” “"Satisfaction" with the way things have gone on the days of the twinship with the German dioceses in the run-up to the XX WYD, which will officially open in Cologne today. These are the words of Mgr Franz-Josef Bode, bishop of Osnabrück, in charge of the young pastoral of the German Bishop Conference, in an interview to the German Catholic Agency KNA. Over 300,000 people joined the Twinship Days; the German parish churches and families met about 120,000 boys and girls from all over the world. Bode also highlighted the success of the Social Commitment Day, which was held on August 12th and saw the accomplishment of 4,300 projects all over the country. "The Twinship Days commented Bode should be continued in the next WYDs". Cardinal Karl Lehmann too, president of the German Bishop Conference and Bishop of Mainz, said he was satisfied with what has been done so far. In his diocese, the cardinal concluded the Twinship Days last night with a Mass for Our Lady of the Assumption, which was attended by about 18,000 German and foreigner devotees. Cardinal Lehmann reminded them of the example of the three Wise Men, who "sincerely look for an ultimate meaning and a reference to human life in all the situations of life. God will not let them get lost, even if they are pagan. He guides them through the star they never stop following". "Satisfaction" was also expressed by Mgr Reinhard Marx, bishop of Trier. His diocese hosted approximately 10 thousand young people from 60 different countries.
