It’s official! The 2013 World Youth Day will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 23–28, 2013. Its motto will be, “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19).
In 1984 over 300,000 young people from around the world responded to the invitation of Pope John Paul II for an international jubilee of youth on Palm Sunday in St. Peter’s square. It was at this gathering that the pope entrusted to the youth what is now known as the World Youth Day Cross, to be carried throughout the world as a symbol of the love of Christ for humanity.
The following Palm Sunday, coinciding with the United Nation’s International Year of the Youth, the pope welcomed the youth of the world to Rome again. In December he announced the institution of World Youth Day, the first being held in Rome in 1986.
The following year the first international WYD took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Alternately celebrated at the diocesan and international levels, there have been 11 International World Youth Day celebrations, where staggering numbers of youth continue to answer the invitation of the Holy Father and carry home the message received there to be Christ’s light to the world.
Although these events are organized by the Catholic Church, youth of all faiths are invited to attend, making this gathering more universal.
Previous WYD celebrations took place in various cities in Poland, the U.S., the Philippines, France, Canada, Germany, Australia and Spain.
Clare Zanzucchi
The shared pilgrimage continues. Next year will mark the 12th international World Youth Day.
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