Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Berlin (Agenzia Fides) – On Sunday 11 January a Letter from the German Bishops in view of World Youth Day 2005, was read out in every parish in the country. “We have come to adore him” (Mt 2,2) is the theme of the 20th world youth day which will take place in Cologne in August 2005. “Using the words of the Three Wise Men from the East, the Holy Father placed at the centre of the Day the calling of all people to search for, find and adore Christ ” the Bishops say inviting people to rejoice for this great event. “For ten days young people aged between 16 and 30 from all over the world will share an experience of faith, grow in their love for Jesus Christ, celebrate the Eucharist and find forgiveness in the sacrament of penance. As Christians from different lands and cultures they will come together to experience the communion of the Church spread throughout the world ” the letter reads.
From 11 to15 August the young people will be guests in different dioceses to learn about the country and the Church in Germany and also to take part in initiatives in aid of people in need on the Social Work Day. From 16 to 21 August they will all move to Cologne where they will listen to special catechesis given by Bishops from various different countries, take part in a pilgrimage to Cologne Cathedral and a special Youth Day Stations of the Cross prayer. Preparations will conclude with a Youth Festival. The main event will be the World Youth Day Vigil and morning Mass presided by the Holy Father on 21 August..
“Preparation for the event must mark a new spiritual start for our Church – the Bishops write. Today’s Feast of the Baptism of Jesus which is the start of his public ministry fills us with courage: we must recognise the signs of the times and our responsibility to grow in the faith to become a missionary Church. This is why the Way the World Youth day is an extraordinary opportunity and commitment”. The Bishops recall that the Cross leads the way as a sign of hope. On Palm Sunday 2004 the Youth Day Cross and an icon of the Mother of God and will begin a pilgrimage through the dioceses of Germany in preparation for the event in August 2005.
The Bishops urge Catholics all over Germany to make World Youth Day a personal commitment, a major event in every town and village. They also encourage people to plan holidays for 2005 to ensure that “the young visitors from all over the world do not find homes and parishes empty”. Lastly the Bishops say that it would be nice for as many young people as possible to stay in private homes and they conclude asking for collaboration and prayers to make Youth Day, “a celebration of faith”.
(S.L.) (Fides Service 12/1/2004 – lines 30; words 416)
