World Youth Day (or in short 'WYD') was initiated by Pope John Paul II in 1986. It is celebrated on a diocesan level annually, and at a week-long international level every two to three years at different locations. The international level events attract hundreds of thousands of youth from almost every country on the planet.

We want you to come to WYD in MADRID with us!

World Youth Day is more than a day. It is a series of days, held in a major city somewhere in the world, every three or so years. In 2011 it will be held in MADRID.

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WYD is a chance for young people to celebrate their faith in Christ, and be with the Pope. Participants have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture of the city in which WYD will be held by spending some days in the nearby dioceses and to come to know and share with other cultures participating in WYD.

But more importantly, young people experience the universal Church and come to realize more fully that they have a fundamental role to play as members of its body, for as St Paul says, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12,27).

WYD’s wide range of activities caters for all tastes and needs. Amongst them it is worth mentioning the night vigil and the Papal Mass. The night before the Papal Mass is spent in the open. The Holy Father exposes the Blessed Sacrament and all the young people gather in prayer and adoration before the Eucharistic Lord. The next day after the vigil, the Papal Mass mark the climax of the WYD. More up to five million people have been known to gather for the Mass in which the Holy Father announces the country in which WYD is next to take place.

Each WYD has a theme. The theme for WYD 2011 is “Rooted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith” (Colossians 2,7).

We will be updating this section of the website regularly as we get closer to departure date. See you on the road to Madrid!