World Youth Day

Richard A. Sokerka

As you read this, World Youth Day is under way in Krakow, Poland, and thousands upon thousands of young pilgrims from around the world are experiencing this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Of course, the cherry on the top of this spiritual experience is the youths’ encounter with Pope Francis.

In a video message sent to the pilgrims prior to his arrival there, Pope Francis told them, “My entire visit will be inspired by mercy during this Jubilee Year, and by the grateful and blessed memory of St. Pope John Paul II, who instituted the World Youth Days and was the guide of the Polish people in its recent historic journey towards freedom.”

The choice of Poland as the host nation for World Youth Day is significant in this Year of Mercy. It was in a convent chapel in Krakow where St. Faustina of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy received visions and messages from Jesus about his Divine Mercy, which she compiled into a diary that became the book, “Diary of St. Faustina: Divine Mercy in My Soul.” So special is that convent chapel that Pope Francis will visit the Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Krakow July 30.

Pope Francis also told the pilgrims that he is anxious to meet them so that together they can offer the world a new sign of harmony, a mosaic of different faces, from many races, languages, peoples and cultures, but all united in the name of Jesus, who is the face of mercy.”

During his visit, the Pope will also symbolically present families at the event with copies of “Amoris Laetitia,” his apostolic exhortation on love in the family. “The moral and spiritual ‘health’ of a nation is seen in its families. That is why Saint John Paul II showed such great concern for engaged couples, young married couples and families. Continue along this road!” Pope Francis said.

Let us pray for all who are in Krakow for World Youth Day that they all be kept safe and that they return home energized in their faith with a deeper love for the Church, the Body of Christ.