.- The organizing committee for World Youth Day Madrid 2011 recently published a pastoral plan to assist young people in preparing for the event by deepening their spirituality through prayer and the sacraments.
“The quality of WYD depends on our spiritual preparation,” said Angel Matesanz, director of ministry for WYD. “We need to allow ourselves to be captivated by Jesus Christ and to become his collaborators.”
Gregorio Roldan, the secretary general of WYD and director of youth ministry for Madrid explained, “This year the objectives of the pastoral plan are much broader because young people will be coming to WYD from all over the world: the main actors will be the youth.”
The objectives will focus on three main areas: growth in the knowledge of Jesus Christ; the fostering of prayer and participation in the sacraments; and bearing witness to the faith through word and action.
The pastoral plan underscores personal preparation through a greater prayer life and knowledge of Jesus Christ, as well as the regular use of the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation. It also encourages family prayer, participation in parish life and spreading the word about WYD to friends and acquaintances.
