBuenos Aires ArgentinaSouth America1,000,000"We have recognized the love that God has for us, and we have believed in it."(1 Jn 4:16)"Un Nuevo Sol"
Avenida 9 de Julio
  • First WYD outside Vatican City
  • First WYD outside Europe
  • First WYD in South America
  • First WYD outside Rome to be held outside the months of July/August.
  • First WYD in Southern Hemisphere
4 198919–20 AugustSantiago de Compostela SpainEurope600,000I am the Way, the Truth and the Life (Jn 14:6)"Somos Los Jóvenes"
Monte do Gozo
  • First WYD in Southwestern Europe
  • Third WYD in Europe
5 199110–15 AugustCzęstochowa PolandEurope1,600,000You have received a spirit of children (Rom 8:15)"Abba Ojcze"
Jasna Góra Monastery
  • First WYD in Central Europe
  • Fourth WYD in Europe
  • First WYD in a Slavic-language-speaking (Polish) country
  • First WYD in the Pope's native country
6 199310–15 AugustDenver United StatesNorth America700,000I came that they might have life, and have it to the full (Jn 10:10)"(We Are) One Body"
Cherry Creek State Park
  • First WYD in North America
  • First WYD in a Germanic-language-speaking (English) country
7 199510–15 JanuaryManila PhilippinesAsia5,000,000As the Father has sent me, so am I sending you (Jn 20:21)"Tell the World of His Love"
Luneta Park
  • 2nd largest Papal gathering (Next to Papal Visit 2015)
  • First WYD held in Southeastern Asia
  • First WYD in Asia
  • First WYD in a country with a non-Indo-European language
  • Second WYD outside Rome to be held outside the months of July/August.
  • First WYD to be located inside the tropical zone.
8 199719–24 AugustParis France[20]Europe1,200,000Teacher, where do you live? Come and see (cf. Jn 1:38–39)"Maître Et Seigneur"
Longchamp Racecourse
9 200015–20 AugustRome ItalyEurope2,000,000The Word has became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn 1:14)"Emmanuel"
Tor Vergata
  • Held on the occasion of the Great Jubilee
  • Third WYD in Southern Europe
  • Sixth WYD in Europe
10 200223–28 JulyToronto CanadaNorth America800,000You are the salt of the earth ... you are the light of the world (Mt 5:13–14)"Lumière Du Monde/Light Of The World"
Downsview Park
11 200516–21 AugustCologne GermanyEurope1,000,000[21][22]We have come to worship Him (Mt 2:2)"Venimus Adorare Eum"
Marienfeld
  • First WYD attended by Pope Benedict XVI, himself a native German.
  • Second WYD in Western Europe
  • Seventh WYD in Europe
12 200815–20 JulySydney AustraliaOceania400,000[23]You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses. (Ac 1:8)"Receive the Power"
Randwick Racecourse
  • First WYD in Oceania
13 201116–21 AugustMadrid Spain[24]Europe1,400,000- 2,000,000[25][26][27]Rooted and built up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the Faith (Col 2:7)[28]"Firmes en la Fe"Cuatro Vientos Airport
  • Last WYD attended by Pope Benedict XVI
  • Second WYD in Southwestern Europe
  • Eighth WYD in Europe
14 201323–28 JulyRio de Janeiro Brazil[29]South America3,700,000[30]Go and make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19)"Esperança do Amanhecer"
Copacabana Beach
  • First WYD attended by Pope Francis, himself from South America
  • Second WYD in South America
  • The first WYD where all the major events took place in one location
15 201626–31 JulyKraków PolandEurope3,500,000[31]Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. (Mt 5:7)[32]"Błogosławieni miłosierni"
Brzegi, Wieliczka County
16 201922–27 JanuaryPanama City PanamaCentral America700,000[33]I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word (Lk 1:38)[34]"Hágase en mí, según tu palabra"
Metro Park, Juan Díaz, Panama City
  • First WYD to take place in Central America
  • Third WYD outside Rome to be held outside the months of July/August.
17 2023[upper-alpha 2]August 2023Lisbon  PortugalEuropeMary arose and went with haste. (Lk 1:39)[35]
  • Tenth WYD in Europe
  • Third WYD in Southwestern Europe

Note 02This lists languages used in the main international version of the anthem. Local versions of the anthem in other languages (and alternate versions) may have also been produced.

Diocesan
Diocesan level celebrations (celebrated on Palm Sunday each year)
DateTheme
23 March 1986Always be prepared to make a defence to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you. (1 Pt 3:15)
27 March 1988Do whatever he tells you. (Jn 2:5)
8 April 1990I am the vine, you are the branches. (Jn 15:5)
12 April 1992Go into all the world and preach the Gospel. (Mk 16:15)
27 March 1994As the Father sent me, so am I sending you. (Jn 20: 21)
31 March 1996Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. (Jn 6:68)
5 April 1998The Holy Spirit will teach you all things. (cf. Jn 14:26 )
28 March 1999The Father loves you. (cf. Jn 16:27)
8 April 2001If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (Lk 9:23)
13 April 2003Behold, your mother! (Jn 19:27)
4 April 2004We wish to see Jesus. (Jn 12:21)
9 April 2006Your word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path. (Ps 119:105)
1 April 2007Just as I have loved you; you also should love one another. (Jn 13:34)
5 April 2009We have set our hope on the Living God. (1 Tim 4:10)[28]
28 March 2010Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? (Mk 10:17)[28]
1 April 2012Rejoice in the Lord Always (Philip 4:4)
13 April 2014Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Mt 5:3)[32]
29 March 2015Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (Mt 5:8)[32]
9 April 2017 The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name (Lk 1:49)
25 March 2018 Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God (Lk 1:30)[36]
5 April 2020 Young man, I say to you, arise! (Lk 7:14)[37]
28 March 2021 Stand up! I appoint you as witnesses of what you have seen. (Acts 26:16)[38]
10 April 2022

Typical schedule of events

International level
World Youth Day – Overview of Week
Up to week beforeTueWedThuFriSatSun
Morning Days in the dioceses:
  • Catechetical sessions around host and nearby dioceses
 Day of official arrival and welcome for pilgrims Catechetical session with participating bishops Walking pilgrimage to vigil site Closing ceremonies:
  • Morning prayers are led by participating bishops
  • Mass is celebrated by the Pope
  • Next host diocese is announced by the Pope after Mass
Afternoon Opening ceremonies
  • Holy Mass is celebrated by the local ordinary of the host diocese
 Afternoon shows, music, prayer and reconciliation opportunities The Pope officially arrives at WYD and delivers his welcome address at a prayer service Afternoon shows, music, prayer and reconciliation opportunities Afternoon shows, music, prayer and reconciliation opportunities at vigil site
Evening Evening shows, music, prayer and reconciliation opportunities Stations of the Cross Eucharistic Adoration

Diocesan level

At the diocesan level celebrations are decided by a local team usually appointed by the ordinary.

Since these celebrations usually occur during Palm Sunday, it almost always includes the Mass of Passion Sunday – when Jesus' entry to Jerusalem in his final days is commemorated.

Music, prayer, reconciliation opportunities, as well as adoration of the Blessed Sacrament may also be part of the celebrations.

Notes
  1. Attendance numbers reflect the total number at the closing Mass, which includes many locals who attended only that one event.
  2. Originally in 2022 but postponed until 2023.
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References
  1. nsymmonds (22 December 2008). "Statements of Benedict XVI". Blog.beliefnet.com. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  2. "World Youth Day". Fr. Gary Coulter.
  3. "Pope John Paul II to be listed in Guinness Book of Records (English)". Rome Reports.
  4. "XX. World Youth Day 2005, Cologne". Carus-Verlag. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  5. "Australians delighted at 2008 World Youth Day"
  6. "400,000 fill Randwick Racecourse for WYD08 Final Mass". Wyd2008.org. Archived from the original on 11 August 2008. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  7. What is Advent? Gangnam Style!
  8. "Zenit. Australian Idol Wrote World Youth Day Anthem, retrieved on 25 May 2008". Zenit.org. 16 May 2007. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  9. "Wyd2008 The World Youth Day 2008 song, Receive the Power, retrieved on 25 May 2008". Wyd2008.org. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  10. "Receive the Power Myspace video". Vids.myspace.com. 26 April 2009. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  11. "wyd2008. Pope Benedict XVI thanks volunteers and leaves Australia happy and blessed. Retrieved 1st March 2009". Wyd2008.org. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  12. "Catholic News: More power for WYD pilgrims. November 25, 2008". Cathnews.com. 25 November 2008. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  13. "Patron saints announced for WYD 2011 in Madrid". Catholic News Agency. 4 May 2010. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  14. "Pope Benedict Announces Another Doctor of the Church". Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  15. "World Youth Day 2013 Live Blog: Pope presides at closing Mass on Copacabana Beach, Rio". Catholic Herald.
  16. http://panama19.com/2016/08/01/we-are-waiting-for-you-in-panama/
  17. https://cruxnow.com/world-youth-day-panama/2019/01/27/portugal-to-host-next-world-youth-day/
  18. "Declaration of the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni". Holy See Press Office. Holy See. 20 April 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  19. Figures for 1985–2013: Kraśnicka-Wilk, Izabela (2016). World Youth Day Krakow 2016. Selected research results (PDF). Warsaw: Narodowe Centrum Kultury. p. 31. ISBN 978-83-7982-249-2. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  20. "Baptismal Vigil with Young People". Vatican.va. 23 August 1997. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  21. WYD08 FAQs – About... Q6
  22. New South Wales Parliament Hansard – [World Youth Day 2005] culminated in Pope Benedict XVI announcing on 21 August 2005 before 1.2 million people in Cologne, Germany
  23. "WYD08 Pope Benedict XVI thanks volunteers and leaves Australia happy and blessed". Wyd2008.org. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  24. Hundreds of Thousands gather for pope's youth finale – SBS News Archived 30 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  25. "Cerca de un millón y medio de personas reciben al Papa en Cuatro Vientos" (in Spanish). Europapress.es. 21 August 2011. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  26. juan vicente boo / corresponsal en el vaticano (21 August 2011). "Dos millones de oraciones" (in Spanish). ABC.es. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  27. "WYD: Looking back on the Pope's visit to Madrid". News.va. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  28. "Holy Father chooses themes for future World Youth Days". Catholicnewsagency.com. 16 December 2008. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  29. "Brazil to host World Youth Day, pope announces", CNN, Al Goodman, 21 August 2011
  30. "JMJ Rio 2013" (in Portuguese).
  31. Kraśnicka-Wilk, Izabela (2016). World Youth Day Krakow 2016. Selected research results (PDF). Warsaw: Narodowe Centrum Kultury. p. 32. ISBN 978-83-7982-249-2. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  32. "Pope Francis announces themes for World Youth Days". 7 November 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  33. Lovett, Seàn-Patrick (27 January 2019). "Pope to Youth at WYD Mass: "You are the Now of God"". Vatican News. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  34. Francis announces Panama as WYD venue for 2019
  36. http://panama19.com/2016/11/22/we-know-the-motto-of-the-meeting-of-young-people-from-the-pope/
  37. https://www.vaticannews.va/pt/papa/news/2019-06/papa-francisco-forum-jovens-sinodo-jmj.html/
  38. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-announces-marian-theme-of-world-youth-day-2022-in-lisbon-79540/

Further reading
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