40 years since the first youth gathering with Saint John Paul II: the ‘Festival of Hope’ at the San Lorenzo International Youth Centre

On 13 and 14 April, the 'Festival of Hope' was held at the San Lorenzo International Youth Centre (CSL) to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first youth meeting in Saint Peter's Square which was convened by Saint John Paul II during the 1984 Holy Year of the Redemption.

In memory of this moment that gave rise to World Youth Day (WYD), on Saturday 13 April, young people of different nationalities and adults who participated in the 1984 event gathered together to carry the Cross of Youth in a procession from St Peter’s Square to the CSL.

Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça: The importance of WYD in the life of the Church

Upon the procession ending at the CSL, the cross was placed next to the altar and Holy Mass commenced, presided over by H. Em. Card. José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education. During the homily, Card. Tolentino de Mendonça emphasised the importance of World Youth Day in the life of the Church and the aspiration of St John Paul II who dreamed of a youth in love with Christ. He said, "Experiencing WYD is an indispensable moment in the life of the Church. In Lisbon, we saw young people as protagonists of the missionary life of the Church. St John Paul II, in organising WYD, dreamed of a youth in love with Christ.”

The commemoration of this day continued with 'Rise Up', a moment of prayer and adoration led by the Shalom Catholic Community which currently runs the CSL under the guidance of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life. Young people representing the five continents renewed their response and adherence to the spirit of WYD, interceding for other young people and closing the event by joining together in adoration around the cross.

Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik: "I bring you the affectionate greetings of the Holy Father who asks for your prayers for his mission and for peace"

On Sunday 14 April – the anniversary of the first gathering of young people in St Peter's Square – Holy Mass was presided over by His Eminence Card. Lazarus You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy. "I bring you the Holy Father's affectionate greetings, asking for your prayers, that we pray for him and accompany him in his mission. We are always men of peace, we pray together for peace in the world, being men and women of peace, living the word of God with the grace of the Holy Spirit, this is our vocation. St John Paul II gave young people the cross because the cross is our peace," stressed the Korean Cardinal who also asked for prayers for his country that will host the next WYD in Seoul in 2027.

Dr Gleison Paula de Souza, the Secretary of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life, expressed words of thanks to Cardinal Tolentino and Cardinal You. In thanking them for accepting the invitation of the CSL, the Secretary urged all present to take "time to come here, to this beautiful church of San Lorenzo, to adore the Cross of Youth – alone or in groups – to entrust to the Cross the conflicts, the sufferings of humanity and our own, and leave us with the renewed hope that Christ is alive and wants us alive".

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The 'Festival of Hope’ – 40th anniversary of the first youth gathering in 1984 was organised by the San Lorenzo International Youth Centre, and sponsored by the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life and the John Paul II Youth Foundation.