EUROPE/SPAIN - A yearlong missionary itinerary for youth in preparation for 20th World Youth Day in Cologne

Saturday, 30 October 2004

Madrid (Fides Service) - To help young people be more aware of their missionary duty and in preparation for the 20th World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany in August 2005, in collaboration with the Spanish Bishops’ Commission for Missions, the Pontifical Mission Societies in Spain have issued a booklet, A Missionary Itinerary for Young People. “The booklet gives suggestions for missionary formation among youth groups to help young Catholics be more aware of their missionary responsibility with informative and formative activities and to increase their interest for the Church’s missionary work” Father Anastasio Gil García, Vice National director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Spain told Fides. The booklet is a response to a wish expressed very often by the Bishops of the Missions’ Commission, especially in a document "Mission Ad Gentes and the Church in Spain", in which they called for special attention to be given to young people following youth pastoral guidelines issued by the Spanish Bishops’ Conference.
Issued in preparation for the 20th World Youth Day, the booklet is based on the theme chosen by Pope John Paul II for this major world event “We have come to adore him!" and on his message to the Catholic youth of the world for the occasion.
The yearlong missionary itinerary of days and initiatives has been programmed in six stages following the liturgical year. Each stage will have a theme in keeping with the liturgical season, testimony and responses in the light of the faith to help young people respond coherently to the questions of life, as well as celebrations, missionary undertakings and suggestions for various activities. Here are the different stages and themes: stage 1 from October to Advent, including Mission Sunday, “a desire to see Jesus”; stage 2, Advent and Christmas, “On the way”; stage 3 from January to Ash Wednesday including Holy Childhood Day, "In company, in community"; stage 4 Lent including Latin America Day and Javieradas, "the dangers of the road"; stage 5, the Easter season, including native vocation day and the national youth meeting, "Adoring Jesus"; stage 6 July and August 2005 including World Youth Day "Returning Home". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 30/10/2004; righe 29, parole 389)


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