Interconfessional Via Crucis, meetings and moments of dialogue for students of theology, days of social commitment and ecumenical pilgrimages: these are just some of the events on the programme of Word Youth Day in Cologne (15-21 August), which is becoming increasingly characterized by its ecumenical contents. This is especially the case this year due to the presence of members of the Taizé, Chemin Neuf and St. Egidio communities, but also to the participation of Evangelical and Orthodox volunteers. The latter have made available a great deal of private accommodation to the young on their arrival in Germany. Many Evangelical churches will host the groups of catechesis and other events on the programme during the afternoon and evening festivals. Evangelical communities have also placed their centres at the disposal of the young pilgrims as sleeping quarters. Moments of ecumenical reflection, of various kinds, are also planned during the days of meeting in the German dioceses (from 11 to 15 August). In this way a living experience of ecumenism in Germany will be transmitted to the young pilgrims. In particular the day of social commitment on 12 August will provide many opportunities for cooperation between the various organizations. Preparation of the rich programme of ecumenical meetings has already begun and is being focused in particular on the WYD Cross: one of the salient moments of the preparatory process will in fact be the pilgrimage on foot with the Cross from Dresden to Cologne (8 July to 16 August). This project, called “On the Traces of the Cross”, corresponds in part to the “ecumenical pilgrimage” recently introduced into the programme by the WYD committee.
