Over 600 young people from Malta and Gozo will be taking part in the World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain, between the 15th and 21st of August. The international event is a celebration of culture and christian faith drawing 2 million people from around the world.
Bishop Mario Grech will be leading the delegation and has been invited to hold catechesis, delivering a series of talks to international youth audiences. Various Maltese artists and animators were selected by the Spanish organization committee to perform in the official WYD program, among them separate concerts by RiSe Band and Rev. Robert Galea.
The Church Youth Commission (KDŻ) is co-ordinating a Malta Day in Madrid on Friday 19, bringing together the members of the 15 participating groups from Malta and Gozo.
The week-long programme in Madrid includes spiritual and cultural activities culminating in the overnight event between Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st. All WYD participants will converge in Cuatro Vientos Airfield, celebrating a night vigil with Pope Benedict and waking up to the closing Mass the morning after.
The theme of this year’s WYD is “Rooted and built up in Christ, firm in the faith” (Col 2,7). Earlier this year, the diocese of Malta produced and recorded the local version of official theme song, sung by Thea Garrett.