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Contents

Purpose

Chronology of celebrations

International

Diocesan

Typical schedule of events (International Level Celebrations)

External links

Purpose

The stated purpose of World Youth Day is:
#'Gathering together': World Youth Day is a coming together of young people from all over the world and a strong reminder of the strength and confidence the young bring to the Catholic Church today. A calling for the world's youth to come together as one people.
#'Putting trust in the young': World Youth Day is not simply a gathering for the young people of the world, but a time to put trust in the world's youth.
#'Meeting the international world on a human level': It is still a marvel in this the 21st Century to exchange with others and to be a part of an international experience. International events are able to stir much hope but also many fears (increase in fundamentalism, nationalism and other new conflicts). The Catholic Church and Christians feel themselves to have a role to play in preventing the development of these fears, and in aiding each person in finding their way and discovering hope.

Chronology of celebrations

International

'International level celebrations'

Year	Dates	Location	Attendance1	Theme	Theme Song (Anthem) [Languages]2
1984	April 15	Rome,	300,000	Holy Year of Redemption	NO ANTHEM
1985	March 31	Rome,	300,000	International Youth Year	Resta Qui Con Noi[Italian]
1987	April 11–12	Buenos Aires,	900,000	''We ourselves have known and put our faith in God’s love towards ourselves'' (1Jn 4:16)	Un Nuevo Sol[Spanish]
1989	August 15–20	Santiago de Compostela,	400,000	''I am the Way, the Truth and the Life'' (Jn 14:6)	Somos Los Jóvenes[Spanish]
1991	August 10–15	Częstochowa,	1,600,000	''You have received a spirit of sonship'' (Rom 8:15)	Abba Ojze[Polish Italian Spanish]
1993	August 10–15	Denver, ''Final mass held at Cherry Creek State Park''	900,000	''I came that they might have life, and have it to the full'' (Jn 10:10)	(We Are) One Body[English]
1995	January 10–15	Manila, ''Final mass held at Luneta Park''	10,000,000 [Holds the World record of the largest Papal assembly in history]	''As the Father sent me, so am I sending you'' (Jn 20:21)	Tell The World (Of His Love)[English]
1997	August 19–24	Paris, ''Final mass held at Longchamps''	1,200,000	''Teacher, where are you staying? Come and see'' (cf. Jn 1:38-39)	Maître Et Seigneur[French]
2000	August 15–20	Rome, ''Final mass held at Tor Vergata''	2,000,000	''The Word became flesh and dwelt among us'' (Jn 1:14)	Emmanuel[Italian English French Spanish]
2002	July 23–28	Toronto, ''Final mass held at Downsview Park''	800,000	''You are the salt of the earth ... you are the light of the world'' (Matthew 5:13-14)	Lumière Du Monde/Light Of The World[French English Spanish Italian]
2005	August 16–21	Cologne, ''Final mass held at Marienfeld''	1,200,000+	''We have come to worship Him'' (Mt 2:2)	Venimus Adorare Eum[German Latin French Spanish English Italian]
2008	July 15–20	Sydney, ''Final mass to be held at Randwick Racecourse''		''You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses.'' (Acts 1:8)	Receive The Power[English Italian Spanish French]

¹Attendance numbers reflect the total number at the closing Mass which includes many locals who attended only that one event.

²This lists languages used in the main international version of the anthem. Local versions of the anthem in other languages (and alternate versions) may have also been produced.

Diocesan

'Diocesan level celebrations (celebrated on Palm Sunday each year)'

Date	Theme
March 23, 1986	''Always be prepared to make a defence to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you'' (1Pt 3:15)
March 27, 1988	''Do whatever he tells you'' (Jn 2:5)
April 8, 1990	''I am the vine, you are the branches'' (Jn 15:5)
April 12, 1992	''Go into all the world and preach the Gospel'' (Mk 16:15)
March 27, 1994	''As the Father sent me, so am I sending you'' (Jn 20: 21)
March 31, 1996	''Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life'' (Jn 6:68).
April 5, 1998	''The Holy Spirit will teach you all things'' (cf Jn 14:26 )
March 28, 1999	''The Father loves you'' (cf. Jn 16:27)
April 8, 2001	''If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me'' (Lk 9:23)
April 13, 2003	''Behold, your mother!'' (Jn 19,27)
April 4, 2004	''We wish to see Jesus'' (Jn 12:21)
April 9, 2006	''Your word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path'' (Psalm 119:105)
April 1, 2007	''Just as I have loved you; you also should love one another'' (Jn 13:34).

Typical schedule of events (International Level Celebrations)

	Tues	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Morning	Day of Welcoming Arrival and Welcome	Catechetical Session w/ participating bishops	Catechetical Session w/ participating bishops	Catechetical Session w/ participating bishops	Pilgrimage to Vigil Site	Closing Liturgy w/ Holy Father
Afternoon	Opening ceremony	afternoon and evening shows, music, prayer and reconciliation opportunities	afternoon and evening shows, music, prayer and reconciliation opportunities	afternoon and evening shows, music, prayer and reconciliation opportunities
Evening				Stations of the Cross	Vigil Celebration & sleep over

External links

★ Official website of World Youth Day

★ The website for World Youth Day 2007, Australia