Countdown to World Youth Day: My First World Youth Day

By Bishop Nelson J. Perez 
Auxiliary Bishop, Diocese of Rockville Centre

It has now been over a year and half since I had the privilege and blessing of attending my very first World Youth Day, celebrated in July 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, along with my brother bishop, Bishop Robert Brennan and over 150 young pilgrims from the Diocese of Rockville Centre. If I could summarize my experience in one word it would be Wow! What an amazing, life-changing experience. While I have been blessed to attend other large gatherings of the Church in the past, many of them during the Papal visits of St. John Paul II to the United States, Puerto Rico, and Cuba, never had I been to a gathering with over 3 million faith-filled people. I can honestly say that a year and half later, I still relive this powerful experience often through the many pictures and videos that I preserve as a treasure.

As the week went on, the excitement and anticipation in awaiting the arrival of Pope Francis by thousands upon thousands youth from literally every corner of the world was felt in the air. It was a wonderful expression of the universality of the Church. Walking through the crowds gathering on Copacabana Beach I would hear chants and songs in so many languages, all praising God, proclaiming their faith in Jesus Christ, and expressing their deep love for the Church and the Holy Father. In a world that at times proclaims that faith and Church are irrelevant, I could only say . . . REALLY! This certainly was not evident at this event!

Each day, the youth gathered with open hearts, all over Rio for catechesis, prayer, and an opportunity to meet people from all over the world, all in preparation to listen to the message of Pope Francis to all of us. Finally, the Pope arrived, with his message of mercy and call to the youth of the world to be the embodiment of mercy to their local churches, families, and friends. During the beautiful and moving night of prayer and adoration on Saturday, as well as the closing Mass on Sunday, you could hear a pin drop when the Pope spoke. This in and of itself was a miracle, given the millions of people that had come together to be in the presence of the Holy Father. He challenged all of us to return to our particular parts of the world with a renewed spirit of mission, to touch the lives of the people that surround us by our faith, our merciful and loving hearts, and enthusiasm.Participating in my first World Youth Day profoundly touched my life, especially in my new role as a bishop of the Church. It deepened my appreciation for the universality of the Catholic Church, its beauty, and its transformative power rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Now, I look forward, with even more excitement, to Krakow 2016, the home town of St. John Paul II, the one who inspired this incredible gathering of joyful and faith-filled youth, a blessing for the Church and the world!

Countdown to World Youth Day: One Bishop's Moving Observation Of Pilgrims

By Bishop Larry Silva, of Honolulu

Each time I have had the privilege of being present at the Vigil and Closing Mass of World Youth Day (Sydney, Madrid, and Rio), when millions of young Catholics are gathered together at the same time, I think of the scene in the Book of Revelation (see Chapter 19) in which a great multitude stands before the throne of the Lamb, singing praises forever and ever. But the realization of this little bit of “heaven on earth” comes not just because of the vast numbers who are gathered or the enthusiasm of their praise. It comes from having witnessed smaller ways in which young people of every nation and language interact with each other at the catechesis sites, at the prayer services, at the concerts, and on the streets. For sure they are not dressed in the pure white garments of heaven, but they are definitely clothed in joy and love of the Lord Jesus. While it may be difficult to express that love so freely in their normal everyday lives, it is energizing for them and for all who witness them, and it gives them courage and strength to witness to Jesus even when they are not gathered for such a celebratory occasion.

When our group from Hawaii arrived at our hotel in Rio de Janeiro, they noticed many homeless people sleeping in the doorways on the street. At first this dampened the mood of the youth, who certainly were aware that many people live in such difficult conditions but who were not accustomed to seeing them often. After several days, however, I noticed that the young people were asking for “to go” boxes for the food left over after dinner. I thought that was odd, since our hotel did not provide refrigeration or reheating appliances. But as we returned, I was deeply moved when they gave this food to their brothers and sisters sleeping in the doorways, giving them a smile and an embrace that needed no translation. Through the experience of World Youth Day they had been moved to sing the Lord’s praises with more than their voices. And now that they are home, I am still moved to see how the love and joy they experienced continue to make motivate them to give faithful witness to Jesus.

Countdown To World Youth Day: A Life Changing Event

By Archbishop Roger L. Schwietz, OMI, Archbishop of Anchorage

I was ordained a priest way back in the pontificate of Pope Paul VI.  He had a marvelous sense of the mission of the church and, in expanding Papal travels abroad showed us his missionary zeal in imitation of the apostle Paul.  Pope Paul's approach was somewhat academic but prepared the way for the revolution that Pope St. John Paul II was to carry out.

Initiating world youth days was truly a decision guided by the Holy Spirit.  My first experience of this amazing series of events in the Church was at the World Youth Day held in Denver, Colorado.  I was a new bishop in Duluth, Minnesota and was amazed at the response of our young people to the invitation of the Pope to join him for days of celebration and prayer.  We had 20 busloads of youth and adult chaperones who headed from our diocese to Denver.  What amazed me even more was the enthusiasm and joy engendered in our youth, which was clearly visible upon our return home.  Something in that experience had touched the hearts of all of us deeply and continued to guide our experience in the Church well beyond that summer.

Attempting to assess the impact that World Youth Days have upon those who attend I am going back to the practice of our ancestors in the faith in going up to the Temple in Jerusalem to celebrate major feasts and other events.  The members of the 12 tribes of Israel journeyed to the Temple to worship God in his holy place, to be in touch with Him and with their own destiny.  They returned home to their own places strengthened by their experience of the community of the Israelite people and fortified to live out their identity as God's chosen people.

This historical reality helps me understand the powerful effect that World Youth Days have.  I have attended all, except the one in Australia, since that Denver experience, and I am moved each time by the powerful work of the Spirit among those who attend.  As with the people of Israel journeying to God's dwelling place in the Temple, our youthful pilgrims and adults journey together to worship God and meet Jesus Christ in the person of his Vicar on Earth, the Bishop of Rome.  On their way they form community together and then join the greater community of the Universal Church.  This experience helps them get in touch with their own identity as Catholics and to own that identity in experiencing the massive community of believers gathered around our Holy Father.  Despite the challenges and inconveniences of the journey they go away with a deeper understanding of who they are and strengthened in their faith by the community which both supports and challenges them.  They are ready to respond to the mission which the Pope gives them.  A good number of those who attend World Youth Day think seriously of the possibility of serving Christ in consecrated life or the priesthood.

I thank God for this gift of world youth days which have so effectively energized our young Church and which succeeding Popes have embraced.  May God continue to bless these massive efforts.  May the next World Youth Day in Poland be again a great grace to our Church.

Countdown to World Youth Day: What World Youth Day Means To Me

By Bishop Edgar da Cunha

If you read or hear about World Youth Day, you may have an idea of what happens there. If you watch on TV, you may have a better understanding of what takes place. But only by being at World Youth Day can you really know what it feels like and the impact it has in the lives of so many young people. Words cannot fully describe the experience of participating in World Youth Day, of being with millions of young people celebrating their faith, celebrating what it means to be a Catholic and a follower of Jesus Christ. The experience of being with people from all over the world who gather to share their love for Christ and the Church is unique to World Youth Day.

I vividly remember riding the bus to the closing Mass on that bright Sunday morning and seeing thousands of young people flocking to Copa Cabana Beach to join the 3.7 million people celebrating their oneness in Christ. When the Holy Father arrived and the Mass started, there was a sense of Church, of being a part of something really great, of being one family of God’s people from different nations and languages, all with the same faith and the same hope. As one participant said, “Young people are hungry to know the truth and they find it at World Youth Day. When I went, there were kids who were going back to church. They realized that they are not alone in their journey to the Lord. The event shows that the Church is alive and well, but there is still a lot of work to be done.”

As a Bishop catechist, I had the privilege of giving the catechesis to hundreds of young people who went to World Youth Day to learn more about their faith and to be renewed, strengthened, and affirmed in their belief in Christ. I know they were inspired by the talks, questions, sharing, and celebrations, but I received as much as I gave. I was inspired by their faith, enthusiasm, joy and hope. I came back renewed in my hope for the future of our Catholic Church. World Youth Day shows that there is hope for the world and for the Church.


We all witnessed the power of prayer and of God’s presence. After Communion, during the closing Mass, when we were asked to acknowledge the presence of Jesus in our lives, there was absolute silence. Where else can 3.7 million people gather in one place and be in total silence? Only faith in God’s presence, respect, and love make this happen. As Pope Francis told everyone there, “Faith is a flame that grows stronger the more it is shared and passed on, so that everyone may know, love and confess Jesus Christ, the Lord of life and history”. That is the goal that the young people attending World Youth Day were committed to accomplish. Imagine how many lives have been touched by those who carried that message to the whole world!
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Bishop da Cunha leads the Diocese of Fall River.

Five Things To Remember On Aug. 31

1. Tomorrow is World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. This video on “Care for God’s Creation” is the first of a seven-part series on Catholic Social Teaching, designed to be an introduction to this body of thought with notable Catholics reflecting on each of the teachings. The video release comes in conjunction with Pope Francis’ declaration of September 1 as a day of prayer for creation. The video series is co-sponsored by Catholic Relief Services and the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development of the USCCB.

2. The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace has published a proposal to encourage the faithful to organize in their particular Churches an hour of Eucharistic Adoration on the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation tomorrow. The proposal, which opens with a 5-minute audio-visual welcome, is offered on the Dicastery’s website, www.iustitiaetpax.va, under the special section dedicated to the Laudato Si’ . It is available for download in English.

3. News.va interviewed USCCB President Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, who can't wait to welcome Pope Francis to the United States in September.

4. We're excited about Pope Francis' visit to the U.S., as you can see by our countdown clock on USCCB.org.

5. God loves you.

Countdown to World Youth Day: "It Could Have Been A Mess!"

By  Bishop David A. Zubik

As Pittsburgh pilgrims, there are so many wonderful memories connected with World Youth Day over the years. But one memory stands out, perhaps because it could have been—should have been—a disaster but was anything but!

It was my first year as Bishop of Pittsburgh. I was leading a contingent of 600 young people from the diocese. We were ready to depart on July 14, 2008 to Sydney, Australia for World Youth Day. The Pittsburgh diocesan youth group was to be the largest at World Youth Day outside the host country.

There were about 400 of us who arrived at the airport in Pittsburgh at 3:00 a.m. for our chartered departure to Sydney. As you can imagine, the scene was a little festive, a lot noisy. Then the news came. Our flight was going to be delayed. And delayed. And delayed. In the end, it would be eighteen hours before we finally took off.

It could have been a mess. Imagine 400 bored young people stuck in an airport for hours on end with nowhere to go and nothing to do. But the Holy Spirit was not going to allow this World Youth Day pilgrimage to get off to a bad start. The Spirit had other plans!

It began with the decision to use the time to begin our pilgrimage with the celebration of the Mass. Almost immediately, the Mass began to draw us together as true pilgrims. We were not just leading young people from scattered parishes, bringing them together for a “trip.” We were pilgrims coming together—leaders and young people—as a spiritual family. I spent two hours hearing confessions.

Later, with the seminarians who were taking part in the pilgrimage, we put on a skit as part of a talent show organized to pass the time. It was fun. It was laughter. It was getting to know each other. It was learning to serve. It was prayer.

Long hours waiting in the airport had become the perfect beginning to our World Youth Day pilgrimage.

It was this unity in faith and spirit that we would carry with us to Sydney. When our young people encountered young people from the Universal Church, they were prepared to share, prepared to pray, prepared to celebrate.

There were so many wonderful moments that we shared in Sydney. I remember over 270,000 gathering for the Stations of the Cross in downtown Sydney. I remember the Pittsburgh delegation coming together for a Holy Hour and Benediction in a place called Broken Bay. I remember greeting each pilgrim as we boarded the plane for home. I remember saying good bye with a blessing as we landed in Pittsburgh.

I had told the pilgrims in Sydney that, when they left World Youth Day, they must go out as servants.

It was an easy message to share. After beginning our pilgrimage with eighteen hours at the airport, it was a message well understood. Truly a gift of the Holy Spirit to us Pittsburgh pilgrims!

Introducing: Bishops energized for World Youth Day

The countdown to World Youth Day (WYD) Madrid 2011 surely is underway. Nearly 30,000 U.S. young people are scheduled to participate, beating U.S. records of participation outside of Toronto and Denver. Many are starting their pilgrimage in the next few days by visiting some of the famous sanctuaries in Europe (Fatima, Santiago de Compostela, Lourdes, Barcelona’s newly consecrated Holy Family Church) before they descend on Madrid. Some will be spending time with families and parishes throughout the Spanish landscape to participate in the preparatory “days in the dioceses”, where they no doubt will be showered with the traditional Spanish hospitality, cultural and faith celebrations, and, very likely, with some “jamón serrano,” paella and chorizo, too.

But youth aren’t the only ones excited about attending WYD. We’ve asked the U.S. bishops attending why they are going, what they expect young people get from participating in this festival of faith, and how they see this experience will impact their dioceses. They’ve responded enthusiastically, some of them even sharing anecdotes and experiences from past WYD.

Starting today and leading up to the event itself, U.S. bishops going to Madrid will offer their reflections and expectations about WYD in this blog.

Here is what a newly minted prelate, Bishop Donald F. Hanchon, auxiliary bishop of Detroit, had to share with us:

This will be my first time attending a World Youth Day...and certainly the first international event I attend as a newly-ordained bishop.

I am going to accompany the youth from the Archdiocese of Detroit, to see with their eyes the hope of a worldwide Church, animated by the Holy Spirit. Detroit youth will bring all their hopes and idealism to the event in Madrid. What I sincerely hope is that these days together with their peers from around the world will enable them to return home with a very different view of other people and cultures.

A great deal of the negativism associated with the issue of immigration, in the US, is based on ignorance. Helping these young men and women to hear the stories of others like them in so many ways will, I hope, lead them to question the perception or characterization of strangers to our country as entirely negative. I am also sure, based on my own experience as a teenager experiencing a new culture in the mid-1960's, that they will return home with a deeper appreciation of the incredible blessings and advantages they have received...and perhaps more motivated to share their gifts and be more compassionate with so many others who may be they less materially wealthy, but usually are so full of life and hope. I pray that they will come home willing to live more simply, so that others may simply live.

I look to these young ambassadors from Detroit to show a lively, sincere faith with their peers, and to return home motivated to share their faith and their experiences with other young people unable to travel to Madrid. This will all be possible by their efforts and experiences of forming a deeper friendship with Jesus, and with one another.

I know that all that WYD means began with a simple insight of Blessed John Paul II, who enjoyed his ministry with youth as a young priest. I pray that the priests, bishops and other adults accompanying these young Catholics are inspired by their young ambassadors' faith and idealism, leading them to question the stereotype of self-centered, commercially indulgent and culturally-ignorant young Americans.

The late Blessed John Paul II had this kind of hope for youth, and for the light of the Gospel, lived in all its joy and simplicity. So do I!

+Bishop Donald F. Hanchon
Archdiocese of Detroit, Michigan

Countdown to World Youth Day: How You Can Be Like The Apostles

Dear kind young friends,

I am very happy to share with you some of my reflections on World Youth Day that was began by dear Pope Saint John Paul II in 1986. I had the privilege of being present at six of these beautiful World Celebrations of Catholic Youth. The last World Youth that I attended was in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in 2013. I am planning to be present with all of you at the next World Youth Day that will take place in 2016 in Krakow, Poland, the home of Saint John Paul II.

Saint John Paul II left a rich spiritual legacy for youth, with his institution of World Youth Day. Pope Benedict XVI faithfully continued to carry on the hope and care of his predecessor for the youth of the world, and Pope Francis is doing the same, inviting and commissioning Youth as Christ disciples to be faithful living witnesses. One of the great blessings that flow from World Youth Day is the bringing together of young people from all parts of marvelous planet Earth. At most World Youth Days that I have attended, there have been youth from about two-hundred countries from the entire world. This great coming together of youth helps all of us achieve that great goal that Christ, and our Popes, wants for all of us and that is that we will be one with Christ in love, as He is one with His heavenly Father. We are all God's children and Christ calls us to be His brothers and sisters.

World Youth Day provides the occasion and inspiration for us to grow in our love, support and care, for all who make up the body of Christ. Upon His return from World Youth Day from Rio Janeiro in 2013, Pope Francis said, "We must never forget that World Youth Days are not fireworks displays", flashes of enthusiasm, nor an end in themselves: rather they are stages of a long joyful faith journey begun in 1985 at the initiative of Saint John Paul II.

Young people, I plan to be with you in Krokow, Poland for World Youth Day in 2016. As we approach this beautiful celebration in the Archdiocese and country from which dear Pope Saint John Paul II came from, this is the occasion for all of us to remember the many messages that dear Saint John Paul II gave us at the first and many other World Youth Days that he celebrated with the Youth.

To end my reflection, let me share with you some reflections from Saint John Paul II at World Youth Day that was held in December 1993. He spoke powerful words that energized young Americans to take up the cause of life: "At this stage in history the liberating of the Gospel life has been put into your hands. And the mission of proclaiming it to the ends of the Earth is now passing to your generation- Do not be afraid to go out on the streets and into the public places like the first Apostles, who preached Christ and the good news of salvation of the Gospel." My dear young friends let us pray for all young people on planet earth, and for God's blessing upon the next World Youth Day.

Sincerely,

Bishop Michael Pfeifer, Bishop Emeritus of San Angelo

Countdown to World Youth Day: Mercy Amongst Millions

(CNS photo/Angelo Carconi, EPA)

By Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey

One of my favorite prayers during the celebration of the Eucharist is prior to the sign of peace, “Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church.” The faith of the Church is one of the hallmarks of World Youth Day. Especially on those occasions, it is a Church that is young; a Church that is alive; and a Church that is totally focused on Jesus Christ and His mission. And, it is a Church on pilgrimage.

Many times as we live the routine of our daily lives, we forget about the internal movement that is happening through our faith in Jesus Christ. A pilgrimage is not only a physical journey, but an internal movement of faith moving toward a greater reality. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there in their midst.” World Youth Day is a hallmark of that presence of Jesus among His people in an extraordinary way. It is a people that is moving forward and coming together from all parts of the world to celebrate that faith together.

In 2016, the theme for World Youth Day is “Blessed are the Merciful.” Mercy is the greatest expression of God's love offered to those who open their hearts to His mercy. And mercy fully expresses Christ’s mission continued through our own mission in His name. To be in the place where the devotion of Divine Mercy was established will be a true gift to all who attend.

For myself, I look forward to experiencing the origins of the devotion as it was revealed to St. Faustina. So many of us have witnessed the tremendous faith and compassion of St. John Paul II and many of us have been in his presence. To be in his home country will not only bring his memory alive, but bring to life all that he taught and witnessed as a fellow pilgrim in this confused world. He loved the youth beyond measure and to be together with youth from all over the world sharing his legacy and sharing his love for the young Church will be a very memorable moment.

I look forward to being in Kraków and being in the midst of so many brothers and sisters who are excited about their faith and want to share it with the world. In a world of violence and hatred, what better show of force than to be in Kraków where the apostle of mercy, the promoter of peace and unity among peoples lived will be most memorable.

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Bishop Mulvey is Bishop of Corpus Christi.

Countdown to World Youth Day: A Bishop's Letter to Pilgrims

Dear Prospective Pilgrims and Leaders of WYD 2016,

As you prepare to attend World Youth Day 2016 in Krakow, Poland, I’d like to offer a small reflection of the last WYD experience in Rio de Janeiro.

As people gathered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from all over the world to participate in that World Youth Day, we all waited in great anticipation for the arrival of the Successor of St. Peter, Pope Francis. It was his first trip back to his beloved Latin America since being elected Pope. I was touched by his words at the welcome ceremony with the President of Brazil. He said to her, “I have learned that, to gain access to the Brazilian people, it is necessary to pass through its great heart; so let me knock gently at this door. I ask permission to come in and spend this week with you. I have neither silver nor gold, but I bring with me the most precious thing given to me: Jesus Christ!”

My friends, World Youth Day is the opportunity to celebrate Jesus Christ and the great gift of his presence through His Body, the Church. In 2016 we will gather again with the Successor of St. Peter. The WYD experience is an opportunity to strengthen ourselves, with the help of our brothers and sisters from around the world, to be faithful and dedicated followers of Jesus Christ. This upcoming World Youth Day in Krakow is most significant since we will gather in the homeland of the one who initiated the World Youth Day experience – St. John Paul II. Blessed by the Holy Spirit, St. John Paul II had a vision of providing young people the means to gain knowledge of their faith, to take courage in the pilgrimage, and to strengthen their faith through the celebration of the Sacraments. As you prepare for World Youth Day, open your hearts and minds to the wisdom, courage and strength that awaits you in this blessed experience. It will impact your faith in a tremendous way. The WYD experience will help you draw closer to the Lord. This wonderful event has blessed many participants with the grace to follow him ever more faithfully as committed disciples.

Even though our paths may not cross at WYD in Krakow, I look forward to being with you and millions of others, as we celebrate the universality of our Church and the most precious gift we have: Jesus Christ!

Through the intercession of St. John Paul II, may the Lord increase our faith and guide our journey.

Sincerely in Christ,

Bishop Edward J. Burns

Diocese of Juneau, Alaska