Madrid, June 22, 2011- World Youth Day’s were begun with the desire to offer new generations the treasures of the faith with renewed enthusiasm: the beauty of the Christian message, the Eucharist, Confession… That’s why Eucharistic adoration will be one of the focal points at WYD.

There will be a Prayer Vigil for young people with Benedict XVI at Cuatro Vientos Air Base on August 20. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed in the Monstrance of Arfe, a masterpiece of Spanish gold with a 500-year history, known for its use in the world famous Corpus Christi procession through the streets of Toledo (Spain).

Part of the WYD programming includes acts of Eucharistic adoration. More than 50 churches in downtown Madrid will hold adoration accompanied by prayer. It will also be held in public places, such as the Parque del Retiro. There will be a tent set up by the Missionary Sisters of Mother Teresa, so that young people can come to adore Jesus exposed in the Monstrance from 10 am to 12 midnight.

Diversity of movements and languages

There are many movements and institutions of the Catholic Church that will organize moments for adoration: Schoenstatt, the Dominicans, the Marists, Regnum Christi, Focolare, Cursillos, the Piarists, the Order of St. John of God, and many more.

Other acts will have an international accent. The Knights of Columbus will offer a wide variety of activities for English-speaking participants at the “Palacio de los Deportes” (Sports Palace), which holds seating for 9,000 people.

In France, the Taizé Community will hold prayer meetings, as will the Discalced Carmelite Friars of Avignon and Paris.

Some of these acts of adoration will be combined with other events: music, concerts… The Chemin Neuf Community will have a brief time of prayer and then go to evangelize through choirs that will invite people to join them along the way, eventually meeting up at Plaza de Oriente.

Plaza de España will become a hub for spreading the Christian message. The “Anuncio” Festival with the Charismatic Renewal will be responsible for spiritual animation. This corner of Madrid will also have the relics of St. Therese of Lisieux on display for public veneration.

How it all began

During WYD in Rome in 2000, the then Pope John Paul II asked that the churches and chapels of Rome remain open with the Blessed Sacrament exposed.

That way, young people could find many times and places to internalize the experiences and emotions of WYD in front of the Eucharist. The result was surprising. To the amazement of many, there was also a continuous procession of young people seeking reconciliation with God in the Sacrament of Confession. John Paul II also proposed the use of the Coliseum for that same purpose.

*** More information will be available in the Guide to Cultural Programming that every pilgrim will find in their backpack.