THE POPE OF YOUTH
Pope John Paul II
May 18, 1920–April 2, 2005
• “JP Two, We love you”
• “JP Too, he Loves YOU!”
Overview of the
Workshop
• Pope John Paul II’s Message to
Youth
World Youth Day History
• Applications
Using Renewing the Vision
“Dear young people, the Church needs
genuine witnesses for the new
evangelisation: men and women who
are capable of communicating this
experience to others. The Church
needs saints. All are called to
holiness, and holy people alone can
renew humanity.”
Cologne
JP II Message for
WORLD YOUTH DAYS
“The Days in fact were born, also in
response to an initiative of young
people themselves, of a desire to
offer them a significant ‘break’ on
the on-going pilgrimage of faith,
which is indeed nurtured by
meetings with young people of other
nations and sharing respective
experiences.”
“The principle objective of the Days
is to make the person of Jesus the
centre of the faith and life of every
young person so that he may be their
constant point of reference and also
the inspiration of every initiative and
commitment for education of the new
generations.”
World Youth Days
• 1984—International Youth Gathering
Rome
• 1986—Palm Sunday Established
World Youth Day
“Always be prepared to make a
defense to anyone who calls you to
account for the hope that is in you.”
1 Pt. 3:15
World Youth Day
Themes
• 1987 Buenos Aires—“We ourselves have
known and put our faith in God’s love toward
ourselves.” —1 Jn. 4:16
• 1988—“Do whatever He tells you.” — Jn. 2:5
• 1989—Santiago de Compostele, Spain—“I am
the Way, the Truth and the Life.” — Jn. 14:6
• 1990—“I am the Vine, you are the branches.”
Jn. 15:5
WYD THEMES
• 1991—Czestochowa, Poland—“You have
received a spirit of sonship.” — Rom. 8:15
• 1992—“Go into the whole world and proclaim
the Gospel”—Mk. 16:15
• 1993—“I came that they may have life, and
have it to the full.”—Jn. 10:10
• 1994 and 1995—“As the Father has sent me,
so I send you.”—Jn. 20:21—January, 1995—
Manilla, Phillipines
• 1996—“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have
the words of eternal life.”—Rom. 1:11-12
• 1997—Paris—“Teacher, where are you
staying? Come and see.”—Jn.1:38-39
• 1998—“The Holy Spirit will teach you all
things.”—Jn. 14: 26
• 1999—“The Father loves you.”—Jn. 16:27
• 2000—Rome—“The Word became flesh and
dwelt among you.”—Jn 1:14
• 2001—“If anyone wishes to come after me, he
must deny himself and take up his cross daily
and follow me.”—Lk. 9:23
• 2002—Toronto—“You are the salt of the
earth . . . You are the light of the world.”—
Mt. 5:13-14
• 2003—“Behold your Mother.”—Jn. 19:27
• 2004—“We wish to see Jesus.” —Jn 12:21
• 2005—Cologne—“We have come to worship
Him.”—Mt. 2:2
Renewing the Vision
• Goal 1: To empower young people to live
as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world
today.
“Freedom is the ability to live responsibly the
truth of our relationship with God and with
one another.”
“Each of you has a special mission in life,
and you are each called to be a disciple of
Christ.”
HOW?
• Show them the person of Christ
...
in Scripture
in Prayer
in Every day life: yours, theirs,
others
• In Scripture
Themes of WYD
www.nfcym.org
World Youth Day Reflections
Edited by Barbara Murray, St.
Mary’s Press
• In Prayer
Each program, each class should have
prayer as an essential element
Use different forms: liturgy of the
hours, lectio divina, guided meditation, the
Rosary using JP II’s Luminous Mysteries
Atmosphere—Prayer Space/Change
• In Everyday life: yours, theirs,
others
Faith sharing—a guided
question to be shared with
others
Stories
Witness Talks
• Goal 2: To draw young people to
responsible participation in the life,
mission, and work of the Catholic
faith community.
“Be witnesses to the Gospel! As active
and responsible members of the
Church, be disciples and witnesses of
Jesus Christ who reveals the Father.”
HOW?
• Through service
in the parish
in the community: local and global
• Through reflection on service
Scripture passage
Message: what happened, what do you
think, how are you feeling?
Think, reflect
What further action am I called to?
Prayer
• Goal 3: To foster the total personal
and spiritual growth of each young
person.
“This is the time of your ‘training,’ of
your physical, intellectual, emotional
and spiritual development. . . . Your
training will never be finished.
Christians are always in training.”
HOW?
• Comprehensive Programming
Activities that provide knowledge of the faith
Religious education/faith formation
Activities that allow them to live out their
faith
Service, community gatherings, vocation
talks
Activities that shows the church cares for
them
Pastoral guidance, family support,
acknowledging accomplishments,
knowing their names
General Ideas
• Themes of WYD
Prayer
Deeper Reflection
• Pope John Paul II’s Addresses
Podcasts
Lesson plans
Words/phrases:
What do they mean to you?
How do you/have you seen them lived out?
• Witness Talks from young adults who heard JP II in
person
• My Dear Young Friends: Pope John
Paul II Speaks to Teens on Life,
Love, and Courage
52 weekly reflections
Scripture
Message
Think about that
Take action
Say a prayer
Did you know?
“This is what is needed: a Church for
young people, which will know how
to speak to their heart and enkindle,
comfort, and inspire enthusiasm in it
with the joy of the Gospel and the
strength of the Eucharist;
a Church which will know how to
invite and to welcome the person
who seeks a purpose for which to
commit his whole existence;
a Church which is not afraid to require
much, after having given much;
which does not fear asking from
young people the effort of a noble
and authentic adventure, such as the
following of the Gospel.”
1995 World Day of Prayer for
Vocations