SPAIN
Linked to Australia
The situation is similar to that of other European Countries, broadly illustrated by SIR Europe in the past months: many young people are getting ready for the World Youth Day with the Pope to be held in Australia next July 15-20. However, high travel costs will prevent many others from leaving their Countries. A number of initiatives were therefore set up which, along with the Australian Days, are contributing to the realization of a virtual WYD in local churches. Thanks to mega-screens and new technologies, various million pilgrims throughout the world will join at a distance the 250thousand pilgrims who will be travelling to Australia (although rough estimates envisage 500 thousand for the final Mass). Four meetings. According to the news agency Fides, four meetings have been planned for the youth with satellite link to Sydney. With the coordination of Spain’s Bishops’ Conference, positions will be set up in El Rocío (Huelva), Santiago di Compostela, Madrid and Javier (Navarra). The diocese of Pamplona-Tudela and its archbishop, Msgr. Francisco Pérez González, National director of Spain’s Pontifical Missionary Institutes, organised a meeting with the youth delegation scheduled for July 17-20. Activities have been planned as follows: on Friday there will be the official presentation of the meeting, the Via Crucis in Javier, 20 workshops on current events, 6 exhibitions and a Musical vigil. Saturday a prayer-catechesis on the Pope’s letter to the youth will be held, there will be a Vigil prayer with satellite link to Sydney and workshops regarding contemporary commitments of the youth. The day will reach its peak with a great celebration called “From darkness we walk towards the light”. It will begin at midnight and will end at 7 am. The next day, a Via Lucis with music and lights will be followed by the connection to the Pope’s Mass in Sydney. It will end with a supper and a final Eucharist officiated by archbishop Francisco Pérez, in the level ground of the castle. In the village of El Rocío. In the south of Spain, the bishops of Andalusia organised a gathering in the village of El Rocío (Huelva) on July 16 – 20. Msgr. José Vilaplana, bishop of Huelva, explained that El Rocío was chosen “because of its strong bond with the Pentecost and because it is also a convenient place in Andalusia enabling to reach the objective of having an experience with Christ in the image of the Virgin del Rocío and in communion with the Pope”. Three different activities will be held during the meeting. “Firstly – the bishop explained – the Sanctuary will be a place of silence and prayer where the Holy Sacrament will be exposed”. Pilgrims will convene in El Chaparral di Almonte, Huelva, and will proceed on pilgrimage until el Rocío on July 16 at 8 p.m. Arrival in the village is scheduled for Thursday July 17 at two in the morning. On that same day, at 11, will be held the official presentation of participants and the opening of the Days. The Angelus will then be celebrated. In the evening, at 8 p.m. catechesis will begin. The day will conclude with a concert-festival. The next day, the Angelus prayer is scheduled at 12, followed by workshops. Catecheses will begin at 8 p.m. A concert will mark the day’s conclusion. Saturday 19 will equally be introduced by the Angelus. At midnight will begin the Prayer Vigil which will continue until dawn, when the Eucharistic celebration will take place along with salutations to pilgrims. Satellite links during the meeting will broadcast the most important moments of the Wyd. Other scheduled activities include: the perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Sanctuary, the Youth-Vocational fair, the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Celebration of the Eucharist every day, in different places, the celebration of the Eucharist in the Sanctuary at 9 p.m. In Madrid. Madrid will be linked to Sydney during the night of Saturday 19 and Sunday July 20. On the evening of Friday 18, in La Coruña, a Vigil prayer will be recited in the cathedral. On Saturday 19 there will be a link with the Vigil in Sydney, the celebration of Penance and the Mass in the Cathedral. The Festival of the Youth will take place during the night with links to other places in Spain and with Sydney. The gathering will conclude with the Mass on Sunday 20.
