Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
San José (Agenzia Fides) - On a pilgrimage from the Church of La Soledad to the Metropolitan Cathedral, dozens of young people placed in the hands of God the "Dream of San José": the National Youth Day (DNJ) which will take place in July. The march, which took place on Sunday March 19, was marked by the joy that characterizes young people and was led by the volunteers who organize this great event awaited by many. According to information collected by Fides, the Mass was presided over by Archbishop José Rafael Quirós, who invited the participants to announce the truth among their peers, without fear. He recalled that outside "they will be questioned about their faith", but he also invited them to remain steadfast, like Saint Joseph.
The National Youth Day, which will be held on July 8 and 9, has the novelty of a vigil, in the style of World Youth Days (WYD). Young people will gather in the National Stadium, which will host the event for the first time in history, on Saturday July 8 at noon. They will spend the night there and leave on Sunday 9 at noon. The program includes numerous activities and liturgical celebrations. Thousands of young people from all over the country are expected, including at least 20,000 in La Sabana, the same place that hosted the youth meeting with Pope John Paul II 40 years ago.
The last National Youth Day in Costa Rica took place in 2019, in the Diocese of Ciudad Quesada; this year it is taken over and organized by the Archdiocese of San José. The motto chosen is
"On the road!", inspired by the biblical quote from the Gospel of Matthew 2.20 "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel". He wants to suggest the idea that, like Saint Joseph, God invites us today to rise up with the strength of his Word, to take Jesus and Mary, that is, never to walk without them, and to set out for Jerusalem. In other words, he invites us to become collaborators in his work. (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 21/3/2023)
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