23 Nov 2012
Exciting doesn’t begin to describe it. It doesn’t do it justice. Are there even words to adequately explain what’s it like to have over 3,000,000 young Catholics sharing, exploring and celebrating their faith. A lot of the time people say, “You would have had to have been there.” This is one of those rare occasions when they’re actually right.
Next year’s celebration of World Youth Day in Rio promises to be one of the biggest youth gatherings in history. But it’s more than just a get together or simply a party. It about being a member of a universal Church, which includes people from all over our planet. It reminds us that, as Catholics, we have something to share and to celebrate.
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The theme for this year, set by Pope Benedict XVI, is ‘Go and make disciples of all the nations.‘ We’re going as part of the Archdiocese of Westminster group and will hopefully include people from our school in Princethorpe and our parish in St. Albans. If there’s anybody else we know out there who are interested in going you can email me at fralan@mscvocations.ie We look forward to you joining us!
Here’s a copy of our draft timetable of events during WYD:
Sunday 21 July 2013
Depart London for Rio – flights via Lisbon
Monday 22 July
Arrivals. Allocation of accommodation at Hotel Princess Promenade, Copacabana
Registration, collection of WYD Packs, clergy accreditation.
Group Meeting & Orientation
Westminster Pilgrimage Opening Mass Venue TBC
Tuesday 23 July
Breakfast
AM: Morning Prayer, Westminster formation session, small groups
PM: Opening Mass of World Youth Day: Copacabana beach area, celebrated by His Excellency Archbishop Orani João Tempesta, Archbishop of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro.
Wednesday 24 July
Breakfast
AM: Morning Prayer, transfer to catechesis site, Catechesis celebration, Mass, Lunch
PM: Youth Festival …other activities…
Late PM: Westminster (& other England?) Penitential Celebration Venue TBC
Thursday 25 July
Breakfast
AM: Morning Prayer, transfer to catechesis site, Catechesis celebration, Mass, Lunch
PM: Welcome Ceremonies of the Holy Father Benedict XVI at Copacabana beach area
Friday 26 July
Breakfast
AM: Morning Prayer, transfer to catechesis site, Catechesis celebration, Mass, Lunch
PM: Westminster meeting for weekend excursion to Vigil with Holy Father Benedict XVI
PM: Stations of the Cross
Saturday 27 July
Breakfast, Morning Prayer
Beginning of transfer to Vigil/Final celebration site
Arrivals at Vigil Site
PM: Vigil celebration with the Holy Father Benedict XVI
Overnight at site
Sunday 28 July
Breakfast at overnight site
WYD Sunday Mass with the Holy Father
Return transfer to Hotel
Group meeting, evening meal.
Monday 29 July
Leave accommodation, return flight to London, via Lisbon.
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So really, what are you waiting for?