WYD

Half a world away, in Australia, 500,000 Catholics are celebrating World Youth Day. For more about the events and experiences, you can visit: http://www.wyd2008.org/.

Looks like Pope Benedict XVI is going to continue the tradition established by the ever-charismatic Pope John Paul II. Not to say that WYD will be the same without the pope who was celebrated like a rock star (I can still hear those "JP II, we love you!" chants), but good for Benedict for realizing what a gift this is, not only for our youth, but our Church. We still haven't seen the effects of past WYDs in Denver, Rome, Toronto (etc.) subside ...

Benedict also announced that MADRID will be the home of WYD 2011. Returning to Europe is a bit surprising, considering Cologne just hosted in 2005, but it's consonant with the goal Benedict declared during his first public address as pope, and his desire to re-evangelize Europe. At this rate, I wouldn't be shocked to see Paris be named the host city for WYD 2014!

Though I have to say, it'd sure be nice to see a Central or Latin American -- or even African -- WYD! If Vatican II was about the Church realizing its global identity (rather than one as a colonial Church based in Rome), Sydney was a step in the right direction.

Let's hope we see more of the same in store for 2014.