WYD 2011
Italy: the message of cardinal Bagnasco to the youth”A fundamental experience in the search for the face of God and a unique Church moment”: thus described the World Youth Day cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI) in a message to the youth leaving for Madrid. The Letter is contained in the “Vademecum” given to Italian pilgrims. “Being with the youth is always a gift. It is an injection of vitality and authenticity – the cardinal writes – based on the belief that inter-generational dialogue is the secret of true education”. The youth living in Madrid will experience “multi-voice” dialogue. “The first dialogue that will be undertaken is the dialogue with the soul, that is reawakened when it emerges from its everyday life to reach out towards a new situation that is distant from ordinary experiences, in an essential context focused on what really counts”. The WYD is an occasion “to rediscover the times of silence and listening, an occasion to decide only after having made a heartfelt choice. Through catechesis, personal prayer, Eucharist, silent adoration and sacramental confession – underlines the CEI president – you will be invited to let God’s action enter your life without creating obstacles, preparing the conditions that will also help in the discernment on the choice of life”. The supreme guide “in the listening of and meditation on the Word of God” will be Benedict XVI. “In his profound yet simple words – said Cardinal Bagnasco – we will find the necessary guidance to understand our own lives and find our bearings at these difficult historical times”. Another experience will be the dialogue “that will develop among all of you young people arriving from all corners of our Country and of the world. It will be a time for inter-cultural exchange marked by mutual enrichment. In a world that is still experiencing a deep divide accompanied by tearing economic and political conflicts, and by wars that are often forgotten, being together in the name of the common Christian belief is a sign of faith and of the humanizing force of the Gospel. I hope – concludes the cardinal – that upon the return to your homes you will cherish this universal openness, which is a distinctive trait of our identity as believers, our ‘Catholic’ identity that is rooted in Christ”. It is estimated that approximately 100 thousand young people will be in Madrid, accompanied by 102 bishops. There still are further 200 young people working as volunteers in the organizing committee.Switzerland: 1.300 young people and four bishopsApproximately 1.300 Swiss youth will leave for Madrid accompanied by the “bishop of the young” Msgr. Marian Eleganti, and by Msgr. Pier Giacomo Grampa, bishop of Lugano; by Msgr. Vitus Huonder, bishop of Coira, and by Msgr. Martin Gächter, auxiliary bishop of Basel. The group will be joined by some fifty priests, religious men and women.Swiss guards: also a group of “young”On the occasion of the World Youth Day, due to take place in Madrid on August 16 to 21, Benedict XVI will be welcomed by a special group of body guards: 60 children, wearing the traditional uniform of the Swiss guards. The group is named “Young Swiss Guards”. In an interview with Fides, the Director of the group of children said that the young Swiss Guards corps was born as a token of affection for the Pope, in particular for John Paul II, on the occasion of his first visit to Spain in 1982. Blessed John Paul II visited the country again in 1993 and in 2003, and was always accompanied by the young Swiss Guards. The Swiss guards corps is responsible for the Pope’s security. 110 of them guard his residence and assist him during important ceremonies in the Vatican. It will be different for the WYD, when the Pope will arrive in Spain the security will increase and will avail itself also of the special Young Swiss Guards corps. The uniforms were made with 450 mt. of fabric and 4200 mt. of ribbon, and were ready after approximately 5 thousand hours of work. The group will welcome the Pope at the airport of Barajas, and will be there to bid farewell to the Holy Father upon his departure after the WYD.
