One of the most memorable experiences of my life was World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto, Canada. Over 800,000 youth and adult leaders crowded into Downsview Park to celebrate, to listen to cool music, to meet new people and make new friends, and to pray. It was a truly global gathering, with an impressive blend of cultures, customs and languages, all bound together in our shared faith. The universal meaning of the word "Catholic" vividly came alive for all who participated.

Reaching across the generations, this was our beloved Pope John Paul II's final World Youth Day. Although suffering the continuing effects of Parkinson's disease, the Holy Father seemed to be re-energized by the youthful crowd, who in turn were awed and electrified by him. It was an emotional experience of faith. United with the Vicar of Christ, all 800,000 of us were one as we offered praise and thanks to God, particularly in the closing Eucharistic liturgy.

Pope Benedict XVI has continued his predecessor's commitment to World Youth Day, presiding over the 2005 celebration in his native Germany at the city of Cologne. The world's Catholic youth are now preparing for the 2008 World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia.

Of course, not everyone is able to attend these incredible events. That is why the pope encourages World Youth Day in the Parish on the off years. This year, in the United States, we celebrate WYD in the Parish on Sunday, October 29. Pope Benedict gave a message to Catholic youth for this occasion. Here is my favorite quote from his address:

To build your life on Christ, to accept the word with joy and put its teachings into practice: This, young people of the third millennium, should be your program! There is an urgent need for the emergence of a new generation of apostles anchored firmly in the word of Christ, capable of responding to the challenges of our times and prepared to spread the Gospel far and wide.

To build your life on Christ! What better place to do that than in our local parish! Although most of us cannot personally attend a Papal Mass at World Youth Day, we can participate in the liturgy every Sunday as a local community, listening to the scriptures and being nourished by the Eucharist as we serve each other and the Lord in the various ministries of the Mass. As at World Youth Day, our parish liturgy unites all cultures and all generations in a common bond of Catholic faith.

There is an urgent need for the emergence of a new generation of apostles anchored firmly in the word of Christ! What better way to learn how to be an apostle than through our parish youth ministry! In our sharing of faith and scripture, in our openness to each other, in our service to those in need, in our fun times together, and in our prayer we experience what it must have been like to be that first community of apostles, gathered around Jesus, listening to him and, eventually, commissioned by him to bring his light to the world.

As the US Catholic Church celebrates World Youth Day in the Parish, let us pray for our young people, that they may experience a warm welcome in their parishes and be inspired to Go Make a Difference in the name of Christ.

Complete text of Pope Benedict's message for World Youth Day

Suggested Songs for "WYD in the Parish" Liturgy:

• Gathering Song: Come, Now Is the Time to Worship
• Responsorial Psalm: The Lord Upholds My Life
• Preparation of the Gifts: Fish With Me
• Communion Song: Here Am I, Lord
• Sending Forth: Go Make a Difference

More resources to help in the planning of World Youth Day in the Parish.