Youth & Young Adult Ministry Office
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Program Ideas
World Youth Day
WHAT IS WORLD YOUTH DAY?
WORLD YOUTH DAY was begun by Pope John Paul II as a way to capture the spirit of the youth and inspire them to live the teachings of Christ. The central idea of World Youth Day is that young people from all over the world not only gather together, but they gather together around the Pope, the Vicar of Christ. So, World Youth Day is seen as special event during which the word and the very Person of Jesus Christ is proclaimed with and for young people. In this way, the Church shows our special concern for young people.
WHERE IS WORLD YOUTH DAY 2011?
In Madrid, Spain.
WHAT ARE THE EXACT DATES OF WORLD YOUTH DAY 2011?
World Youth Day is August 16-21, 2011.
However, this celebration is preceded by “Days in the Diocese,” which are described below. The dates for “Days in the Diocese” are August 11-15, 2011. Pilgrims from the Archdiocese of St. John’s will be taking part in both phases of this event.
IS THE ARCHDIOCESE TAKING A GROUP TO MADRID?
Yes! And we’ve started preparing and fundraising! If you’d like to be part of this exciting and worthwhile pilgrimage, contact Anne or Noreen at 709-726-3660. Or, e-mail them at:
amwalsh@nf.aibn.com or nyetman@nf.aibn.com
HOW OLD MUST YOU BE TO BE A WYD PILGRIM?
Pilgrims from the Archdiocese of St. John’s must be 18 years old by August, 2011, and no older than 35 years of age.
HOW MUCH WILL THIS COST?
We are working with Tour Design, a trusted and reputable tour company with plenty of experience in guiding World Youth Day pilgrims from Canada to places like Rome, Australia and Germany. We are not positive yet of costs, but can predict that it will cost between $3,500.00 and $4,000.00 for each pilgrim to take part.
WHAT IS A PILGRIMAGE?
A pilgrimage is a trip or a journey, made in faith. While we might have a destination in mind for our pilgrimage—Madrid in Spain, or Fatima in Portugal, or Ste Anne de Beaupre in Quebec, for example—the real importance of a pilgrimage is often the inner changes that happen to us on the way to our destination. A pilgrimage is a bit like life; the end is important, but it’s what happens on the way—the people we meet, the lives we change for the better, things we learn, the conversions that God works in us—that make life rich and meaningful.
WHAT'S A PILGRIM THEN?
A pilgrim is anyone brave and honest enough to make a journey of faith. The journey is, on the one level, to a place or destination. On a whole other level, the journey is an inner one, where we meet Christ in new and often surprising ways.
IS THERE AN OFFICIAL WEBSITE?
Yes. It is: www.madridwyd2011.com
HOW WILL PILGRIMS PREPARE FOR WORLD YOUTH DAY?
Keeping in mind that the trip to Spain is just one part of the entire pilgrimage, our preparation will begin in our home Archdiocese of St. John’s with monthly catechetical sessions, which areongoing throughout the year. At these sessions, we will get to know each other better, so that by the time we arrive in Spain, we will have a good group spirit and have been well-prepared spiritually, psychologically and physical for this part of the journey. We will focus on such things as:
- Growing in our relationship with Jesus Christ
- Growing in our participation in the life of the Church
- Praying, laughing and sharing life together
- Developing a spirituality of pilgrimage
- Learning about the saints and spiritual heritage of Spain
- Learning some Spanish in preparation for our journey
