World Youth Day

World Youth Day 2013 starts today in Rio de Janeiro and continues until the 28th. WYD is an amazing international event for youth all over the WORLD to come together and strengthen their faith though Mass, the Blessed Sacrament, the Holy Father and his message, and fellowship with one another. The World Youth Day event was started by Pope John Paul II in 1985 for all young people (teens and young adults), and has continued every 2 to 3 years. The last WYD was held in 2011 in Madrid, Spain, and this year's event is being held in Rio. Pope John Paul II had this to say about WYD at the last conference he attended, "When, back in 1985, I wanted to start the World Youth Days… I imagined a powerful moment in which the young people of the world could meet Christ, who is eternally young, and could learn from him how to be bearers of the Gospel to other young people. This evening, together with you, I praise God and give thanks to him for the gift bestowed on the Church through the World Youth Days. Millions of young people have taken part, and as a result have become better and more committed Christian witnesses.”

The youth are the future of our Church! While the world tries to tell youth that they don't need religion, they don't need Christ, and they don't need the Church, we need to give them opportunities to learn and grow in faith and continue to spread the gospel message. Please pray for all of our youth, especially those who have traveled far to Rio, and also all of the teens who will be attending the Steubenville San Diego conference this weekend.

 Did you know that ALL of us have the opportunity to participate in WYD this year? Check out the World Youth Day page at http://usccb.org/about/world-youth-day/index.cfm where you can watch LIVE coverage!

Pope Francis has also announced special indulgences for World Youth Day this year. If you're like me, you're probably thinking, "what?" Indulgences? Yes, it's true! Learn more about it here: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/jimmy-akin/12-to-know-and-share-about-the-world-youth-day-indulgences/

Have a blessed week!!

Tara Hutter