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Fr. Gary Coulter, Catholic Priest and Parish Pastor

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World Youth Day Messages

See My Pictures from WYD 2016 in Poland
Pictures from WYD 2013 in Rio de Janeiro
See My Pictures from WYD 2011 in Madrid, Spain

See My Information on WYD 2011 in Madrid, Spain
See My Information on WYD 2008 in Sydney, Australia

Plan ahead for WYD 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal

After holding two international youth meetings in Rome in 1984 and 1985, Pope John Paul II announced the institution of World Youth Day (WYD), an annual invitation to youth from around the world to gather in prayer for peace and reconciliation. The first World Youth Day was celebrated at a diocesan level in 1986, with the first International celebration held the following year. Even though the international gatherings happen about every two or three years, WYD itself is celebrated each year (in the individual diocese).

Pope Benedict XVI has continued the World Youth Day tradition, bringing together hundreds of thousands of Catholic youth between the ages of 16 and 35 from over 150 countries. (See the Vatican Chronicle of World Youth Days.) Perhaps you will be at the next WYD in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2013?

Fact: At the 1995 World Youth Day, 5 million youths gathered at Manila's Luneta Park in the Philippines, an event recognized as the largest crowd ever by the Guinness World Records.

Message for World Youth Day 2011

My Pictures of WYD 2005

Read the messages of our Holy Father from each World Youth Day below.

2023 World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal
MessageYearLocationTheme of Pope's Message
1st World Youth Day1986Always be prepared to testify for the hope that is in you. (1 Peter 3:15)
2nd World Youth Day1987Buenos Aires, ArgentinaWe know and believe the love that God has for us. (1 John 4:16)
3rd World Youth Day1988Do whatever he tells you. (John 2:5b)
4th World Youth Day1989Santiago di Compostela, SpainI am the way, and the truth, and the life. (John 14:6)
5th World Youth Day1990I am the vine, you are the branches. (John 15:5)
6th World Youth Day1991Czestochowa, PolandYou have received the spirit of sonship. (Romans 8:15)
7th World Youth Day1992Go into all the world and preach the gospel. (Mark 16:15)
8th World Youth Day1993Denver, USAI came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)
9th & 10th World Youth Day1994-95Manila, PhilippinesAs the Father has sent me, even so I send you. (John 20:21)
11th World Youth Day1996Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. (John 6:68)
12th World Youth Day1997Paris, FranceTeacher, where are you staying? Come and see. (cf. John 1:38-39)
13th World Youth Day1998The Holy Spirit will teach you all things. (cf. John 14:26)
14th World Youth Day1999The Father loves you. (cf. John 16:27)
15th World Youth Day2000Rome, ItalyThe Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14)
16th World Youth Day2001If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me (Luke 9:23)
17th World Youth Day2002Toronto, CanadaYou are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world. (Matthew 5:13-14)
18th World Youth Day2003Behold, your mother! (John 19:27)
19th World Youth Day2004We wish to see Jesus. (John 12:21)
20th World Youth Day2005Cologne, GermanyWe have come to adore Him. (Matthew 2:2)
21st World Youth Day2006Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105)
22nd World Youth Day2007Love one another, as I have loved you. (John 13:34)
23rd World Youth DayJuly 15-20, 2008Sydney, AustraliaYou will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses. (Acts 1:8)
24th World Youth Day2009We Have Set Our Hope on the Living God. (1 Timothy 4:10).
25th World Youth Day2010Good Teacher, What Must I do to Inherit Eternal Life? (Mark 10:17)
26th World Youth DayAug. 15-21, 2011Madrid, SpainRooted and Built Up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the Faith. (Colossians 2:7)
27th World Youth Day2012Rejoice in the Lord always (Phil 4:4)
28th World Youth DayJuly 23-28, 2013Rio de Janeiro, BrazilGo and make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19)
29th World Youth Day2014Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mt 5:3)
30th World Youth Day2015Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Mt 5: 8)
31st World Youth Day2016Krakow, PolandBlessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy (Mt 5:7)
32nd World Youth Day2017The Mighty One has done great things for me (Lk 1:49)
33rd World Youth Day2018Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God (Lk 1:30)
34th World Youth Day2019Panama City, PanamaI am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word (Lk 1:38)
35th World Youth Day2020Young man, I say to you, arise! (Lk 7:14)
36th World Youth Day2021Stand up. I appoint you as a witness of what you have seen. (cf. Acts 26:16)
37th World Youth Day2022-2023Mary arose and went with haste (Lk 1:39)

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