Vatican City, May 18, 2021 / 12:00 pm
The Vatican released pastoral guidelines Tuesday for local World Youth Day celebrations with the aim of encouraging Church leaders to “give more importance to the diocesan celebration of WYD.”
In addition to the massive World Youth Day gatherings typically held every three years, the Catholic Church also sponsors local youth day events for which the pope sends a message each year.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, and Fr. Alexandre Awi Mello, the dicastery’s secretary, signed the guidelines published May 18 with Pope Francis’ approval.
“Some young people cannot take part in the international WYDs because of their studies, work or financial difficulties. It would therefore be good for each particular Church to offer them the possibility, even if at a local level, of a personal experience of a ‘festival of faith’ that can be a powerful occasion for witnessing, communion and prayer similar to the international events,” the pastoral guidelines said.