Bishop Peter Comensoli is an Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Sydney, and a World Youth Day groupie, having attending 5 World Youth Days around the world! In preparation for WYD2013, Bishop Peter visited Brazil in January 2012. In this interview with Xt3, Bishop Peter shares his thoughts about what we can expect from the next World Youth Day in Rio!
This episode describes the features of the city of Rio de Janeiro.
Traditionally, the World Youth Day week includes an Opening Mass, Catechesis events, the Way of the Cross, a Prayer Vigil, the Final Mass - and much more!
The World Youth Day vigil takes place on a Saturday night before the final World Youth Day Mass.
During the first World Youth Days, Blessed John Paul II emphasised that the young people who took up the call to join the Pope in meetings around the world, were similar to the pilgrims of the early Christian Church.
The Closing Mass, which is celebrated by the Pope, is the final official event held at each World Youth Day. It is also the largest event!
The “Way of the Cross”, also known as the “Via Crucis” in Latin, refers to an artistic or devotional representation of the final hours of Jesus’ Passion and Death on the Cross. Reciting the Way of the Cross has become a World Youth Day tradition!
Every international World Youth Day includes a “Youth Festival” – which involves several days of cultural events to engage pilgrims in Christian life.
The word “Catechesis” means “an education in the faith, with a view to initiate the hearers into the fullness of Christian life”. During the World Youth Day week, Catechesis sessions are held across the host city for all pilgrims.
During the lead up to the big events in the World Youth Day week, pilgrims are encouraged to attend the “Days in the Diocese” program, where they are invited to stay as guests in other dioceses in the host country for 4 or 5 days before the big event.
At a diocesan level, World Youth Day takes place every year on Palm Sunday – which is the Sunday before Easter. The international World Youth Days take place every 2-3 years, at a different host city, anywhere in the world.
Every World Youth Day has a specific theme given by the Pope, which allows pilgrims to focus on a particular aspect of their relationship with Christ.
World Youth Day is a Catholic event for youth celebrated on Palm Sunday each year at the diocesan level, and every few years at an international location. Blessed John Paul II sowed the seed for World Youth Days in 1984, when he entrusted the youth of the word with the cross of Christ.
The WYD Cross was a gift from Pope John Paul II to the youth of the world, as a symbol of Christ's love for humanity.
The World Youth Day Patrons are holy Saints or Blesseds, who have been nominated to inspire and guide pilgrims preparing to attend World Youth Day.
There have been 26 World Youth Days in total. Listen to this podcast to find out where they have been held!