History of World Youth Days

In July 2008 the XXIII WYD will take place. Here’s what has gone before it: –

1978At the time of his election as Pope, John-Paul II said to young people “You are the future of the world and the hope of the Church”. In 1984 during the closing ceremonies for the Holy Year of the Redeemer, John-Paul II invited young people to gather in Rome for Passion/Palm Sunday, so as to celebrate a special Jubilee for the youth. This first meeting bought together 300.000 young people. Pope John Paul gave them the Jubilee Holy Year Cross, which today is the symbol of the WYD’s. In 1985 as the United Nations Organization had declared the year as the “International year for Youth”, John-Paul II repeated the experience of an international meeting for young people: 450.000 came to Rome on Passion Sunday and the Pope gave them an “apostolic letter” addressed to the “Youth of the World” (31/03/1985). The success of these two meetings encouraged him to promulgate the institution of World Youth days. (In English WYD, in French JMJ), the 20th December 1985.

19861st WYD Diocesan Feast in Rome, on Passion Sunday. (23/03/1986) Theme “Always be ready to give a witness to others for the hope that you have” ( 1 Peter 3,15)

19872nd WYD Buenos-Aires, Argentina. (11-12/4/1987) “We have recognized for ourselves, and put our faith in, the love God has for us.”
(1Jn 4,16)

19883rd WYD. Diocesan Feast, Passion Sunday (27/03/1988) “Do whatever He tells you” (Jn 2,5)

1989 4th WYD St Jacques de Compostella, Spain, (15-20/08/1989) “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” (Jn 14,6)

19905th WYD. Diocesan Feast, Passion Sunday. (08/04/1990) “I am the Vine, you are the branches”) (Jn 15,5)

19916th WYD. Czestochowa, Poland (10-15/08/1991) “You have received the Spirit of adoption (as sons of God)” (Rm. 8:15)

19927th WYD. Diocesan Feast. Passion Sunday (12/4/1992) “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all of creation” (Mk. 16:15)

19938th WYD. Denver. U.S.A. (10-15/08/1993) “I have come that you may have life and have it to the full” (Jn 10,10)

19949th WYD. Diocesan Feast. Passion Sunday, (27/03/1994) “As the Father sent me, so I am sending you” ( Jn 20,21)

199510th WYD Manilla, Philippines (10-15/01/1995) “As the Father sent me, so I am sending you” (Jn 20,21)

199611th WYD. Diocesan Feast. Passion Sunday (31/03/1996)”Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life!” (Jn 6,68)

1997 12th WYD. Paris, France (19-24/08/1997) “ ‘Master, where do you live?’ ‘Come and see!’ ” (Jn 1,38-39)

199813th WYD. Diocesan Feast. Passion Sunday (05/0401998) “The Holy Spirit will teach you everything”. (Jn 14,26)

199914th WYD. Diocesan Feast. Passion Sunday (28/03/1999) “The father loves you.” (Jn 16,27)

200015th WYD. Rome. Italy (15-20/08/2000) “The Word was made flesh and lived amongst us.” (Jn 1,14)

200116th WYD. Diocesan Feast. Passion Sunday. (08/04/2001) “If some-one wants to follow me, let him renounce himself, take up his cross and follow me.” (Lk 9,23)

200217th WYD. Toronto, Canada. (23-28/07/2002) “You are salt for the earth….You are light for the world.” (Mt 5,13-14)

200318th WYD. Diocesan Feast. Passion Sunday (13/04/2003) “Here is your mother.” (Jn 19,27)

200419th WYD Diocesan Feast. Passion Sunday (04/04/2004) “We want to see Jesus. (Jn12:21)

200520th WYD. Cologne, Germany (16-21/08/2005) “We have come to adore Him” (Mt 2,2)

200621st WYD. Celebrations in the Dioceses on Passion Sunday (09/04/2006) “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path.” (Ps 119,105)

200722nd WYD. Celebrations in the Dioceses on Passion Sunday “”Love one another as I have loved you.” (Jn 13,34)

200823rd WYD. Sydney, Australia (15-20/07/2008) “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses.” (Acts 1,8)