The Office for Youth and Young Adults of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will host over 500 youth from Saturday, July 19, 2008 to Sunday, July 20, 2008 for Local World Youth Day at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, Bucks County. The youth will begin their pilgrimage from Saint Jude Parish, 321 West Butler Road, Chalfont, Bucks County at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2008 to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, 654 Ferry Road, Doylestown, Bucks County (approximately 4.6 miles).

The purpose of hosting "Local World Youth Day" is to provide an opportunity to those who are unable make the journey to Sydney, Australia to participate in World Youth Day 2008. World Youth Day 2008 is a pilgrimage of faith, where young people from diverse backgrounds meet and experience the love of God.

Those attending Local World Youth Day will participate in various spiritual activities such as walking rosary, adoration, lighted evening prayer and procession. They will also watch on a jumbotron the delayed broadcast of Pope Benedict XVI's message which he will deliver to the thousands attending World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, Australia. Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will speak to those gathered via taped message. His Eminence is attending the World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney.

Monsignor James D. Beisel, Regional Vicar for Bucks County, will be the celebrant and homilist for the Closing Mass for Local World Youth Day. All are welcome to attend.

Sunday, July 20, 2008
9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Closing Mass for Local World Youth Day
National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa
654 Ferry Road
Doylestown, Bucks County 18901

World Youth Day was established by Pope John Paul II in 1986 as an annual event to reach out to the youth of the world. It is an invitation from the Pope to the youth of the world to celebrate their faith around a particular theme. The theme for World Youth Day 2008 is "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witness." Acts 1:8.

For more information on Local World Youth Day please visit www.oyya.org/localwyd.html.

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Contact
Meredith Wilson
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747