Please keep in your prayers the repose of the soul of Bishop Emeritus John Mortimer Fourette Smith, Ninth Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton (1997-2010), former Coadjutor Bishop of Trenton (1995-1997), former Bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee in Florida (1991-1995) and former Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark (1988-1991)
The 15th international World Youth Day (WYD) began Tuesday, Jan. 22 in Panama City, Panama and will continue until this Sunday Jan. 27. This gathering of thousands of Catholic youth and young adults from around the world takes place every two or three years. Established by Pope St. John Paul II in 1985, the first international gathering was in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1987. This year will be the very first time that the event is held in Central America.
There are three objectives to WYD:
- A celebration of and putting trust in the young;
- Give young people a chance to make pilgrimage;
- Give young people a chance to encounter the worldwide Catholic community.
The theme for this year’s gathering is taken from Mary’s response to God’s will through the archangel Gabriel's annunciation that she would bear a son in Luke 1:38, her
fiat: “
I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
One new feature at this year's event is the introduction of a way to pray with the Holy Father:
www.clicktopray.org. Using both website and mobile app platforms, it is possible to be at the event
virtually, in case you cannot be there
physically, and will remain long after WYD has concluded.
In the words of Pope Francis, “The Internet and social media are a resource of our time, an occasion to be in contact with others, to share values and plans, and to express the desire to be a community. The network can also help us to pray in community, to pray together ... And so I present to you the official platform of the Pope’s Global Prayer Network: ‘Click to Pray.’ I will insert here the intentions and prayer requests for the Church’s mission. I invite young people to pray together with me the Rosary for Peace.”
With this platform it is possible to:
- Pray with the Pope, with the Pope’s monthly prayer intentions for the challenges facing humanity and the mission of the Church;
- Pray every day, with a prayer rhythm involving three daily moments; and
- Pray with the network a space where users (including Pope Francis) can share their prayers with others.
Take this opportunity, and encourage your children and grandchildren, to join the world community in lifting our prayers to God this World Youth Day and everyday!
Here's a brief video about this year's WYD (if you can't see the video follow the link at
https://youtu.be/M3wGWp6Jom4):