WYD 2013, a manifestation of God’s love for the youth

God’s great love for the youth has been always manifested by one of the most meaningful event of Catholic Church, A joyful gathering of youth and young adults for prayer and worship—The World Youth Day.

This event initiated by the late Pope John Paul II is celebrated every 2–3 years. At this event, millions of young people unite from different cultures, waving flags of their nations in different colors to show their attendance and express their faith through songs invoking their Catholic faith.

The World Youth Day is a reminder how the Church cares and values the hope of the future—the youth.

According to United States Conference of Catholic bishops, there are threefold purposes of celebrating the World Youth Day. First is, “putting the trust in the young”. Calling to gather young adults from all the corners of the world is a strong reminder of the strengths and confidence of the Church for them.

Second is “gathering the youth together”. World Youth Day is not simply a meeting of youngsters in the world but a time to put trust into them. Calling for the world’s youth to come together in proclaiming their faith as one people of God.

Third is “for the youth to meet the international world on human level”. The Church and Christian community have a role to play in preventing the development of fears that young persons may be part of, such as increase of fundamentalism and other new conflicts that may causes alteration in one’s faith. The Catholic Church wants to aid each of them in finding their way and discovering hope.

In World Youth day 2013, the event was hosted and celebrated last July 23 to 28 by Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. An estimated 3 million diverse crowds of believers gathered to meet Pope Francis. He asked bishops to reflect on why hundreds of thousands of Catholics had left the Church for protestant and Pentecostal congregations and grown so fast in recent years in Brazil.

“Not to be part of “part time Christians” and to build up their church like his namesake, Jesus offers us something bigger than world cup!” Pope Francis said, drawing cheers and tears to many members of the crowd.

Before the world youth day 2013 ended, the pope announced that the World Youth Day will be on 2016 will take place in Krakow, Poland—the home of the soon-to-be saint, Blessed John Paul II.

The choice of place is to honor Pope John Paul II as the one who started an event that expresses love for the youth. It is the place where the said Pope was hailed.

Pope Francis also asked for intercession of Virgin Mary and light of Holy Spirit to guide them to Krakow.

Mc Harold C. Delalamon/Correspondent