On Friday, 16th July, 2010, the Diocesan Youth Commission (KDŻ) presented Bishop Mario Grech with a memento of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Malta. The presentation was made at a meeting between KDŻ Malta and KDŻ Gozo, at the Gozo Curia. The memento, a replica of the painting the Pope was given by the youth at the Valletta Waterfront, marks the close collaboration between the two Commissions on the preparations to the visit.
The two Commissions took the opportunity to invite Bishop Grech to the World Youth Day, next year in Madrid. Hundreds of youths from Malta and Gozo are expected to participate in the celebrations in Spain where young people from all over the world will come together for two weeks, in the presence of the Pope.
The appointment with Pope Benedict in April stirred up renewed enthusiasm among young people from Malta and Gozo, who are now looking forward to the World Youth Day in August 2011. In the last edition, held in Sydney, the youth from Malta and Gozo were accompanied by Archbishop Pawl Cremona.
The Commissions of the two Dioceses expressed their intent to keep working together on the co-ordination of the journey towards the World Youth Day, focusing on the theme of faith in relationship with Christ. In accordance with the interest shown by various young people, the two Commissions are establishing contacts with the Spanish organisers to help local artists exhibit and perform their productions throughout the World Youth Day.
