World Youth Day Special Edition
By Mary L. Leisring
Director, Office of Black Catholic Ministry
Archdiocese of Denver
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We can pray that the Archdiocese of Denver will reap many blessings from the more than 500 Catholic youth from the area who attended WYD in Spain in August.

It was such a blessing for me to be able to share this tour and WYD with Catholics from St. Mark's parish in Westminster, St. John the Evangelist in Loveland, St. Frances Cabrini in Littleton, Holy Name in Steamboat Springs, St. Mary's in Littleton and Cure d' Ars in Denver.

Our trip took us thru London to Barcelona, Spain. Near Barcelona is the shrine at Montserrat which has the renowned Our Lady of Montserrat which is classified as one of the Black Virgins. The fame of this Blessed Virgin is world-wide and brought its devotion to the island of Montserrat in the Caribbean.

A tour bus took us to Lourdes in France where we participated in the candlelight procession, had Mass at the grotto and bathed in the miraculous waters. Being at such a famous site and sharing in the de-votions there was a great preparation for the WYD events in Madrid.

The first day in Madrid brought us to an inspiring catechesis with Archbishop Charles Chaput, OFM, Cap. It is customary for the Bishop to have a catechesis for the youth from their diocese. Following this we attended the EWTN show titled "Life on the Rock".

In the opening ceremonies, one of the youth spoke of the highlight being the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. There was a very ornate nine foot high gold and silver monstrance which is a treasured work of art in Spain. They felt the silence before the Blessed Sacrament was very moving.

Another youth spoke about the climax of WYD being reached when the Holy Father joins the youth. His first appearance at the prayer vigil became quite dramatic when the wind came up and a thunderstorm cooled off the crowd.

After an all-night vigil on the ground, the more than one million + pilgrims were ready for the closing mass with Pope Benedict, 700 Bishops and 14,000 priests from all over the world.

"Firmes en la FE" was the official WYD song. The chorus is:

We go forward in Christ,
He's our companion and He is Lord!
Glory be to Him! Glory Be to Him!
We go forward in Christ
Made stronger in our faith.

The message was often repeated that the youth were sent out into the world from which they came "firm and stronger in their faith" to evangelize the world for Christ.

The next World Youth Day will be in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2013.

Mary L. Leisring
Director, Office of Black Catholic Ministry
Archdiocese of Denver