The ‘Word Youth Day’ celebrations, from August 15- 21, witnessed a participation of over 1 million youth from all over the world.
In Madrid, Nagaland team was represented by Rev. Fr. C.P. Anto, Youth Director, Diocese of Kohima and his team. Nagaland missed a golden chance to showcase its cultural grandeur to the millions gathered at world youth day as the Cultural Team led by Rev. Fr. Francis Yimso could not make it to the event due to visa problems.
To mark the day, millions of Catholics lined up on the streets of Madrid, Spain, to catch a glimpse of Pope Benedict XVI as he arrived in the Spanish capital on Thursday.
Pope Benedict smiled and waved to thousands of youth waving their national flags and enthusiastically chanting their greetings, as the Popemobile made its way through the streets of Madrid. The theme of the World Youth Day is “Rooted and Built Up in Christ and Firm in the Faith” (cf. Col 2:7)
“Today Madrid is also the capital of the world’s young people, and the gaze of the whole Church is fixed here,” Pope Benedict said. “Let us pray that his message of hope and love will also resound in the hearts of those who are not believers or who have grown distant from the Church.”
On Friday 19, the Pope prayed the Stations of the Cross with the pilgrims at Cibeles Square. He met patients at a local hospital and took part in a prayer vigil with the young people.
In some of the most extraordinary scenes witnessed at any recent Papal event, Pope Benedict XVI braved thunder, lighting and driving rain to tell young people to stay close to Christ as they make their way in life.
“Be proud of the gift of faith which you have received, as it will illumine your life at every moment,” said the Pope to over a million young people gathered for a prayer vigil at Cuatro Vientos air base on the outskirts of Madrid.
“Christ alone can respond to your aspirations. Let yourselves be seized by God, so that your presence in the Church will give her new life!”