Why World Youth Day Should Be On Your Bucket List!
Pretty much everyone has heard of World Youth Day. I’m not sure about you, but during the month of July my friends who had made the pilgrimage to Krakow, Poland were blowing up my Facebook and Instagram. Our very own Fr. Chris got to spend some time with the Pope at this amazing gathering of around 3 MILLION people! So this all sounds great, and the pictures of Pope Francis speaking to the masses were awesome, but what exactly went down in Krakow that week?
How It Started
In 1984, Pope Saint John Paul II invited the world’s youth to join him on Palm Sunday at St. Peter’s Basilica. At the time, people didn’t think his invite would get much of a response. There was this idea, that is still present today, that the youth did not care about their faith. People thought teens and young adults weren’t invested in religion.
That day, over 300,000 young people from all over the world, ranging from 16-35, joined the Pope in St. Peter’s Square.[1] He was so moved by the turn out, that he wanted to keep this tradition going. The next year started the very first World Youth Day in Rome. Since then there have been 13 that have taken place all over the world! How’s that for uninterested?
What Goes Down
Don’t let the name fool you, but World Youth Day is actually a week long event. Pilgrims come from all over the world to the host city and begin the week with an opening ceremony including mass. The mornings start with jam packed sessions having to do with that year’s theme. Keeping the focus on the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis dedicated the theme to Matthew 5:7, “Blessed are the Merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
During the week, several young people stood up in front of these millions of on lookers, and shared testimonies of how they found their faith. Check out the World Youth Day Facebook page to read some of the testimonies for yourself!
By Thursday, Pope Francis arrives and kicks things up a notch! Pope John Paul II, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis all understood the importance of their presence with their people. When the pope arrives he celebrates all the main masses, gives several addresses, and rides around the streets meeting as many pilgrims as he can. This year, Pope Francis made sure to not only be with all the people who traveled to Krakow, but also to pay his respects to Krakow by visiting the local parishes of the community. He even made a special trip to Auschwitz to pray for the suffering that took place there. His visit included a time of silent prayer and respect in the cell of St. Maximilian Kolbe. To see more on the Pope's visit to the concentration camp, click on the image to the left. His time spent with the local community and pilgrims was just a small act of unity and solidarity shown during World Youth Day. This is a week where all the youth of the catholic Church are called to always be united together is faith and love.
So Why Go?
All of this is beautiful and inviting, but if you are still not sure if you should add this amazing experience to your bucket list, then think about this. First of all, you have the opportunity to go on an amazing adventure to a new place. I would have loved to go to Poland to see the homeland of Pope Saint John Paul II. I would have loved to explore the city of Rio when Pope Francis hosted his first World Youth Day! There is so much culture out there to see and learn about! Not only that, but the friendships you make on the trip are one of a kind. You can bond with your own group, or meet people from all over the world who share your values!
Still unsure? Well here’s a big one; probably the number one reason to put this on your bucket list. As a young person, I’m sure you often wonder how your faith and participation in your parish means something. You might think you’re just one person in the sea of your school that cares about God let alone the Catholic faith. At World Youth Day, you get a glimpse of what being a part of the Church really means. The Catholic Church is a UNIVERSAL CHURCH. The word Catholic itself means universal! Our Church is for everyone, and it calls people from all over the world to take part in its family. You may be one person attending St. Mary Magdalene which is 5,960 miles away from Krakow (yes I looked it up), but you help make up a piece of this greater Church. 3 million people attended world youth day this year, now try to imagine how many more Catholics like you just didn’t get the chance to join them. THAT IS A LOT OF PEOPLE! It is a lot of people who are your age! You are not alone. You are part of a vast community of believers, and World Youth Day is an amazing event that shows you just a small portion of that greater community.
The next World Youth Day will be held in Panama City in 2019. Are you coming?
“What a fantastic spectacle is presented on this stage by your gathering here today! Who claimed that today’s youth has lost their sense of values? Is it really true that they cannot be counted on?”
-Pope Saint John Paul II
[1] http://worldyouthday.com/about-wyd/wyd-history
About the Author
Maria Barone
I’m just your typical Italian-American, Buffalo-born, puppy-lovin’, adventure seeking, Catholic girl that actually isn’t that typical. I’m always ready to travel the world and learn new things while staying true to myself, my roots, and my faith. If you wanna see just how crazy I am go ahead and follow me on instagram @ria21993 or on Pinterest at ria223!
