COUNTDOWN TO WORLD YOUTH DAY
11th – 21st AUGUST 2005

In mid-August 2005 several hundred thousand young people will descend upon the charming city of Cologne in Germany to be together with the Pope for what will be the twentieth World Youth Day. It was John Paul II who founded World Youth Day in 1986. The invitation is extended to young people between the ages of 17 and 30. It is not only meant for Catholics, but for anybody who would like to take part. The events in and around Cologne will last a whole week, from the 16th to the 21st August 2005, and they will be preceded by what are known as “Days of Encounter” when young people will be hosted by dioceses all over Germany from 11 to 15 August.

As the seven young people from Knocklyon who travelled with me to the last WYD in Toronto in 2002 experienced, World Youth Day is actually a week long festival of praise. It is a colourful event in every respect, with music, dance and performances reflecting every culture under the sun. Each day is a fun and faith filled gathering with prayer, catechesis on the gospel, lots of walking and singing, and the chance for young people to make new friends from all over the world. The motto for this World Youth Day is “We have come to worship Him – Jesus Christ”.

Carmelite friars live in and serve a parish in the centre of Cologne, and each night they will host a gathering with a distinctly Carmelite flavour for all youth associated with the Order throughout Europe and beyond. So do consider joining us for this trip of a lifetime.

PLEASE NOTE:
We will need to have names and a €100 deposit by December 1 at the latest. We will travel with Catholic Youth Care (CYC) from Dublin. Their all-in cost is quite reasonable, €499, which covers all travel expenses, basic food, accommodation and WYD registration. From January onwards all those travelling will be invited to come together each month to spend some time preparing spiritually for this not-to-be-missed pilgrimage of faith. Be sure to check out www.wyd.ie or www.wyd2005.org for the very latest.