Cologne, Germany

August 15-21, 2005

‘We have come to worship him.’ (Mt 2:2)

World Youth Day is an international gathering of young Catholics from all over the world (young people from 177 countries come to WYD). For five days, in one city, you have the chance to meet Catholic young people in a festival of prayer, hope and hopefully fun!

If you want to find out more about your faith or maybe you want to meet with other young people to celebrate your faith, then World Youth Day is for you.

‘The Church has much to say to young people. And they have much to say to the Church. This mutual dialogue mush open-hearted, clear and courageous. It fosters encounter and exchange between the generations and becomes a source of wealth and youth for the Church and society.’

-Pope John Paul II

WORLD YOUTH DAY 2005 PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ,

Saviour of the World,

You became man

to give us a life in abundance.

You promised to remain with us in Your Church

until the end of time.

Then Your Kingdom will come:

a new heaven and earth

full of love, justice and peace.

This is our hope, our foundation.

Thanks be to You!

Lord, we pray:

Bless the young people around the world.

Reveal Yourself to those who are searching for You.

Awake those who do not believe in You.

Strengthen the faith of those who confess in You.

Let them continuously set out to You,

like the three Wise Men from the East.

Make them architects of a new civilisation of love

and witnesses of hope for the whole world.

Through them be close to those

who suffer from hunger, war and violence.

Inspire by your Holy Spirit those who are contributing

the preparations for World youth Day 2005.

Make them serve your Kingdom

with the power of their faith and their love

and let them welcome their brothers and sisters

from all over the world with open hearts.

Lord, you gave us Mary as our Mother.

Let Her be our advocate for World Youth Day

so that it becomes a celebration of faith.

Bless Your Church with new strength these days,

so that She can become a credible witness for You.

We ask this through You, our Lord and God,

living in the unity with the Father and the Holy Spirit,

reigning forever and ever.

Amen