While we wait

The papal airplane is still in the air, but before it arrives in Rio, there are a few little details to clear up.  Last week, the Apostolic Penitentiary (one of three tribunals which oversee the Roman Curia) issued the conditions under which those attending the World Youth Day celebration in Rio de Janeiro would be granted an indulgence.

The decree issued by the Penitentiary stipulates that it applies to those who will attend the World Youth Day festival in Rio, and also to those who follow the events of WYD via various social media, so long as those who cannot attend for various reasons, at least pray fervently for the success of the WYD encounter, and recite the World Youth Day Prayer.  The official prayer for the XXVIII World Youth Day is printed in the Liturgy Book which has been prepared for this gathering.  For the sake of convenience, the text of this prayer is also printed below.

Official Prayer 

for the XXVIII World Youth Day

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

July 23-28, 2013

Oh Father, You sent Your Eternal Son to save the world, and You

chose men and women, so that through Him, with Him and in Him,

they might proclaim the Good News of the Gospel to all nations.

Grant us the necessary graces, so that, by the power of the Holy

Spirit, the joy of being evangelists, which the Church needs in the

Third Millennium, may shine in the faces of all young people.

Oh Christ, Redeemer of humanity, the image of Your open arms

on the top of Corcovado, welcomes all people. In Your paschal

offering, You led us, by the Holy Spirit, to encounter the Father

as His children. Young people, who are nourished by the

Eucharist, who hear You in Your Word and meet You as their

brother, need your infinite mercy to walk along the paths of this

world as disciples and missionaries of the New Evangelization.

Oh Holy Spirit, Love of the Father and of the Son, with the splendor

of Your Truth and the fire of Your Love, shed Your Light upon all

young people so that, inspired by their experience at World Youth

Day, they may bring faith, hope and charity to the four corners of

the earth, becoming great builders of a culture of life and peace as

well as catalysts of a new world.

Amen!

It won't be long now before the Holy Father arrives.  Already the youth have begun to celebrate: to meet new friends from all corners of the world and to renew old friendships with other pilgrims who have been to previous such encounters.  Whether we are physically present in Rio or not, we can be part of this great festival by uniting our prayer with those who are gathering.  Ask the Lord to work miracles.  Ask the Lord to touch the hearts of the young people.  Ask the Lord to make disciples of all the nations (cf Mt 28:19), so that they in turn can witness to the love they experience and share the good news of their faith with all those they meet.