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What is World Youth Day?

WYD is not a day, it is a journey.
It is comprised of 2 sections – DID & WYD
DID is optional, and WYD week → Official WYDay
It did not have the format it has now
1^st 2 unofficial WYD’s were held in Rome (no themes)
1^st official WYD was held in Rome and had theme and song (not made specifically for WYD)
1^st International WYD in Buenos Aires, Argentina: Theme, specific song & 1^st logo (2 days)
Palm Sunday is WYD at Diocesan level every year except international years
Each international celebration has kept adding to it till it has the format it has now (since Toronto)

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Chronicle of World Youth Days

Unofficial → Rome 1984 & 1985 Palm Sundays (was made official in 1985 for 1986)

1987: 2^nd WYD (1^st International)

Buenos Aires, Argentina, Palm Sunday April 11-12

“We ourselves have known and put our faith in God’s love towards ourselves” (1 Jn 4:16)

Un Nuevo Sol – A New Sun (theme song)

1986: 1^st official (still Rome ) March 23 Palm Sunday

“Always be prepared to make a defence to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you” (1Pt 3:15)

Resta Qui Con Noi – Stay Here with Me (theme song from 1984)

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1988: 3^rd WYD (Diocesan Celebration) March 27 Palm Sunday

“Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5)

1989: 4^th WYD August 15 - 20 International celebration

Santiago de Compostela

“I am the way the truth and the life” (Jn 14:6)

Somos los Jovenes del 2000 – we are the young people of the year 2000 (new Millenium) (theme song)

1990: 5^th WYD (Diocesan Celebration) April 8 Palm Sunday

“I am the vine, you are the branches” (Jn 15:5)

1991: 6^th WYD August 10 – 15 International Celebration Czestochowa

“You have received a Spirit of Sonship” (Rom 8:15)

Theme Song: Abba Ojcze

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1992: 7^th WYD (Diocesan Celebration) April 12 Palm Sunday

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mk 16:15)

1993: 8^th WYD August 10 – 15 Denver International Celebration

“I came that they may have life and have it to the full” (Jn 10:10)

1994: 9^th WYD (Diocesan Celebration) March 27 Palm Sunday

“As the Father sent me so I am sending you” (Jn 20:21)

Theme Song:

One Body

1995: 10^th WYD January 10 – 15 Manila International Celebration

“As the Father sent me so I am sending you” (Jn 20:21)

Theme Song: Tell the world of his love

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1996: 11^th WYD (Diocesan Celebration) March 31Palm Sunday

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn 6:68)

1998: 13^th WYD (Diocesan Celebration) April 5 Palm Sunday

“The Holy Spirit will teach you all things” (cf Jn 14:26)

1997: 12^th WYD August 19 – 24 Paris International Celebration

1999: 14^th WYD (Diocesan Celebration) March 28 Palm Sunday

“The Father loves you” (cf Jn 16:27)

“Teacher, where are you staying? Come and see” (cf Jn 1:38 – 39)

2000: 15^th WYD August 15 – 20 Rome International Celebration

“The Word became Flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14)

Theme song: Emmanuel

Theme song:

Maitre et Seigneur, venu chez nous – Master and Lord, come to us

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2001: 16^th WYD (Diocesan Celebration) April 8 Palm Sunday

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow me ” (Lk 9:23)

2003: 18^th WYD (Diocesan Celebration) April 13 Palm Sunday

“Behold your mother” (Jn 19:27)

2002: 17^th WYD July 23 – 28 Toronto International Celebration

2004: 19^th WYD (Diocesan Celebration) April 4 Palm Sunday

“We wish to see Jesus” (Jn 12:21)

“You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world” (Mt 5:13 – 14)

2005: 20^th WYD August 15 – 20 Cologne International Celebration

“We have come to worship Him” (Mt 2:2)

Theme song: Venimus Adorare Eum, Imanuel

Theme song: Lumiere du monde – Light of the world

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2006: 21^st WYD (Diocesan Celebration) April 8 Palm Sunday

“Your Word is a light to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps 119 [118]:105)

2009: 24^th WYD (Diocesan Celebration) April 5 Palm Sunday

“We have set our hope on the living God” (1 Tim 4:10)

2007: 22^nd WYD (Diocesan Celebration) April 1

“Just as I have loved you, so you should love one another” (Jn 13:34)

2010: 25^th WYD (Diocesan Celebration) March 28 Palm Sunday Rome Special Celebration March 25

“Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mk 10:17)

2011: 26^th WYD August 16 – 21 Madrid International Celebration

Theme song: Unknown as yet

2008: 23^rd WYD July 15 – 20 Sydney International Celebration

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8)

Theme song: Receive the power

“Rooted and Built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the Faith” (Col 2:7)