Imagine
this. Next time the Pope chooses the next international World Youth Day (WYD)
destination will be one of the 54 nations of the African continent. What a joy
for the African Church! Imagine the scores of African youth gathering in Madrid
for the WYD Cross. Fully engrossed in ecstasy, jubilation, shedding tears and
embracing each other, piously pick up the WYD Cross and joyfully begin the
pilgrimage to Africa.
“You are the future of the world, you are the hope of
the Church, (and) you are my hope.” That was the special greeting to the youth
at his Papal inauguration ceremony on 22nd October, 1978. The late
pope John Paul II, patron for the WYD2011, had a burning passion for the young
people of God. That feeling was sincere, mutual and evident. His concern for
them made his papacy unique. He reached out to many young people leading to the
establishment of the World Youth Day, a big ecclesial gathering of the young
people.
The
magical invitation and quick response
Seven years after that special greeting, a 16,000-word
apostolic letter addressed specifically for the young people was issued by Pope
John Paul II.
The pontiff invited all the youth from around the
world to make a pilgrim to Rome. He invited them to pray with him. They were to
join him in the celebration of the triumphal entry of Jesus in Jerusalem. In
fact, they were to enter a New Jerusalem! The youth responded in large numbers.
History tells us that St Peter’s square was overwhelmed with youth from
different races, cultures, languages, ages, colors, nations etc. From then on,
the pontiff declared the day as the World Youth Day, Christianizing the United
Nations Organization International Youth Year, 1985. This was to be an annual
celebration on every Palm Sunday.
This tradition was then positively picked by all
peoples. Its effects became quite evident: a massive numbers of youth were
attracted back to the Church, growing faith in the young faithful, active
participations in the affairs of the Church, formation of youth apostolate in
the Church and youth catechetical processes etc. Brief, the youth regained
their power and place in the Church.
There are two levels of celebrating this Day,
International and Diocesan. The latter is an annual encounter whereas the
former bi or tri-annual celebration depending on the Papal directives.
The Diocesan level is normally a day’s celebration.
The youth have the opportunity to be addressed to by their Ordinary. They not
only have a moment to share on the developments concerning them as youth in
their particular diocese but also meet and make new friends.
In a broader sense, the international WYD has the Pope
fully in play. He proclaims the venue and later attends the closing Mass. It
normally goes for more than a day, even into weeks, with pilgrimages, prayer
sessions and seminars around the chosen nation. This year’s celebration is the
12th international WYD in history.
Symbols of
the day
Each international WYD has its particular logo. It is
the sign that distinguishes it from the rest of the previous events. The
privilege of designing the logo rests on the host. It is the mark of the event.
The content of the logo may include an image and text or image alone
artistically modeled to bring out the right message of the celebration.
Explanations of the symbols are always provided.
Apart from the logo, there are also other symbols. The
WYD Cross, the Icon of Our Lady and the theme. The first two never change. “Carry it throughout the world as a symbol of
Christ’s love for humanity, and announce to everyone that only in the death and
resurrection of Christ can we find salvation and redemption,” was the
founding Papal decree to the youths concerning the WYD Cross and the Icon. The
pilgrims carry them throughout the venues.
On the other hand, the Vatican gives the WYD themes
annually. This is always accompanied by the Papal reflection based on the
Scriptures. For instance, this year’s theme is “Rooted and built up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the Faith.” Other
symbols that are not so much officially attached to the event include the
shirts, rosaries, books, pictorials etc.
Participation
for the WYD 2011, a re-evangelization
This year mark 26 years of the joyful and faith-filled
journey that begun in Rome and will never see the end. Years in which the
Church and her youth have walked, smiled, wept and shared on the path to
salvation. Years in which the Church has brought them closer together and
expresses her confidence in them.
Now, all the youth are focusing their energies to
Madrid. This is the second time Spain, as a country, will be holding this big
event of the Church. The first encounter was in August 15-20, 1989 at Santiago
de Compostela.
Why rotate this event in Europe and yet the event has
never been to Africa which apparently is thriving in faith? Is it that there
are no youth in Africa?
This second choice of Madrid by the Pope Benedict XVI
is not by accident.
Initially, Spain, land of great saints like St.
Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis Xavier, St. Teresa of Avilla, St. John of the
Cross, St. Peter Clever, St Josemaria Escriva, St. James the Great, amongst
others, was deep in the Roman Catholic tradition and sanctity in the 15-17th
century. It was the power source of Christianity in Europe with numerous
reformers, mystics, missionaries and even founders of religious congregations.
Unfortunately, like many other countries in Europe,
Spain has lost its taste in religiosity. It has recorded an abominable decline
in Christianity and the belief in deity in general. This second gathering of
the youth in this once religiously-vibrant land is meant to reawaken its
inhabitants and Europe at large to a religious lifestyle. It is a
re-evangelization not by the great missionary societies, rather by the young
people of God, simple, full of energy, hope and enthusiasm with the Pontiff as
their captain. The Pope together with the young will be fighting secularism and
anti-clerism from its cradle.
On his third apostolic journey to Spain, the Holy
Father will be using a generation to help him evangelize. He is incorporating
the young people in his ministry. They will be sending a strong message not
only to Spain and Europe but to the entire world!
Going
beyond the odds
Every youth would desire to be physically part of this
papal ministry. Fate has it that not all will be graced to attend in person
this coming event. Some have categorically shown interests of heading there and
nothing will stop them from realizing this dream. They go beyond the odds.
Their means to this end is real martyrdom.
For instance, a Colombian, Mauricio Alejandro, college
student currently sings on buses, sells objects after Mass and organizes
bazaars to meet the high expenses that might see him participate in person at
the WYD in Madrid. Elsewhere, a group of young Christians in South Africa are
underway in their collections. They go door-to-door campaign. Back in Kenya,
Malindi, some youths have made special appeals for the same end while in
Kinshasa a group of young Christians have decided to dedicate prayer sessions
each Sunday after Mass for all the participants in this year’s WYD.
These kinds of preparations instill in the
participants the sense of responsibility and ownership. As youth we are both
responsible to our Church and at the same time, own our Church.
As expressed by several Church Fathers, ‘the kingdom
of heaven is acquired by effort and only those exerting themselves achieve it.’
As youth, we cannot expect to lie back, and wait for the Church to do it all
for us! We have our own efforts that can do wonders, especially as we await the
events of WYD. Make these efforts do wonders!
Madrid may be far from Kinshasa, Darban or Malindi…
Yes, of course the implementation of certain ideals is difficult. We can risk
getting intimidated by the pressures of life and easily succumb to failure. But
with the zealous efforts of those good people that preceded us (saints) and the
efforts of our fellow youth, who are determined to fulfill their life’s
projects, can be for us the little living heroes and heroines to emulate and
admire.
One may not reach Madrid
for the pilgrimage, but may make his or her own internal pilgrimage.
Pilgrimages can be made within the parishes, dioceses, or even nationwide.
There are good sites for reflections and prayer. In this respect, we shall
happily join the rest of the world in celebrating the WYD2011 as we wait the
day it will come home in Africa.
