WYD: Grace For Youth And The Whole Church

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This year's World Youth Day theme is based on St. Paul's advice from Colossians 2:7: "Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith."

Benedict XVI encourages full trust in the friendship of Jesus, outlining what firmness in the faith might look like in one's life.

Try each day to follow Christ's word. Listen to him as a true friend with whom you can share your path in life. With him at your side, you will find courage and hope to face difficulties and problems, and even to overcome disappointments and set-backs . . .

Dear young people, learn to "see" and to "meet" Jesus in the Eucharist, where he is present and close to us, and even becomes food for our journey. In the sacrament of Penance the Lord reveals his mercy and always grants us his forgiveness. Recognize and serve Jesus in the poor, the sick, and in our brothers and sisters who are in difficulty and in need of help.

Enter into a personal dialogue with Jesus Christ and cultivate it in faith. Get to know him better by reading the Gospels and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Converse with him in prayer, and place your trust in him. He will never betray that trust! (Benedict XVI, Message for the 26^th World Youth Day)

This personal encounter with Christ is most central to the mission of World Youth Day, despite the anticipation and emphasis placed on this in-person visitation of the pope with the world's youth.

To that end, there will be over 121 hours of continuous prayer in more than 300 communities and 40 dioceses in Spain—churches, religious orders, seminaries, and organizations—to plead continuously for great fruits to be born from the event. Over 50 churches in downtown Madrid will also be opened for Eucharistic Adoration throughout the event so that pilgrims may find a quiet place to pray and process their experiences. Close to two million pilgrims are expected to flood the city. Millions more will take part via satellite communications and digital media.

Benedict XVI knows that there will be much spiritual fruit gained if we make this week a spiritual retreat for ourselves. Let us, young and old together, enter into prayer during these days for our youth, for vocations, for renewal of minds and hearts, and for the Church and its witness in all of us to the world.

Dear young people, the Church depends on you! She needs your lively faith, your creative charity and the energy of your hope. Your presence renews, rejuvenates and gives new energy to the Church. That is why World Youth Days are a grace, not only for you, but for the entire People of God. (Benedict XVI, Message for the 26^th World Youth Day)

Important links for World Youth Day 2012:

Television Coverage:

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WYD: Grace for Youth and the Whole Church