Madrid, Madrid, here we come! Pope’s Message for JMJ 2011

“…we are looking forward to the next World Youth Day, to be held in Madrid in August 2011. … Now, at a time when Europe greatly needs to rediscover its Christian roots, our meeting will take place in Madrid with the theme: “Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith” (cf. Col 2:7). I encourage you to take part in this event, which is so important for the Church in Europe and for the universal Church. I would like all young people – those who share our faith in Jesus Christ, but also those who are wavering or uncertain, or who do not believe in him – to share this experience, which can prove decisive for their lives. It is an experience of the Lord Jesus, risen and alive, and of his love for each of us,” said the Holy Father in his Message for the 26th World Youth Day

LET US PRAY A LOT for those participating in the WYD in Madrid, as well as for all those youths who, from their countries, will be one in spirit with them, to celebrate this wonderful time to deepen in one’s relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ!

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Related WYD links on this website:

• Official Web site
• Jornada Mundial de la Juventud [JMJ/WYD] Madrid 2011
• JMJ/WYD Schedule
• JMJ/WYD 2011 Theme and Theme Song
• Launch of Theme Song; Promotional Video
• Plaza de Cibeles and Cuatro Vientos vigil
• Virtual tour of Madrid

The official JMJ 2011 page, madrid11.com, is abuzz with information, updates and materials to prepare the youths from all over the world who shall converge in Madrid this August for the Jornada Mundial de la Juventud (JMJ)!

We’d like to highlight some important news and updates found on the website:

• Messages of Pope Benedict XVI to young people “These years of your life are the years which will prepare you for your future. Your “tomorrow” depends much on how you are living the “today” of your youth. Stretching out in front of you, my dear young friends, is a life that all of us hope will be long; yet it is only one life, it is unique: do not let it pass it vain; do not squander it.” Read the other messages.
• JMJ 2011 Theme Song: Download the different versions of the hymn, as well as the translations to various languages and the musical scores…
• World Youth Day Tips.

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Video “Days in the Diocese”, A Sneak Preview to JMJ

Video: The History of WYD

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Other JMJ posts on opusdeitoday.org:

• General Info on WYD/JMJ;
• JMJ places: Plaza de Cibeles (Pope welcome) and Cuatro Vientos (Vigil);
• Promotional JMJ Video;
• Announcement of JMJ 2011 Theme Song.

At the close of the Year for Priests, the official JMJ (Jornada Mundial de la Juventud / World Youth Day) 2011 Madrid website tells us of the stories of 2 Priests who were helped by their attendance at the World Youth Day (WYD) to discern their vocation to the Priesthood.

• Oscar, from Costa Rica, had seen his calling when he was 8, but saw it confirmed on attending WYD preparatory activities in 1991 and the WYD in Denver in 1993.  ” ‘The theme that year “I have come to give life and to give it abundantly’ sealed this desire…”
• Edgard, from Nicaragua, had been moved by the work of an exemplary Priest when he was young, and was reminded of him in a meeting with young people.  This desire to follow the example of that Priest was strengthened on attending the WYD in Paris in 1997.

RomeReports.com video: interviews with Priests:

Related stories:

• WYD 2011 Madrid Theme Song
• 2 meeting points with the Pope in Madrid confirmed
• Conclusion of the Year for Priests

Update from the organizers of the World Youth Day 2011 Madrid:

The Vatican has just confirmed that WYD youth shall receive Pope Benedict at the Plaza de Cibeles on August 18, and that the youth Vigil shall take place at Cuatro Vientos airfield on August 20!

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Here’s a 30-second video, showing Pope Benedict donning the special WYD 2011 Madrid hat:

See previous post on World Youth Day 2011 Madrid.

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World Youth Day (WYD) is an international event organized by the Catholic Church, uniting young people from all over the World who are Catholic, as well as other denominations of faith. The event is presided by the Holy Father and it occurs every two or three years.

The celebration of the XXVI World Youth Day will be held in Madrid, Spain’s capital, from the 16th to the 21st of August, 2011. The theme chosen is from St. Paul: “Rooted and built up in Christ; strengthened in the faith.” This will be the second time this international event will be held in Spain, the first having been celebrated in 1989 in Santiago de Compostela.

Kindly bookmark the Official Website of WYD (JMJ) Madrid 2011.  For those on Facebook, here’s the official WYD Madrid 2011 Page, and its accompanying Events Page Madrid 2011.

We likewise recommend following WYD news from H2oNews.org, “Your Good News Source”.   Here’s the promotional JMJ Madrid 2011 video:

As of this writing, the definitive promo video –to showcase important places in Madrid and to drum up greater interest in JMJ 2011– is still in the making.  Click here to see some shots…

Here’s the official Twitter account of Madrid 2011 JMJ.  For the Pope’s birthday, the WYD youth (members of FB page) sent in their personal photos; these were in turn put together and turned into a wonderful mosaic photo of Pope Benedict! Click here to see and download the picture