european churches" "
On Sunday 11 January, on the occasion of the feast of the Baptism of Jesus, a pastoral letter will be read out in all German churches. Approved by the permanent Council of the German Episcopal Conference on 24 November 2003, the aim of the letter is to present the next World Youth Day due to be held in Cologne from 16 to 21 August, with the slogan: “We are come to worship him” (Mt 2:2). “Rejoice with us for this great event!”, write the German bishops, who describe the various ways in which the meeting is being prepared and the various forms it will take. “The preparation of this event must become a spiritual point of departure for our Church. We must recognise the signs of the time and our responsibility to renew ourselves in the faith and be a missionary Church. From this point of view the bishops continue the WYD represents an occasion and commitment of extraordinary importance”. “Take WYD to your heart and help to turn it into a major event in your local district and in our country!” urge the bishops. They appeal to “families, parishes, communities, associations and institutions” to welcome the young visitors “with cordial hospitality”. They ask the faithful not only to “assist and support us with generosity”, but “especially” to pray “for a sound preparation and successful outcome of the WYD, so that it may truly become a great feast of the faith”.
