World Youth Day 2011: Schedule & Theme

Youth-oriented event, World Youth Day is celebrated every three years to share the hope of many young people, who desire to commit themselves to Christ and others, with the whole world. This year’s World Youth Day is the 26th World Youth Day (WYD) which is already started on August 16, 2011 and concludes on August 21, 2011. On Tuesday evening, World Youth Day 2011 was officially started in Madrid with the celebration of Mass in Cibeles Square of the city. Thousands of young people from all over the world attended the opening Mass in Madrid, Spain.

The theme of the 26th World Youth Day is “Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith.” By this message, the Holy Father gives emphasis to the significance of passing on to today’s young generation and their right to obtain from preceding generations “solid points of reference” that can assist them to make choices and to build their own lives. Today’s event of the WYD include Preparatory ceremony in Cuatro Vientos, Pope visits the “Fundación Instituto San José”, Vigil with the Pope and Night in Cuatro Vientos. Tomorrow, the Pope will reach in Cuatro Vientos, concelebrate WYD Final Mass and meet with the WYD volunteers at the IFEMA Fairgrounds. The Farewell Ceremony will be held at 6.30 at the Barajas Airport.