World Youth Day

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World Youth Day is a gathering of young people, initiated by Pope John Paul II in 1984. Occurring every three years it is celebrated on a diocesan level annually, and at a week-long international level every two to three years at different locations, attracting hundreds of thousands of youths from almost every country on the planet. It is a major part of the upsurge in Catholic Youth Work over recent years.

The 2005 World Youth Day Day was the first such gathering to occur after the death of John Paul II. Held in Cologne, Germany, the World Youth Day Day also marked the first apostolic journey of Pope Benedict XVI, and it was also the first time the Pope had traveled outside of Italy since his election.

On 21 August 2005, perched on a hill at Marienfeld outside Cologne, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI blessed the young people of Australia by inviting the youth of the world to proclaim and celebrate the Holy Spirit in Sydney, Australia in 2008.

"And now, as the living presence of the Risen Christ in our midst nourishes our faith and hope, I am pleased to announce that the next World Youth Day will take place in Sydney, Australia, in 2008. We entrust to the maternal guidance of Mary most holy, the future course of the young people of the whole world." (His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, Marienfield, WYD 2005)

The theme of World Youth Day 2008 will be "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses" (Acts1:8)

Purpose

The purpose of World Youth Day is threefold:

1. Gathering together: World Youth Day is a coming together of young people from all over the world and a strong reminder of the strength and confidence the young bring to the Catholic Church today. A calling for the world's youth to come together as one people.
2. Putting trust in the young: World Youth Day is not simply a gathering for the young people of the world, but a time to put trust in the world's youth.
3. Meeting the international world on a human level: It is still a marvel in this the 21st Century to exchange with others and to be a part of an international experience. International events are able to stir much hope but also many fears (increase in fundamentalism, nationalism and other new conflicts). The Catholic Church and Christians feel themselves to have a role to play in preventing the development of these fears, and in aiding each person in finding their way and discovering hope.

Chronology of celebrations

International

World Youth Day

International level celebrations

1984 | 1985 | 1987 | 1989 | 1991 | 1993 | 1995 | 1997 | 2000 | 2002 | 2005 | 2008

　

International level celebrations

Year	Dates	Location	Attendance1	Theme
1984	April 15	Rome,  Italy	300,000	Holy Year of Redemption
1985	March 31	Rome,  Italy	300,000	International Youth Year
1987	April 11–12	Buenos Aires,  Argentina	900,000	We ourselves have known and put our faith in God’s love towards ourselves (1Jn 4:16)
1989	August 15–20	Santiago de Compostela,  Spain	400,000	I am the Way, the Truth and the Life (Jn 14:6)
1991	August 10–15	Częstochowa,  Poland	1,600,000	You have received a spirit of sonship (Rom 8:15)
1993	August 10–15	Denver,  United States Final mass held at Cherry Creek State Park	500,000	I came that they might have life, and have it to the full (Jn 10:10)
1995	January 10–15	Manila,  Philippines Final mass held at Luneta Park	5,000,000 [Holds the World record of the largest Papal assembly in history]	As the Father sent me, so am I sending you (Jn 20:21)
1997	August 19–24	Paris,  France Final mass held at Longchamps	1,200,000	Teacher, where are you staying? Come and see (cf. Jn 1:38-39)
2000	August 15–20	Rome,  Italy Final mass held at Tor Vergata	2,000,000	The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn 1:14)
2002	July 23–28	Toronto,  Canada Final mass held at Downsview Park	800,000	You are the salt of the earth ... you are the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-14)
2005	August 16–21	Cologne,  Germany Final mass held at Marienfeld	1,200,000+	We have come to worship Him (Mt 2:2)
2008	July 15–20	Sydney,  Australia Final mass to be held at Randwick Racecourse		You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses. (Acts 1:8)

¹Attendance numbers reflect the total number at the closing Mass which includes many locals who attended only that one event.

Diocesan

Diocesan level celebrations (celebrated on Palm Sunday each year)

Date	Theme
March 23, 1986	Always be prepared to make a defence to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you (1Pt 3:15)
March 27, 1988	Do whatever he tells you (Jn 2:5)
April 8, 1990	I am the vine, you are the branches (Jn 15:5)
April 12, 1992	Go into all the world and preach the Gospel (Mk 16:15)
March 27, 1994	As the Father sent me, so am I sending you (Jn 20: 21)
March 31, 1996	Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life (Jn 6:68).
April 5, 1998	The Holy Spirit will teach you all things (cf Jn 14:26 )
March 28, 1999	The Father loves you (cf. Jn 16:27)
April 8, 2001	If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me (Lk 9:23)
April 13, 2003	Behold, your mother! (Jn 19,27)
April 4, 2004	We wish to see Jesus (Jn 12:21)
April 9, 2006	Your word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path (Psalm 119:105)
April 1, 2007	Just as I have loved you; you also should love one another (Jn 13:34).

Typical schedule of events

	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Tues	Day of Welcoming Arrival and Welcome	Opening ceremony
Wed	Catechetical Session w/ participating bishops	afternoon and evening shows, music, prayer and reconciliation opportunities
Thu	Catechetical Session w/ participating bishops	afternoon and evening shows, music, prayer and reconciliation opportunities
Fri	Catechetical Session w/ participating bishops	afternoon and evening shows, music, prayer and reconciliation opportunities	Stations of the Cross
Sat	Pilgrimage to Vigil Site		Vigil Celebration & sleep over
Sun	Closing Liturgy w/ Holy Father