World Youth Day 2011

     It has begun.  For those unaware of a momentous event in the life of the Church that is presently taking place, World Youth Day 2011 began yesterday, August 16th and runs through August 21st in Madrid, Spain.  Between a million and a million and a half young people will gather in the Spanish capital to celebrate their Faith in Jesus Christ.  They will gather with youth leaders, with the leaders of the Church, including Pope Benedict XVI to witness to the world the power and strength they possess as children of God.  These World Youth Days are held every three years (the last one was in Sydney) and were initiated under the late Pope John Paul II.  As Rocco Palmo in Whispers often refers to the gathering .. it is like our Catholic Youth Olympics.

     The theme this year is: "Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in faith."  The program began Tuesday with gathering and registrations, cultural programs of concerts, exhibits, museum visits, plays, etc. and ended with an opening Mass at 8:00 pm Madrid time led by the Archbishop of Madrid.  Today's schedule includes the beginning of three days of catechises (teaching) led in language groups by bishops from around the world.  In the English speaking section, U.S. bishops like Bishop Ed Burns of Juneau, Alaska (a priest of Pittsburgh), Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York and President of the Bishop's Conference and Archbishop Charles Chaput, our newly appointed Archbishop of Philadelphia.  These sessions meet throughout the city in churches, school, sports areas, auditoriums, etc.

     I have never participated in a WYD (the schedules and physical exertion are more than this body can take) but I understand that they are ... awesome!  Pray for the young people and those who journey with them through these days.  Pray for a new awakening of Faith - a new Pentecost - in the life of the Church.  And pray for all of our young people that they may come to know and love Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
If you would like to check the official web site, it is www.madrid11.com. 

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     I saw in the paper this morning the notice of the death of Retired Bishop Bernard W. Schmitt of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in West Virginia.  Bishop Schmitt died Tuesday - one day shy of turning 83.  He served as bishop of the Wheeling-Charleston diocese for more than 15 years.  A good friend of mine, Sister Kathleen McCauley of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill was a principal in Wheeling for a number of years, and often spoke of Bishop Schmitt's warmth, down to earth personality, and spirituality.  He was a great guy.  Please remember him in your prayers today.