” “"Lord of Peace send your Spirit to touch our hearts and the hearts of all men. Help us understand each other and bridge the lack of understanding that divides mankind. Help us to be respectful of each other and help us fight against all forms of contempt that oppress men and women. Give us the strength to never stop being committed to peace and opposing violence". This is a passage from the prayer for peace that the youth will be reading during the celebrations of the 20th WYD, which begins today with the twinning with the German dioceses. Cologne, which is tranquil and not at all armoured in spite of the recent terrorist attacks in London and Egypt, is ready to welcome the pilgrims who have a heavy schedule ahead of them. On the first day (15 August), after having settled down in their rooms, at 8 p.m. a Marian liturgy will be held in their respective parishes. On 16 August after morning prayer there will be meetings in the spirituality centres, at five o’clock the welcome Eucharist will be celebrated, and at 7 p.m. there will be a concert. The next three days, morning prayer in the parishes at 7.30 will be followed by catechesis, confessions that end with the Eucharist, and then the youth festival. There are special events on each day: on the 17th there is the Italiani Köln, on the 18th the Holy Father will be welcomed and on the 19th the Way of the Cross. Confessions will begin on the 20th, in the Marienfeld area, and then at 8.30 p.m. there will be a vigil with Benedict XVI, followed by adoration and silence. And finally on 21st August, at 7 a.m. the morning lauds will be recited, then at 10 o’clock the Eucharist will be celebrated with the Holy Father and at 12.30 the closing musical event.
