For those of you who have never heard of
World Youth Day (WYD), it would be worth your time to look into it (The video that is embedded in the left-hand sidebar on this blog is a WYD promo. Also the picture above was taken at WYD 2005 in Germany.). Every few years the Catholic Church has an international youth "day," which is really about a week, in which the Catholic youth of the world come together to celebrate Christ. I personally have never gone, but my wife and many of my close friends have. WYD does different things for different people. For those already
on fire for their faith, it only deepens their desire for Christ. For those
lukewarm in their faith, it is exactly the type of thing that can enkindle something new. WYD can and usually is a life changing moment. It saddens me that I was never able to attend. I strongly encourage all youth to consider attending a WYD at some point in their lives. The WYD that is upcoming this summer may be difficult to get to, it is July 15-20 in Sydney, Australia, but don't ever rule out what God can provide for you. Below is a commentary on some recent comments of the pope regarding WYD.
ROME, MARCH 12, 2008 (Zenit.org).- As young people worldwide prepare for the upcoming diocesan and international World Youth Days, Benedict XVI is sending out the message that he's looking for more than just a party.
Monsignor Mauro Parmeggiani, Rome’s diocesan director for youth ministry, explained to ZENIT that the Pope wants to transform the traditional meeting with the youth, “which was a sort of party, into a real celebration, not only an external celebration."
The monsignor said the reason to celebrate at a youth day is in reality "an interior one, that of the meeting of man with God, with God’s mercy in his heart; from there Christian joy is born.”
