WYD Poland – 31st World Youth Day

At a meeting with young Argentinians in Rio de Janiero, Pope Francis advised: ‘Read the Beatitudes, it will do you good.’ Our task is to re-read the message of the Beatitudes. For three consecutive years, the Pope has chosen for us three out of the eight Beatitudes as the themes for the WYDs. Each one is elaborated on in his addresses, in which he comments on theological matters and gives the youth some tasks for the next year of spiritual work.

The choice of Krakow and World Youth Day’s motto lead us to the Spark of Mercy. Since the appearance of Jesus to St. Sister Faustina, Mercy has been radiating from Krakow-Lagiewniki to the whole universal Church. Krakow is widely known as the centre of worship of God’s mercy, and young pilgrims who come will surely want to see the place of the revelations, Sister Faustina’s tomb, and the shrine – the place where St. John Paul II entrusted the world to God’s Mercy.

The theme of the XXXI World Youth Day Krakow 2016 is: ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy’ (Mt 5:7). Our Holy Father Francis has chosen the fifth of the eight Beatitudes, given by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, to show the importance of the Beatitudes which are at the heart of Jesus’ teaching. In his first Sermon, Jesus presents us with eight examples of qualities that bring us closer to the Kingdom of God.

Among the main events there will be the Opening Mass on the 25th of July, the Welcome Ceremony with the first meeting the Holy Father (28th July), the Way of the Cross with the WYD Cross (29th July), and then the event at the heart of World Youth Day: the Vigil with the Holy Father (30th July) and the Concluding Mass (31st July). The program will also include catechesis in various languages

The Youth Festival: a religious, artistic and cultural program takes place in the afternoons and evenings during the three days of catechesis, except during the Main Events. The Youth Festival is composed of open and free initiatives of an artistic, religious and spiritual character. This aspect of WYD gives pilgrims an opportunity to participate in concerts, exhibitions, workshops, sporting events, theatre events and many others. The Youth Festival is prepared for pilgrims, by pilgrims. Everyone has the opportunity to participate not only as a spectator but also as an artist or organizer.

The young people of the Focolare Movement will give their contribution towards the preparation of WYD, particularly through an event held during this Festival on 27th July in Krakow, Sports Club Plaszowianka ul. Stroza-Rybna 19 (tram stop 50, 20, 11).