Over 50 Salesian Youth from California will be joining the estimated 800,000 young people in Germany for the World Youth Day 2005. They will be our ambassadors to Pope Benedict XVI and the young people gathered in Köln (Cologne) Germany. Let's accompany them with our prayers.


Youth Day '05 Cologne
2005 Weltjugndtag

VATICAN CITY, JULY 5, 2005: Benedict XVI will be welcomed in Cologne by young people attending World Youth Day, on Aug. 18 in the afternoon, according to the event's provisional calendar.

The key moments of the Pope's visit to Germany will take place on Saturday afternoon, Aug. 20, and Sunday morning, Aug. 21. On Saturday night, 800,000 young people will join the Pope in a vigil at the Marienfeld. The program will include the Holy Father's greetings, as well as time for Eucharistic adoration and the sacrament of reconciliation.

On Sunday morning, again at the Marienfeld, the Holy Father will celebrate the closing Mass of World Youth Day. After his farewell, young people will participate in a musical closing.

The Church in Germany will welcome young people on Aug. 16 with Masses celebrated by Cardinal Joachim Meisner in Cologne; Bishop Franz Josef Bode, president of the episcopal Youth Commission, in Bonn; and Cardinal Karl Lehmann, president of the bishops' conference, in Dusseldorf. A welcome festival will then be held in the three cities, with the participation of international artists.

From Aug. 17-20, young people will begin the day with prayer and catechesis, usually given by a bishop. Mass and the possibility to receive the sacrament of reconciliation will follow the session. Every afternoon, except on Saturday, there will be an artistic and religious Youth Festival.

Below is an overview of the current schedule for World Youth Day 2005. Times and events might still change.

Monday, Aug. 15
Arrival during the day.
8-10 pm Marian celebrations in the parishes.

Tuesday, Aug. 16
From 7:30 a.m. Morning prayer in the parishes.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Spiritual Center, "Culture in the City"
Meeting places in the afternoon, introductory program with music and prayers
5-7 p.m. Opening Mass in Cologne with Cardinal Meisner, in Bonn with Bishop Bode and in Dusseldorf with Cardinal Lehmann
7-10 p.m. Welcome Festival (Cologne, Bonn and Dusseldorf)

Wednesday, Aug. 17
From 7:30 a.m. Morning prayer in the parishes
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Catechesis, together with the sacrament of reconciliation and a closing Mass
2-5 p.m. Musical Picnic (Cologne, Bonn and Dusseldorf)
2-10 p.m. Youth Festival
Evening ecumenical religious services within context of the Youth Festival

Thursday, Aug. 18
From 7:30 a.m. Morning prayer in the parishes
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Catechesis, together with the sacrament of reconciliation and a closing Mass in the afternoon
Introductory program with music and prayers
4:30-7 p.m. Welcome celebration with the Pope
7-10 p.m. International Festival (Cologne city center)

Friday, Aug. 19
From 7:30 a.m. Morning prayer in the parishes
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Catechesis, together with the sacrament of reconciliation and a closing Mass
2-6 p.m. Youth Festival
7:30 p.m. Way of the Cross

Saturday, Aug. 20
7:30 am Final service, farewell in the parishes
From 11 a.m. Access granted for vigil at the Marienfeld
From noon Sacrament of reconciliation
In the afternoon, introductory program with music and prayers; sacrament of reconciliation
8:30-11:30 p.m. Vigil with the Pope at the Marienfeld, followed by silence and adoration, sacrament of reconciliation

Sunday, Aug. 21
7 a.m. Morning
10 a.m.-12:30 pm Concluding Mass with the Pope at the Marienfeld
until 6 p.m.. musical closure of WYD

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